My fondness for kerosene lamps began in 1966 when I took my mother to visit a friend who had dozens of kerosene lamps on display.  I think I sat mesmerised by these beautiful  lamps for the entire visit.

Many years later Mum, knowing my fondness for kerosene lamps, arrived back from a holiday with the beautiful milky blue lamp which took pride of place in our home.  It was not just ornamental, it was kept full of lamp oil with matches beside, and well used because the power often went off, usually at dinner time with dinner half cooked and small boys needing a bath. The problem was eventually fixed but despite the inconvenience it was lovely sitting by lamp light in the lounge room which was heated by a wood heater.  This is the first lamp on the left in the photo.

We were living in Benalla when I purchased by next lamp at a clearing sale in Waller Street.  I stood for hours and it was auctioned quite late in the proceedings.  There was another bidder for the lamp who I think was equally keen but eventually I became the proud owner of the next lamp in the photo.

My sister and I had a holiday in England in 1997 and stopped at a village in England in and had coffee next to an antique shop.  Against my better judgement I had a quick look inside and saw green kerosene lamp I eventually purchased.  I was told it was a 1930’s lamp.  It is a double burner and has an unusual chimney which is flat on two sides.  This was fine while we had our hire car but became a problem when we had to leave our car in Reading and travel back to London by train and then more trains to Archway station.  My sister remembers  wrestling  with two lots of luggage while I sailed along carrying my precious  lamp quite oblivious to her struggles. 

I bought the amber lamp at Camberwell market.  I would often catch a tram down Whitehorse Road and then another down Burke Road to the market during visits to Melbourne.  I saw it on several visits and eventually decided that, if the lamp was still there on my third visit, I would buy it, which it was and so I did.  It also has a double burner which apparently is desirable as it shows a brighter light.

The little pink lamp, although pretty, was probably not a good buy as it’s a bit wobbly.  I think I bought it in Balwyn.  I put it on the floor once when I was dusting in a hurry and kicked it over but it didn’t break.  I thought that was a pretty silly thing to do as I could have broken it, however I put in back on floor continued my dusting, kicked it over again and this time broke the bottom of the chimney.  It is now glued up,  You can’t see the break, but I know it’s there.

None of my lamps are shown in a book I bought on lamps which features much grander lamps.
Mine are far less grand but give me a lot of pleasure.
​

Judith Borthwick
August 2020

​Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown I was lucky enough to visit the Glenrowan Vintage Hall and purchased two Trinket Boxes.

One was a delightful vintage Trinket Box made by Crown China Craft Ltd. with yellow, mauve and pink flowers on the lid of a green pot. It was handmade and painted in England with gold trim around the lid and top of the pot.    This company originated in 1946 in Stoke-on-Trent, England.

The other was a Trinket Box made by Capodimonte porcelain ware, vintage 1950 handmade and painted in Italy with roses on the lid and gold trim.   Capodimonte porcelain originated in Naples in 1743. This delicate porcelain is easily recognizable for its tiny pastel flowers and elegant figurines.  It is still produced today and the vintage items are sought after. 

​​I also obtained from Marketplace on Facebook a piece of Art Deco Carlton Ware.  This plate is called Vert Royale and was manufactured in the 1920's along with Rouge Royale and Bleu Royale.  Carlton Ware was first produced in 1890 in Stoke-on-Trent, England.  

​ We hope that we will soon be able to get together again at Collectors.

​Robyn Desmier

​The theme for the March meeting was metal and 12 people brought an interesting variety of items.
Jacquie brought a solid copper vase which was possibly an example of trench art, Japanese tile and metal trivets and two J S & S Sankey copper hot water jugs in a lizard skin finish.
Jennie had a little pineapple shaped pill box with tiny tongs. They were popular in the 1800s, being made for the Russian czars, but she was told this one was a copy, made in the 1930s.
Wendy’s items included a Dubarry by Paramount silver coffee pot with bakelite handle from the 1930s, Judith had a brass compote, Indian oil burner and brass candle holders while Janet’s items included an English silver tea set with a water irises and cranes pattern.
Margaret brought a reproduction of a medieval thimble from Ireland and a gold and turquoise brooch over 100 years old with the gold said to have come from a Bendigo mine.
Shirlie, who lived in India for some time, had some interesting items from that country’s roadside sellers. There were brass and copper receptacles pilgrims used to bring back holy water from the Ganges and a paan box.  Paan is a preparation of betel leaf and areca nut, chewed and then spat out or swallowed, used for its stimulant and euphoric effects.
Heather brought some tins including one of the Australian Red Ensign flag in the Anzac series, Sandie had wire model cars, reminiscent of her travels in Africa where children ran along the streets, towing the cars behind them while Alan showed a silver florin, Australia’s first commemorative coin for the 1927 opening of Parliament House, Canberra.
Both Wilma and Robyn’s items included a military theme.  Robyn brought memorabilia from her grandfather’s service on a World War 1 mine sweeper while Wilma brought jewellery fashioned from mother of pearl and the silver of two, shilling pieces, made by her father while serving in the airforce in New Guinea during World War 11.
​
Jacquie Schwind

The first 2020 meeting of Collectors drew 16 people, most of whom brought along some of their favourite items.  They included Dorothy’s diminutive Peter Pan sewing machine and very old ivory elephant, Robyn’s Carlton ware, Wilma’s teapots and linen tea towels, Helen’s family lace collection and Shirlie’s commemorative English royal family books and a handmade coronation procession skirt.

Judith brought her pride and joy, a fuchsia Royal Winton Grimwades dish, while Jenny brought a coloured handle Wiltshire cutlery set, won by someone in a 1964 golf competition.

Wendy had an elegant art deco, chalkware figurine of a dancing couple and a replica anointment spoon from Edward’s coronation and Jennifer brought a Carlton Ware cup and saucer and a Royal Staffordshire strawberry dish.

Jacquie showed an ammonite fossil of a coiled shell from either the Jurassic or Cretaceous period, ammonites being a squid like creature.

Heather and Alan both had unusual objects.

Heather’s were stress squeeze toys in various shapes including one which held special meaning for her. The stress squeeze police car was a lasting reminder of the 1986 Russell Street police headquarters bombing and the man who pushed her and others through a back door to safety. Not employed by Victoria Police, Heather had been doing work in the records office for another company on that day, which killed one policewoman and injured 22 people.

Alan, a collector of shells for 70 years, said he had not chosen his most valuable object, but decided to bring two common garden snails, one of which was an oddity.

Shells are usually sinistral with their aperture on the right but one of the snails he had stumbled across had its shell opening on the left.

It was decided Collectors’ next meeting would be on Labor Day, Monday, March 9 from 10am and the theme would be metal.

​Jacquie

See you on Monday 10 February 2020 at 10 am.  We will start the year with “Favourite items - new or old”.
​
Dorothy Webber

We started our well–attended November meeting with a slide show of all the items we had brought along during the year and of course our ‘Day out in Dookie’.  Thank you, Robyn for taking all the photos and producing this slide show.  It adds so much to the last program for each year.  Thanks also to Bev who assisted and was present on the day.   It was a very well-presented slideshow and brought back memories of items we had taken along.  We also had two guests attend who we hope will become involved next year.
 
Our theme for the meeting was ‘Christmas’ - hardly original as we have had the same theme each year, but members manage to bring along different items each time.  Bev brought along a beautiful old tureen and plate and silver serving utensils which her grandmother always used at Christmas.  Wilma had a tree made out of horseshoes with decorations hanging from it.  Most of us had Christmas baubles and or plates all with a Christmas theme.

Collectors will commence again in February 2020. 

Best wishes to all for a happy and safe Christmas.
​
Judith Borthwick

Our excursion to Dookie was most enjoyable. Our first stop was at the Dookie CWA gardens where we had morning tea.  These small and well kept gardens provided a pleasant venue with tables, bench seats and a barbeque, all under cover.

We then back-tracked the short distance to the Doll Museum which is housed in the old Bakery building.  The oven is still in the building and we were shown just how large it was being capable of cooking 600 loaves per day.  There were trays of pie tins and the paddles used for getting bread in and out of the oven.  It takes days to get the oven to the temperature required for cooking.  Pam, the owner, cooked Christmas dinner in the oven one year and they ate in the bakery.

There were over 2000 dolls on display in the museum.  This amazing collection showed dolls of every shape, size and colour.  There were dolls in prams, dolls in cots, rows and rows of dolls on shelves and one doll with broken leg had her crutches with her.  The dolls were beautifully dressed and presented.  As well as dolls, there were toys, games, a collection of old tools and much more.

Following this we headed to the Chateau.  A historic house at Dookie which is being renovated.  Brian welcomed us to the Chateau told us something of the history of the house which dates back to 1886.  Helen served a delicious light lunch in the dining room where we heard more history of the chateau.  We then visited the former maid’s quarters before heading off home and toured the garden. 

Photographs - Robyn Desmier

​In a busy week the Collector’s group had a display on the stage at the Senior’s morning tea which caused some interest.  Our varied display had a collection of tins, a green depression glass and Bakelite canisters, a beautiful 1940’s wedding dress and photo of the wedding party and a display of footy memorabilia.

The theme for November is 'Christmas' or bring something from your collection/s you love.
​
Judith Borthwick

Thank you to all Collectors' group members who contributed to the display at the Benalla Seniors Festival/U3A Meet and Mingle morning tea in October!

Weddings was our theme for September and we had a very interesting display of wedding items including wedding gowns, photos and other memorabilia of parents, grandparents, nieces and aunts weddings, as well as photos and memorabilia of our own weddings .

These included a beautiful post-war wedding gown which was much admired and a photo of the wedding party with the bride wearing it. There was also a 1960’s wedding dress again with a photo of the bride and groom, a wedding album, a decoration from the top of the cake and horseshoes. A beautiful wedding photo, a doll which decorated the wedding car and a newspaper cutting with a description of the wedding was also shown.

There were also older photos of parent’s weddings, grandparent’s weddings as well as a newspaper cutting from Trove with details of another grandparent’s wedding.

Various other wedding photos and memorabilia led to much discussion and reminiscences of the items displayed as we wandered down memory lane.

On October 14th we will have an excursion to Dookie to the Doll Museum with lunch at ‘The Chateau’.

​Judith Borthwick

Our theme was Toys and Games and we certainly had a great variety, with dolls, teddy bears, puzzles, and one little toy which waddled down a slope much to everyone’s amusement.

John brought along a wind up train set and some track which was given to him when he was nine years old and which had belonged to his father.  He also had a container of marbles and a plastic multi-puzzle. 

We saw dolls with beautifully beaded and intricately hand knitted gowns which were a work of art, along with a doll which left England in 1949 and was stuffed with straw.  There was also Jemima the Cabbage Patch doll complete with clothes.   There was an original Barbie, a 50th anniversary reproduction and a Malibu Barbie with her towel ready for the beach.

Janet showed us two dolls one of which was named Alice and was 40 years old.   Shirley had an Upside Down doll, a beautiful kite from China and a set of toy soldiers.

Teddy bears also featured with one being dressed as a Beefeater and bought at Harrods and another which was hand-made and won in a raffle at Dookie, hence its name ‘Dookie’.

These are just some of the items brought along.  It will be so interesting to see them all again, plus all the other items brought along this year at our November meeting when we will view a slide-show of items for the whole year.

Our theme for September is Weddings.

​Judith Borthwick

​The theme for our July meeting was Pincushions and Bookmarks, but before we showed these Dorothy welcomed the President of U3A Wangaratta who is going to start a Collectors group in Wangaratta in second semester. 

Robyn showed up a slide show of our first four months of Collectors.  We were so impressed we asked her to show them again.  Many thanks, Robyn.  Our guest was also very impressed and wished she had someone with similar skills in her group.  We are looking forward to seeing the slide show of our whole year, complete with music, in November.

Our bookmarks and pincushions were many and varied, ranging from a silver one to homemade but very effective ones.   Many were souvenirs from holidays.  However most of us agreed that we usually grabbed what was handy to use as a bookmark.

Our theme for August will be Toys and Games.
​
Judith Borthwick

While many of us groaned at the thought of ‘Fans’ for our May theme a large, varied and very interesting selection was presented.

Most fans had been purchased as travel souvenirs and caused a lot of reminiscing but some were family treasures.  Lynne showed us a hand painted fish-skin fan which had belonged to her aunt, a nurse at Tobruk.

John had a selection of fans from the now defunct Benalla Light Opera Co including one from a 1980 production where all cast members had to make their own prop.

Helen had an Interesting selection including one made from animal skin and a large fan purchased in Malaysia but Shirlie won the prize for the biggest specimen.

Henry’s Scottish themed timber fan caused a lot of interest with its tartan ribbon and thistle decoration.

There will be no meeting in June due to the long weekend.

The theme for July is book-marks and pin cushions so we have plenty of time to find those often elusive bookmarks
​
Jennifer Campbell

Our theme for April was ‘Animals’ and we had quite a menagerie ranging from a Teddy Bear and Bambi bookends to many things in between, including a Lock Ness monster.  Corrie had a collection of animals including a metal bird made by her husband.  Amongst Shirlie’s many items were salt and pepper shakers featured in the Carters Book.   Janet brought along souvenirs of a 1982 visit to Sweden and John had some quality glass.   Lynne’s collection included a British Bulldog and a copy of an Egyptian cat.

Robyn brought along a Terrier dog figurine amongst other beautiful items.  Jacquie brought along some of her collection of 200 tins which mainly date from the 1970s and back.  Some of her earlier ones are from the 1930.  The Bushells’s Australian tin is one of her oldest.   Judith had some quirky items including a frog soap dish, a turtle wearing a top hat which was a pot for a small plant and a cat and dog which had belonged to her mother-in-law.  May theme – ‘Fans’.
​
Judith Borthwick

​​​We had a diverse range of items on display in March as a theme had not been set. 

Jacquie’s  1964 Ferris radio in its original box caused much comment.  Jacquie was able to tell us that in 1934 William and George Ferris established Ferris Bros in Sydney.    By the early 1960’s the company employed about 700 workers.  It was sold in 1970.  William died in 2007 aged 93.  His obituary said that his wife Joan still listened to the news on their 1947 Ferris radio

Jennifer’s pictures (prints/copies) had hung in her parent’s and grandparent’s homes.   Jacquie did some research  into these pictures after our meeting and discovered some interesting facts about the painter of the originals.  We look forward to hearing what she discovered at our next meeting.

Janet showed a silver butter dish with a space underneath for ice to keep butter cool.  It had a unique handle in the shape of a cow.  Robyn showed some of her lovely Carlton Ware including a recently acquired piece from the Baddagginie Op Shop, a real find.  Robyn has also done some research and found some facts on the company which manufactured Janet’s butter dish.
Margaret’s  two embroidered supper cloths were much admired.  One she embroidered herself in different colours.  The other was white on white and was made by her grandmother with the date 1897 embroidered in one corner.

​Dave brought along a souvenir mug and cap from the Junee roundhouse  and spoke about the Goulburn roundhouse where railways locomotives and carriages were repaired.
John’s programs were of much interest.  They included a 1956 program from the Euroa Show, one from a 1960’s Ashton’s Circus and one from ‘My Fair Lady’ at her Majesty’s Theatre  in which local man John Lidgerwood performed.Our theme for April is ‘Animals’ which covers a very broad range so we should have some very interesting items.  
​
Judith Borthwick

​At our first meeting for the year we welcomed four new members and of course our returning members at a well attended meeting.  Our theme was ‘Souvenirs’ and we had a wonderful display and were fortunate to hear some very interesting stories and reminiscences about the pieces.  Many of the items were holiday souvenirs.

Margaret brought along a London Festival Theatre Program actually signed by Rudolph Nureyev.  She was lucky enough to go backstage and meet Rudolph following the ballet, a lasting memory.

Jacquie brought along a family heirloom, a Royal Stafford trinket box, produced for a ‘Back-to’ to Horsham in 1929.  A picture of Horsham featured on the lid.  Jan showed some Chinese artifacts and we were privileged to hear how she because interested in them as she told us about her background and growing up in Tasmania.

An unusual item - and a first for Collectors - was a bottle of wine from HDC winery in the Glenrowan area.  This winery no longer exists but we were reliably informed that they produced some very nice wines.  The bottle had been purchased and put away for a special occasion and then forgotten.  It was souvenir of the winery and many happy days out.   The wine looked as if it hadn’t improved with age and was most unlikely to be opened.

Robyn brought along a selection of souvenirs from London, Norway, Russia, Germany and Spain.  Wilma  showed  a pendant and necklet from Greece, and a drawn thread cotton and silk table mat bought from a lady at a church in Moni on Naxos Island, a Murano Red glass pendant from Venice  and wooden figures “The Deepings”, Nicholls Rivulet – Huon Valley.

Lynne had Cats from Istanbul, Italy and a reproduction of the Book of Kells.  Elaine brought along items from Switzerland  and Barbara items from Cairo, a Henry VIII fridge magnet, and an item from the Wedgewood factory.  Judith showed glass lollies purchased at Port Douglas and Venice as well as an ornament from Olympia in Greece.

Our scheduled March meeting falls on the 11th March which is a long weekend.  It was decided to hold the meeting for those who are around.  A theme was not set so please  bring along one or more of your favourite items.  The meeting will be held as usual in the U3A room at the Seniors Community Centre at 10.00 am.
​
Judith Borthwick

Collectors had a meeting in December where our theme was Christmas and once again we had some lovely items to admire.  Those who attended received a small plant in a tiny pot as a Christmas token.

Our February meeting will be held on February 11th at 10 am in the Seniors Community Centre.  We have several new enrolments who will be very welcome as will our returning members.

The theme for February will be ‘Souvenirs’.  This covers a wide range of items which could include holiday souvenirs, theatre programs, tickets or wedding souvenirs, etc.  The theme is a suggestion only and you are welcome to bring along another item if you prefer.  Looking forward to seeing you there on Feb 11th.
​
Judith Borthwick

In December, 'Collectors' brought along Christmas themed items, perhaps a Christmas present they were given or planning to give, a decoration, an item bringing back memories of family and friends at Christmas. 

Collectors members visited the Memorial Hall on 12th November and were warmly welcomed by RSL members Ted Polkinghorne, Tom Heaney and Ron Burns.  Ted and Tom showed us many items in their collection and explained something of their background.  A very interesting item was an exercise book in which every letter and envelope received from her son during his war service was kept by a local mother.  Much of the collection related to local men who had served in the wars, two very important items being rescued from an incinerator and due to be burnt.  We were treated to afternoon tea with a delicious fruit cake made by Margaret after which we adjourned downstairs where our members showed their war memorabilia to the group and the RSL men.  This produced much interest from all concerned. ​

Many thanks to the RSL members for giving of their time after a very busy two weeks in which they had  helped to sell poppies and organise the very moving ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day.

Our last meeting for the year will be held on 10th December at our usual time of 10 am in the Seniors Community building.  The theme will be ‘Christmas’ so bring along a Christmas themed item, perhaps a special gift you have received or a decoration etc.

Judith Borthwick 

Reminiscing about our school days and examining mementos was very enjoyable at our October meeting.  Members of our group had attended schools in many locations around Australia and in New Zealand.  Three of our group had attended Benalla East Primary School, both in its original position – a lovely old building next to the present High School in Barkly Street--and in its current position in Avon Street, as well as attending Benalla High School. 
We had a lovely collection of swap cards, which was a great play-time activity, school reports, text books, exercise books, and more.  A prize winning painting of a clown, a smocked babies dress, and exercise books with sewing samples all proved of interest.   Several school photos were also on display.

The text books included Dacomb shorthand, Fitting and Turning, a handbook of Home Management, and a very old dictionary.  Also included was a Certificate of Registration of a Hairdresser and various other items which provoked much discussion.  First and Second readers provided must interest and the story of the Hobyahs we agreed was rather horrifying for six and seven year olds.

Our November meeting involves a change of time and venue.  We will meet on Monday 12th November at 2.00 pm at the RSL rooms in Nunn Street where we will view the RSL collection.
​ 
Judith Borthwick

Members of ‘U3A Collectors’ were saddened to learn of the passing of popular member Pat Quinn recently.

Pat was a valued member of ‘Collectors’ who contributed greatly to the success of the program.  She brought along many beautiful items, including tea cups, superb crocheted items, and the piece no-one is likely to forget, her beautiful silver teapot on a stand of which she was justifiably proud and which we were privileged  to see and hear about it.

Pat will be sadly missed for her cheerful disposition and her willingness to contribute.  Sincere sympathy is extended to her family.
 
Judith Borthwick

Collectors were saddened to learn of the passing of valued member Pat Quinn who died recently.  Pat brought along many of her treasures to Collectors but members will mostly remember her beautiful silver teapot on a stand.  Sincere sympathy is extended to Pat’s family.

​Our theme for September was ‘time’ with various items on display.  Corrie, who is unable to attend our meeting because of a prior commitment sent along four of her clocks which produced must interest.  They were shaped as an aeroplane, a cow, a kiwi and a grandfather clock. 

Many watches were on display, some of which were very old, having belonged to grandparents.
We saw a wonderful display of clocks, which included two carriage clocks, one with its case.  An Ansonia mantle clock, crystal clocks, a talking clock, a clock with a clear dome inside which Swiss figures danced, a Royal Albert clock, a sewing machine clock an elephant clock and an alarm clock, were just some of the clocks we saw and discussed.

Our theme for October is ‘Education/school days’ so hopefully you will have memorabilia from those days.  Exercise books, text books, badges, uniforms, reports, and more !!! 

Judith Borthwick

Once again, our numbers were down with 11 apologies being received from members who were holidaying in warmer climes or overseas, unwell, or otherwise engaged.  Our best wishes to those who are unwell.

We did however have a most enjoyable meeting with our theme of ‘metal’.  Dorothy had been to an antique action the weekend before and brought along a catalogue of items for sale.  This was of great interest and bargains could be obtained as prices were low.  It seems our heirlooms and collections are not going to make us rich.

Many of our group had spent a few hours polishing their items and we had lovely variety of shiny silver, copper and brass ware.  These included a pair of baby shoes which had been dipped in copper - a treasured keepsake - , and brass items made from bullet cases during World War II, a soldiers Dog Tag and badge, a brass elephant decorated with gems, a beautiful antique cruet set, silver pin cushion, silver tea pots, jugs and sugar basins., copper Johnny Walker Tray and metal George VI tray, Copper coal scuttle, hand-made gypsy kettle and other brass, copper and silver ornaments. 

All these items can be seen on the U3A website under ‘Collectors’.  Many thanks to Bev once again.

Members were very interested in two ‘Carter’s Antiques’ books donated by Godfrey and Carole with two people taking home a copy each to be returned at our next meeting.   Our thanks to Carole and Godfrey.
 
Our theme for September is ‘time’.  So, dust off your clocks and watches and bring them along.  They don’t have to be in working order.
​
Judith Borthwick

Our theme of ‘Flowers’ produced a wide variety of beautiful items.  One item of particular interest was a painting on the back of a mine detector.  It was of great sentimental value to the family, not so much for the painting itself, but the fact that their mother had been a supervisor in a factory which manufactured mine detectors during the Second World War.  A very responsible and stressful job. 

We also had beautiful items of clothing purchased in Kashmir, beautifully worked tapestries, hand embroidered doilies and handkerchiefs.  Janet brought along a delicate silk embroidery of Geraldton Wax which she had had framed as well as other items.  Plates, ornaments, glass flowers, trinket boxes and a lovely vase were also on display and created much interest and discussion.

Best wishes to those of our members who were unable to attend due to illness.  We wish you well and hope to see you soon. 

The theme for our August meeting started as Silver but grew to include Copper and Brass and all things metal.  Once again this should provide an interesting display and discussion.
​
Judith Borthwick

A small group had an enjoyable time sharing items of interest chosen from their collections on the Queen's Birthday public holiday.   

Wilma brought along her childhood  teddy bear together with her collection of compacts, an exquisite jug and pieces from a dressing table setting; Robyn a 'chamber pot' and memorabilia of her Scottish heritage.  New member Faye presented an interesting lithograph by William Dendy Sadler which her family had discovered behind a painting, retrieved and reframed.  Janet, who loves 'blue and white', brought along two additions to her Delft collection purchased on a recent trip to Holland.  May shared two treasured items collected during her travels, while Dave presented a glass bottle discovered in a garden and an 'almost depression glass but just a bit later' pretty afternoon tea  plate.  Bev's basket contained treasures purchased for from 25c to $10 at the Baddaginnie Op Shop, Lions Car Boot sale and Baptist Church Op Shop. 

We thoroughly enjoyed reminiscing as we shared stories about the items and the memories they brought up for us. 

​The theme for our next session is 'Flowers' - bring along something connected with flowers - vases, paintings of flowers, there are many possibilities.