Summary
Wooden floor polisher used primarily by patients at Larundel Mental Hospital, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia, circa 1955. Pumpkin polish was applied to wooden floors and old blanket pieces were attached to the bottom of the bumper. It is reported that the polisher was pushed and dragged up and down the dayroom floor for hours, seven days a week, for years on end.
Physical Description
Bumper floor polisher, handmade, is a large, heavy cube of wood, with a brush on bottom. The block of wood has a whole in the centre top, in which a long wooden handle is fastened by a nail.
Significance
Example of activities undertaken by patients at Victorian mental health hospitals
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Larundel Mental Hospital, Office of Psychiatric Services, May 1985
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Place & Date Used
Larundel Mental Hospital, Bundoora, Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, circa 1955
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Classification
Medicine & health, Mental health - institutional life, Cleaning
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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overall dimensions
163 cm (Length), 34 cm (Width), 34 cm (Height)
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Exhibition Collection Management
140 mm (Length), 335 mm (Width), 1700 mm (Height)
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Dimensions
174 cm (Length), 14 cm (Width), 14 cm (Height)
Measurement From Conservation. Measuring Method: Max dimensions
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References
John, Flora C.N., Larundel Hospital. Oral history, Dr E.C.Dax, 4.5.1992
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Keywords
Cleaning Equipment, Mental Health, Mental Health Institutions, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Hospitals, Making History - Psych Services
