Collection News
Museum Update March 2022
The AGHS is pleased to announce the Museum is now open most Thursday from 10am till 2pm. However it is suggested you contact Ross Howard 0402 148 946 to confirm.
Our last report for this most trying of years - and our first on the website for some months - has a lot of positivity about it!
Since our last post, we have:
- Completed our display on the PGA of Australia:
- Unearthed, edited and YouTube published a short film showcasing the talents of Joe Kirkwood and J. Victor East:
- Purchased and assembled five gondola display units:
- Mounted a display using clubs owned and operated by the always popular Ossie Pickworth:
- Started work on a 'Trophies' display, which includes those presented to the winners of the NSW PGA and the NSW Professional Foursomes Championships.
- Built, painted and installed new display cases using vitrines sourced from the Powerhouse Museum:
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| Display case as built. | Display cases as painted. | Display case as installed. |
But that was all in the past. As of the last day of 2020 . . .
Our 'Wall of Clubs' is all but complete. Labelling has been done, and some small complementary displays added to fill the shelf space at the bottom of our gondola units. A couple of minor enhancements have been made to our existing displays, and we are all set to start work on the last three holes of the back nine.
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| On the outside, looking in. (Click for larger image) |
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| Our almost completed 'Wall of Clubs'. (Click for larger image) |
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| Peter Senior's golf bag. (Click for larger image) |
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| Peter Senior's golf bag label. (Click for larger image) |
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| The Jarvis Club Caddy. (Click for larger image) |
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| The Jarvis Club Caddy label. (Click for larger image) |
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| What will be our 'Get a Grip' display. (Click for larger image) |
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| Scorecards from long gone courses. (Click for larger image) |
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| Our analogue rangefinder. (Click for larger image) |
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| And a handful of spikes for our shoe display. |
At this point, a vote of thanks has been well and truly earned by the Museum 'workforce' - Bruno Pace and Tony Hill. Without their help, we would still be a largely empty room. It is also absolutely appropriate to acknowledge the past input and present invisible influence of our previous Collection Manager Vicki Stanton. It is not unusual for the question "What would Vicki do here?" to be asked.
And on that cheery note, best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2021 . . . and we hope to see you at the Museum.
Museum Update - May 2020
While the museum has been closed in this most extraordinary of times, the museum team has been working behind the scenes (remotely) tossing around ideas for displays, applying for grants and answering queries from golf heritage enthusiasts. We have focussed on the Golf Professionals display and it was most fortuitous and enlightening with relatives of four of the founding members of the Professional Golfers Association contacting the museum. The professionals in question were Rowley Banks, Dick Banks, Victor East and Arthur East. It is hoped we will be able to catch up and hear their stories in person at the Museum’s official opening later in the year, when (if?) we are let out again.
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An interesting query was from a lady who thought she may have found a GolfCross ball. Our Museum staff delved into the research to craft a response centred on golf ball manufacture and a short biography of the golf professional named on the ball. The ball pre-dates GolfCross by some years - it is a rubber wrapped ball from the mid-to-late 1960s. These balls were built around a solid or liquid core that was wrapped with many metres of rubber bands under tension. There are a couple of clips on YouTube that show part of the process with commentary: • Golf Ball Manufacture (1966) • Fore!! Aka Golf Balls (1946) Another YouTube clip, Dunlop Golf Balls (1930-1939), shows the whole process but it is unedited film without commentary and not necessarily in the correct order of processing |
Photograph by Karen Sutherland (click for larger image)
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The professional’s name on the ball is almost a story in itself. Bill Cussell was born in Newcastle, County Down, Ireland in 1933 or 1934. His older brother George had been a professional in England before moving to Australia. Bill followed the same path, eventually reuniting with his brother at the Royal Adelaide Club in 1953. He was there until 1956 when he moved to Victoria, where he served at Riversdale, Yarra Bend, and probably others. He was still working as a club professional in the mid-1980s.
We don’t believe this is a GolfCross ball. Firstly, the age of the ball is wrong by at least 20 years. Secondly, the rubber wrapped balls were rather unstable in extreme heat – the sort of heat you find in the bottom of a vinyl golf bag left in the car boot in the Australian summer. Balls going out of round, whether that be egg, oval or any manner of weird shapes, happened occasionally as did balls ‘exploding’. This wasn’t a loud bang or a destructive sort of explosion. Rather, the rubber bands inside the ball deformed suddenly under heat, unwrapping and bursting through the cover.
Finally, the GolfCross ball is a different and more regular shape with more pointed ends, much like a rugby or American football.
Watch this YouTube clip, NZ GolfCross Goal-golf: Introducing the Amazing Oval Golf Ball, to learn the basics of GolfCross.
Museum Update
In August, the museum moved into its brand new premises at Strathfield Golf Club. What a delight! There is a display space and storage facility for the objects, files and archives and it is a pleasure to be housed in such a comfortable space. Air conditioning, lifts, a new fit-out and display cases. We don’t know ourselves.
The museum team is progressively setting up displays:
- Early Golf features two Tom Morris long nose clubs, a rut iron, water iron (replica) and a fine example of a George Bussey Empire golf club carrier.
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Having a Ball is a quick history of the golf ball from the feathery to the modern ball and we’ve also included a few quirky little items such as a night ball and a Waukee Washer.
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Our Open showcases items from some of the champions of the game who have won the Australian Open. Included among the objects are a Christmas card signed by Ivo Whitton, clubs used by Greg Chalmers and Ossie Pickworth in their wins and the trophy presented to 1930 Open champion Frank Eyre.
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Other displays feature one of Australia’s favourite golfers, Kel Nagle, and Rose Payten, the Australian singles tennis champion who later turned her talents to golf. You can also see a golf pinball machine ‘Little Pro’ donated by the Australian champion golfer Craig Parry.
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Currently in development is a display on golf professionals and the formation of the Australian chapter of the Professional Golfers Association.
Come on down to Strathfield and pop in for a look. The museum is open Thursdays 10am to 3pm (other times by appointment). It is hoped that regular opening hours may be increased (dependent on volunteer numbers).
Strathfield Golf Club has facilities for a light lunch or you could consider a round of golf with access to the course for non-members available Monday to Friday, subject to availability.
Interested in volunteering with the museum? Contact Vicki at museum@australiangolfheritage.org.au.
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| Our New Display Cases (Click for larger image) |
Our First Display - 'Having a Ball' (Click for larger image) |
'Having a Ball' Details (Click for larger image) |
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| There's always room for Kel Nagle (Click for larger image) |
A small display on ladies golf . . . and another of our new display cases. (Click for larger image) |
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| Part of the display - 'Our Open'. And a new case. (Click for larger image) |
Another view of 'Our Open'. (Click for larger image) |
The view from the front door. And Colin. (Click for larger image) |
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| A display on 'Professionals' taking shape. (Click for larger image) |
Popeye's Pinball on public display. (Click for larger image) |
Early visitors - Mike and Menekse from www.putteringaroundtheworld.com (Click for larger image) |
Google Arts & Culture Great Sporting Land
On Tuesday 20th August, AGHS Museum Curator Vicki Stanton attended the launch of Google Arts & Culture Great Sporting Land – the first dedicated celebration of sporting culture on Google Arts & Culture. Collections, stories and knowledge from over 30 renowned institutions across Australia, including the Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum, have been brought together so people around the world can explore the tales and traditions, and the larrikins and legends of our great sporting nation.
Vicki Stanton views the AGHS exhibition on the big screen
(Click for larger image)
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The online exhibition features over 11,000 archived images and videos, and more than 100 original stories that celebrate the unifying spirit of this sports-mad nation. Google’s Art Camera also travelled to sporting institutions across the country to capture over 200 artworks and precious artefacts in breath-taking Gigapixel quality. In addition everybody will be able to dive into Street View to tour iconic sites like Melbourne and Olympic Parks or Sydney Cricket Ground. The Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum contributes an online exhibition Golf in Australia highlighting how the game flourished in Australia. The exhibition features unique film footage of Sir Donald Bradman practising golf shots under the instruction of a golf professional, and a golf club designed to lift the ball out of wheel ruts. Online visitors can discover over 140 items within the collection, and the Golf Museum will be adding new exhibits for online visitors from around the world to explore. |
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Vicki Stanton, Curator of the Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum, said: Collaborating with Google Arts & Culture offers the Golf Museum a high profile platform to share and promote our collection with the world. We are a small institution and Great Sporting Land provides us with a rare opportunity to exhibit alongside other sporting collections from across Australia. With Google Arts & Culture, we reach a much wider audience and invite visitors to view our exhibit Golf in Australia and other artefacts to discover more about the rich heritage of golf in Australia. We welcome people to contact the Museum for more information about any of the artefacts on display or with their own enquiries about golf heritage and history. An interested attendee views the AGHS exhibition on a much smaller screen (Click for larger image) |
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Google Australia and New Zealand MD Mel Silva
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Mel Silva, MD of Google Australia and New Zealand, said: "Two years in the making, this initiative brings the rich history and heritage of Australia’s sporting culture to the world. We are delighted to work with the Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum and more than 30 other Australian partners to celebrate and preserve the heroes, moments and places that have shaped our cultural identity – and make this available for everyone to explore.” The Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum story and items can be viewed here, and the broader Great Sporting Land project here. |
The Museum Needs You!
Help the AGHS Museum preserve and explore Australia’s golfing history. We are embarking on a project to comprehensively catalogue and audit our nationally significant golf collection as recommended by the National Standards Program.
The goals are to:
- Ensure all objects are registered
- Perform basic preservation and conservation work.
Through this, we will better understand and manage our collection. It will give us the ability to:
- offer improved exhibitions and programs,
- provide better collection care
- rationalise the collection and
- increase accessibility of our museum items to AGHS members and the public.
This long term essential project needs volunteers. With just a few hours a week, fortnight or month, you can make a difference. No special skills are required and all training will be provided. If you do have a particular skill though, such as photography or computer competency, or a specialist area of knowledge, let us know.
The museum is also offering interested volunteers the opportunity to be trained in Mosaic, our collection management software. The developers of Mosaic are conducting workshops to be held in Manly in June. Mosaic is easy to learn, close to unbreakable and the trainers are very friendly and down-to-earth.
Email the museum on museum@australiangolfheritage.org.au or call Vicki on 0433 990 982 for further information. We need YOU!
Vale Dan Cullen
The Society has lost a great friend and supporter with the passing on 26 January of long time member and Patron, Dan Cullen at the age of 101 after a short illness.
Born in Bunbury, Western Australia on 15 November 1914, Dan's career in golf began almost by accident when he and his younger brother were caught pinching figs from a tree on the Mt. Yokine (now Western Australian Golf Club) course. By way of penance, they were set to weeding greens which - in turn - led to caddying.
This then progressed to a traineeship at Mt. Yokine under the guidance of professional Eric Alberts, joining the PGA in 1932, moving to the Cottesloe Club with Alberts, and then to the Nedlands Club by himself. This was the start of a career in which he developed a well-earned reputation as a respected Club Professional and capable golfer.
In 1937 Cullen won the West Australian Open, and in 1938 successfully defended his title. In 1939, he defeated South African Bobby Locke in an exhibition match at Royal Perth Golf Club. Cullen credited Locke, one of South Africa's most successful professional golfers, with developing his career as a professional.
After moving to Sydney, Cullen enlisted in the RAAF in 1941 and was ultimately posted to Europe piloting Lancaster bombers with 460 Squadron - a job that held less than a one in four chance of surviving the 30 sorties necessary to complete an 'operational tour'. Cullen flew 32 operational flights over Europe.
On one of these operations - to Friedrichshafen in April 1944 - Cullen and his crew had a narrow escape for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. According to the citation:
Flying Officer Cullen's work has always been of a very high standard. His courage and skill as a pilot have ensured success of many operational sorties.
In April, 1944, he took part in an attack on Fredrickshafen. While on the outward flight, the aircraft was damaged by heavy anti-aircraft fire and one engine rendered unserviceable. The mid-upper turret was put out of action and the petrol tanks holed. Despite these serious handicaps and although still 100 miles short of the target, he pressed on in most adverse circumstances and completed the mission successfully.
You can read Dan's full service record here.
Upon returning home to Australia in 1945, Cullen was appointed Club Professional at Roseville Golf Club before moving to St Michael's Golf Club. He taught the game of golf to thousands through Cullen's Driving Range, which he operated in the late 1960s and managed today by the St Michael's Golf Club in Little Bay.
Between 1948 and 1960, Cullen served as Director and Chairman of the NSW PGA, prior to his appointment as President of the PGA, which he held from 1951 - 1955.
In 1977 at the age of 64 Cullen qualified for The Open, the oldest qualifier in the history of the tournament, and teed off in a field alongside Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Bob Shearer, Graham Marsh and Gary Player.
In July 2015 Cullen received the Legion d'Honneur Medal, the highest decoration in France, for his active service during World War II.
Cullen's long and loyal service to the golf industry and the dedication he showed in promoting the game will continue to be remembered.
Dan's funeral will be held on Tuesday 2nd February at St Mary's Cathedral.
The Australian Golf Heritage Society extends its sincere condolences to the Cullen family.
Museum Hours - 27 December 2015
The Museum will not be opening on Sunday 27 December 2015. Sincere apologies to anyone planning a visit on that day.
The Museum will next be open on Sunday 3 January 2016.
2015 Australian Open Display
The Australian Golf Heritage Society's display tent at the 2015 Open was in a very good position as part of the hospitality and merchandising area, and near to a huge electronic scoreboard. To further advertise our presence, the people who organised the merchandising tent asked if they could have a mannequin - dressed in period attire - to stand in their tent. They were thrilled when we obliged.
We were busy nearly all the time over the four days, with visitors from all parts of Australia, plus New Zealand, Ireland, and England. We made a lot of connections as our guest book will attest.
We were busy nearly all the time . . .
One of the highlights was meeting up with June Howe's daughter Kim. We had been searching for June for some time to add her name to the list for possible Oral Histories. Kim has told her that her mother is not all that well, but is anxious for us to have all her memorabilia, including her blazer from when she represented Australia against Great Britain in 1955.
A couple of stories out of school . . . .
Story #1
An AGHS volunteer talking to a young boy:
"Are you following anyone?"
"Yes" said the boy, "John Senden."
"He's a very good player." the AGHS volunteer volunteered, "Do you play golf?"
"Yes." replied the lad.
"Do you get lessons?"
"Yes," advised the youngster, "but not any more."
"Oh, you should continue to get lessons if you want to improve!" said the volunteer by way of encouragement. "Does your dad play - he may be able to teach you."
At this point the boy looked to his Mum, who said "It's okay, you can tell."
"My Dad is John Senden."
Said volunteer conceded the match, and the fact that his Dad might be able to teach him a little about golf.
Story #2
An AGHS volunteer (not the same one) was chatting to a couple who were admiring some hickory display clubs,
"Have you ever played with the hickory clubs?"
"No" replied the lady "But I have a couple in my wardrobe."
After a little more polite conversation, the volunteer invited the lady and her husband into the display tent and out of the hot sun. They started to talk about ladies golf, and the volunteer mentioned that the AGHS had recently secured a grant which the Society was going to use for the recording of Oral Histories of prominent lady golfers, for example,
"Ladies who had been involved in golf, or had won an Australian Championship."
"I haven't won one of those," said the lady, and paused for effect. "I have won two, and the New Zealand Open Championship as well. My name is Judy Perkins."
Reliable eyewitnesses have reported that alleged volunteer was seen to fall from his chair. While he was being resuscitated, a more circumspect member of the volunteer troupe recorded contact details.
Change in Museum Hours
Anyone intending to visit the Museum on Sunday 25th October should note that we will be closing at 2:00 pm rather than the normal time of 4:00pm. Museum staff are taking a rare half-day off to play in the annual Liverpool friendly hickory game.
Recent Acquisition - September 2015
The Museum recently received a number of unique objects donated by Mr Bob Ball. Mr Ball worked for many year at Slazengers at a time when golf manufacture in Australia was at its peak, and when Australian golfing equipment was exported to many parts of the world. The donation includes:
- the first set of 'Gary Player' offset irons, considered outstanding equipment at the time of manufacture,
- three volumes of technical manuals detailing the specifications of hundreds of iron and wood models manufactured by Slazengers,
- a copy of the 1919 NSW Government publication The Hardwoods of Australia and Their Economics by R.T. Baker. This book is significant in that it was presented by the author to Carnegie Clark, who is said to have tested all the timbers available in an attempt to find a local resource that could be used in the production of wooden clubs,
- additional historical volumes from the early 20th century including 2 PGA Yearbooks from the 1920s.
The collection is currently being assessed for significance, and individual preservation needs.