Group members were asked to bring something small along, as well as other treasures. The fun collection of the day was clearly Dorothy's collection of Richmond memorabilia; the smallest items, again Dorothy, this time with her collection of tiny elephants; the oldest item seemed to be the little blue china boots which have been handed down for generations through the Borthwick family. Photos of Rupe's collection will be included in our end of year slideshow.
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Rupe Cheetham was our guest speaker at the March meeting. Rupe brought along a collection of artefacts which he had collected during his time in New Guinea and told us of some his experiences while living and working there for a period of four years. Thanks Rupe. Dorothy, a keen Richmond supporter brought along many of the pieces she has collected over the years including the knee rug made from Richmond scarves and her 60 year membership badge. We also had pink depression glass, a musical miniature sewing machine, an unusual fly-catcher, wedding cake decorations which had been on May’s parent’s wedding cake, trinket boxes and many other items. The theme for the day was ‘our smallest collectable’ which Dorothy won with her tiny elephants. We will not have a meeting in April due to Easter and our next meeting will be on Monday May 15th in W4. If you have a music box bring it along together with your usual items. Our first session of Collectors was held in W4 and was very successful. As well as 21 attendees we were pleased to welcome two guests who were visiting Benalla. Most of those who attended brought along one or several items to show us and again we had a large assortment of interesting items and learnt a little of the background of each. Some had researched items on the web and were able to give a short history of when and where they were made. Others had inherited items, or bought them just because they liked them, while some were childhood gifts.
Photos were taken of everything brought along (thank you Bev). Hopefully we will have a slideshow presentation at the end of the year similar to last year which was well received when shown at Collectors and at our February Meet and Mingle. At our March meeting guest speaker Rupe Cheetham will present some artefacts he collected while working in New Guinea. Members of Collectors are invited to bring along their smallest item and anything else they wish. Our September session of Collectors was the last for this year and featured a Christmas theme. Our numbers were down but we still had an interesting display and saw amongst other items a collection of Toby Jugs and learnt about their origins; another of onyx fruit and a ceramic Christmas tree.
Following our Christmas themed morning tea of mince tarts we saw a slide show of all our items which we had seen over the year. It was amazing how many lovely and unusual items were shown. Thank you Bev for producing this slide show. This was followed by a DVD about collecting from Terry and Elspeth. Thank you both. Collectors will recommence in February 2017. At our August meeting we had guest speaker Carl Wantrup in attendance. Carl’s main area of expertise is Japanese and Chinese porcelain but he has a working knowledge of other items. Carl brought along some of his own collection to show and speak about. He also looked at what members had brought along and gave us his opinion of them and an approximate valuation. Carl explained that collectable items go in and out of fashion and that effects their value. It was a very enjoyable session conducted with great good humour by Carl. We had many lovely items on the day. Thanks to Lin and Janette for taking photos on the day and to Carl for lending his phone to make this possible. Our September meeting will be the last for this year and a Christmas theme is suggested. Members are asked to bring along an ornament, decoration, plate, table cloths etc. or anything else that they use at Christmas time. This is an option only and other items can be brought along if preferred. It is planned to resume Collectors in February 2017.
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. 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. 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. At our June meeting of Collectors we had as a guest speaker Mr Graydon Johnston from W B Gadd of Avenel and Chiltern. W B Gadd is an antique shop which also sells a range of possum and merino knitwear from New Zealand. Graydon spoke of how he first became interested in antiques at about aged 7 when he rescued his grandfather’s clock which was unwanted by family members and in danger of being thrown in a dam. He still has the clock - which he treasures - and it still goes. Graydon also spoke of his younger days as an industrial chemist who also played in a band. When the band was offered the chance to be back up group to Johnny O’Keefe they jumped at the chance and toured with Johnny O’Keefe for two years. He said he could tell some stores about that, but he didn’t. Eventually Graydon opened the W B Gadd store in Avenel and retained the name of the original business which had existed at the site for many years. We were privileged to see Graydon’s personal collection of Carlton Ware antiques some of which were very valuable and very old and he spoke about each. He also brought along a range of knitwear from his shop which caused a lot of interest. Following morning tea Graydon looked at items brought along by members of the group and gave an approximate valuation on each. Our July meeting will follow the usual lines of members bringing along some of their collection to ‘show and tell’. 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. Our first session for the new program ‘Collectors’ was well attended. Most who attended brought along several items from their collection which were displayed and talked about. We had a very varied collection with shells, scales, jewellery, a silver samovar, theatre programs, a Royal Winton cheese plate and dish. There was also a beautiful and delicate Shelley demitasse coffee cup and saucer, Royal Doulton plates, Depression Glass float bowls and Sylvac pottery. One member brought along a blue and white plate which was examined by others and it was discovered with the benefit of a magnifying glass, and to the delight of the owner, that it was made by Spode, a much admired name in collecting circles. Others brought along family memorabilia including photos. It was a very interesting session where we saw these various items and heard something about the background of each and how and why they were being collected. We also had a suggestion from a member, passed on to her by an antique dealer, on how to care for china and pottery pieces. Do you enjoy The Collectors and Bargain Hunt? Have you a collection or two or the beginnings of one? Collectors Corner is for people who are passionate about a collection – small or large - and enjoy hearing about and seeing the collections of others. Collectors Corner will consist of five sessions held one each month from February to June. These sessions will take the form of “show and tell” with participants bringing along a collection to share with others in the group. It is hoped to have a guest speaker at least one of our sessions who can help us develop skills in identifying and valuing our purchases. All members are asked to bring to the first session one or two of their favourite items. These do not have to be part of a collection, or valuable, just something which you treasure and are prepared to “show and tell” to others. It might be something pretty, useful, or have sentimental value etc. |
About the Collectors' group
Meeting Times
1st Monday 10 - 12
U3A Meeting Room Convenor/ contact detailsDorothy Webber
Convenor 0412 263 071 Janet Gourley
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November 2023
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