Favourites from If These Walls Could Talk
22 March - 19 May 2025
- Sarah Morgan
We invite you to help celebrate the Museum’s 45th anniversary and add to our collection understanding by contributing your ideas and knowledge of the displayed items. If you have any insight into some of our favourites from If These Walls Could Talk, reach out to exhibitions@cairnsmuseum.org.au.
We would also like to acknowledge that this exhibition is based on the memories and stories of our member volunteers. We are grateful for all their generous contributions.
Good Things Come in Pairs
Two gold watches are a feature of the exhibition. These lovely items are designed to please the eye and visitors to the Museum are sure to be charmed. Made by W Bennet & Co. London – the exquisite time pieces are significant because of their relationship to a well-known local figure, John Moffat. Scottish born Moffat (1841-1918) migrated to Queensland in 1862. He was a major pioneering influence in the development of the Far North mining industry.
Along with William Jack, Moffat developed the Glen Smelting Co., headquartered at Gibbs Creek, which Moffat had renamed Irvinebank. In 1889 Moffat had interest in the Vulcan tin mine which was one of the largest and richest deposits of tin in the North. As well as mining interests from Herberton, Coolgarra, Watsonville, Wolfram Camp and more, Moffat had interests in patenting, shearing, newspaper and farming.
Donated by Mrs A Debenham (Daughter)
Object: CM M2001:34; M2003:106
Size: Men’s – 53 mm Dia
Ladies – 45 mm Dia
Box – 58mm x 58mm x 34 mm
Material: 18K gold
Mysterious Medicinal Measuring Mechanism
This curious object was donated to the Museum in 1997. It arrived as part of a broader pharmacy collection. The donor – himself a pharmacist – wasn’t able to tell us what the device was used for. It is understood to be a dosage measuring tool. Do you know how this piece of equipment was used? Is it even a pharmacy implement? We are stumped!
Donated by Arthur Tovey
Object: M1996.86
Size: 70mm L x 45mm W x 42mm H
Material: Metal
Kennedy Regiment Artillery Jacket in Blue
When regalia specialist Paddy O’Brien was asked by the Museum to tender his thoughts on this rare jacket, a couple of questions emerged. He suggested the jacket is wholly original – a splendid example of a locally adapted style for field wear. The crows foot design on the cuffs and the five front buttons on this regimental jacket tell us that it is a field jacket. A full dress jacket had eight buttons and a full ‘Australia Knot’ on the cuffs.
Most Empire Regulars Colonial Forces used yellow piping for collars, shoulder straps, cuff knots. The silver prize badge to the left cuff is for Volunteers. The buttons and insignia should be in white metal for Volunteer units and in brass for permanent forces. It is possible that they indicate later Militia or Partially Paid status of the Volunteers at this time.
Most of the plaques, insignia and button designs on the jacket are what would be expected of Australian Colonial Forces. However, the ‘Kennedy’ titles on the sleeves are a bit of an enigma as they are not standard practice. While the blue and yellow colour are associated with Artillery Corps, they may be a purely local adaptation. Can you shed any light on this?
Object: M1987:26
Material: Serge woollen fabric
