Rushworth Museum

Operation manual of Pederick Gas Producer

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:37:55 GMT

The operation of the Pederick Gas Producer is far more simple than the average motorist imagines. Assuming the Producer is filled with charcoal and the cleaners are in order, this is all there is to do to start and run the vehicle on gas.

1. Start the motor on petrol and let it idle.

2. Pull out the gas valve on the dash.

3. Unscrew lighting plug from Generator.

4. Remove lighting taper from small can attached to unit (it is part of the cap) light it and hold it to the charcoal through the opening made by removing the plug and the suction from the engine draws the flame in and lights the charcoal instantly.

5. Replace plug and drive away on petrol.

6. Open the air valve slightly.

7. Place your foot on both petrol and gas accelerators together and in about one mile you will feel the gas coming through. You then drive on gas only, adjusting the air valve to get best mixture. If out of the city you can turn petrol right off, by special tap if fitted, and adjust water drip to about 50 drops per minute for continuous running.

8. When stopping there will be no need to light the charcoal again unless the engine is stopped for more than about four hours. In re-starting after a stop, do so on petrol and again use both accelerators and gas will come through again in anything from 100 yards to about half a mile, depending upon how long the engine has been stopped.

Water Drip Tap.
Manual Water Control.
Air Inlets.
Flame Traps.
Lighting Plugs.
Bottom Lid and Clamp.
Filling Lid and Clamp.
Cleaning Plug.
Gas Outlet.
Primary Cleaning Port and Plug.
Gas Line.
Gas Elbow Cleaning Port and Plug.
Oil Reservoir.
Cleaning Port and Cover.
Oil Level Tap.
Sisal Support Disc.
Sisal Holding Down Disc.
Lid and Clamp.
Self-Draining Elbow.
Sisal Support Disc.
Cleaning Port and Cover.
Sisal.
7 1/2 in. Diameter Hessian and Felt.
Wood Wool.
9 1/2 in. Diameter Hessian and Felt.
Holding Down Clips.
Sisal and Wood Wool.
Air Space.
Security Filter Cage and Felt Sock.
Holding Down Screws.
Lid Clamp.

This is all there is to do other than to fill up with charcoal as required. Do not let the fuel, in the fire box, get below the halfway mark or overheating may result. Systematically attend to the cleaners as outlined in the Pederick Manual.

Pederick Gas Producer

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:53:53 GMT

A Pederick Gas producer has been donated to the Rushworth Museum by Mr Ray Whiteacre of Rushworth,.

Ray operated a cartage business in Rushworth for many years
This Gas producer was mounted to the front bumper bar of his Bedford truck which he used to deliver goods and fuel in the Seymour and Rushworth Districts. This was when fuel was in very short supply and it was rationed during World War 11.

All fuel was carted by the Victorian Railways to fuel depots, which were in all Major Country Towns it was then distributed to Service station, farm’s and essential services, by cartage contractors.

The Gas Producer which burnt Charcoal to produced a gas which was enough to run the truck, the motor would be started on petrol and when there was enough gas it would be switched over to the gas supply. Once the charcoal was burnt the driver was required to stop and refill the hopper with fresh charcoal and start all over again.

Ray told me that the Charcoal which was made from the Rushworth Ironbark timber, was a much better quality then the charcoal produced from Red Gum Timber.

With the rising price of fuel today, maybe we may have to convert back to the old gas Producers??

Ray convened on to me a story that when he drove his Truck into the Fuel depot in Seymour he was required to leave his tobacco and matches at the gate, But his Gas producer would be operating near red hot he said it was lucky that Seymour was not blown off the map if the fuel stored at the depot was ignited..

Attached is a Operators instruction on how the Gas producer was operated.

So next time you are near the Museum why not call in and view the Pederick Gas Producer

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 Reopening Easter 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:19:14 GMT

President John Fielden with Secretary Lorraine Rule welcoming visitors to the Museum when it was reopening after intensive interior renovations were completed .

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.

Citizen Of The Year

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:26:09 GMT

Australia Day award.2008

The citizen of the year for the Waranga Ward Shire of Campaspe was the very popular and well-known Mr Jeff {CHIEF} Perry.

The Rushworth Historical Society nominated Chief and he is a worthy winner of the award.

Chief was born in Rushworth and has lived most of his life in the town, where he owned a butcher shop in the main street for 41 years before he retired in 1991.

The shop is still a family business operated now by he sons.

Today Chief is still very active, and he is the longest serving member of the historical society where he is rostered on each month to help with volunteer duties at the Museum.

Chief has a wealth of local knowledge, which he is always willing to pass on to younger members.

Chief has also served the local Rushworth community well.

He was the Band President for 29 years even thou he did not play any instruments.

He has also been President of both the Rushworth Football and Golf Clubs, a member of the Moora Rural Fire Brigade CFA, and on the Anglican Church committee. Plus he is also still a member of the Lions Club.

Chief was a part of the Waranga Foreshore Committee that started up the picnic and Caravan Park at Waranga Basin before it was taken over by the Shire.

Jeff in his acceptance speech said he was surprised and thrilled with the award.

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.

Events and Festivities Held in Rushworth

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 03:19:00 GMT

1 Kinder Monthly Market.

2 Possum Walk- Art and Cultural Expose.

3 Easter Festival and Lions Monster Wood and Produce Auction

4 Movies at the Shire Hall, Fortnightly.

5 Art Shows and Exhibitions.

6 Whroo Bush Polo Tournament.

7 Easter sailing Regatta .

8 Ironbark Classic Cycle road race.

9 G V Speedway

10 Waranga Triathlon.

These are just some of the actives which are held throught out the year in Rushworth,

For more information why not ask a local.

Interesting facts on Rushworth

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:58:52 GMT

Did You Know ???

1 Rushworth was founded in 1853 and is 1 of 2 towns in Victoria where the entire main street is heritage listed.

2 Gold taken from the Balaclava mine at Whroo was used to finance the building of the Menzies Hotel in Melbourne.

3 At the height of the gold rush the Criterion Hotel ballroom was of such renown that it regularly featured in the social pages of the London Times.

4 Many pioneers cemeteries exist locally and date back to the mid 1800's. The head stones at Whroo and Rushworth give a fascinating insight into our historically significant past.

5 The Waranga Basin dam wall is over 7km long and was built by horse and dray. Some unfortunate workers are believed to be burried in the wall.

6 There are more bird species in the Rushworth Forest than in the Grampians.

Rushworth Historical Society

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:33:49 GMT

Now available at the Rushworth Museum located in the Old Mechanics Instutute Building in High street.

For sale Old town maps, Local Prospecting site maps,old bottles, a selection of pre loved book at bargain prices, local post cards ideal for passing on the local history.

We also have a extensive range of reference books and old newspapers available for persual.

Photo copying and laminating can be done while you wait.

Looking for a Xmas gift? then why not give a copy of the New Edition of Rushworth and district 1853 to 2006. It is full of photo's and stories about the Rushworth area and is a well sort after book. Cost $15.00 plus postage

We can also help with families history queries, please contact the secretary Rushworth Historical Society Post office Bow 102 Rushworth Victoria 3612

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

Mechanic Instutites

Tue, 22 May 2007 09:51:08 GMT

The Rushworth Museum.Is located in High Street Rushworth in the Old Mechanics Institute Building built in 1913

But what are Mechanics Institutes?

Mechanics Institutes originated when all skilled labourers, trades people and Artisans were generally referred to as mechanics. The definition may have become more specific during the industrial revolution when workers became increasingly associated with machinery.

The origin of the Mechanics' Institute is attributed to Dr George Birkbeck ,of the Andersonian Institute in Glasgow Scotland. In 1880 he gave a series of evening lectures to local mechanics about new technology. The lectures were extremely popular because Birkbeck offered them free at the time when formal Education was available only to the wealthy.

The lectures led to the formation of the facilities dedicated to providing education and self improvement opportunities to workers-- the Edinburgh School of Arts [1821]and the London Mechanics Institute [1823]. They provided libraries,reading rooms,lectures,museums,halls,and meeting places. Soon there was hundreds of mechanics and similar establishments throughout the British Isles. The movement quickly spread throughtout the colonies of the British Empire. They were particularly popular in 19th century Canada,New Zealand,North America,and Australia,where pioneered technical education and formed the basic of the modern public library systems. Australia;s first mechanics institute was established in Hobart in 1827.

The movement began in Victoria with the formation of the Melbourne Mechanics Institute in 1839 and in Victoria there have been over 1100 institutes which were created by individual and often remote communities. They served as a focal points and cultural centres for suburban and rural people and provided necessary civic infrastructure.

Institutes trustees and committee members were dedicated to the improvement of the cultural, educational and social life of the inhabitants of their local communities. With the passage of time and the creation of municipal educational, welfare,recreational, and library facilities, mechanics' institutes gradually lost their preeminence, particularly after World War 11.

Today there are over 500 still operating in Victoria as Halls for local organisations.

New Rushworth Book

Mon, 07 May 2007 04:35:28 GMT

Updated Book

The first edition of this Book is just about sold out. The Museum are arranging to have a reprint done of this book meet the demand

Rushworth Historical and Preservation Society [Museum] .

Has recently published an updated edition of the Rushworth and District 1853 to 2006 book.

The new edition has high quality digitally enhanced photographs , improved and expanded, text, more pages and is beautifully presented.

RHPS, is a purely voluntary organisation ,and this volume at $15 plus $2 postage is one of our Major Fund Raisers.

Books can be purchased by sending a Cheque or Money order to the address below

The Secretary.

RSPS

Post Office Box 102

Rushworth Vic 3612.

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

Updated Book

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 10:28:41 GMT

Rushworth Historical and Preservation Society [Museum] .

Has recently published an updated edition of the Rushworth and District 1853 to 2006 book.

The new edition has high quality digitally enhanced photographs , improved and expanded, text, more pages and is beautifully presented.

RHPS, is a purely voluntary organisation ,and this volume at $15 plus $2 postage is one of our Major Fund Raisers.

Books can be purchased by sending a Cheque or Money order to the address below

The Secretary.

RSPS

Post Office Box 102

Rushworth Vic 3612.

or e-mail rushworthmuseum@hotmail.com

New Book

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 03:17:08 GMT

This book is now available in Stanhope at the Newsagents or from George Gemmill 58572352.

So far there has been a great response to this book and copys are selling fast

Christmas Special Effort

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 03:51:41 GMT

Thanks to every one who supported our special Effort which was very succesfull.

The winner of the Stereo System was Lyn Emmett of Stanhope

Winner of the Electric Shoe Shine Kit was Jamie Densley of Stanhope.

The Committe would like to wish a every one a Safe and Happy New Year.

They would also like to invite every one to come and visit the Museum some time in 2007.

Rushworth and District 1853 --2006

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:27:27 GMT

Rushworth Historical Society is delighted to announce the release of its latest publication, “Rushworth & District 1853 – 2006”, which chronicles the development of the Waranga Region since the mid-1800’s.

The new book features almost 100 pages of fascinating text and timeless images, all digitally processed to depict both the past and present with unprecedented clarity.

Priced at just $15.00, the book will be eagerly sought by locals and visitors alike, and is available from the Rushworth Museum and several other local outlets.

Photo Album: 12 October

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 07:23:03 GMT

12 October

Rushworth Churches 009

Custom List: Opening Hours

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:28:58 GMT

Opening Hours

Rushworth Museum
Open:10am-12pm Saturday and 11am-3pm Sunday