Summary

Rabbiting net made by Colin McKenzie, circa 1950 - 1955 and used by Colin and his sister Helen at their family farm 'Craiglea' on Dons Road in Newham, Victoria, Australia, circa 1950 - 1970.

Helen and Colin went rabbiting using ferrets. The rabbits were fed to the dogs and pigs on the farm, and the skins sold to Melbourne buyers. Their father also went to NSW each winter to trap rabbits and foxes. This box would be used to transport a ferret while going rabbiting. Usually the ferrets were kept in a hutch. They would be put down a burrow and the rabbiter would catch the escaping rabbits using a rabbit net. It was important to wait for the ferret to come out of the burrow and put it back in the box - otherwise it might escape and kill neighbours' poultry.

Physical Description

Homemade box of nailed, unfinished wood. Upper half of front i s a flap hinged with tabs of tin and fastened with a leather strap and buckle. A long piece of tin covers the top edge of flap. Another leather strap extends aro und the sides and base of box, nailed to wood to form a shoulder strap. Holes ha ve been made in the front and sides of the box.

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