Make Your Own Bosisto's Eucalyptus Wool Wash
Published on 28 October 2016
Make your own Bosisto’s Eucalyptus wool wash – that’s the invitation offered by Inglewood’s Blue Eucy Museum as part of its contribution to “Inglewood Alive”, the community’s annual town festival.
Planned for Sunday 6 November, the event will feature a vintage fashion parade, busking competition, hundreds of classic and contemporary cars and motorcycles, wood chopping, live music, children’s activities, stationary engines, market stalls, town garage sales and a lively mix of food vendors and collectables stores.
The hands-on workshop will start at 2pm at the museum, led by ambassador Whitney Nankervis and volunteers.
Ms Nankervis said the festival would mean a busy day for her band of volunteers.
“We’re about to start promoting the workshop locally, on Facebook and Instagram, as well as distributing fliers from our stall in the main street,” she said.
“The museum will also be open on the day from 10am to 4pm for people to visit and cost of the workshop will be $15.
“We’ll give people a short talk, then provide all the ingredients they need to make their own wool wash to take home using Bosisto’s oil and recipe.
“The session will conclude with complimentary coffee and cake for participants.”
The museum is home to a variety of displays outlining the stories of the eucalyptus oil industry in the district, including historic artefacts, video and static displays and a working model of the distillation process.
A retail area offers food and drinks, books, souvenirs and a full range of eucalyptus oil products.
The Bosisto’s story stretches back to 1848, when 21-year-old Yorkshire pharmacist Joseph Bosisto arrived in Adelaide.
Joseph moved to Victoria in search of gold, but instead opened a pharmacy in Richmond.
Four years later, he opened Australia’s first commercial distillery, at Dandenong Creek, followed by three more close by.
By 1891, Bosisto’s Oil of Eucalyptus was a world-wide success, winning prizes in 17 international exhibitions, but, by 1950, overseas competition had sparked a decline.
Current owners the Abbott family bought the company in 1974 and new product lines began to appear.
For more information, phone the Loddon Visitor Information Centre on 5494 3489.