Worn by Dame Marie Breen DBE OBE, Federal Senator for Victoria and Brighton resident. A passionate member (and founder) of many community organisations and charities, Marie Freda Breen (nee Chamberlin, 1902-1993) had her first experience of public life when her husband Robert became Mayor of Brighton in 1940. She became involved in the fledgeling Liberal Party, and Robert encouraged her to run for office. Marie because Victoria's first female Federal Senator in 1962. In Parliament, she was a vocal advocate for women and families and supported building a stronger relationship between Australia and Asia. In 1965 she became the first woman to chair a Senate committee. Marie retired from politics in 1968, after Robert was badly injured in a car accident. He died shortly after and she re-dedicated herself to community service, raising funds for UNICEF and serving on the Victorian Consultative Committee on Social Development and the Australian Advisory Council of Elders. In 1959 she was appointed an Officer of the British Empire for her work in the role of State President of the National Council of Women (Victoria) and in 1979 she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Marie and Robert had three daughters, one of whom, Jeannette Patrick, was the Liberal Member for Brighton (1976-1985) and Parliamentary Secretary of the Liberal Party, (1979-82).Sleeveless black cotton voile dress printed with large cream and apricot coloured roses. Dropped waist; bias-cut triangular draping applied to back neck; two horizontal bands of black voile inserted into skirt.dame marie breen, 1920s, liberal party of australia, australian senate, politics, robert breen

This dress was worn by Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, to a Mayoral Ball held at Brighton Technical School in 1977. Diane Margaret Lewis completed a law degree at the University of Melbourne, later marrying one of her classmates, criminal lawyer Ramon (Ray) Lopez. When she decided to run for the Brighton City Council in 1975, she was seen as an outside chance. Undeterred, she rallied a small group of friends and supporters and set out on an extensive door-knocking campaign that won voters to her side and successfully unseated former mayor Keith Devenport. She went on to serve two terms on council from 1975 to 1981. Di initiated many local projects, including the creation of a bike path along Nepean Highway and the first Brighton Festival, while balancing family life and a demanding ‘day job’ as personal assistant to Victorian Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation Brian Dixon. She was a member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby and a champion for women’s representation, encouraging both Sally Allmand and Kate Harman to run for council (both were successfully elected). She advocated forcefully for an open, transparent local government in which ratepayers had the chance to participate and be heard. In 1976 Di became the first woman to hold the title of Mayor of Brighton, and she made it clear from the outset that she was going to do it her way. For the annual mayoral ball in 1977, ordinarily a staid traditional function, she chose a discotheque theme based on the Rod Stewart album Night on the Town, with a broad dress code of ‘black tie or jeans’: ‘You’ve got to get with the times,’ she said. ‘We want people to wear whatever they feel comfortable in.’ Di herself chose to attend in this knee-length chamois dress embellished with strings, ribbons, beads and feathers. It was both a fashion statement, exemplifying her colourful, flamboyant and forthright style, and a political one: a declaration of her intention to lead a progressive council, embracing the new and refusing to be hemmed in by dated traditions. In 2020 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to local government and to the community of Brighton.This dress has local historical significance for its association with Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, who wore it to a Mayoral Ball in 1976. The dress exemplifies her flamboyant reputation, modern outlook and willingness to break norms. At the time, the dress was a radical choice for a Mayoral Ball, where women typically wore formal evening gowns. With her choice of dress, Cr Lopez was making a public statement, breaking away from dated traditions and announcing her intention to bring the Mayor's office into the 1970s. In this way, the dress also points to the wider social and political changes taking place both in Brighton and across Australia during the mid-1970s.Three quarter length chamois dress circa 1974. Machine stitched with a v-neck and full length sleeves and an uneven raw hem, the dress is decorated with narrow thongs of chamois embellished with red beads and blue feathers. The open-fronted bodice is laced with red ribbon and the skirt is decorated with a large blue wool cross stitch and a combination of blue wool and purple ribbon cross stitch. Made in the style of an Indian 'Wild West Dress'.di lopez, chamois, brighton, brighton council, brighton technical school, mayoral ball, 1970s, feminism

This chain was part of the official regalia worn by the Mayor of the City of Brighton before the amalgamation into Bayside City Council in 1994. The chain was seen as an outward sign of power, authority, and responsibility and was a formal, full-dress type of regalia that was worn by the mayor over their robes at ceremonial functions. The large central drop medallion featured the design of the council seal and the links of the chains detail the name and date of each appointed Mayor. This council seal features the Brighton coastline with a pier extending to the water, a sail boat in the distance and a train on the right of the pier. It was displayed by Council on its flag and letterhead and in municipal buildings and can still be seen on the portico of Brighton Town Hall. The seal was used from 1919, when Brighton was declared a city, until 1970, when an official crest was issued by the British College of Heraldry. Brighton was first incorporated as a borough on 18 January 1859, it became a town on 18 March 1887 and was proclaimed a city on 12 March 1919.9 carat yellow gold and enamel mayoral chain for the City of Brighton. Consists of 61 small oval links, with a scroll listing significant dates in Brighton's history as a centrepiece and a large 'drop' medallion of the City of Brighton seal below. Each oval link has a central plaque inscribed with a mayor's name and dates of their office surrounded by a thin coiled edge and a thick decorative border. The earliest Mayor is W.P. Francis 1918-19 and the latest is K.D. Oliver 1994-95. The links are joined by cable chain and form a long circular chain with two crosspieces of additional links at the back, the upper crosspiece contains four links, while the lower piece contains three links. The chain has a large oval medallion/pendant of the City of Brighton seal which is surrounded by a thin coiled gold edge, a border containing raised lettering 'CITY OF BRIGHTON' above and a Coat of Arms below. This is also surrounded by a coiled edge. The oval piece is then wrapped around with a thick laurel wreath with small berries. The central part of the medallion contains a coloured enamel image of the Brighton coastline with sand in the foreground, a pier extending out into the water, a sailboat in the distance and a train on the right of the pier. The small Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom below includes a coloured enamel shield flanked by a lion and unicorn with a motto inscribed on a ribbon underneath 'DIEU ET MON DROIT'.mayoral chain, city of brighton, lega, ceremonial wear, seal, medallion, mayor, coat of arms, crest, bayside, mayoral regalia

This file contains five items relating to Caulfield Council Visits with the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) from 1919 to circa 1974: 1/A photo album containing photos from the MMBW ‘visit to the Headworks, Yan Yean Water Supply, Wallaby and Silvery Creeks’ from 28/02/1919 to 03/03/1919, attended by members of the Caulfield City Council. The album contains 13 original black-and-white photographs, 3 of which are of the council members. The album is accompanied by a report by Felicitie Campbell, written 11/2008, about these visits. 2/A publication from the MMBW documenting its review of operations for 1973-1974. The report contains information about water supply, sewerage and drainage infrastructure completed or in progress during this period including infrastructure in Caulfield, Ormond, Carnegie and Bentleigh. 3/A periodical feature from the MMBW titled ‘Living City’, issue no. 16, Spring/Summer 1974. Included in the article titled ‘Program’ is a notice that construction will continue on the Elster Creek drain from Thomas St. to Wheatley Road, McKinnon. The periodical also includes the names of commissioners W. R. Walters from Caulfield and G. R. Bricker from Moorabbin (back cover). 4/2 maps and 1 information booklet from the Thomson Project Open Day attended by Felicite and John Campbell as representatives of the Caulfield City Council. This was an annual MMBW open date. Date unknown. 5/Resarch notes by Kate Aldred about the photo album and Thomson Project Open Day booklet and their links to Felicite Campbell 01/04./2014.koornang road, draper street, hall street, centre road, brewers road, caulfield intercepting sewer, byron street, caulfield park, elster creek, caulfield, carnegie, ormond, bentleigh, thomas street, brighton east, wheatley road, mckinnon, city of caulfield, bricker g. r., walters w. r., caulfield city council, melbourne and metropolitan board of works, hall councillor, murray councillor, murphy councillor, wharington councillor, phillips councillor, blyth councillor, best robert sir, reid doctor, jowett mr., wooley mr., hindle mr., annual reports, water supply structures and establishments, sewerage and sanitation, sewerage establishments, drainage, town planning, business and finance, councillors, mayors, acqueducts, dams and reservoirs, creeks, waterfalls, rivers, construction sites, north road, north road pumping station, cities and towns, campbell felicitie

The original small, pioneer cottage was built in the late 1840s to early1850s, by an unknown pioneer. It was located on part of a 30 Acre allotment that was originally part of Dendy’s Special Survey granted in 1841. The doors and window sashes, (made of red deal joinery timber), as well as the brass locks and fittings, are from the original cottage, and were imported from England. The fire-place bricks are from the original cottage, and are sun-dried, (not kiln fired), and are hand-made. Convict marks can be seen on two bricks. There is a small display of external cladding shingles from the original pioneer cottage. These shingles were hand-split, and most likely made from locally collected timber The nails included in this display were used to fasten the shingles on the original cottage, and are also hand-made. The cottage was occupied by William Box and family from 1865 until 1914 when it was sold to William Reitman who resided there until 1950. The enamel nameplate, “Colonial”, on the wall of the cottage, was the name chosen for the original pioneer cottage by Mr William Reitman, when he purchased the property in around 1915, for 1200 Pounds approximately. In 1974 Mr Lewis, a timber specialist, found the dilapidated building on property he had recently purchased in Jasper Rd and suggested it be reconstructed and relocated. Moorabbin Council agreed and the cottage was rebuilt just about 250 metres from its original site. The cost of the rebuild was met by 'Victoria's 150th Committee, plus a small grant from the City of Moorabbin, and Mr Laurie Lewis donated much of the timber for the reconstruction. The re-constructed cottage plan has followed faithfully the original dimensions, and plan of the original pioneer cottage, and as many original items from that cottage’s long occupation have been incorporated. The photographs in Album 1 record the progress of the reconstruction from February 1984 to the First Public Open Day November 18th 1984 and this Flag Raising Ceremony February 24th 1985. See MAV 01017 for photographs of this event.These 3 Newspaper clippings refer to the Flag Raising Ceremony to be held on February 24th 1985 at the 'Reconstructed Box Cottage' in McKinnon. The Moorabbin Standard Newspaper was the local paper for the City of Moorabbin during the 20th Century until it was absorbed into The Leader Newspaper Group Ltd. Mrs H. Deam and Mr A. Smith, CMHS members, took kept these reports to record the progress of the ‘Reconstruction’ from February 1984 to November 1984 and this event in 1985. Although 'Box Cottage' is a re-construction, it is an unique museum that, being located in the midst of a modern community in Ormond Victoria, can educate and demonstrate many aspects of the early settler’s way of life in Victoria. As such, it is an invaluable resource for students and all kinds of visitors. 3 x clippings from The Moorabbin Standard Newspaper, Wednesday 20th February 1985, reporting the Flag Raising Ceremony to be held on Sunday 24th February 1985 at Box Cottage Joyce Park, Jasper Road, McKinnon ( now Ormond). a) Paragraph in Mayor's Column by Cr Frank Le Page, Mayor City of Moorabbin, CMHS member ; b) Letters to the Editor Section " Historical Show " by Mrs H Deam, CMHS Secretary ; c) 'What's On Section' paragraph ' Box Cottage '.Written on clippings a) , b) ; Moorabbin Standard / Wed. 20th Feb. 1985brighton, moorabbin, highett, ormond, mckinnon, cottages, pioneers, colonial, dendy henry, box william, box elizabeth, reitman william, convicts lewis timber co. ltd., deam h, smith arthur, museums, box alonzo, moody & smith builders highett, the moorabbin standard newspaper, the leader newspaper pty ltd., fox max , lewis laurie, moorabbin city council, national trust, connard geoff mlc, lawson geoff mlc,, le page frank mayor city of moorabbin, australian flag, victorian state flag, goldworthy mr;

John Box 1841 - 1913 the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children who were all born in East Brighton ( now Ormond ). After Martha died 1895 John Box married Eleanor Rushall c1900 Eleanor (Nellie) Rushall b 1866 in Fitzroy daughter of George Rushall b 1823 in London and Mary Ann Jones b 1823 in Battersea, who arrived in Portland 1849 and later settled in Fitzroy. George was an Auctioneer and was elected to Council 1874 becoming Mayor of Fitzroy 1875 and the family enjoyed the benefits of their prosperity. She had singing lessons with Dame Nellie Melba. His business foundered during the 1892/93 Bank Crash. However Nellie is recorded as the owner of the 10 roomed Terminus Hotel in Williamstown a favoured watering hole for the sailors from the many ships that came to the port. Nellie had a daughter Lavilla who sadly died aged 1 year in 1898. Nellie is then recorded as a housekeeper to a medical doctor in Cockatoo and later working for John Box, in Brighton. She married John Box in 1900 and they had 3 children Nellie, Jack and Alexander. After John Box died 1913, Nellie rented a house on the family estate in Oakleigh. She raised 2 other children Ray and Thelma and received some income by caring for several welfare children. In her later years Nellie lived with each of her children who had inherited from the John Box Estate when they turned 21 years. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Eleanor Rushall b1866 the 2nd wife of John Box 1841 -1913F.C Burman Photos / 196 Smith St. Fitzroybox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, rushall george, fitzroy melbourne, dame nellie melba, helen porter mitchell, terminus hotel williamstown, williamstown melbourne,

John Box 1841 - 1913 the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children who were all born in East Brighton ( now Ormond ). After Martha died 1895 John Box married Eleanor Rushall c1900 Eleanor (Nellie) Rushall b 1866 in Fitzroy daughter of George Rushall b 1823 in London and Mary Ann Jones b 1823 in Battersea, who arrived in Portland 1849 and later settled in Fitzroy. George was an Auctioneer and was elected to Council 1874 becoming Mayor of Fitzroy 1875 and the family enjoyed the benefits of their prosperity. She had singing lessons with Dame Nellie Melba. His business foundered during the 1892/93 Bank Crash. However Nellie is recorded as the owner of the 10 roomed Terminus Hotel in Williamstown a favoured watering hole for the sailors from the many ships that came to the port. Nellie had a daughter Lavilla who sadly died aged 1 year in 1898. Nellie is then recorded as a housekeeper to a medical doctor in Cockatoo and later working for John Box, in Brighton. She married John Box in 1900 and they had 3 children Nellie, Jack and Alexander. After John Box died 1913, Nellie rented a house on the family estate in Oakleigh. She raised 2 other children Ray and Thelma and received some income by caring for several welfare children. In her later years Nellie lived with each of her children who had inherited from the John Box Estate when they turned 21 years. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. Three black and white photographs of Eleanor Rushall the 2nd wife of John BoxA Nellie Rushall; B Mum ( Nana) C possibly 'Eleanor'* box william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, rushall george, fitzroy melbourne, terminus hotel williamstown, williamstown melbourne,

The City of Moorabbin Historical Society was formed c 1960 by a group of Moorabbin area residents who were concerned that the history of the area should be preserved. A good response to a call for items related to the historical area of Moorabbin Shire brought donations of a wide variety of artefacts that are now preserved by the current members of CMHS at Box Cottage Museum. Helen Stanley, Secretary of CMHS, began producing a Newsletter for members in April 2007 to provide current information and well researched items of historical interestHelen Stanley has produced a bi-monthly Newsletter, 2007 - 2013, for the members of the City of Moorabbin Historical Society that contains well researched interesting historical items, notification of upcoming events, current advice from Royal Australian Historical Society , Museums Australia Victoria and activities of Local Historical Societies. The Newsletter is an important record of the activities of the CMHS1 x A4 paper printed on 1 side Issue 28 of the bi-monthly, City of Moorabbin Historical Society Newsletter produced by Society member and Secretary, Mrs Helen Stanley in August 2012 with photographs of the Ceremony celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the formation of The Moorabbin Roads Board. The Mayors of Glen Eira, Kingston and Brighton unveiled a Plaque at the corner of Cummins Road and Nepean Highway near the original site of the 'Toll gate' . Members of each Historical Society were present including past president of CMHS, His Worship the Mayor of Glen Eira Jamie Hyams. Notes of life at Box Cottagec1918 - 1950 by Stefanie Rennick, nee Reitman, that she donated to CMHS. CITY of MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / AUGUST 2012 NEWSLETTER city of moorabbin historical society, stanley helen, melbourne, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, ormond, bentleigh, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, the moorabbin roads board 1862, city of glen eira, city of kingston, moorabbin shire, parish of moorabbin, brighton east, south brighton, bent tommy, mair william, jessse morleys hotel, box henry, box william,

City of Moorabbin was proclaimed 1934 and managed the areas of Cheltenham, Highett, Moorabbin, Bentleigh, East Bentleigh, East Brighton, McKinnon, Ormond until the Amalgamation of Councils in 1994. The City of Kingston then took over the area south of South Road while City of Glen Eira took the area to the north Kingston City Council possesses the original Mayoral Chain of former City of Moorabbin and it is displayed on the Moorabbin Mayoral Robe at KCC Office Cheltenham for the Annual Opening meeting of KCC in February . 2018 The Moorabbin Mayoral Robe was sent on 7 year loan to KCC for display at Cheltenham with the former City of Chelsea and former City of Mordialloc Mayoral Robes.Since the 1960s far-sighted community members have generously donated many significant items to the ‘Box Cottage’ museum, specifically to provide future generations with a fascinating, and tangible insight into day-to-day life from the 1800’s and up to the mid 1900's. Moorabbin City Council supported their efforts until the Amalgamation of Councils 1994. The City of Kingston donated the 1990 City of Moorabbin Mayoral Robes in 2007 Photograph of the City of Moorabbin Mayoral Chain circa 1990 in a glass covered, wooden frame Photograph of Mayoral Chain worn by Kingston City Council Mayor Steve Staikos, with Councillor Brownlees, in November 2018 when Robe and Jabot were loaned to KCC by CMHS Box Cottage MuseumPlate at base of photograph frame states ' City of Moorabbin Mayoral Chain /Manufactured By / P. Blashki & Sons Pty.Ltd'/moorabbin, kingston, mayors, glen eira, mayoral chain, moorabbin shire

Members of the Marriott family arrived in Port Phillip in 1857. However it was John and Jane Marriott who in 1876, (after toiling hard since their arrival in1871, for very little gain), first leased, then purchased in 1882, 30 acres with a four-roomed house in East Boundary Road, in the area then called East Brighton. (Now known as East Bentleigh). The land they purchased had previously been a part of the 1841 Dendy Survey. Over the following years, John and his four sons with hard work and determination became prosperous vegetable growers and purchased further land in the area. Following John's retirement and subsequent death in 1903, the land was passed to his sons, and then onto the Marriott grandchildren. The family continued to remain very prosperous and successful vegetable growers. This lovely photo of Geoff Marriott bears testament to just one of the many families steeped in the tradition of vegetable growing which significantly contributed to the prosperity of the Shire, and its subsequent development into the City of Moorabbin. The photograph of Geoff Marriott of the Marriott family represents a typical example of the MANY early market gardening families, some names less prominent, but who with their labours contributed to the prosperity and the development of the community of the Shire of Moorabbin. This group of early pioneers, over many years, were a singularly important group responsible for the growth of schools, churches, the Mechanic's Hall, and were active in local government. Large coloured photograph, taken in 1969, showing Mr Geoff Marriott with his horse-drawn plough pulled by "Duke" the Clydesdale horse, and accompanied by "Smoky", his dog, working in his market garden, Brady Road, East Bentleighhorse, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, settlers, fruit, markets, vegetables, plough, mayors, moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, marriott geoff, marriott john, marriott jane, market gardens, horse drawn plough, city of moorabbin

This wood traveling trunk was used by the LePage family when emigrating from Guernsey , Channel Isles, to Melbourne on SS Caliope 1852. Nicholas LePage , a tailor, and wife Elizabeth arrived in Melbourne in 1852 with their son Frank Thomas and daughter Elizabeth. Joshua Holloway released land in his 'Two Acre Village' in Cheltenham 1851. Nicholas bought a LOT for 10pounds and began a market garden that was managed by successive generations. The LePage family became involved with the Methodist Church , local friendly societies, sporting clubs and civic councils that endured. 'The LePages became one of the best known Moorabbin market gardening families, with a tradition of service to communal and civic affairs that is unmatched' John Cribbin, ' Moorabbin ,Pictorial History 1862-1994.' (City of Kingston)A handmade wood trunk with brass lock and hinges and Guernsey ( Channel Isles) Newspaper lining 1851Top of lid; White Stencil BETSEY LEPAGE / PASSENGER TO MELBOURNE Lining of box; Guernsey Newspaper 1851 henry dendy's special survey 1842, moorabbin shire, moorabbin roads board, dendy henry, were jb, holloway josiah, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, methodist church, two acre village cheltenham, charman stephen, bent thomas, daphne cottage, sons of temperance friendly society, mayors moorabbin council, lepage nicholas, lepage frank thomas, lepage everest, lepage frank wilbur, cheltenham co-operative society, cheltenham cream and butter factory

Invitation by the No 9 Local Association of the Boy Scouts' Association, covering St Kilda, Elsternwick, Caulfield, Brighton, Gardenvale, Hampton, Sandringham and Black Rock, to a demonstration of scout work at the St Kilda Town Hall on 9 May. The year is not specified.Cream coloured card printed in blueThe invitation is addressed in writing to 'The Mayor & Councillors of St Kilda' and is stamped with the number 17149boy scouts

This dress belonged to Ethel Nina Blundell (1876-1949), having been first made for her mother Jane Blundell (nee Burkitt, 1845-1878). Born in Dublin, Jane married James John Blundell Jr at the Black Street Congregational Church in Brighton on 16 March 1874. The Blundells were a socially prominent Brighton family who played an important role in the development of the area. James' father, publisher and bookseller James John Blundell Sr, served as a Brighton Borough Councillor between 1862 and 1867 when the local government was still in its formative years, including holding the position of Mayor in 1864. He was involved in the foundation of the Brighton Volunteer Rifle Corps and was also a strong supporter of the Brighton Ladies Benevolent Society. The Blundell family were active members of the Brighton Congregational Church and supported the construction of the Black Street church, where James Jr served as a deacon for sixty years, in addition to his work in the Crown Land and Survey Department. The dress is believed to have been made for Jane in 1875 or 1876 during her early pregnancy, likely by a local dressmaker. Jane died in 1878 when Ethel was very young, and Ethel was then raised by her father and paternal grandmother. As she never married, Ethel remained living in the family home of 'Eumana', 164 Church Street, and as an adult she assumed the role of hostess whenever she or her father had guests. On these occasions, she reportedly wore her mother's dress. The family home was sold on James Jr’s death in 1924 and Ethel was living at 52 Black Street Brighton when she died in 1949. In the 1930s, Ethel gifted the dress to a close family friend, Dr Jean Kelly. She told Jean that the garment held precious memories, perhaps due to the connection it provided to the mother she had never known. Jean donated the dress to the Merimbula Old School Museum in NSW in 1987, where it was on display for many years. The Museum donated the dress to Brighton Historical Society in 2023.This is a good example of a late nineteenth century day dress, made from two different patterns of russet brown silk brocade and featuring a lobster tail style bustle. The lack of boning combined with waist and hip measurements indicates it may have been made as a maternity dress. It is lined with beige leaf pattern cotton fabric. The princess line fitted bodice of herringbone pattern brocade has a high round neck with small 'mandarin' style collar and buttons down the front to below the waist where it forms an overskirt which is bordered with a band of coffee bean patterned brocade. The overskirt drops down to hem length at the back but from the centre front it is draped up to the back to a point below the waist level. Here it is sewn to the edge of the lobster tail style bustle which is also bordered by the coffee bean fabric. There is a concealed pocket with the opening under the right edge of the bustle. The buttons on the front of the dress have a decorative circlet of small blue flowers around a russet silk covered dome. The long sleeves are set in and slightly full with a contrasting three pleat band of coffee bean fabric with an ornamental turn back from the pleats sewn just above the wrist. The skirt section of the dress is in four 20 cm bands of alternate fabric patterns with the top and third band of coffee bean pattern slightly gathered and the second and fourth bands of herringbone forming pleated ruffles.1870s, ethel nina blundell, jane blundell, jane burkitt, eumana

Mount Arapiles, or ‘Djurite’ is part of the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park approximately 30km west of Horsham. Mark Radford was a former Mayor of Horsham Rural City Council and councillor for 12 years.Mark Radford, Mount Arapiles, Western Victoria 2009, photograph, 36 x 59.7 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Gift of Horsham Rural City Council, 2009.mount arapiles, djurite, mount arapiles-tooan state park, horsham, horsham rural city council, mark radford, wimmera, mountain

This photograph records the Councillors and officers on the day that the Town of Sandringham became a City, and the first meeting of the City of Sandringham Council was held. Sandringham was originally part of the Shire of Moorabbin. On 28 February 1917, Sandringham was severed from Moorabbin and incorporated as the Borough of Sandringham. It was proclaimed a Town on 9 April 1919 and a City on 21 March 1923. city of sandringham, councillors, local government, municipality, mayor, cr. h.b. grace, cr. w.h. kay, cr. j.m. ramsay, cr. f.n. gibbs, cr. g.w. knott, cr. r. chisholm, t.g. farrant, cr. c.a. hartsmann, m.h.t. williams, town clerk, cr. j.t.d. beck, m.w.t. sanderland, surveyor

gardenvale, train, subway, ceremony, mayor, brighton, martin street, transportation, cr. h.a. abbott

politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, thomas bent, unveiling, ceremony, mayoress, sculptor, councillor wilson, crowd, 1913, nepean highway, mrs bent, elizabeth bleazby, fountain, memorial, john madden, lieutenant governor

Full length black robe with centre opening. Constructed from black silk grosgrain with black velvet edging and reverse. Stitching visible where patches and tassels have been removed from the sleeves and at back of robe.city of brighton, robe, ceremonial wear, town clerk, town clerk's robe, ede and ravenscroft, brighton, mayoral regalia

Knee length black mayoral ceremonial robe with centre front opening. Black wool with dark brown faux fur edging on centre front opening and cuffs. Blue silk lining in sleeves. Gathered/puckered at back and fur collar connected to back with black plastic button and loop.city of brighton, mayoral robe, robe, ceremonial wear, r.w. bredin & son, raymond w. bredin, brighton, mayor, bayside, mayoral regalia

Full length black mayoral ceremonial robe with centre front opening. Black wool with dark brown ermine fur edging on centre front opening and cuffs. Dark blue silk lining in sleeves. Gathered/puckered at back and fur collar connected to back with black plastic button and loop.city of brighton, mayoral robe, robe, ceremonial wear, r.w. bredin & son, raymond w. bredin, brighton, mayor, bayside, mayoral regalia

Full length black mayoral ceremonial robe with centre front opening. Silk grosgrain with dark brown ermine fur edging on centre front opening and cuffs. Cream silk lining in sleeves. The cuffs are also trimmed with cream coloured machine made net and lace. Gathered/puckered detail at back. Black ribbons attached to shoulders.mayoral robe, robe, ceremonial wear, mayor, bayside, brighton, sandringham, mayoral regalia

Full length black mayoral ceremonial robe with centre front opening. Dark brown ermine fur edging on centre front opening and cuffs. Decorative piping edging and white satin lining in sleeves. Gathered/puckered detail at back. mayoral robe, robe, ceremonial wear, mayor, bayside, brighton, sandringham, j. ravensdale, mayoral regalia