This dress, which was made around 1820, was passed down through five generations of a single family before its donation to Brighton Historical Society in 2007. It originally belonged to a great-grandmother of Margaret Reynolds (1881-1958) of Hertfordshire, England, who herself came into possession of the dress around the early twentieth century. Having no daughters of her own, in 1945 the 64-year-old Margaret sent the dress as a Christmas gift to her niece, Margaret Willoughby Reynolds (1907-1996). In the letter accompanying the parcel, donated to the Society with the dress, the elder Margaret writes that she loves the dress very much but has now outgrown it. She makes reference to her own mother Mary Reynolds (nee Lloyd)'s pleasure at seeing the dress worn, indicating that it may originally have belonged to one of Mary's grandparents. She had two requests of her niece: first, that the younger Margaret wear the dress on Christmas Eve as a treat for her Mary (the letter includes styling advice on how the dress should be worn and accessorised), and second, that she one day pass the dress on to her own daughter or niece. In March 1968, the younger Margaret gifted the dress to her Australian-born niece, Dorothy May England (nee Reynolds, 1924-2013), along with a letter of her own. Dorothy, a Bayside resident, donated the dress and both letters to the Society in 2007. The letters paint a picture of the significance of the dress within the Reynolds family and its journey from England to Australia.A white, mauve, purple, red, and green paisley / floral printed cotton day dress from circa 1820. The day dress features a wide scooped neckline, with a dropped shoulder line. At the head of the sleeve is has three lines of gathering creating a narrow arm hole around the shoulder, flaring out into a leg of mutton sleeve. The sleeve finishes neatly at the wrist with a cuff that secures with two brass hook and eye closures. The dress bodice is open at the centre front and secures with six hook and eye closures to the empire line waist. Over the breast on either side of the opening are six diagonal pleats, pressed and secured facing towards the neck. This pleated detail is on a facing that extends from shoulder to shoulder and finishes with a bound edge. The remainder of the front bodice is plain and secures to the skirt at the empire waistline. The skirt pleats onto a binding, wrapping around the torso and securing to the bodice with eight hook closures. At approximately knee, height the skirt has an additional gathered flounce with the dress finishing at approximately ankle length. From the back, the bodice is plain and the skirt is gathered and sewn to the bodice at Empire line. Alterations to the garment have been made with the addition of hooks and eyes. The garment is generally in good condition although the skirt at the front shows evidence of damage and subsequent repair.day dress, 1820s, migration, dorothy may england, margaret willoughby reynolds, margaret reynolds

Articles include the death of R. Bigwood, a committee member for 40 years and former Vice President, Sir Rohan Delacombe (Patron) launched the library's first Open Day, large print and Moon books are becoming more in demand, four Tellatouch machines have been ordered, a sample tape recorder has been received from England, an electric Braille typewriter has been acquired, Mrs Weir has left the flat but Mr and Mrs Hood are now keeping an eye on the garden and building, Perkins Braillers are in high demand, a new auxiliary has been established in Altona, and Christmas card sales were higher than previous.32 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Articles include adapting the porch side so that there was space for the electronic Braille typewriter, loss of regular hirers due to restriction on night hours however more enquiries received after ad in Pink Pages, publicity was a new focus with a display was held at Southland Shopping Centre, an Open Day promoted on 3AW by Norman Banks (who also attended), and a demonstration of Portrait Painting by Sir William Dargie. Surplus Christmas card stocks were sold through the Christmas Card Shop in the city, resulting in a healthy profit, all machines (Stainsby, Perkins, Tellatouch, Braille typewriter, thermoform and Crabb-Hulme Press) are regularly used, talking book machines are still under discussion, and Mrs Armytage has been engaged as an Auxiliary organiser with now four organisations raising funds.25 pages of text with drawingsbraille library of victoria, corporation records

Donald Clark Collection. A small folded card from Old Tarnagullians wishing the recipient 'Good Health and Happiness during Christmas and New Year'. Dated 'Reunion Feb 10, 1968. Address for the Old Tarnagullians given as 8 Emerald Street, South Melbourne. Image on front of card is Tarnagulla State School in 1924.tarnagulla, school, reunions, old tarnagullians, cards, christmas, greeting cards

Images from an event held for Legatees and their wives in December 1968 so probably a legatee Christmas function. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for the Legatees.Colour slide x 10 of an evening event with Legatees and their wives. in a Kodak mount.The mount is printed a blue and yellow Kodak logo and stamped with a date 'Dec 68 MI' in black ink and a frame number (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 18 - the missing numbers may turn up).legatee event, wives, legatees

Images from an event held for Legatees and their wives in December 1968 so probably a legatee Christmas function. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for the Legatees.Colour slide x 9 of an evening event with Legatees and their wives. in a Kodak mount.The mount is printed a blue and yellow Kodak logo and stamped with a date 'Dec 68 MI' in red ink and a frame number (1 to 18, minus 3 - the missing number may turn up).legatee event, wives, legatees

Images from an event held for Legatees and their wives in December 1968 so probably a Christmas function. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for the Legatees.Colour slide x 9 of an evening event with Legatees and their wives, in a Kodak mount.The mount is printed a blue and yellow Kodak logo and stamped with a date 'Dec 68 MI' in red ink and a frame number (1 to 18, minus 3 - the missing number may turn up).legatee event, wives, legatees

Murray Comrie Collection. A small folded card from Old Tarnagullians wishing the recipient 'Good Health and Happiness during Christmas and New Year'. Dated 'Reunion Feb 10, 1968. Address for the Old Tarnagullians given as 8 Emerald Street, South Melbourne. Image on front of card is Tarnagulla State School in 1924.tarnagulla, school, reunions, old tarnagullians, cards, christmas, greeting cards

Early examples of Melbourne Legacy Club newsletters, covering the activities of Melbourne Legacy Widows' Club. Information includes a notice from the Chairman of the Widows' Committee, dates of meetings, possible day trips and theatre outings, and cruises. The ladies were welcome to attend monthly meetings, card afternoons, indoor bowls competitions, outings and tours, plus the annual fete and Christmas concert. There was 5 editions per 1967 and 6 issues in 1968 and 1969. The Senior Widows Club coordinator was F R G Strickland and the editor was Mrs B E Shephard. There were so many widows that the meetings were held at the Melbourne Town Hall to accomodate the numbers. November's meeting was a picnic in the Botanical Gardens and January the widows met in Fitzroy Gardens. In November or December there were calls for nominations for the committee members for the following year. Committee comprised of a President, 2 Vice presidents, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Assistant Secretary and 14 members of the committee. The first edition in the new format was in 1960, previously there had been a quarterly magazine but the distribution was limited, they changed to a 4 page newsletter format to reach more of the widows. The newsletter was priced at 1D a copy until decimal currency was introduced and it became 2c. Various pages of interest have been added to show different news items. Other editions haven't been scanned.Brings to life the activities provided for the widows and the work of Melbourne Legacy in the early years.Black typed newsletter x 17 editions from 1967 to 1969, each edition 4 foolscap pages. No 42, 9 Feb 1967, 2 pages plus 2 pages of Firewood application form No 43, 20 April 1967, 4 pages No 44, 13 July 1967, 4 pages No 45, 12 October 1967, 4 pages No 46, 30 November 1967, 4 pages plus 2 pages of nominations for Senior Widows Club Committee plus 2 pages Firewood application form No 47, 15 February 1968, 4 pages No 48, 18 April 1968, 4 pages No 49, 27 June 1968, 4 pages No 50, 29 August 1968, 4 pages No 51, 24 October 1968, 4 pages No 52, 28 November 1968, 4 pages plus 2 pages Firewood application form. No 53, 14 February 1969, 2 pages plus 2 pages of programme of the Senior Widows Club Committee meeting No 54, 10 April 1969, 4 pages No 55, 25 June 1969, 4 pages No 56, 4 September 1969, 4 pages No 57 16 October 1969, 4 pages No 58, 4 December 1969, 2 pages plus 1 page of nominations for Senior Widows Club Committee plus 2 pages Firewood application form.newsletter, activities

Alice McGREGOR Born: 1908; unknown parents. Possibly adopted by the Salter family? Electoral Roll 1936: Highland Terrace Kangaroo Flat. Alice Mary Salter and William Robert Salter living together; presumed to be sister and brother. William Robert Salter was killed in a MVA in Bendigo in 1937 aged 26. In Victoria in 1938, Alice Mary Salter married James Thomas McGregor (born Victoria 1917, died Victoria 1983, buried Fawkner Cemetery) Lived: 1968; 22 Wade Street Golden Square Alice McGregor Died: 1999 aged 91 at Anne Caudle Centre, Bendigo Buried: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery See additional research. Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards.Postcard Album of Alice McGregor contained 86 post cards. See 1400. Colour painting of male and female hands clasped within a garland of roses and blue flowers. "A Happy Christmas" at top left corner. A 2-line poem below. To Miss Shatford (no address given) from Gwen Dated 1907 & 1908 postcard, collector, alice mcgregor

THE DOLL HOUSE _ Yvonne Fitzmaurice The ten room fully furnished American farmhouse was created from an idea by former Mitcham resident, Yvonne Fitzmaurice and was constructed between 1976 and 1978 as a birthday present for her daughter, Susan. The house is a unique interpretation of early American architecture and inferior design. It is also a representation of one woman's ability to create and complete a details snapshot of a lifestyle long gone and give pleasure to family, friends and now the community. Yvonne has had an interesting and full life, born in New Zealand where was a State Registered Nurse and she specialised in hospital theatre work. Later her curiosity bought her to Australia where she worked at the Sydney hospital and with the Australia Flying Doctors service flying in and out of Wilcannia, western New South Wales. On returning to New Zealand Yvonne acted as part of a Medical cover team for the different armed services. one session in the Nary involved pursuing submarines which she described as being very exciting. In 1958 she travelled by sea through the Suez Canal to England and as a member of British Services served in the post WWII Germany for three year in the QARANC and also worked at The London Clinic with some high-profile specialists. Yvonne was introduced to her husband-to-be at a tennis party and they lived in Cambridge, UK, where their two children, Alastair and Susan, were born. On coming to Australia in 1965 as "£10 poms" (Yvonne's words) she worked in casualty at the Box Hill hospital. Initially the family lived at Blackburn South before moving to Mitcham in 1968. To help establish a new life with her family in Australia, Yvonne worked in many different positions from nursing, machine knitting for a Prahran shop, making Christmas Cards and as a commercial traveller. As a hobby she also sold a number of pastel paintings. Following the publishing of her first family history in 1994, Yvonne became a member and volunteer at the Whitehorse Historical Society where she has contributed in producing local history publication, articles for the Newsletter and has improved access to the files by creating the detailed "green files". Her interests include art, crafts and writing. Yvonne has a great philosophy, 'each day I must achieve something - no matter how small'.Hand-made child's doll's house. Built by Mrs Yvonne Fitzmaurice and finished in 1979. This house was built as a 1:12 scale and is a model of a Californian house called Peppercorn farm. House was built by Yvonne and her family and took a period of three years. A lot of the furniture is handmade and the rest is collected from various shops. "Susan Fitzmaurice" name on front of building. Date on plaque on top of front wall.na5059, na5061, na5063, na5065, na5068, na5071, na5073, na5075, na5077, na5079, na5081, na5083