Rushworth Museum: Local History

A very early Washing Machine

Tue, 27 May 2008 10:08:47 GMT

Latest additions at Museum.

Thanks to Laurie and Margaret Allen for their kind donation of these two items

First is a Electosonic Washing Machine one of the first 32 volt Electric Washing machines to be manufactured in Melbourne by Excell Jones & Co Pty Ltd Pat App No 32787

In the early 1950;s most houses had outside wash-houses {laundryies were for posh people} with either a wood or electric copper to boil up the clothes.

Next to the copper would stand twin tub concrete troughs , in one trough for hot water, clothes and soap would be arranged around this machine and when switched on, it would produce gentle ripples in the water which was intended to dislodge the dirt from the soiled clothes with actually moving the them, hence no wear and tear.

The Rotody was place in the next trough and it was a water powered device.

Clothes were lifted from the washer using a pot-stick,and placed in the rotodry.

A hose from the tap fed water through a jet onto teeth on the underside of the rotor causing the rotor to spin fast enough to remove most of the water.

No need for a wringer

The Rotodry was Made in North Melbourne By Rotordry Products Pat15203 Phone FJ 6754.

Rushworth Museum

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:56:44 GMT

For the Months of February and March the Rushworth Museum was closed due to the interior of the museum being repaired and painted, it was repainted in heritage colours and cracks in the plaster were repaired.

For this to take place many voluntary hours of labour was willing donated, as all the items had to be wrapped up and moved while the tradesmen did the painting.

Then all these items were cleaned and replaced back on display - all this work sure gives the Museum a bright and clean look.

This was a great team effort and the committee were very pleased to have the Museum reopened again at Easter in time for the Rushworth Easter Fair and Street Parade which attracted many visitors to the Town.

The Committee would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers who willingly gave up their time to help with this project - it was a wonderful team effort.

So now is a good time to pay a visit to the Museum and inspect the many old and interesting item which the Museum has on display, for just a gold coin donation I,m sure you will enjoy your visit.

Rushworth Museum

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:10:09 GMT

The Rushworth Museum will be temparay closed as from the 1 st of February due to internal renovations inside of the Museum it is to be painted.

The museum will reopen again as soon as the painting work is completed and all the display items have been replace back on show.

The committe are sorry if any inconvence is caused but this work will brighten up the museum and the work is very welcome.

Whroo Church Doors photo

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:03:06 GMT

These Doors were donated by the Poulson family and are now on display in the museum.

Whroo Church Doors

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:38:36 GMT

The Rushworth Museum last month received a donation of 2 two beautiful old doors from the Whroo Anglican Church. The doors were donated by the Poulson family. Mr Douglas Poulson who passed away earlier this year requested that the doors be given to the Rushworth Museum.

Mrs Poulson told Museum Secretary Lorraine Rule that the doors had been stored in their garage for over fifty years . Douglas had purchased the doors back in 1950 when the old Church was demolished .

Members of the Rushworth Historical Society were thrilled to receive these doors believed to be about 140 years old, they are now on display in the Museum

Opening times

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 03:46:12 GMT

The Rushworth Museum wishes to advise that the opening times for the Museum is

Saturday 10. am and Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

Other times by advanced appointments.

Group visitors are very welcome.

Contact Phone numbers are 03 58561951 or 0358561827.

E-mail rushworthmuseum@hotmail.com

Garden at Museum

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:22:34 GMT

The Gardener and Curator Cheryl Macansh for the Rushworth Museum must take the credit

for the up keep of the lovely water

Saving garden at the Museum

See Photos

Annual General Meeting

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 10:58:24 GMT

AT the Annual general meeting the following Office-Bearers were elected for the coming year.

President, John Fielden

Vice-President,George Gemmill

Secretary and Research Officer, Lorraine Rule

Treasurer, Mike Wellington.

Assistant -Secretary and Publicty Officer, Cass Alexander

Curator - Gardener, Cheryl Macansh

Historian, Jeff [ Chief ] Perry.

The Rushworth Historical Society will wind's up the Year.

The Xmas Raffle will be drawn outside Coghlan's Supermarket at 12 Noon 22 Dec 2006.

Members of the Society wish everybody all the Best for a wonderful; Xmas and a very Happy New Year.

Thanks you all for the support given through the year.

Rushworth Museum and Historical Society

Thu, 08 Jun 2006 11:51:45 GMT

Local History , Heritage,and Geneology Centre,Preservation Society

Inquiries contact the.

Secretary At

Post Office Box 102

Rushworth 3612

Victoria

Group Bookings and visitors will be made most welcome,

For appointments outside advertised times.

Phone 0358561827 or 0358561951

New Members wanted Meetings held the First Friday of each month at 1000hrs

at the Museum.

Next time you visit Rushworth come along and view our wonderful displays and meet the friendly Volunteers

who can will help you with any questions

Rushworth Museum

Mon, 22 May 2006 07:36:01 GMT

Take a stroll down Rushworths main street which is classified by the National Trust.

Among the many historic buildings you will see are.

The magnificient Church of England.

Court House.

Waranga Shire Hall.

The old Ambulance Station.

Criterion Hotel.

The Band rotunda Glasgow Buildings.

The Old Horse trough.

A complete Guide [with map] is available from the Museum.

The Rushworth and District Historical and Preservation Society

Post Office Box 102 Rushworth 3612

Please contact the society if you would like detail of Membership.

News Members welcome.

Gold

Mon, 22 May 2006 01:53:35 GMT

Gold mining was a very important to Rushworth in its early years.

The Museum has a numberof maps,related items and photographs.

As the gold diminished,farming and the coming of the railway ensured the towns continuing survival. Many farming implements are on display.

The commercial life of the town is featured in many ledgers and receipts books together with the counter from the old Walbrans Store. The original telephone exchange is also on display in the Museum.

Home life and school life are represented. Crockery,cooking utensils,sewing machines and evenearly washing machinesare among the many item in the home life area.

Rushworth gained its name [so it was said]from the [Gold] Rush being Worth while.

Although gold is harder to find, we are sure that the next time you are in Rushworth you will find a visit to the Rushworth museum well worthwhile.

All visitors to the Museum will be made most welcome

Browns Wagon

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:34:02 GMT

Browns Wagon is situated just outside the museum,this well preserved wagon was once owned by George Brown of Wanalta. The wagon is over 100 years old and was made by Coxon,In Ballarat.

The tray was made lower in order to make loading easier. It was used to cart grain,in sacks,and hay.

Five horses were needed to pull it two in the shafts and three out the front.

The load amounted to five or six tons.

This wagon was purchased in 1920's an it was considered to be the best of its type at the time.

The Rushworth Museum

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:23:42 GMT

The Rushworth Museum

Mechanics Institute - High Street Rushworth

Victoria 3612

Open: 10am-12pm Saturdays.

11am-3pm Sundays.

Preserving our local history.

The Rushworth and District Historical and

Preservation Society.

P O Box 102 RUSHWORTH

Victoria 3612.