Showing 60 items
matching camp escapes
-
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Paperback Book, Simon & Schuster (Australia) Pty. Ltd, Interrupted Journeys - Young Refugees from Hitlers Reich, 2004
Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria in pre WW2 "kinder transport" and "Dunera" sent from the UK. 1940 to Australia, Camp 2 Tatura and Hay NSW CampsThese Jewish children's stories of their escape from Nazi Germany most of them assisted by loving parents - many of whom were unable to get visas for themselves - whom the children never saw again as they died in the death camps.Paperback. Cover - photo of teacher leading a group of children, all smiling. Title "Interrupted Journeys - Young Refugees from Hitlers Reich". Alan Gill (author). Nazi stamp bottom left hand corner. Back cover - photo of children (Jewish) on board ship, waving goodbye. This book tells the story of young German and Austrian children fleeing from Nazi oppression to England and later (1940) to Australian Internment Camps.as above. This book is dedicated to Henry Lippman and the late Oswald Von Wolkenstein by author Alan Gill. (two of the "Dunera" Jewish refugee internees. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Air Horns, c 1940
This was used as a siren in Tatura during WW2 to alert locals to the escape of POW's or for any other war time emergency. It was attached to the front of Groom & Beckwith's garage in Hogan Street.Two air horns staged on a metal frame with tubes attached for fitting to air compressor. -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Rampage of Killer Kast, 2005
... a spy. Escaped from POW Camps. In Queensland he shot 3 doctors... have been a spy. Escaped from POW Camps. In Queensland he shot ...Story of karl Kast - a ship's deserter. Could have been a spy. Escaped from POW Camps. In Queensland he shot 3 doctors then himself in 1955Black and white cover, red writing. Terror of the Terrace - in black writing. Photograph of Karl Kast. Part of Wickham Terrace depicted on back coverlife of karl kast, kast k, blanch k, camp 1, camp 3, tatura, ww2 camps 1 and 2, biography -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Greatcoat, 1940's
Ex Australian Military Forces great coats were dyed a brilliant burgundy to make them easier to see, particularly should there be an escape. They were not exactly colour fast. Issued to Richard Bladau, internee from South Africa, at Camp 13.Greatcoat, 9 AMF buttons, 2 plain buttons. Pleat and belt at the back. 2 pockets with flapsM. TX. Size 28great coat, australian army, baumann m, camp 13, tatura, clothing, pow burgundy great coat, costume, male -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Bill Elmecker, 2001
... /Kormoran battle. elmecker bill camp 13 graytown kormoran escape ...Photo taken at his arrest after the HMAS Sydney/Kormoran battle.elmecker bill, camp 13, graytown, kormoran, escape, photograph, people -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Dhurringile Escape, 2001
Dhurringile Escape through Tunnel. Detmers; Bertram; Grotz; Jas; Kernstock; Folter; Jung; Plattfaut; Jansen; Menge; Kissel; Raasch; Eberle; Somann; Mader; Blomberg; Koch; Sommer; Rodszies; Schmidt. 2 Articles. Further references in folders: 1829- sketch of camp 13 tunnel.|800- Plan of Dhurringile with room allocation of POW's 858- Army Garrison. 1762- Intelligence Reports. Newspaper articles in top drawer of plan cabinet.detmers, bertram, grotz, jas, kernstock, folter, plattfaut, jansen, menge, kissel, raasch, eberle, somann, mader, blomberg, koch, sommer, rodszies, schmidt, room allocation -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Book, Hugh Clarke, Escape to Death
... Breakout Japanese POW's Hugh Clarke Camp 13 Escape to Death ...Purchased by T & D Historical Society.Paperback account of Cowra breakout by Japanese POW's 1944.Escape to Deathcowra breakout, japanese pow's, hugh clarke, camp 13 -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Folio, Australian Army Archives from Brighton, Vic
Material collected from Australian Archives by Lurline and Arthur Knee. Reports of Special Visitors to the Camps.|Plan of alteration to Camp 2 dated September 1943|Conduct report and release form for Walter Koenig.|Approval for marriage of internees Hans Fischer with LotteCalm.|Report on escape of von Amelunxen from Camp 10, 11.12.1942.|List of various reference number of Aust. Archive file of interest.|List of photograph negative numbers relating to the Tatura Camps.|Report on need for camp school.Blue plastic foolscap sized folder containing printed and handwritten material in plastic sleeves.Australian Army Archives Material from Brighton, Vic.documents, reports -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Dhurringile Escape
Copy of map made in Dhurringile POW Camp and carried by Captain Detmers during the tunnel escape by twenty German Officers and men. Map confiscated by the arresting officer at Tallygaroopna, Senior Constable Wilson.german officer pow's, dhurringile escape map, captain detmers, photograph, senior constable wilson -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Photograph, Escape tunnel
Escape tunnel at Dhurringile. The C.O. Major William Ruthven V.C. with head protruding.Sepia photograph of four men, legs only can be seen, standing next to a hole in the ground with Captain Ruthven's head and hat showingcamp commanding officer, major william ruthven, dhurringile, escape tunnel -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Book, Favourite escapes to the outer east, 1/03/2002 12:00:00 AM
100 years of holidays, picnics, excursions and sporting carnivals held in the outer eastern region of Melbourne.100 years of holidays, picnics, excursions and sporting carnivals held in the outer eastern region of Melbourne. Compiled from articles submitted by local historical societies100 years of holidays, picnics, excursions and sporting carnivals held in the outer eastern region of Melbourne. picnics, land sales, blackburn lake, scout groups, eastern suburbs, melbourne, camping, holidays, excursions, open air school no 3850 blackburn -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Lionel Jones, c1944
Lionel was captured and became a prisoner of war in Italy. When Italy withdrew from the war they opened the gates of the P.O.W. camps. Lionel and a friend were working for Padroni who helped them with food and civilian clothing. They walked to the Switzerland border and with the help of Partisan who got them to Smugglers gap in the alps and then to Switzerland.Black & white photo of Lionel Jones in civvies after his escape as a P.O.W. See also ND4877 and Historyjones lionel, prisoners of war, world war 1939- 1945 -
Unions Ballarat
Strange Birds in Paradise : A West Papuan Story, Nicolai, Jamie, 2009
Blurb from the back: While the Indonesian army continues to dominate the indigenous inhabitants of West Papua, Hill-Smith records the fate of West Papuans trying to maintain village life against a backdrop of covert military violence. In the West Papuan highlands, Hill-Smith - an Australian writer, cartoonist and comedian - hears stories of escape, oppression and exile and listens to the defiant songs of murdered musician and independence hero Arnold Ap. Together with friends Donny Roem, a recent exile, and Jacob Rumbiak, a child soldier in the West Papuan resistance movement, Hill-Smith returns to Melbourne to record outlawed folk songs with renowned Australian rock musicologist David Bridie. An extraordinary story of an imaginative, adaptable culture confronting tyranny with the joyful power of art, music and self-expression.Relevant to the history of West Papua and the Indonesian military presence and violence. Use of music to draw attention to the issues faced by West Papua.DVDFront cover: Title, rating (M), picture of winged West Papuan Man with guitar, "Winner Best Doco SBS IF award 2010". Back cover: Precis of content, website for producer company, names of contributors, directors, editors, etc.btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, west papua, indonesia, war, songs, animations, military violence -
Melbourne Legacy
Document - Memoir, Slim Wrigley [Bert's story] : Memoir of Legacy widow, Xanthoula Wrigley, 2018
... in 1941 before being injured and captured. He escaped from a PoW... before being injured and captured. He escaped from a PoW camp ...The story of Herbert (Slim) Wrigley who fought in Greece in 1941 before being injured and captured. He escaped from a PoW camp near Thessaloniki and was sheltered by the Papadopoulos family in Ritini where he met Xanthoula who he ultimately married. His exploits as a partisan are detailed before he returned home to Melbourne in 1944. Xanthoula's life and family are also recorded in detail. Bert and Xanthoula were married in 1951; Bert died in 1995 and was survived by his wife who became a Legacy widow and is still with us in 2018.Brings to life the story of one of the people Legacy was set up to help, as well as giving an insight into the consequences of WWII for the people of Australia.Two .pdf files put together by Xanthoula and donated to Legacy.memoir, world war two -
Surrey Hills Historical Society Collection
Book, Favourite Escapes to the Outer East: 100 years of holidays, camps, picnics, excursions and sporting carnivals held in the Outer Eastern regions of Melbourne, 2002
Compiled from articles submitted by member societies of the Association [regional] Historical Societies. A collection of stories about holidays, camping, picnics, sporting carnivals and more. How people enjoyed their leisure time n the early 1900's. Empire Day train services to Surrey Hills 24th May 1907 by Jack McLean is of particular local interest on page 23.A collection of stories about holidays, camping, picnics, sporting carnivals and more. How people enjoyed their leisure time n the early 1900's. Empire Day train services to Surrey Hills 24th May 1907 by Jack McLean is of particular local interest on page 23.scouts, doncaster, empire day, surrey hills, 1907, (mr) jack mclean, trains, box hill, sports and recreations -
Brighton Historical Society
Suit, 1940s
This suit was tailor-made for Latvian dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Vija Vetra, who lived at the Old Hall, 93-95 Bay Street, Brighton and ran a dance academy at 97 Bay Street during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born in Riga, Latvia in 1923, at the age of sixteen Vija ran away from home in order to study classical, character and modern dance at the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts. She spent several years performing on European stages. When Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1944, more than 100,000 Latvians fled, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Vija's sister, mother and aunt were among them, managing to join her in Vienna. The following year, all four had to flee again when the Soviets moved into Austria. Escaping to Bavaria, they spent three years in displaced person camps before emigrating to Sydney as refugees in 1948. Vija found success as a dancer in Sydney. She toured Australia and New Zealand with the Bodenwieser Ballet, formed a Latvian folk dancing group and established a dancing school. By the mid-1950s she had gained recognition as a recitalist in her own right. She developed a passion for Indian classical dance. In the late 1950s she moved to Victoria. She opened a dance school in Bay Street, Brighton, while continuing to perform on stage in productions such as the musical 'Kismet' and the ballet 'Corroboree'. In 1959 she starred in the four-part live ABC television program 'Music and Dance'. She left Australia in 1964 for a tour of the United States and Canada, ultimately settling in New York City. Interviewed in the 'ABC Weekly' in 1957, Vetra described her taste in clothing as minimalist, saying she preferred to own as few clothes as possible to save the trouble of deciding what to wear: "And no bows or extravagances, but always a simple line."Two-piece women's suit made of maroon corded silk; comprising fitted jacket (.1) and straight skirt (.2). Jacket fastens with one large black faceted glass button. Jacket lined with pink satin; skirt unlined. vija vetra, migration, brighton, refugee, dancer, 1940s -
Brighton Historical Society
Swimsuit, circa 1950s
This swimsuit belonged to Brighton local Joyce Fuller, nee Harries (1920-2018), who wore it at Dendy Beach in the 1950s. Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. Visiting Brighton Historical Society in 2019, Ada recalled this particular swimsuit style to be a popular one, particularly with older women, as the cinched waist and pleated modesty skirt suited many body types. This was important to her, as she wanted women of all ages and sizes to look and feel good in her swimwear, and she devoted much time and attention to the fit and finish of the garments. When the company began introducing padded bras, such as the one in this swimsuit, Ada insisted on using lacy floral lining and a small ribbon rosette in the centre gore, to give women a sense of quality, femininity and care in construction.Blue one-piece swimsuit with waist tie and short finely pleated overskirt. Sleeveless with thin elasticised straps. Inbuilt padded underwire bra with label and pale pink ribbon rosette on centre gore. Fastens with back zip.Label: "Ada / OF CALIFORNIA / 38"swimwear, brighton, dendy street beach, ada of california, ada murkies, toni murkies, joyce fuller, joyce harries -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, EH Jones, The road to En-Dor : being an account of how two prisoners of war at Yozgad in Turkey won their way to freedom, 1937
I followed them on a journey into nightmares, as what seemed to be a simple escape plan (simple? A lunatic escape plan of infinite complexity and unlikelihood, more like) transmuted and transformed' Neil Gaiman, from the foreword Captured during the First World War, Lieutenant E.H. Jones and Lieutenant C.W. Hill are prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. With no end to the war in sight and to save themselves from boredom, the prisoners hit upon the idea of making of a makeshift Ouija board to keep themselves entertained. But Jones, it turns out, has a natural skill for manipula.Appendix, p.327.non-fictionI followed them on a journey into nightmares, as what seemed to be a simple escape plan (simple? A lunatic escape plan of infinite complexity and unlikelihood, more like) transmuted and transformed' Neil Gaiman, from the foreword Captured during the First World War, Lieutenant E.H. Jones and Lieutenant C.W. Hill are prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. With no end to the war in sight and to save themselves from boredom, the prisoners hit upon the idea of making of a makeshift Ouija board to keep themselves entertained. But Jones, it turns out, has a natural skill for manipula. world war 1914-1918 - campaigns - middle east, world war 1914-1918 - prisoners of war -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Collins, The wooden horse, 1955
The Wooden Horse is a superbly told story of the most ingenious and daring escape of the Second World War. The book became a modern classic. This revised and expanded edition tells the tale. The escape itself was conceived on classical lines. The Greeks built a wooden horse and by means of it got into the city of Troy In 1943 two British officers built a wooden horse and by means of it got out of a German prison camp. Together with a third companion, they were the only British prisoners ever to escape.Ill, p.256.non-fiction The Wooden Horse is a superbly told story of the most ingenious and daring escape of the Second World War. The book became a modern classic. This revised and expanded edition tells the tale. The escape itself was conceived on classical lines. The Greeks built a wooden horse and by means of it got into the city of Troy In 1943 two British officers built a wooden horse and by means of it got out of a German prison camp. Together with a third companion, they were the only British prisoners ever to escape. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war, world war 1939 1945 - escapes -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Book, Rupert Hart-Davis, Seven years in Tibet, 1953
Recounts how the author an Austrian, escaped from the English internment camp in India in 1943 and spent the next seven years in Tibet, observing its social practices, religion, politics, and people.Ill, maps, p.288.non-fictionRecounts how the author an Austrian, escaped from the English internment camp in India in 1943 and spent the next seven years in Tibet, observing its social practices, religion, politics, and people. tibet - description and travel, tibet - social life and customs -
Mordialloc College Alumni Association Inc (MCAA)
Photograph, 1979 Wyperfeld Old Be-al River Red Gum Tree, 1979
1979 - Mordialloc-Chelsea High School students standing in front of “Old Be-al” in Victoria’s Wyperfeld National Park, near Outlet Creek. It has been described as one of the most magnificent River Red Gums in the land. This glorious tree with foliage hanging to the ground escaped the fire of 1959 but not the fire of 1982 that damaged it badly. It lives on but has also suffered from lack of water and is now inaccessible to the public in a reference area. The MCAA has provided this image to the Friends of Wyperfeld National Park. Mordialloc-Chelsea High School students visited the Wyperfeld National park annually for the biology and geography Year 11 school camp.Example of a River Red Gum at Wyperfeld National Park.Digital image reproduced from colour slide.big desert fire 1959, mordialloc-chelsea high school camp, wyperfeld national park, fire 1982, old be-al river red gum -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Mixed media - Dr Henry Nowik and Uncle Bens at Wodonga
Dr Henry Nowik played a critical role in the development of industry in Wodonga, through his management and leadership of Uncle Bens Wodonga from 1965 until 1979. Born in Poznan, Poland in 1917, Henry was studying medicine in Paris when World War II broke out and he enlisted in the Royal Air Force, serving with distinction as a Bomber Pilot. He was imprisoned in Russia when his plane ditched, escaped through Kazakhstan and was eventually evacuated to London where he was appointed RAF Aide-de-Camp to General Charles de Gaulle. He was later awarded the French Croix de Guerre. After the war Dr Nowik received a PhD in Political Science and Law from American Beirut University before moving to London to teach at the London School of Economics. He then moved into industry occupying a number of senior positions in marketing and market research. In 1964, Dr Nowik, then Market Research Manager for Pedigree Petfoods, the British arm of Mars Inc., came to Australia to research the prospects for establishing a petfood business. Dr Nowik was a passionate believer in the need for decentralisation of Australian industry. In 1965 Uncle Bens of Australia began building their first Australian factory in Wodonga, Victoria, from humble beginnings in a small house in Hovell Street. It became fully operational in 1967. Dr Nowik became the Marketing and Sales Director and in 1970 the Managing Director. Dr Nowik's work as a member of the Albury-Wodonga Consultative Committee was recognized in 1975 with the Order of the British Empire and in 1977 he was appointed Chairman of the Commonwealth Government's Decentralisation Advisory Board. He participated in a number of trade missions to Malaysia, China and Japan and was a Member of the Executive Committee of the Trade Development Council and the Victorian Promotion Committee. These contributions were recognised in 1982 when he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. In 1979, Dr Nowik left Wodonga and moved to the United States to become Vice-President, Marketing for Mars, becoming Global Product Group President in 1980. Following his retirement in 1985 he continued to act as Senior Advisor to a number of Mars' businesses. Albury-Wodonga retained a special place in Dr Nowik's heart and he kept a close interest in Charles Sturt University, sharing his time, experience and expertise with staff and students. The University made him an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1993 when the Henry Nowik Lecture Theatre officially opened at the University's Albury campus. Later the City of Wodonga named a park in his honour. Dr Nowik and his wife returned to Australia in 2004, first living in Brisbane then moving to Maleny in Queensland. Henry Nowik died on 12th March 2015 aged 98. These items are significant because they demonstrate the contribution made to the Wodonga community and the Australian economy by Dr Henry Nowik AO OBE.A collection of items briefly documenting the contribution of Dr Henry Nowik to Wodonga, Victoria. Included are photos of Dr Nowik, newspaper items, a photo of the first office of Uncle Bens in Wodonga and a farewell card from Dr Nowik.dr henry nowik, uncle bens wodonga -
Melbourne Legacy
Album - Scrapbook, Press Clippings 1977, 1977
Album of press clippings the relate to Melbourne Legacy in 1977. The items were cut from the newspaper and pasted into a scrapbook with brown pages. For many years Legacy kept scrapbooks of press clippings that related to their work and publicity. Includes Junior legatee outings such as operation float, and looking after widows in operation firewood. Guest speakers at Legacy house included Mr Ian Johnson, Mr Hamer MP, Professor Sir Lance Townsend. An article about Carry On. Ivanhoe Grammar boys paint a house for a Legacy widow, Mrs Drowley. Photos of Junior Legatees Heather Stone and ClareSmart getting free dental check up from Dr H G Thomson at the Legacy Dental Clinic. Senior Constable Reg Mahoney, a former Junior Legatee, and 7 year old Matthew Partridge, prepare for badge day in Sydney. Also the Governor of Victoria opening Legacy Week at Legacy House. The annual demonstration featured JLs acting in My Fair Lady. Constable Bill Duell a former Junior Legatee, now a Legatee after serving in Vietnam. Legacy Widow Margaret Fisher and her daughters promote Legacy Week. Sue Ksiako of Anakie selling badges. Guest speaker Bill Fordyce speaks about The Great Escape at a Legacy function. The death of Legatee George Allan Williams. Junior Legatees Leanne Johnston and Terri Cott dressed in costume for the annual demonstration. Junior Legatee Adrian Childs at the Government House Christmas party. Junior Legatees enjoying Somers Camp and Operation Float in January 1977 Not all pages have been scanned but some are listed from 02164 to 02176.A record of the articles that were published in the press in 1977.Brown cardboard album with brown pages with newspaper articles pasted on them.Handwritten in black texta on first page '21' as part of an old archive numbering system.christmas, operation float, annual demonstration, junior legatee outings, speakers, operation firewood, gala performance, governor of victoria, camp -
Melbourne Legacy
Newspaper - Article, The real story of the Great Escape, 1977
Three press clippings about guest speakers at Legacy luncheons in 1977. Bill Fordyce was the only Australian survivor of the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III, a POW camp in Poland in World War 2. Also Professor Lance Townsend speaking on the salaries of doctors, and Mr Johnson, secretary of the Melbourne Cricket Club speaking about cricket. The items were cut from the newspaper and pasted into a scrapbook. For many years Legacy kept scrapbooks of press clippings that related to their work and publicity. Not all pages have been scanned but some are listed from 02164 to 02176.A record of types of speakers that were invited to speak at Legacy luncheons, and that they spoke on a variety of topics.Newspaper articles x 3 of guest speakers at Legacy luncheons in 1977 pasted to brown page of a scrapbook.speakers, world war 2, bill fordyce -
Mrs Aeneas Gunn Memorial Library
Angus and Robertson, Behind bamboo, 1946
The bestselling memoir of life as an Australian POW on the notorious Thai-Burma railway. Rohan Rivett was a journalist in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese in 1942. He escaped south - across the treacherous Bangka Strait - to Indonesia, but was soon captured and became just one of thousands of POWs struggling for existence in a Japanese camp. The struggle was to last for more than three years. Behind Bamboo is unflinching in its honesty and haunting in its realism. It is a vivid, compelling testament to the Australians' will to survive and their unassailable spirit in the face of the most callous inhumanity.Ill, p.391.non-fictionThe bestselling memoir of life as an Australian POW on the notorious Thai-Burma railway. Rohan Rivett was a journalist in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese in 1942. He escaped south - across the treacherous Bangka Strait - to Indonesia, but was soon captured and became just one of thousands of POWs struggling for existence in a Japanese camp. The struggle was to last for more than three years. Behind Bamboo is unflinching in its honesty and haunting in its realism. It is a vivid, compelling testament to the Australians' will to survive and their unassailable spirit in the face of the most callous inhumanity. world war 1939-1945 - prisoners of war - japan, burma railway -
Brighton Historical Society
Swimsuit, Ada of California
Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Black one-piece swimsuit with deep v-neck and low-cut back and high-cut legs. Halter neck. Ruched sides. Label in side: "ada / 16"swimwear, ada of california, ada productions, melbourne designers, ada murkies, toni murkies -
Brighton Historical Society
Swimsuit, Ada of California
Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Blue backless one-piece swimsuit with ruching up sides and front. Halter neck. Straps loop down over hooks at the back.Label in side: "ada / 12"swimwear, ada of california, ada productions, melbourne designers, ada murkies, toni murkies -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Swimsuit, Ada of California, circa 1950s-60s
This swimsuit belonged to Audrey May Ferguson (nee Fulton), a longtime Brighton resident. Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun.Black one-piece rayon and cotton swimsuit. Straps button at back. Asymmetrical zig-zag front with double-line of white stitching, embellished by a large cream button.Label, white with green palm tree logo and red text: "Ada / OF CALIFORNIA" Label, white with red text: "61% RAYON, 10% RUBBER, 29% COTTON 36"swimwear, audrey may ferguson, audrey may fulton, melbourne designers, ada of california, ada murkies, toni murkies, 1950s, 1960s -
Brighton Historical Society
Swimsuit, late 1950s - early 1960s
Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Pink short-sleeved one-piece swimsuit with silver lamé embellishment. Sweetheart neckline and low-cut back with metal zip. A black and gold swing tag is attached to one sleeve.Label in bra: “Ada OF CALIFORNIA / MIRACULOUS s-t-r-e-t-c-h BRI-NYLON / 34” Swing tag, front: black with gold text and palm tree logo. “Ada / OF CALIFORNIA / ‘Limited Edition’”. Back: gold with black text. “‘Limited Edition’”. Interior: “Congratulations on your choice of ADA OF CALIFORNIA ‘Limited Edition” Swimsuit contoured for your discriminating taste. / Style 546 / Size 34 / Price £11.9.6”. Care instructions also included.swimwear, ada productions, ada of california, ada murkies, toni murkies, melbourne designers -
Tatura Irrigation & Wartime Camps Museum
Iron, 1940's
Made by internee at Camp 3 Tatura and used there to iron garments.Metal laundry iron. Covered with silver paint. Hinged lid, wooden handle painted red. Vents in base and lid to allow steam from coals to escape. Handmade.iron, wied l, camp 3