Shoe-making began in Australia among the penal colonies in 1790 who crafted shoes from imported leather. The first Australian-made shoes were expensive and many people were sent back to England for their shoes until the 1830s. However, in the years after Australian shoe-making became more accessible and affordable. Toward the end of the 19th Century, many wealthy women became obsessed with the latest fashions for both themselves and their children. Shoe-making became a profitable business for several leading companies during the 20th Century, as the industry was seen as a successful and practical item that most Australians required.The baby shoe holds significance as it represents the craftsmanship of Australian leather shoe-making from the 20th Century. As the style of shoe is more modest and stylish, it can be assumed that it was the type of footwear used for the Church Sunday Service or for special occasions, with further gives insight into the social constructs of Chiltern, a rural town in Victoria, at that time.Black leather with wool pom pom attached with a metal stud. Leather sole is black and the inner of the shoe is cream. Discolouration on the bottom of the shoe due to dirt.chiltern, shoe, footwear, leather shoe, baby shoe, chiltern athenaeum

Overpainted photograph. Baby is wearing blue two piece suite blue socks, black shoes, fair hair, blue eyes.Chapman Studios Stawell

Hilda Hill Collection. Black & White Family Photos Total of 5. The 3 photos taken in 1920 depict family gathering at Durvol Kyneton in September, the gentlemen of the family at 'The Ranch' ?Eppalock in November and Mona nursing baby at Kilmore on December 19th. Stiffy & Mo Both dressed in white shirts and dark trousers seated on the ground in front of a white brick building, to the left there is a plant growing along a frames work attached to the verandah, window in house wall, Frank dressed in a school suit which has embossing on the pocket, he is standing in front of a trellis covered in shrubbery, both hands are in his pockets. Four men and a boy, all dressed in dark suits white shirts and dark ties,man in middle has his right hand in his pocket, and the boy has his tie outside of the coat, the four men are all wearing hats, The Ranch November 1920. Mona at Kilmuir December 19th 1920, Mona is wearing a large hat and wearing a dark dress and nursing a baby dressed in white, right background is a white door. Rough, Doreen Vin, Tom Durvol September 1920, Doreen is wearing a white blouse dark skirt and dark stockings with black shoes, Vin wears a dark suit white shirt and dark tie, Tom is wearing a white shirt and dark shorts with braces, also dark socks and shoes, background is steps upon which these folk are sitting and is part of the larger house made of brick .Hilda Hill Personal Collectionaustralia, history, victoria