Maryborough Flour Mill Gallery

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This is a photo of the Mill in the 1930's kindly donated to us by the daughters of Robert Duncombe . He is the fourth from the right with the hat and leather apron.

Australia's antique and vintage sewing machine museum.

A visit will amaze you. It's not a tour, it's an experience, the atmosphere of an 1881 building is the perfect setting for a step back in time.

Model boat, tank and train display (HO scale) Many thanks to Ann and Alan Comley and Matt Parmenter. This display is donation to Make a Wish Foundation.

We are trying an under cover shopping with a stall concept with many quirky, novel and just outright unusual items. This is not a market just a different dimension for Maryborough.

Maryborough now is a complete day tour destination, with us, you could spent several hours. Also we have local museums, art galleries, wonderful gardens, budget meals, wineries, fantastic bush walks and not to forget our famours station. Our Tourist Information center is best to contact for the complete package. They also do fantastic tours at a very reasonable price. Maryborough has now become center of the Goldfields with so much at only minutes away. Your complete day tour destination. You will not be disappointed. Talk to us we will head you in the right direction

Photo thanks to Mandy and Ian from Castlemaine, a lovely couple we met thanks to our shared interest, we all have the SM bug !

Trading hours are :

Thursday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm or by appointment. Tours welcome.
Also open Mondays of long weekends or by appointment. Groups welcome

We now have a Cappuccino vending machine, we are now the complete one stop shop.

PARKING we have adequate facilities for car clubs, buses or coaches,

Eftpos is available for any transaction over $10.00 (B/card, Visa or purchases only.)

Entry fee for up stairs, floor one and two, which includes the Sewing Machine Museum and the Model display of Boats, Tanks and Ho Model Rail will be $5.00 (includes personal tour if you ask), we also do a package deal, Cappuccino, shortbread and tour for ONLY $8.00 per person. This will include $1.00 donation to Make a wish for every entry fee.

Finalists in the 2011 Powercor / Central Goldfields Business Awards, Tourism and New Business Awards.

Hello, welcome to our world

These are Wayne's writings and Judi's additions!
In 2008 Judi came up with the thought and said "Babe, I'd like a treadle sewing machine", that day while Judi was at work, I went out to an auction and filled that need. I brought home a 1920 Wertheim in a cabinet in average condition, but with a little love and care we worked on it and got it running and oiled, and it now stands set up in the house for quick mending jobs. It is a lovely machine and has a special place in our lives.

          Our beloved first machine, Wertheim                                     The Gritzner Selecta.. She is very special too
Well, having a cabinet, wonder what the next step was ????? Hmmm - yes you got it right! A treadle with a cast iron base, wonder where we will get that from ???
Correct - eBay!! YAY!!! eBay has played an important role in keeping our cash flow to a minimum!! Despite that, yes, we went looking.
Not long and bingo! Yes - another lovely machine, a Selecta, looked lovely and fitted the bill. Not unlike me, and being of Scottish blood, buy something a bit run down and get it up to its splendor. Save $$$$.
Hooked the trailer up and off to Melbourne to pick it up (400km trip). Arrived home, feeling like we have a treasure, same as last. An oil here, a sanding there, and a polish everywhere. Hmmm, very happy. It is a beautiful display piece.
Well, having a cabinet then a treadle - where to next?? Yes, you guessed correctly! A Hand Crank, wonder where we can get one of those? Hmmm. Yes - you got it right again. eBay!! Hmmm...love that site.
Not long searching and up she came again. Bingo!! A beautiful Harris No 1, what a lovely sight. This baby didn't need any work.

At this stage it was decided we will only collect European sewing machines, they are far more attractive and their action (we believe) is superior.
The next was a toy sewing machine, then an overlocker for Judi's daughter. We fell in love with the 1923 Singer overlocker, kept it and purchased her another overlocker! And that blew Wayne's only European idea right out of the water!
Now we have over 300 machines of various brands, makers and designs. (And we have quite a few non European machines!)
A longing became interest, then a hobby, a collection, then an obsession.This venture (for us) is a natural progression, "if ya can't beat 'em, join 'em", this whole idea of a museum is the next step.
We are proud of our collection and are happy to share it. We do not have the biggest or best collection in the world but what we have is a very good comprehensive collection (and growing). Now 270 machines spanning 100 years. We are sure it WILL impress most.
Whilst we are not the world's foremost authorities on sewing machines, we have considerable knowledge on the subject.
We believe we may have the largest privately owned collection of sewing machines on display to the public in the southern hemisphere.
Our collection grew from various means, eBay (our life's blood), garage sales (love them), clearance sales (very close second), local auctions and word of mouth. Not to forget council collection days (Wayne would take it all home, if they only made a big enough truck).
If you feel there is a discrepancy in anything we state please feel free to contact us and put us back on the correct path. We would be more than happy to receive any information pertaining to getting it correct.