No. 67 Mar-Apr 2009 GBCC newsletter

Geelong Bottle & Collectables Club IncVolume 67 March/April 2009

Potof

goldBig bucks for unique link to Geelong’s first football superstar

WHO’S WHOPresident: Dave Smith

Vice-president: Peter Harding 5275 3411

Treasurer: Bob Bauer5250 1392

Secretary:Tracey Elso

Assistant secretary: Noel Dawson

Librarian: Craig Finegan

Editor: Cam Ward 0430 369 146

Public officer: Kim Johnson

State representative: David Smith

Catering officer: Pam Bauer

Committee members: Tony ParsonsCraig FineganKim JohnsonNoel Dawsonand executives

By outgoing club president Kim Johnson

Regrets? I’ve had a few, but too few to dwell on

T hank you to committee members and thank you to all those that have supported me over the years.

Another state show has come and gone and one that disappointed me somewhat. I hoped we would have had more people through the door. But when people hear the words “financial meltdown” their purse strings are pulled a little tighter. I just feel we didn’t get a result we were looking for. We made a small profit but not what I hoped it would be. Tonight I would like to leave the seat as

President and that someone will put up there hand to fill it. Most of the commit-tee will step down tonight, so someone else can take the wheel.Thank you Cam for putting his hand up

to do the newsletter. Doing a fantastic job!.Thank you Bob for doing such a won-

derful job as treasurer for all these years.Also to Robyn for being an ardent secre-

tary and to Peter for being a wonderfully supportive vice and to all those that do

all those little jobs that make it such a wonderful club.I look forward to monthly meetings,

I like to see who’s picked up what in the latest finds, but I like coming to the meetings I’ve made friends with you all and we think alike (with that wonderful affliction of collecting!)Thank you all.

Last year’s state show at Geelong was was a disappointment, despite the stan-dard of exhibitions and the enthusiasm of the club in organising it.

The inscription on the Geelong West Football Club’s 1892 award for Henry “Tracker” Young.

Forever YoungCats champion’s legend endures after more than a century

A unique link with Gee-long – and the early days of Australian

rules – was the highlight of the recent People’s Parapher-nalia auction in Melbourne.Conducted by well-respected

expert Rick Milne, the auc-tion featured over 500 lots. But among a number of unique pieces, it was an 1892 presentation trophy to Henry “Tracker” Young from Gee-long West Football Club that stood out.The silver coffee pot was

engraved “Geelong West FC to H. Young for best all round player season 1892”. It is worth noting that Young received the award despite crossing from West to Gee-long midway through the season.Young played 167 VFL

games with Geelong from 1897-1910, represented Victo-ria seven times and captained the state in the first carnival in 1908. He is described in The Encyclopedia of AFL Foot-ballers as “a tower of strength at Geelong from the time he started with the club”.In addition to his football

skills, Young rowed, rode in the Melbourne to Warrnam-bool, sparred with world boxing champion Bob Fitz-simmons and was renowned for travelling to Portarlington by boat after a football game and then walking 30km home again.His trophy was the big seller

at the auction, eventually be-ing knocked down for $3250* after four bids. But there were plenty of other lots that attracted big prices and buyer interest.Two Tally-Ho cigarette cards

said to be the first ever seen in brown printing sold for $1800

apiece, a superb Resch’s pub paining fetched $3200, a Hawthorn Football Club 1920 membership card went for $1900 after spirited bidding and an old tram destination

roller was knocked down for $1800.As expected, a selection of

1963 Scanlens VFL cards went for around $1000 apiece; more surprising was

the 1963 Scanlens wrapper that fetched $700.But it was some of the ad-

vertising pieces that inspired some of the fiercest bidding. And confectionery collectors proved to be the most pas-sionate. A Macrobertson’s marsh-

mallow toasting fork went for $320 after more than 25 bids. Similar interest and high prices were achieved by a Griffiths “The Bing Boys” tin ($900), three dummy Nestles and Cadbury display packs ($380), a collection of five chocolate wrappers ($260), five Macrobertson’s wrappers ($340), and a MacRobertson’s Peppermint Cream box and Heaven Toffee sample show-card ($320). * All prices do not include an 11 per cent buyer’s premium.

This classic Dunlop golf advertising statue was sold for $300.

This tram destination roller was important to someone. It sold for $1800 on one bid.

Saturday, February 28 at 7am found Craig, Jack and I waiting in line

with several hundred assorted vehicles, wondering how we were all going to fit into the hold of the red & white ship waiting at Melbourne. During summer weekends,

the Spirit of Tasmania plies Bass Strait with its cargo of tourists, day and night. Ours was an enjoyable trip, Craig and Jack seeming to develop their sea-legs somewhat im-mediately while I seemed to develop a strange stagger – and it didn’t have anything to do with alcohol (truly!) Gladly, we glided into

Devonport and headed to Latrobe Caravan Park where fellow bottle collectors and Gippsland members Trevor & Verna Pilgrim awaited our arrival with a nice cuppa. We set up our tent – affection-ately known as the “Dalek” (because it is a dome tent) and settled in with the latest gossip. Sunday Craig and I woke

bright and early (Jack not being compliant at 6am) and drove 80 kms to Evandale market. then back to Latrobe where the Van Diemens’ Bottle and Collectable club was holding its bottle show.The Tasmania show featured

some wonderful collections, notable were two sepa-rate pottery collections – a Campbells and a Remeud – a magnificent lamp collection, and a very well put together collection of northern Tas-manian bottles and bottling equipment.Monday saw us packing up

the “Dalek” and convoying to New Norfolk, with a few little stopovers along the way. Trevor picked up a wonderful set of scales featuring ‘Home-pride Bakeries’ advertising.New Norfolk is south of Tas-

mania, quite close to Hobart, and situated on the Derwent

River. It is a fascinating historical town, with a history of hop gardens, orchards and Australia’s first insane asylum. Up went the camps again,

a nice barbie was cooked by the ‘boys’ and we decided to do the town’s many antique shops in the morning, as well as a bit of a scout around for bottles and a possible dive in the Derwent in the arvo. Tuesday was cool with a

bit of drizzle, but that didn’t stop us visiting all the antique shops on the visitors’ list – ex-cept one which wasn’t open! I think I was the big winner there (at least the big spender I should say!) and picked up a few nice pieces of uranium glass. We went to New Norfolk’s

oldest hotel – the Bush Inn – and started talking to a local whose family has lived in New Norflok for several gen-erations. He generously gave us his time to show us some wonderful photos, maps and other memorabilia. Verna and I decided to go

back to camp and Craig and Trevor took a wander down the river and picked out a few possible sites for future diving, and then went for a scrounge up at the old aban-doned asylum.

Wednesday morning saw us de-camp, and we met Phil and Kate Wright in Hobart. Phil took us on a whirlwind tour of his favorite antique shops in Hobart, and a quick tour of old Hobart. We then drove to Primrose Sands – heading towards Port Arthur – to meet up with Peter and Pat. The cold weather had settled

in that night, the tempera-ture dropped and the winds howled, and we were quite glad to leave the Dalek in the van for the while. Craig and Peter took off

early Thursday morning to go for their pre-arranged dive in the Derwent with Phil and another bottle collecter. Jack and I decided that Port Arthur would certainly be cold and wet and miserable, so we went in search of the elusive Tassie Devil, and the formerly thought extinct Tassie tiger. We found both at the Zoodoo! Well, plenty of Tassie devils

and a Burmese tiger (and a couple of lions too!) Jack and I leisurely drove

towards Hobart to meet up at the Wrights with the surely frozen divers to inspect the haul. Craig had managed to come aboard with several Tasmania beer bottles, and a WAWAWAWA bottle (so called because of the initials

around the neck of the bottle) Conditions in the water were bloody freezing and Craig was heardmuttering he might invest in a dry suit.Friday morning we leisurely

drove up the highway to Launceston, diverting at a few towns we were told had good little antique shops. We found by far my most favorite find in Tassie – a Diana lamp with a green flame glass lamp shade. Craig wouldn’t let me buy a stuffed deer head complete with upturned hoofs for a gun rack.We stayed Friday night in

Launceston and bright and early Saturday saw us heading back up the highway to De-vonport to catch the Spirit of Tasmania home again. This time, the weather was mild, I found my sea-legs (right were I left them!) and we sat out the long trip home. All in all, we thoroughly en-

joyed Tasmania. The histori-cal buildings were amazing and the scenery absolutely superb. The antique shops were quite expensive but the people just so generous with their time and friendliness. We’ll definitely go back

again, and next time, we’ll take more than seevn days!

– Tracey Elso

Tackling Tassie in a hurry

It helps to remember to pack your sea-legs when sailing to Tasmania.

The Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc. The club meets on the fourth Monday of each month (excluding December) at the Belmont Park Pavilion, Barrabool Road, under the James Harrison Bridge.

Club postal address:Geelong Bottle and Collectables Club Inc.Box 5049North Geelong LPO 3215

Milestone up for local iconChances are if you’re

feeling warm in the bathroom this winter

you’ve got a Geelong firm to thank.Guest speaker at the club’s

April meeting was a man with an intimate knowledge of that link – Allan Backwell, who spoke about the 150th anni-versary of Backwell-IXL.It was in 1858 that Ebenezer

Backwell arrived back in Geelong from Melbourne and started a blacksmith shop, sharpening picks and shovels for miners heading to the goldfields.He then turned his hand to

repairing stoves that had been damaged on the trip out from England before making his own. It was in 1870 that the famous IXL wood stove first appeared.From premises in Aberdeen

Street (on the site of what is now Irish Murphy’s), Back-well & Sons moved to Gher-inghap Street in 1903, buying the land that the Mercure ho-tel now occupies. It remained there for half a century before shifting to the Wood Street site in South Geelong it’s still located at.The company stopped mak-

ing wood stoves in 1990 but by then it had already had 12 years making what has turned out to be the “lifeblood” of the company, according to Al-lan – the IXL Tastic heater.The current global economic

crisis has not been unnoticed by Backwell-IXL, but Allan remains confident about the company’s future.On a more positive note,

Deakin University has agreed to take over the company’s entire collection of historical documents.“All the stuff we’ve got now

will be given a good home in Deakin, except the hardware which we’ll keep ourselves,” Allan said.The company is still trying

to find examples of its Tri-umph stoves, in either the 24-inch or 30-inch version.

The Backwell stove works in Gheringhap Street in the early 1900s.

Allan Backwell gives club members a brief history of one of Geelong’s iconic companies.

minutes

Annual general meetingMarch 23, 2009

Meeting opened 8:40 pm

Minutes of previous meetingMoved: Ern TaylorSeconded: David Smith

Treasurer’s reportApprox $5376Moved: Ern TaylorSeconded: Kim Johnson

ElectionsKim Johnson stood down as club president and declared all positions open and vacant.

PRESIDENT:Dave SmithNominated by Peter Harding, Seconded by Bruce Colls

SECRETARY:Tracey ElsoNominated by Peter HardingSeconded by Ernie Taylor

VICE PRESIDENTPeter HardingNominated by Bob BauerSeconded by Bruce Colls

ASSISTANT SECRETARYNoel DawsonNominated by Tony ParsonsSeconded by Craig Finegan

TREASURERBob BauerNominated by Tracey ElsoSeconded by Kim Johnson

Meeting closed 8:58pm

EDITORCam WardNominated by Peter HardingSeconded by Dave Smith

LIBRARIANCraig FineganNominated by Tony ParsonsSeconded by Peter Harding

STATE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVEDave SmithNominated by Tony ParsonsSeconded by Peter Harding

PUBLIC OFFICERKim JohnsonNominated by Kim JohnsonSeconded by Tracey Elso

CATERING OFFICERPam BauerNominated by Jenn SydenhamSeconded by Kim Johnson

COMMITTEE MEMBERSTony ParsonsCraig FineganKim JohnsonNoel Dawsonand executives

Any collector will tell you that the thrill of the hunt is part

of what drives them. Club members had no shortage of that on their March bus trip with no less than four stops in which to add to their collec-tions.The 6.30am start was forgot-

ten as soon as we alighted at our first destination – the iconic Camberwell Market. I’ve been going on and off there for more than 20 years and know that when it’s “on”, it’s on and bargains can be found in every aisle. That was certainly the case for us, and it was soon apparent that we would have to push back the original departure time.Next up was the Cranbourne

bottle show; a decidedly smaller and non-competitive cousin to the state show we hosted last year but we were happy to wander among the swap and sell stalls. We also caught up with David Smith and Craig Finegan, who bypassed the bus trip to be wheelers and dealers at Cranbourne.

We were too late for the Cranbourne swap meet but that was forgotten when we stopped off at the Tyabb Pack-ing Shed, a grander version of the Mill Markets (in both scale and prices!) at which you could find everything from Aboriginal art to Zac Ephron posters. Season club members warned novice visi-tors (like this writer) of the temptations that lay waiting through the packing sheds’

front doors. It would have been the

ultimate destination if not for the prices, an issue that was not a problem down the road at the final destination, best described as the packing sheds’ country cousin. It had its own share of pricey goods, but among the dusty shelves were plenty of treasures.On the trip home club mem-

bers voted for the inaugural “Golden Bunny” award, given

to the find of the day. In the end it went to Jenny’s Don-aghy rope display which got the nod (a verdict backed up in April’s meeting) ahead of Kim’s tin and Jan’s cut glass Corio Whiskey water jug.Again thanks have to go to

Captain Ross at the wheel of our bus for our 12-hour odys-sey. Here’s hoping it won’t be that long before it goes round and round again.– Cam Ward

Club members discuss their day’s haul prior to voting for the inaugural Golden Bunny.

Road warriors’ treasure hunt

Kim and David discuss bargains from opposing side’s of the swap and sell tables.

minutes

March meetingMarch 23, 2009

Meeting opened at 8.03pm

Apologies Robyn Harding Ann & Darrel PhillipsMoved: Peter Harding; seconded: Craig Finegan

Minutes of previous meetingMoved: Joe Votava; seconded: Peter Harding

Business arising from minutesPhotocopying of monthly newsletter: Jan still looking into pricing. Possible front & back to be in colour?Ross & Christine Roycroft – Update on Bushfire tragedyJune Dunn – has a letter of sympathy been sent?Moved: Noel Dawson; seconded: Jan Pocock

CorrespondenceMornington Peninsula Antique Bottle & Collectables Club Inc NewsletterGippsland Antique Bottle & Collectables Club Inc NewsletterNotice for Morwell Swap & Sell dayAustralian Milk & Cream Bottle Book now Available for Clubs Victorian Bottle & Collectables Club Inc reminder notice for insuranceMoved: Ern Taylor; seconded: Dave Smith

Treasurer’s reportSubs are due!Term Deposit $2498Cash Tin $ Tea Tin $812Swap & Sell Tin $ExpenditureClub Insurance $216Stamps $20Printing $45Moved: Jen Sydenham; seconded: Peter Harding

General BusinessAGM to follow meeting.Bus trip – Heads counted for bus trip to Cranbourne Bottle Show Sunday, March 29. Total 11 members; club decided togo ahead with rental of mini bus and proceed with club day trip. Pick ups: 6:30am club rooms then Bell Post Hill Shopping CentreAntique Trails Pamphlet Kim & Craig to drop off at antique shopsDave Smith reported on Bendigo Bottle Show Latest Finds: Tony Parsons suggested a change in format – perhaps a talk about items before votingAustralian Milk & Cream bottles book – Dave suggested two be bought for the club – one for the library the other for a gift for the future. Suggestion accepted.Shepparton Antique & Collectables Fair – Tracey Elso reported onBeechworth Bottle Show & Bendigo Antiques & Collectables Fair on in EasterPhotos taken by Bruce were made available for members to viewDave Smith discussed proposed details for National Show 2011. Asked if Geelong club would be willing to take on joint national show (to be shared with other Victorian clubs) with backing from the state committee.Peter Harding requested a standard schuedule to be presentedGuest Speaker – April – Allan Backwell to talk on 150 years of BackwellsPassing away of Scotty Clarke last month.

Best acquired 2008/2009 winners March winners 1st: Tony ‘Beany’ Parsons 1st Barry Sydenham – Geelong Gas Company seal 2nd: Dave Smith 2nd Elsie and Bruce Colls – Singer 20 miniature sewing machine =3rd Alan Snowden – Black & Wite whiskey advertising statue =3rd Alan Snowden – Beswick dog

Meeting Closed at: 8:40pm

minutes

April meetingApril 27, 2009

Meeting opened at 8.10pm

ApologiesNoel Dawson Ron & Jan BruceAnne & Daryl Phillips

Minutes of previous meetingMoved – Kim Johnson; seconded – Peter Hardingr

Business arising from minutesGeneral meeting summarised minutes.Dave spoke about state committee meetingCraig spoke about printer available – Peter to check it outOrder of milk collection books

CorrespondenceOnly junk mail

Treasurer’s reportTerm deposit $2498.73Cash Tin $0Tea Tin $122Swap & Sell Tin $28.50Moved – Kim Johnson; seconded – Tracey Elso

General BusinessAllan Bakwell – Gave talk about IXL and donated book for raffle or libraryState Bottle Club Meeting – Bendigo to hold national bottle show 2010Antiques Trail Booklet: Do we keep printing? Cost is $23/250 copiesDiscussed cost of current printing costs compared to a secondhand printerCollectorama – last copy this monthScotty Clarke Collection Auction: To be held Sunday, May 31 by Nobellus Auctions, Canterbury Road Surrey Hills. Possible bus trip for club members to attend the auctionState/national bottle show and antique fair calender – possibility to get printed into club newsletter.

Meeting closed at 9pm.

Best Aquired:1st: Jennifer Sydenham Donaghy’s Rope Display2nd: Alan Snowden Large MacRobertsons Lolly Jar3rd: Jack Elso-Ledgerd Extensive knife collection

HAPPY JACK: Jack Elso-Ledgerd took third place with an extensive pocket-knife collection.

latest finds

MarchElsie and Bruce Singer 20 Miniature sewing machine SECOND Singer book of matches

Dot and Joe 3 egg cups Green vase Mickey Mouse memorabilia book Deniliquin memorabilia book Olympic history collection book Wreck of Joseph Scammell ship

Alan Coles 1956 Olympics swap cards Coles 1954 royal visit swap cards Black & White whisky advertising statue =THIRD Old key Beswick dog =THIRD

David Price’s Jam Geelong label Jules Hubart and Wilson’s jams jars (rolled lip)

Craig Saggy base tall black (1840s?) Stowers Pickles castle trademark 1850s cabin pickle 13oz JR Gracey Nathalia codd Dicey & Co ink bottle

Bob Petrol blowtorch, Otto USA Petrol blowtorch, Clayton USA

Peter Norman Coles book (1500 printed) $1 training money

Ron and Jan Geelong book A Tale of a City Hero Smallgoods thermometer Old tea towels Grand prix flag

Barry Geelong Gas Company seal FIRST

Tony Mahon & Headley crown seal Mahon & Headley codd Headley Wagga ginger beer

Tracey Geelong souvenir bottle

Kim Write On jelly crystals packet Bisto gravy maker

Barry’s imposing Geelong Gas Company seal was an obvious winner.

latest finds

AprilJoe & Dot Kosta Furniture ashtray Toy Beetle Grenadier tobacco tin Lactogen tin 1941 Ceramic milk saver Do You Remember? Book Bile Beans tin

Tony Donald soda syphon 2 7oz codds 4 jars/chemist bottles

Tracey Suncrush sign Rolling pin and Wembley mugs Uranium glass float bowl Craig Pratt jar Locally branded hotel ware Large Barnes honey jar

Jack Collection of pocket knives THIRD

Jennifer Donaghy rope display FIRST M. Donaghy & Sons sign

Alan Police “dossier” on 1936 murder Large Macrobertson’s jar SECOND Gerry Gee Tarax Club badge Ben Lawers Whiskey vesta Peter Dawsons aluminium water jug

A great example of uranium glass displayed by Tracey. It’s even more spec-tacular under “black light”.

CLASSIFIEDSNotices

Need to e-mail a photo?Like to post a photo on the internet to

sell an item?Have a lend of the club’s digital

camera.ASK PETER FOR DETAILS

Wanted to buyAnything to do with Jim Beam, Coca Cola, ceramic Garfields

and Ned Kelly. Collectables collector.

Phone Len Ellmer on 5224 1469.Royal Doulton

Whisky flasks/KingswareOld electric jugs

Please call JIM HUNTER on 5127 6420.

Member of the Gippsland club.

SINGER SEWING MACHINESAnything to do with Singer.

Phone Bruce or Elsie on 5275 5450.

Matchboxes, labels, vesta boxes, match grips and Meakin china.

Phone 5276 1267.

Any old newspapers and documents.Prefer Geelong and areas but will

consider anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

Geelong street guides and business directories.Phone 5266 1126.

Milk glass Vegemite/Marmite jars.Also screw top metal lids, any size.

Phone Bruce on 0408 527 741.

Wanted to buy

Pre-1956 telephone directories.Geelong & District or MelbournePhone Cam on 0430 369 146.

Any old newspapers and documents.Prefer Geelong and areas but will

consider anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

Victa logo plateFor original model

Phone Alan on 5255 4773 or 0403 160 336.

Embassy branded items.The old GJ Coles home brand.

Will BUY anything.Phone Peter on 5275 3411.

Any Scouting memorabilia.Phone Shane on 5229 6469.

For salePhotographic record of 2008 State

Bottle and Collectables Show.All category winners and selected

individual bottles on one CD. Suitable for enlargements.

$10 per copy.Phone Cam on 0430 369 146.