I hope you are well, free of worry, free of stress, free of pain and free to live your life the way you wish. We are a lucky, we have choice. Lots and lots of people don’t.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have Government and Opposition work as teams rather than hearing about a leader act as the fountain of all knowledge (eg Morrison). I hope PM Albanese and the Labor Party can do better. It is looking promising. We are not America with a President. We need a team that works together cohesively to make Australia a place we can be all proud of. This Government, which the majority of Australians chose, will hopefully make decisions that will improve our lives. My hope is for a Federal Integrity Commission that will have ‘teeth’ in order to weed out those who make decisions based on self interest. We need a government that displays integrity and honesty, that sets an example and leads by example, that encourages young people to be engaged, that puts our future and the environment as a priority. We need leaders who lead for the common good.
Franklin Roosevelt had a few quotes I would like to share:- “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have little:- The truth is found when men are free to pursue it:- We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our way of life:- I’m not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.” A very thoughtful man! 32nd President of the U.S.A. 1933 – 1945.
I’d like to suggest a visit to our local service centre at the Old Bar entrance to Taree. Jen and I drove there recently and the road surface is appalling, potholes, I mean enormous potholes everywhere. What a welcome to our much appreciated visitors! Welcome to Taree! Who is responsible Mid Coast Council or the owners of the service centre??? A certain mob need to get their act together.
Wall Pockets
The first of the wall pockets were wall-mounted wooden boxes that held candles, matches, or eating utensils, as well as cloth pockets designed to hold sewing tools such as scissors, thimbles, or thread. Decorative wall pockets, or “wall vases,” first became home fixtures in the late 18th century when porcelain potteries were popping up all over Europe. Staffordshire, Minton, Wedgwood, Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, and Meissen all produced elegant wall pockets made out of fine porcelain. More recently, wall pockets meant for flowers experienced a revival in postwar Australia, when the demand for fun, novelty ceramics like head vases, cookie jars, and salt-and-pepper shakers exploded.
Some of these ceramic pieces, which hit their peak of popularity with homemakers in the ‘50s, were made in England, Australia, the U.S. and at Japan potteries, like those by Rookwood, Roseville, Weller, McCoy, Hull, the California Cleminsons, Frankoma, and Holt-Howard. Others were produced in occupied Japan and imported by Lefton, Napco, and PY. In Australia potters such as Diana, Melrose, Fowler, Pates, Bendigo, Mashman, Alba, McCredie, Newtone and many others produced very collectable pieces. While clay is the most popular material for collectible wall pockets, they’ve also been made out of wood, glass, cloth, plastic, and metals such as copper or tin.
While untold thousands of ceramic wall pockets were made between the ‘40s and ‘60s, their tendency to drop from walls and crack or break has made them scarce today. Vintage and antique wall pockets come in every shape imaginable: You can find full figures or busts of realistic men, women, and children, as well as fantasy characters like mermaids, cherubs, and angels. There is also a wide range of animal characters like cats, dogs, sea horses, fish, birds, butterflies, roosters, and owls. Wall pockets are sometimes shaped like fruits and nuts.
Wall vases are great fun to collect with a myriad of shapes, sizes and forms. They can turn up anywhere from markets, garage sales, op. shops, the net, antique shops, auctions and the list goes on. Enjoy your finds!
Collecting is a hobby that lasts a lifetime and gives much joy and pleasure. Those memorable finds, the great people you meet, the new places you explore when searching. It is a truly a most pleasurable pastime. Find an area, of collecting, that interests you get out there and make discoveries.
Every household seems to have a selection of old, interesting items that have accumulated over the years. Whether in the back of the cupboard, an inheritance or in the storage lock-up, we seem to have them. From jewellery to old tools, things of value or simply things that bring us pleasure. All your interesting items have a story and it is our responsibility to pass on that important information to others.
Dave (a good friend) and I have opened a shop (Antiques & Old Wares) at 12 Isabella St, Wingham. Call in and say hello.
I hope that collecting brings you the enjoyment that I have experienced over forty odd years!
If you have items that you are not sure of, I may be able to help with information, appraisals and/or sales. I love the history and stories of old and interesting treasures. Phone Rex – 0427 880 546.
Take care and stay safe!