Recently Heritage Centre member Peter Ford accepted a donation from the
estate of the late Vince Vibert, a well known Shepparton resident, and
one of those to first take an interest in the formation of our Historic
Society. The items were all business ledgers from Vibert's Hardware, all
hand compiled and covering transactions around the 1940's.
But there was one other:- a small (14 cm high), lidded, wooded barrel,
with ceramic insert. Our American cousins would probably call it
a Cookie Jar - perhaps it really might be a biscuit barrel. Whatever
the case, the interest lies in the engraving on this piece.
The lid, which appears nickel plated, has the words 'Sunbury and Walton
Sea Cadets' neatly placed about the central knob that allows removal. There
is a nickel-plated carry handle, which swings to the rear. At the front
is a small plated shield, approx 4 cm high by 3 cm at the narrowest point.
This bears the Inscription T.S.Blackswan/Shepperton/England/1962. 'T.S.'
obviously stands for Training Ship, although I imagine, in naval parlance,
it would be a shore-based vessel.
So, how did the barrel get to the colonies? The passage of time leaves
me unable to answer this just at the moment. Vince was, of course,
a Mayor of Shepparton, but it seems unlikely he came by this in his official
capacity. Our Shepparton Historical Society was formed in 1962, was
the barrel sent out to mark the event?
Perhaps our good friends In Shepperton can supply the answer? They
might be interested to learn that we have both Army and Air Force Cadet
units training at Somme Barracks, together with an Infantry Company of
the Army Reserve. No Sea Cadets, though!
The barrel will join those other Shepperton Items - the 16th century baronial
chair, and 1938 illuminated manuscript - which we hold within our Museum.
Who knows: it may even become the repository for The Ashes that a regional
cricket team regularly visits Shepperton to contest for, in the happy event
that they are victorious for once. The barrel will remain empty in
anticipation!
2nd June Guest Speaker - John Sigley, Numurkah Historical
Society and Royal Historical Society of Victoria.
7th July AGM
4th Aug "Show and Tell" - bring along an interesting history
book to show and talk about.
1st Sep Museum Collection - Workshop on storage of artefacts
in the archives.
6th Oct "Show and Tell"- bring along something from collections.
3rd Nov Museum Collection - Workshop on labelling items on display.
1st Dec Guest Speaker - Dick Clayton, Darwin Defenders.
Christmas Supper.
Advance notice of Guest Speaker in October.
The Shepparton Heritage Centre are organising a person to speak at
the Shepparton Heritage Centre rooms on one Sunday in October. Watch
"Billboard" in Tuesday's Shepparton News late September - October for details.
Shepparton Heritage Centre Cleaning Bee
Members are invited to the Museum on Sunday August 29th from 1to 4pm
to "spring clean" the Museum. Come along and help vacuum the floors,
dust the artefacts and polish the glass of the display cases, plus various
other odd jobs. Cleaning will be followed by afternoon tea and a
friendly chat. Cleaning products, etc, will be on hand, but please
bring along a small plate of afternoon tea.
Museum Meeting and Open Times
Shepparton Heritage Centre Inc
Meetings: First Wednesday of each month at 8.00 pm in the
Heritage Cottage, Cnr Welsford & High st
Heritage Centre: Open on even dated Sundays 1.00
pm to 4.00 pm or by appointment. (contact Visitor Information Centre ph (03)58314400.
Post: P.O.Box 137 Shepparton. Vic
.3632
Museum Roster: Volunteers are needed for our Museum
Sunday Afternoon Roster .
Please phone Peter on 58217717 if you can assist.