Collection with many tales to tell
Each of the items in Christina Downie's eclectic collection has its own captivating tale to tell.
But perhaps the most charming story of all is how the more than 600 artefacts, which span 150 years of Australian history, came together in a barn at her property near Toodyay.
It all began in the 1960s, when the four Downie children started quizzing their parents about how old automobiles worked.
Mrs Downie's late husband Rex set out to find a T-Model Ford to show them how a car could be controlled with foot pedals.
Edison Phonograph: More than 600 items will go under the hammer on Thursday. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
They clambered into the family truck and went on a camping trip to the Goldfields to see what they could find in abandoned towns and scrap heaps on farms.
It was the first holiday of many that centred around collecting, starting a tradition of a trip to the Goldfields every August school holidays when the children were home from boarding school.
A rare 1925 Talbot, from life time collector Christina Downie's Toodyay home. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
"We just took the truck and after about five days we always reckoned we needed to get home for a shower," Mrs Downie said.
"There was nowhere to stay, as we would stop and camp at these old deserted town sites.
"Of course once you let kids loose in a rubbish tip or somewhere like that they pick up anything interesting, so that started the collecting."
Life time collector Christina Downie with a selection of antique washing machines that will be auctioned off along with many other rare items from her home in Toodyay. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
Her daughter Alison Henshaw said her best childhood memories had been made on the expeditions.
"It really was an idyllic childhood and gave us a great appreciation for old stuff," Mrs Henshaw said.
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After more than 20 years at the rambling Katrine Steading on the Avon River, Mrs Downie, 85, will be moving on soon and so will her collection.
An 1890s cork press. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
The historic items will go under the hammer at an auction at the Katrine Road property on Thursday.
The auction starts at 10am.
See the catalogue at www.katrinesteading.com .
Life time collector Christina Downie and her faithful dog Spenser in a Model T Ford which will be auctioned off along with many other rare items from her home in Toodyay. Picture: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian
