Our March meeting was held on the Labour Day holiday and despite several apologies it was well attended.  We had no theme set so we had many varied items.  New member Betty brought along a framed photo of her late husband in his slouch hat meeting the Queen at a reception in Korea as well as commemorative coin set celebrating 50 years of marriage.

We saw family bibles, one from 1917, an early 1900’s sewing box, Royal Doulton Dickins ware, a slide projector, wooden doll’s shoes which were possibly 150 years old along with kerosene lamps, a silver cup and Jubilee silver teething ring and many very pretty and collectable coloured bottles and some Royal Winton ware.  Also on display was a collection of amber depression glass.

Our next meeting will be held on April 9th.  Our theme will be ‘from  the shed’ or ‘from the garden’. Garden gnomes welcome.

Judith Borthwick

Our Collectors group never ceases to amaze with the diversity of items brought along. Group members assure me that they have more than enough items to continue with the group.
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Brian brought along a beautiful ‘Ansonia’ clock and explained its workings. He was able to explain how a ‘gyro’ works when Robyn brought along a gyro from one of the Japanese submarines which entered Sydney Harbour during World War 2. It was thought to have come from one of the torpedos.

Again in an unusual vein was Dave’s froe, a tool in his collection used for splitting fence palings and shingles. He has researched his subject and had several photos of froes and items on their uses. Well done Dave.

There were many other beautiful items from firms such as Lladro, Radnar, Crown Derby, and Royal Doulton as well as carvings from New Zealand. There were several collections including one of glass and ceramic boxes, ceramic houses, another of floral ornaments and of ceramic figurines and Bev brought along an old tin with a picture of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and their daughters Elizabeth and Margaret as well as an antique writing desk.

Unfortunately our proposed visit to see glassware at Goorambat in September will not go ahead as the owners no longer show their glass.
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Carl Wantrup will be guest speaker at our August meeting. Carl is a valuer who specialises in Japanese and Chinese ceramics. He will bring along some of his own items. He has spoken to U3A groups in Melbourne.

​Once again we had a wide variety of items including fountain pens, dolls, jugs, painted rocks, hats, a brass camel, black wedgwood and peg dolls.  The stories attached to these collections are sometimes as interesting as the collection themselves.
 
Shirley brought along scales which she bought at an auction in a very old and mouldy cardboard box containing lots of black objects which she recognised as scales.  Now beautifully polished, with a missing part they make a lovely display.
 
The scales came from Mrs. Sherwill’s Fruit Shop in Carrier Street, Benalla.  Some members’ were able to remember this shop in the 1950’s which was next door to Rossmore Private Hospital which is now occupied by Edspace. 
 
We were pleased to welcome Bev’s sister Janette who brought along their mother’s toy electric stove, complete with a tiny oven in which she remembered cooking cup-cakes as a child.
 
Next month guest speaker Graydon Johnson from GW Gadd Antiques of Avenel and Chiltern will attend. 

It was a pleasure to welcome two new members to Collectors last Monday.  Several of our members were away - we hope they enjoyed their holiday - and Pat is recovering from shoulder surgery.
 
Again we had a diverse range of items to share and interesting stories about when they were acquired.  We had a camel teapot and several 1953 tea towels with slogans which would now be considered very politically incorrect, depression glass in both amber and green, paper weights, Limoges china, and jewellery.  New member Godfrey brought along his collection of Wool Bale Stencils and Carole brought along a collection of badges she has acquired over many years in her various roles.  We also saw some perfect shells, some beautiful items acquired from India and a child’s teaset. 
 
The stories behind many of these collections are of as much interest as the items themselves.  Members were asked to bring along a gift which meant a lot to them and again we had many varied items and a few laughs.
 
Next month we will have a swap table and members are asked bring along an item which they are prepared to swap.  In June we will have a guest speaker, Mr Graydon Johnston from GW Gadd Antiques of Avenel and Chiltern.

We again had an interesting collection of items.  
 
Brian Greed brought along a selection of flutes which he had collected in his travels to South East Asia and played us a tune. 
 
Our collections included blue and white Delft pottery, kerosene table lamps, badges from various sources collected over the years, which included many Red Nose Day badges.
 
There was also a collection of trinkets brought as mementos of overseas holidays.  Some people are wise enough to buy small, easy to carry items.  Judith and Jennifer had a funny story (in retrospect) about getting a fragile and bulky, kerosene lamp home from England.
 
We had a selection of Carlton Ware, Hummel, Spode, post cards and some very unusual and beautiful plates.  The collection of handkerchiefs showed some very pretty and delicate handkerchiefs from yesteryear.  

Bev continued her theme of memorabilia from her ballerina aunts.  Two of our group are collecting animals so we saw an assortment of owls and elephants. 
 
We also viewed a short YouTube clip on the making of Wedgewood pottery and  the ‘Collectors’ page on our U3A web site.
 
Next month as well as their usual items, members have been asked to bring along a gift which has special meaning to them.  It might be a 21st birthday gift, wedding gift, retirement gift or other.