LIFESTYLE
By 1839 the Busselton townsite had a population of 77, and over the next 10 years a post office, St Mary's Church and the first government-assisted school were built. American whaling ships visited the port and traded with the settlers, who gained vital supplies such as iron, flour, and clothing in exchange for fresh food; there was also a trade in smuggled rum and tobacco. The American whalers also delivered mail to England via the US.
In 1850, timber was being exported and the small town prospered. Timber jetties were built at Wonnerup, Busselton and Quindalup, with only the Busselton Jetty remaining. Western Australia's first railway line was built just north of Busselton at Lockville in 1871, the original engine being known as the Ballaarat steam engine.
The population grew with the introduction of the Group Settlement Scheme between 1921 and 1930, although the effects of the Great Depression caused many people to leave the area. Busselton has a history of involvement in both World Wars, and the Busselton Aerodrome was used as a training strip for Royal Australian Air Force pilots in the mid-1940s. Following the war, the economic focus of the region gradually shifted from agriculture as the population increased and tourism began to grow in the district. Busselton became a holiday destination and retirement location.
The museum collection showcases a variety of items that reflect the daily lives, traditions and struggles of those who shaped this vibrant community.
Typewriter - Rem-Blick
This portable typewriter is of the type-wheel class. The design was originally patented in 1889 by George C Blickensderfer and marketed by his company as the Blickensderfer 5, beginning in 1893. Production ceased when Blickensderfer died in 1917. The tools and dies were eventually bought by the Remington Typewriter Company who re-started production of the Blickensderfer 5 in 1927-28 as the ‘Rem-Blick’.
Depressing a key on this machine causes the type wheel to rotate until the selected character is in position, followed by a downstroke motion to press the character against the paper and platen. Ink is applied to the characters as the type wheel brushes past an inking roller during the downstroke.
Shop Counter
This beautiful vintage shop counter, circa 1880-1890 was made from imported pine and designed in the Victorian style. It would have been finished with a mixture of beeswax, oil and turpentine and possibly made by local carpenter, George Knapton, or purchased from a cabinet maker in Perth.
The surface patina, built up over many years with all its scratches and stains, is part of its character and social value and reflects its life in a bygone era.