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Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Visiting dress, Late 19th Century
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This gown, one of two similar items in the collection belonged to one of the Ward Cole sisters, Miss Margaret Morison Ward Cole or Miss Agnes Bruce Ward Cole, daughters of George Ward Cole. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor the Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently sub divided and later demolished. A black and yellow velvet, wool, lace and silk dress from circa 1882. The bodice features a yellow silk, black lace and black velvet collar finishing high on the neck just below the chin finished with a black lace ruffle. The collar has a flap across the front of the throat that attaches at the side with a V-shaped baseline that contributes to concealing the fastenings of the bodice. The dress features a gathered central panel of black lace covered lemon silk, which falls from the neckline to the floor. At either side of this panel are matching panels of black velvet. The remainder of the dress and sleeves are made of black wool featuring a self-striped and spotted pattern. The dress fastens down the centre front with concealed black buttons hidden underneath the right velvet panel. The head of the Amadis sleeve sits on the natural shoulder line and finishes tightly at the elbow. The volume of the sleeve is created by ten pleats at the head of the shoulder, sewn to the bodice and is gathered at the elbow. The sleeve is finished with a black velvet ribbon with a bow and a black lace frill. The base of the dress is finished with a ruffle of the black dress wool. The dress features a small train. The dress is boned at the back waist and features an inset panel just below the waist of gathered fabric which forms the train. st ninians, george ward cole, visiting gown, brighton, margaret morrison ward cole, agnes bruce ward cole -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Cloak, c. 1880s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...A cloak believed to have been worn by Captain George Ward Cole. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor the Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently sub divided and later demolished. A cream, green, brown and red striped cotton evening cloak with a brown silk velvet collar from the 1880s. The cloak features a double tiered velvet capelet with high standing collar that meets in the centre front, fastening with three hook and eye closures and finishing just below the shoulder line. At the centre front throat is an additional piece of lined cloak fabric which may have attached across the throat, purpose unknown. The lining of the throat and collar of the capelet appears to be a replacement with a darker red silk. The original red silk lining features through out the remainder of the garment. Inside the front left breast, the lining features two pockets; inside the right breast, the lining features a single pocket. The lining also features a waist tie to secure the cloak to the body. The cloak is approximately mid calf to ankle length. st ninians, george ward cole, brighton, 1880s -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Dress, Visiting dress, late 19th century
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This gown, one of two similar items in the collection, belonged to one of the daughters of George Ward Cole, Miss Margaret Morison Ward Cole or Miss Agnes Bruce Ward Cole. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor the Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son, at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently subdivided and later demolished.A black and mint green wool, velvet, lace and silk dress from circa 1882. The bodice features a wired, standing collar, finishing just under the chin and open at the front of the throat. On either side at the front of the throat it features long black lace ties with black jet bead fringe. The centre front of the dress from the neckline to the base of the skirt features an insert panel of mint green corded silk. The silk is gathered and the neckline and waist and overlaid a panel of gathered lacy net. Inserted into the seam at either side of this panel at the waist are two velvet ties. The dress secures closed with eight black buttons and one hook and eye down the right side of the mint panel to mid thigh. The edges of the collar and black front panels are finished with a looped ribbon trim. The remainder of the dress is made of a black wool fabric woven a checkered pattern of larger and looser threads and smaller and tighter threads creating a seersucker like pattern. The bodice features a natural shoulder line and an Amadis sleeve of full cut gathered to the bodice at the shoulder and finishing at the elbow with a large black lace flounce. The front panels of the dress are flat and shaped neatly to the body from neck to hip line and gently out to create the Victorian silhouette. On the back of each shoulder the dress features a leaf like, small jet beaded embellishment with multiple long loops of jet beads falling down the back to the waist. Underneath this embellishment is a pleated black ribbon that runs from the shoulder to the back of the pelvis. Over the pelvis are another two jet beaded embellishments of a floral design with two tassels. The skirt is full and pleated in under this embellishment and fulls to the floor with a small train. The base of the dress is finished with a ruched band of the main dress fabric.st ninians, george ward cole, visiting gown, brighton, miss margaret morison ward cole, miss agnes bruce ward cole, 1880s -
Brighton Historical Society
Uniform - Jacket, Military jacket, circa 1850
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This jacket appears to be part of the uniform of a junior officer of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot, a line infantry regiment of the British Army. Several companies of the regiment were stationed in Sydney and Hobart between 1845 and 1857. The jacket was acquired by Brighton Historical Society around 1971 as part of a collection of clothing belonging to the Ward Cole family of 'St Ninians', 10 Miller Street, Brighton. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and his family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time; the family lived at St Ninians from around 1841 until the early 1900s. It is not known who the jacket belonged to or how it came into the Ward Coles' possession. While George Ward Cole was a military man, his service was with the British Navy and during an earlier period than is indicated by this jacket (1807-1817).A red and green flocked cotton military jacket believed to be part of the uniform of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. The jacket features a green high stand collar secured at the throat by three brass hook and eye closures. The red jacket bodice secures down the centre front with fourteen brass buttons and finishes approximately at the navel. The bottom line sits on the waistline at the sides and back, tapering lower to the naval at the centre front. The bottom line features two substantial brass hooks one on either side of the waist to secure the jacket to the pants. The shoulder line of the jacket is a neat tight fit on the true shoulder, with a slim fitting curved sleeve with gathered fullness at the shoulder. On each shoulder is a metallic corded epaulet with North Devon XI button and second button with floral motif. At the base of the sleeve is a green cuff like detail with a curved elongated point towards the elbow. At the base of each sleeve is a further two brass regiment buttons. The cream woolen jacket lining is lightly quilted over the breast.st ninians, george ward cole, brighton, military, british army, devonshire regiment, north devonshire regiment of foot -
Brighton Historical Society
Smock, early-mid 19th century
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Agricultural worker's hand-loomed linen smock, dyed brown. Fully hand-stictched with smocking details on front and back and sleeves. Opening at front and back neck area fastened with now missing buttons.smock, rural dress, linen, hand stitching, agriculture -
Brighton Historical Society
Bonnet, Calash, 1770s-1860s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Black taffeta calash with ribs made of baleen. calash, headwear -
Brighton Historical Society
Shoes, 1850s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...These shoes were worn by Emily Cock (nee Smith), the daughter of wealthy early settler John Matthew Smith. From 1856 until 1931 the Smiths lived at 'Castlefield', a mansion on a vast estate that at one time stretched along South Road from Bluff Road to Hampton Street. The land was gradually subdivided, and the house is now a part of Haileybury College.Pair of flat black kid leather indoor shoes decorated with pale blue silk, cut-away applique and embroidery.shoes, embroidery, applique, castlefield, emily smith, brighton -
Brighton Historical Society
Cloak, 1920s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Unlined taupe silk cloak with two wide horizontal bands of black satin and lozenge-shaped black cord detailing. Black satin tie collar with black tassels at ends.1920s, cloak, art deco -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, 1920s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Long-sleeved ivory-coloured silk chiffon and gold metallic fabric dress decorated with silk and metallic thread emroidery and (gelatine?) beading.metallic fabric, embroidery, beading, 1920s -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Wedding dress, 1938
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This wedding dress and headpiece were worn by Emily Elizabeth (Betty) Cock (1907-2001) when she married Euston Murray Nutchey at St Andrew's Church, Brighton, on 28 April 1938. The bride's great-grandmother, Emily Cock (nee Smith), was married in the same church 69 years earlier; Emily's dress is also in the Brighton Historical Society collection. The dress was made by Melbourne dressmaker Beatrice Cook, with distinctive blue beaded panels worked by Betty's younger sister Margaret (1915-2006) to match the wedding's blue-and-pink colour scheme. The dress was accessorised with a pale blue tulle veil and a bouquet of blue hydrangeas, delphiniums and pale pink roses.Satin dress cut on the bias, originally ice-blue, now faded to cream. The dress features a long train and broad v-neck. The bodice and waist are softly ruched and gathered on either side of a finely beaded centre panel running from the neckline to the hem. The beadwork features a design of small cream-coloured leaves winding between large stylised blue flowers and leaves, all bordered with silver beads. Full-length sleeves are slightly puffed at the shoulder, narrowing to a close fit, with beaded cuffs matching the centre panel. The dress is accompanied by a matching blue, cream and silver beaded coronet or headpiece; this was originally worn with a pale blue tulle bridal veil.Label, woven mauve on beige silk, centre back: Beatrice Cookbetty cock, betty nutchey, emily elizabeth cock, emily elizabeth nutchey, euston murray nutchey, beatrice cook, wedding dress, st andrew's church brighton, 1930s, frances margaret cock, frances margaret ward -
Brighton Historical Society
Hat, Top hat, late 19th - early 20th century
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This top hat belonged to bank manager Walter Tom Washington (1870-1948). Walter emigrated to Victoria from the Isle of Man at the age of eleven with his family in 1884. His daughter Lucy Frances Morrison (1905-2005) donated his hat to the Society in 1977, while she was living in Brighton. She recalled that he had purchased the hat for a wedding in 1911 and would wear it to church on Sundays. Established in London in 1773 by Miller Christy, Christys' continues to manufacture hats today. Their hats have been worn by members of the British royal family, Winston Churchill and Marlon Brando in the film 'The Godfather'.Black plush silk top hat with cream silk lining and leather and padded cloth interior bands. Black wool band.Label, printed in blue on crown silk lining: ENGLISH MANUFACTURE / CHRISTYS' LONDON'top hat, silk plush, nineteenth century, christy & co, christys', menswear, walter tom washington -
Brighton Historical Society
Hat, 1960s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Thomas Harrison (1897-1981) was a leading Melbourne milliner from the 1930s. He began his millinery career in 1920, and by the late 1930s had a salon and workshop at 163 Collins St. He later moved the business to Toorak Road, South Yarra. He continued millinery work until 1975.Pink floral dome-shaped hat made up of silk and velvet pink hydrangea petals and mauve silk stems attached to a stiffened net base.Label, printed black on white acetate, centre back: THOMAS HARRISONthomas harrison, hats, 1960s fashion, melbourne fashion -
Brighton Historical Society
Hat, 1960s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Wreath of mustard and grey silk velvet leaves with bow at centre front, covered with grey tulle. Label, woven black on grey acetate, inside side back: PHONE 50 5347 / Mary H. Thomas, 103 WATTLETREE RD. EAST MALVERNhat, millinery, 1960s -
Brighton Historical Society
Shoes, Platform shoes, 1970s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Pair of silver holographic platform open-toed shoes. Label, woven black on white: TIP toeplatform shoes, 1970s, tip toe -
Brighton Historical Society
Skirt, 1950s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...The Malborough Classic label was a house label of David Jones Department Store.Pink floral patterned quilted polished cotton circular skirt with two patch pockets. Label, woven grey and yellow on white acetate, centre back: A Malborough Classicskirt, 1950s, marlborough classic, david jones -
Brighton Historical Society
Jacket, Evening jacket, 1920s-1930s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Evening jacket made of gold metallic fabric. Deep cross-over front with curved peplum and flared cuffs. Peplum and cuffs feature 7 rows of pale blue stiching. Lined with pale blue silk.jacket, art deco, metallic fabric, evening wear, 1920s, 1930s -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Evening dress, 1974
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...The dress is an excellent example of mid-1970s evening wear and comes with its original box and dockets. It was purchased from a local op shop by a Brighton Historical Society volunteer, who subsequently donated it to BHS in 2017. The receipts tell us that the dress was originally purchased from Georges department store on Collins Street by Mrs Eunice Amelia Hill (b. 1917) of 6 Webb Street, Brighton. Eunice placed the dress on lay-by and paid for alterations in December 1974; it was delivered to her home in January 1975.Full-length knit dress of blue, green and silver patterned lurex with Georges box and receipts. High neck with metal zip centre back. .1 - dress .2 a-b - Georges box with lid .3 a-c - envelope & 3 layby & alteration receipts stapled together & separate delivery invoice .4 - Receipt for dress alteration & delivery chargeLabel, woven black on white acetate, centre back: PRINTED BY HAND / Pelilla / MADE IN ITALY Label, printed black on white acetate, centre back: 65% RAYON / 35% POLYESTER / MADE IN ITALYevening dress, maxi dress, 1970s, brighton, eunice amelia hill, georges of collins street, pelilla -
Brighton Historical Society
Shawl, 1920s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Often referred to as Assiut shawls, where they were made.Cream-coloured cotton bobbinet ground, hand-embroidered with flattened metal strips.shawl, metal embroidery, egyptomania, 1920s fashion, assuit shawl -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, 1970s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This dress belonged to Bernice Overend, a longtime Brighton resident. Bernice Adelaide Emily Lawn was born in Ballarat in 1911. In 1938 she married Acheson Best Overend (1909-1977), an early modernist architect in Melbourne whose notable designs include the heritage-listed Cairo Flats apartment building in Fitzroy. Bernice and Best made a home together in Brighton, raising their family at 80 Were Street. Their son Darren followed in Best's footsteps, becoming an architect, and in 1979 he and his wife Jenny bought a property just down the road from his childhood home - the heritage-listed 1881 Victorian mansion 'Chevy Chase' at 203 Were Street. Bernice lived in the house with with Darren, Jenny and their three children.White cotton high-waisted maxi dress printed with black spots and trimmed with red rickrack. Elbow length sleeves. Fastens with centre back zip.Label, printed black on white acetate, centre back: JILLIAN / OF / MELBOURNE1970s fashion, maxi dress, bernice overend, overend family, chevy chase, brighton, melbourne designers, jillian of melbourne -
Brighton Historical Society
Outfit, Hot pants outfit, 1972
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Shaw family collection. This outfit was Mrs Shaw's 'going away' outfit for her wedding in 1972. Ricki Reed was a Melbourne-based label founded by designer Dorothy Rabinov.Two-piece hot pants outfit made from cream synthetic 'Estacel' (Courtaulds acetate fibre) and rayon with red dots and plain red synthetic fabric. .1 - Blouse: fastens centre front with five red plastic buttons. .2 - Hot pants: fastens centre back with zip.Label woven, metallic gold on white acetate, centre back blouse and shorts: ricki reed / ALL RAYON Label printed, black on beige acetate, centre back blouse and shorts: Estacel and / RAYON / COURTAULDS ACETATE FIBREhot pants, 1970s fashion, going away outfit, dorothy rabinov, ricki reed, melbourne designers -
Brighton Historical Society
Pant suit
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This pant suit belonged to Bernice Overend, a longtime Brighton resident. Bernice Adelaide Emily Lawn was born in Ballarat in 1911. In 1938 she married Acheson Best Overend (1909-1977), an early modernist architect in Melbourne whose notable designs include the heritage-listed Cairo Flats apartment building in Fitzroy. Bernice and Best made a home together in Brighton, raising their family at 80 Were Street. Their son Darren followed in Best's footsteps, becoming an architect, and in 1979 he and his wife Jenny bought a property just down the road from his childhood home - the heritage-listed 1881 Victorian mansion 'Chevy Chase' at 203 Were Street. Bernice lived in the house with Darren, Jenny and their three children. Stell-Ricks was the label of Melbourne fashion designer Stella Dare.Pant suit comprising tunic (.1) and flared pants (.2) made from cream, yellow and gold lurex woven in a floral pattern. Tunic has a pair of non-functional pocket flaps at breast and two finctional pockets at front hip area. Tunic fastens with a centre back zip. Tunic lined with shell pink poyester satin; pants unlined.Label woven white on black acetate centre back tunic: Stell-Ricks / OF MELBOURNE / SUITS TOPCOATSpant suit, 1970s fashion, chevy chase, overend family, bernice overend, melbourne designers, stell-ricks, stella dare -
Brighton Historical Society
Outfit, Three-piece woman's outfit, 1960s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This outfit belonged to Bernice Overend, a longtime Brighton resident. Bernice Adelaide Emily Lawn was born in Ballarat in 1911. In 1938 she married Acheson Best Overend (1909-1977), an early modernist architect in Melbourne whose notable designs include the heritage-listed Cairo Flats apartment building in Fitzroy. Bernice and Best made a home together in Brighton, raising their family at 80 Were Street. Their son Darren followed in Best's footsteps, becoming an architect, and in 1979 he and his wife Jenny bought a property just down the road from his childhood home - the heritage-listed 1881 Victorian mansion 'Chevy Chase' at 203 Were Street. Bernice lived in the house with with Darren, Jenny and their three children.Three-piece woman's outfit comprising double-breasted cape, cropped sleeveless top and skirt; cream wool woven with silver lurex. Top is decorated with a centre front fabric bow and is decoarated with fake pearls. All items lined with cream polyester. .1 - cape .2 - top .3 - skirtLabel printed black on white acetate, centre back cape, top and skirt: DESIGNED AND HANDWOVEN / BY / Robert Maltuswoman's suit, chevy chase, overend family, 1960s fashion, robert maltus, bernice overend, melbourne designers -
Brighton Historical Society
Jacket, Bridge jacket, 1930
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This jacket was bought in England for Elsie Law (nee Russell) by her husband James Lindsay Gordon "Lin" Law in 1930. Elsie used it as a bridge jacket. Lin was born in Ballarat 1881, the eighth child of Scottish migrants James Nicol Law and Margaret Law (nee Bartholomew). BHS holds an evening dress belonging to Margaret Law in its collection (see T0006.1). After leaving school at the age of 11, Lin began working as a salesman. In 1906, he and business partner James Kerr Pearson (also a Brighton local, who lived at 12 Moule Avenue) established the shirt manufacturing company Pelaco. In 1922 the company established its factory at 23 Goodwood Street on the top of Richmond Hill; the 4.3 metre high neon 'Pelaco' sign, erected in 1939, is today heritage listed. The company was known for its innovative approach to efficiency and labour relations, discontinuing Saturday morning work in 1908 and appointing an industrial relations officer in 1928. Lin married Elsie Russell on 12 January 1915 at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral in Sydney and they lived most of their life in Brighton. In 1920 they moved into 'Blairgowrie', 306 St Kilda Street, The eldest their four children, Pauline Margaret Law (born 15 December 1915) ultimately purchased the house with her husband Hugh McLean in 1956 and lived there until 1965 when the house was demolished.Cream silk jacket block-printed with art deco style pattern in red, blue, black and mustard colours. Lined with soft apricot-coloured satin. Wide stand collar. Front fastens low on hip with four silk covered buttons. Label, woven brown on cream silk, centre back: Eileen / Mulholland / Ltd. / 43, Wigmore St., / LONDON. W1.elsie russell, james lindsay gordon law, brighton, pelaco, bridge jacket, 1930s fashion, eileen mulholland, art deco -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Evening dress, mid-late 1930s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Full-length pink satin evening dress with beaded shoulder straps and plaited fabric trim decorating low back. Two fabric bows on front bodice and diamond-shaped centre front panel. Separate wide pink satin cumerband made of plaited fabric with bow at back. .1 - dress .2 - cumberbandevening dress, 1930s fashion -
Brighton Historical Society
Cloak, c.1925
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Orange bouclé wool coat woven with velvet stripes; brown fur collar and deep hem.1920s, cloak, cape -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Evening dress, c.1895
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...In 1880 Melbourne hosted its first major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Exhibition". In 1888 Melbourne hosted its second major international exhibition the "Melbourne International Centennial Exhibition".Two-piece evening dress comprising separate bodice and skirt made of gold-coloured silk damask woven with large curvilinear design in cream. Cream tulle trim around neck embellished with beads and artificial pearls. Similar trim down centre front and around lower edge of bodice. Short puffed sleeves Neckline trimed with wide gold satin riboon and bows. Bodice is boned and fastens centre back with hooks and eyes. Gored skirt pleated into waist. .1 - bodice . 2 - skirtLabel, woven blue on cream, centre back bodice: QUOD FACIMUS VALDE FACIMUS, George & George Ltd / Federal Emporium / Melbourne, International Exhibition Melbourne, Costumes and Mantlesgeorge and george, evening dress, georges of collins street, 1888 -
Brighton Historical Society
Romper suit, 1940s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...Two piece boy's romper suit. Short-sleeved beige shirt with smocking on front is buttoned to mid-brown short pants with large mother-of-pearl buttons. Cream coloured contrast top stitching.children's clothing, 1940s, romper suit -
Brighton Historical Society
Rug, Possum skin rug, early twentieth century
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...For the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia, making possum skin cloaks has long been a culturally important practice. But during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, possums and other native animals were also heavily hunted by white colonists who coveted their warm and fashionable furs. This rug, made from fifteen possum pelts, was used in a Brighton home during cold winter months in the 1920s.Possum skin rug made from 15 rectangular cut pelts mounted onto a brown wool felt with cut scalloped edges. possum skin, rug, fur, 1920s -
Brighton Historical Society
Dress, Child's dress, 1850s-1860s
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...White cotton cutwork child's dress, hand stitched. Back opening with drawstring neck and waist.children's clothing, embroidery, cutwork, 19th century, lace -
Brighton Historical Society
Scarf, Victory scarf, circa 1945
... and Cultural Centre (Old Brighton Town Hall) Corner Carpenter ...This scarf belonged to Olga Black, a longtime Brighton resident. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Victory scarf with the flags of France, the United Kingdom, USA and the USSR. 'Victory' printed in yellow in the centre surrounded by names of countries and regions.scarf, world war ii, second world war, 1945, olga black