The Australian Comforts Fund was formed during the first World War and was an amalgamation of various organisations which were sending items of comfort such as toiletries, clothing and food to Australian troops who were fighting overseas. It ceased its work and was dissolved in 1920 at the ceasation of the war but was started again to continue the same work in 1939.In Australia it rivalled the work of the red Cross and many of the volunteers involved were women. As well as making and providing items themselves there was major fundraising to purchase further items. Over the course of the war they provided over 1.5 million hampers. This certificate was presented to Mrs Steward for valuable services rendered to the Australian Comforts Fund during World War 1939-1945. The Australian Comforts fund was wound up in June 1946.This certificate recognises the work of one of our residents to a fund which was Australia wide and would have been one of numerous certificates presented around the country. The Australian Comforts fund was an organisation with which numerous people would have been affiliated and which also assisted many soldiers over the years. Cream certificate with black text, highlighted with red. The name Mrs Steward has been written in in blue ink. In comes enclosed in a dark grey soft card folder.Mrs Steward. Signed Valerie Heinze, Lady mayoress of Melbourne. Thomas S Neu*tefold, Hermen W *ohn, On front of grey folder "Mrs Steward Warrnambool.warrnambool, warrnambool history, australian comforts fund, mrs steward warrnambool

Coloured photograph of Mrs Elly Pullin -seated "Written on back of photo" Mrs Elly Pullin - Ex President Historical Society.

Murray Comrie Collection. This photograph is a reasonable copy created from an older original. Copy probably made by Murray Comrie in the 1970s. Monochrome photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton of Tarnagulla.Handwritten on accompanying note and on reverse: 'Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton of Tarnagulla, Jean James parents'.tarnagulla, hamilton, james

Photograph taken in LyreBird Gully of Miss Stewart (top) and her sister Mrs Devine with the Devine children Vera and Stewart. 19111911 From top Miss Stewart and her sister Mrs Devine Vera (Mrs Alan Dodd) Stewart. In Lyrebird Gully Mrs Dodd’s collection. Copied by J.L.C. 1974. miss stewart, mrs devine, vera devine, stewart devine, olinda, lyrebird gully

Photograph of woman wearing an ornate bonnet. This photo is a copy of an original photograph of Mrs David Clarke."Mrs David Clarke of Piggoreet Station, Mother of Helen".mrs david clarke, piggoreet station

Typed below photograph, "1950 - Parish Hall Xmas Party. Mrs. Caughey, Mrs. McCrae Senr. Mr. and Mrs. G. Williams, Mr. John McCrae, Mrs. M. McCall, Mrs. McWilliam, Mrs. Dedman, Mrs. Win Leslie, Director".

Donated by Bass Valley Historical SocietyBlack & White Portrait of Mrs John McHaffie sitting. Wearing 18th century style black dress with puffed sleeves.On back: "Mrs John McHaffie - Phillip Island"mchaffie family, mrs john mchaffie, phillip island, bass valley historical society

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors from the 1960’s onwards the Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could be active in civic life. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and at times, international level. They also undertook some Mayoral duties on occasions when the Mayor was unavailable. Mayoress Anderson was born Mary Gittins at Sandhurst in 1872 and was the daughter of William Bromley Gittins and Susan Horwood. She was Mayoress from 1941 - 42.Framed, oval photographic studio portrait of Mrs A.J Anderson. Hand coloured detail.Mrs. A.J. Anderson / Mayoress 1941 - 42 / Vincent Kelly / Bendigomary gittins, mayor a.j. anderson, vincent kelly photographer, mayoress mary anderson, city of greater bendigo portraits, city of bendigo

A photo Mrs Winifred Fotheringham at the official launch of Legacy Week in 1990. She helped promote the 1990 Legacy week as she was the oldest Legacy widow and had reached 101 years of age. She participated in other events including a trip to 101 Collins St, the tallest building in Melbourne at the time (see 01553). Other photos of the luncheon with Sr John Young speaking are at 01525. Photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1983 to 1991.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows and fundraising for Legacy. Colour photo of Mrs Fotheringham at the luncheon to launch of Legacy Week 1990 and a white paper label.White paper label with black type 'Official launch of Legacy Week 1990. / Legacy widow Mrs Winifred Fotheringham, 101 years young, is a special guest at the luncheon. Guest of Honour : Sir John Young, Chef Justice of Victoria, spoke eloquently on the work of Legacy.'widows, fundraising, legacy week

Typed below photograph, "1950 - Parish Hall Xmas Party. Mrs. Radok, Mrs. McWilliam, Mrs. Win Leslie, Mrs. Jess Anderson, ??, Mrs. Enid Durston".

Mrs Jessie Beardmore, wife of the Shire President, Mr Henry Beardmore, was invited to switch on the electrical current at the power house in Wodonga on 15th January 1912. This was not the official opening of the newly installed system which took place a few weeks later. Disagreement existed amongst Shire Councillors about the official opening, several of them including Mr Beardmore believing the opening should only take place when the scheme was completed. However Dr Schlink, Mr D. M. Stavely, Cr Twomey and Mr C. Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, arranged a small ceremony to turn lights on for the first section of the scheme. This included street lighting along Sydney Street between South Street and the Shire Hall as well as a few business houses and private establishments, with the balcony of the Terminus Hotel illuminated by over 100 lights. Other areas and buildings were connected over the following weeks. Mr Beardmore was not present at the beginning of proceedings but joined the crowd in the street. During a small number of speeches, credit for his work to instigate and further the introduction of electricity to Wodonga was given to Councillor Twomey, referred to as “the father of the scheme”. This item is significant because it records the first connection of electricity to Wodonga in 1912.A hand written letter addressed to Mrs Beardmore of Wodonga. A portrait of Mrs Beardmore is also included. A transcript of the letter is included below. Wodonga 15 -1-12 Mrs Beardmore Wodonga Dear Madam, Mr Holloway, Engineer for the Electric Lighting Company, has invited me to invite you as the wife of the Shire President to switch on the electric supply for the town at the power house not later than 8.30PM (this evening). Hoping that you and Mr Beardmore can make it convenient to attend. I remain yours sincerely, R. H. Schlinkbeardmore family, electricity in wodonga

Part of Old Lintonian collection ; No. 68. Inscription suggests it was sent as a New Year greeting card from a Mrs Tully to Mrs Todd. Undated.Black and white photograph of lady wearing long gown, right hand by her side, left hand on shoulder of bearded man wearing trousers with shirt, tie, waistcoat and jacket, right arm by his side, left arm resting on top of chair, both standing."From Mrs Tully to Mrs Todd wishing you a very happy and prosperous N Y".mr and mrs tully, old lintonian collection

Mrs. A. Cramp had a fruit and vegetable shop in Whitehorse Road, Mitcham in the early 1900sBlack and white photo of a Mrs. A. Cramp taken in August 1929cramp, a. mrs., mitcham shopping centre

A photograph of Watsonia High School 1970 Form 1 Mrs RossA photograph of Watsonia High School 1970 Form 1 Mrs Rosswatsonia high school

These selections of printed articles and photos recaptures past local events, reflecting our culture and social life.This collection of local stories and facts of Wycheproof and District have a connectiveness and provide an opportunity to celebrate occasions, remember and learn of the past. Large white A3 book with 4 ring binder which allows plastic pockets to be added. Includes newspaper items, brochures and other printed matter on various local topics. Mrs Betty Denney's collection is followed by articles collected by other members of the Wycheproof Historical Society.Mrs Betty Denney's Collectionnewspaper- wycheproof, wycheproof - memories

Mrs. Bow Hutchings as Bride Bridal Portrait of Mrs Bow Hutchings. A Female Standing in Bridal gown holding flowersstawell portrait

A photograph of Watsonia High School 1970 Form 1. Teacher: Mrs RawlinsonA photograph of Watsonia High School 1970 Form 1 Mrs Rawlinsonwatsonia high school

Mr and Mrs William Thompson, owners of Sunnyside at South Sassafras from 1893 until 1910 when they sold the property to John and Roberta Roberts. Seated on the verandah.Mr and Mrs William Thompson. Memento of Sunnyside fromwilliam thompson, sunnyside, south sassafras

Mrs. Valerie (Val) Mason (1927-2019) was a local sheep farmer, business-woman, Beechworth shire councillor, and mother to five children. With her husband, Charles, Mrs. Mason developed and managed the Big Valley farm estate, at Everton, which is now part of a vineyard and farm stay. Mrs. Mason was instrumental in introducing a 'paddock to plate' philosophy and business model, opening a butcher shop on the farm in 1973. Concerned with improving infrastructure and developing economic opportunities in the region, Mrs. Mason successfully stood as a local council representative for South Riding in the United Shire of Beechworth, and later become the first woman Shire President in 1979. Mrs Mason was a member of the local Business and Professional Women's Club for 37 years. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Mrs. Mason's story is historically significant for understanding economic and social changes in the Beechworth region during the latter half of the twentieth century. As a council representative, issues such as road and infrastructure modernisation and the transition from traditional government employment sectors, like Beechworth's care institutions, were challenges for local government. As a farmer and local employer, Mrs. Mason's story is testimony to the region's economic diversification as businesses like Big Valley farm shop helped shape the region's contemporary character. Mrs. Mason was among the first women to broach the traditionally all-male Beechworth Council Chambers and her story is socially significant for understanding the changing role of women in rural and regional Australia. This oral history recording offers interpretive capacity for social history themes and may be compared with other oral histories in the Burke Museum's collection. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Mrs Val Mason /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, working women, trail blazers, farm to plate, farm shop, paddock to plate, woman farmer, united shire of beechworth, rural and regional women, beechworth's first woman shire president, women in leadership positions, women leaders, australian settlement history, settler societies, victorian gold rush, heritage tourism, culinary tourism, regional land use, indigo winery, farm stay, social history

Mrs. E Pullin MBE was the President of The Ringwood Research Group for many years and was associated with many groups in the area hence she was well known by successive Mayors and Mayoresses.1. White bifold Invitation to Mrs. E. Pullin to attend luncheon at Civic Centre, Braeside Avenue, Ringwood on Wednesday 19th. March 1975, from the Mayoress Mrs. Lois Morris. 2. Bifold typed letter with City of Ringwood Crest inviting Mrs. E. Pullin to a "last supper" on Monday 28th August 1975 after the Council Meeting. 3. Inviation to Luncheon by the Mayoress Mrs. Shirley Martin to Mrs. Pullin at Braeside Avenue, Ringwood, 17th. March. 1976. 4. 24th June, 1987, letter from the Mayoress Mrs. Lillian Rosewarne to Mrs. Pullin thanking her for the photograph taken at the opening of the Poppet Head in the Ringwood Lake area. 5. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin from the Mayor, Councillor John Caffyn and the Councillors of the City of Ringwood to a "Thank you" for local community organisations at Mines Road on Thursday 19th. May 1988. 6. Invitation to Mrs. Pullin by the Mayoress Mrs. Verna Gardini to a Luncheon at the Ringwood Convention and Performing Arts Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood on Friday 17th. March 1989. 7. Inviation from The Mayor of Ringwood Councillor Margaret Cheevers to Mrs. Pullin MBE to Afternoon Tea at the Convention Centre, Mines Road, Ringwood East on 26th. October 1993.

Mr and Mrs Chamings nee Eliza Harris Great Western B/W photo Studio Ornate arches and pillars background chairs and fire screen. Left Mr Chamings Wearing a three piece suit. Corsage in lapel. Fob watch chain across waistcoat. Mrs Camings wearing dark travelling dress. flat beribboned hat. drop necklace. belt. Heart bar brooch. hold folded umbrella in gloved hand both posing in front of chair.Front: Stawell Photographic Co., Main Street, Close Railway. C. Hewitt, Manager. Reverse: Mr and Mrs. Chamings nee Eliza Harris. Stamp Stwell Photographic Co. Close Railway Station C. Hewitt, Manager.stawell

Typed below photograph, "1950 - Parish Hall Xmas Party. Just seen Mrs. J. Mason, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. McCrae Snr., Mr. and Mrs. G. Williams".