Showing 106 items
matching soviet
-
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Photograph, 10 April 1974
Michael Bordeaux was well known for his work in supporting Christians in the Soviet Union, including smuggling bibles into the Soviet Union.B & W photograph of Michael Bordeaux seated behind a table on which are several books which he authored. He is wearing glasses, coat and tie.michael bordeaux; russia; soviet union; communist; christians; bibles -
Unions Ballarat
Special tasks : The memoirs of an unwanted witness - a Soviet spymaster (Don Woodward Collection), Sidoplatov, Pavel et al, 1994
Pavel Sudoplatov a member of the intelligence services of the Soviet Union. He was a key player in Soviet espionage including the assassination of Leon Trotsky.History and politics - Soviet Union. Biographical interest.Book; 509 pages. Dustjacket: red background; yellow, white and black lettering; authors' names and title. Cover: red background; gold lettering; authors' names and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, sudoplatov, pavel, political espionage - ussr, politics and government, wallenberg, raoul, 1912-1947, stalin, joseph, 1878-1953, trotsky, leon, 1879-1940, spies -- soviet union -- biography, espionage -- soviet union -- history -- 20th century, soviet union -- politics and government -- 1936-1953, biography, autobiography -
Melbourne Legacy
Photograph - Photo, Launch of Legacy Week - 3rd September 1991 - Speech by Sir Zelman Cowan, 1991
Photos of the launch of Legacy Week in 1991. The guest speaker was Sir Zelman Cowan, a former Governor General of Australia. The launch was in the Crest International Hotel in St Kilda on 3 September 1991. Sir Zelman spoke movingly on the work of Legacy and on the dramatic world events: the Gulf War; the reunification of Germany; the changes within the Soviet Union and his speech was warmly received by all who attended. The main time of year for fundraising is September when Legacy holds 'Badge Week'. Often there is guest speaker and another celebrity who gives his or her time as 'Personality of the Year'. Was in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1987 to 1991. An record of a prominent guest speaker launching Legacy Week in 1991.Colour photo x 4 of the launch of Legacy Week in 1991 including speech by Sir Zelman Cowan and a yellow paper label.Yellow paper label with black type 'Melbourne Legacy was privileged to have a former Governor-General of Australia, Sir Zelman Cowan, officially launch 'Legacy Week' at a luncheon held a the Crest International Hotel. Sir Zelman spoke movingly on the work of Legacy and on the dramatic world events: the Gulf War; the reunification of Germany; the changes within the Soviet Union and his speech was warmly received by all who attended.'legacy promotion, badge appeal, legacy week, speech -
National Wool Museum
Stencil - USSR
This stencil was used as a location stamp for the transportation of wool bales. The United Socialist Soviet Republic, or U.S.S.R., was made up of 15 soviet republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Wool bales marked USSR would have been transported to the Soviet Union by sea.Wool bale export stencil - USSRUSSRwool - transportation, wool sales, wool class, wool classers -
Unions Ballarat
"Was your dad a Russian spy?' : the personal story of the Combe/Ivanov affair, Blesing, Meena, 1986
The story of the Petrov (spy) affair that happened in Australia during the Cold War. Petrov was a Third Secretary of the Soviet embassy in Canberra; the role was to recruit spies and ensure that none of his countrymen defected from the Soviet Union. It was Petrov's own intention to defect and the Petrovs were granted political asylum in Australia in exchange for providing information about Soviet spy activity in Australia.Relevant to the Cold War era in Australia and espionage activity.Paper; book. Front cover: white & red background; black and white photograph; black lettering. Front cover: title and author's name.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, petrov affair, soviet union, russia, petrov, vladimir, soviet embassy, canberra, spy activity, asio, political asylum, petrov, edvokia, ogpu, defection, communism, espionage -
Unions Ballarat
My silent war (Don Woodward Collection), Philby, Kim, 1968
Story of a double agent (UK & Soviet). UK-USSR espionage. Autobiographical interest.Book; 164 pages. Dustjacket: white background; red and black lettering; authors' names and title. Cover: black background; gold lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, philby, kim, espionage, autobiography -
Unions Ballarat
Perestroika: New thinking for our country and the world (Don Woodward Collection), Gorbachev, Mikhail, 1988
Mikhail Gorbachev was the eighth leader of the Soviet Union from 1988 to 1991. He is particularly known for the policies of glasnost ("openness") and perestroika ("restructuring") and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims that contributed to the end of the Cold War.History and politics of the former Soviet Union. Biographical interest - Mikhail Gorbachev.Book; 296 pages. Cover: blue background; colour photograph of Mikhail Gorbachev; yellow and white lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, gorbachev, mikhail, politics and government - ussr, glasnost, perestroika, soviet union, cold war, foreign relations -
Unions Ballarat
Joseph Stalin: Man and legend (Don Woodward Collection), Hingley, Ronald, 1974
Personal and political biography of Joseph Stalin (1878-1953). He was born Ioseb Besarionis dze Jughashvili and was a Soviet revolutionary. Stalin was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1952 and the nation's Premier from 1941 to 1953. Much of his personal life is unknown although the author seeks to uncover some of the details.Political - Soviet Union and Communist Party. Autobiographical interest - Stalin.Book; 482 pages. Dustjacket: colour artistic representation of Stalin on his fiftieth birthday; blue background; white lettering; author's name and title. Cover: black background; white lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, ioseb besarionis dze jughashvili, stalin, joseph, biography, communist party - soviet union, general secretary - communist party - soviet union, premier - soviet union, politics and government - soviet union, biography -
Women's Art Register
Book, Toby Clark, Art and Propaganda in the Twentieth Century. The Political Image in the Age of Mass Culture, 1997
Using paintings, posters, photographs, film stills and sculpture the author explores how propaganda art can be determined and defined.Booknon-fictionUsing paintings, posters, photographs, film stills and sculpture the author explores how propaganda art can be determined and defined.war, feminism, installation art -
The Beechworth Burke Museum
Audio - Oral History, Jennifer Williams, Mr. Vincent Makaravicius, July 2000
Vincent Makaravicius was born on the 23rd of January, 1922 in a small Lithuanian village. He was the youngest of six children and after completing his primary education he went on to study horticulture at Kaunas and Vilnius. During WWII, under the threat of Soviet occupation and conscription, Vincent travelled to Germany, before coming to Australia as a refugee after his wife in 1949 on the ship 'Victory.' Vincent eventually settled in Beechworth, working at the local tannery and the Beechworth Asylum, as well as taking on boarders in the tannery boarding house in which his wife and he lived for a number of 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.Vincent Makaravicius' story is historically and socially significant as it provides a unique insight into the trials, tribulations, hopes, and dreams of Australian immigrants during the mid 20th century. Mr Makaravicius references the turbulent political situation and lack of food in Europe as being the reason for the mass exodus from Europe that saw an influx of refugees and migrants to Australia. His personal account highlights the spirit of survival and perseverance that is quintessential of Australian settler history. His contributions to the township of Beechworth gave him a detailed understanding of the social and historical significance of the township and the people, institutions, and local businesses on which it was built, namely the Beechworth Asylum, the local tannery, and relations between migrants and the established community. 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.Mr. Vincent Makaravicius /listen to what they say, beechworth, oral history, burke museum, vincent makaravicius, wwii, lithuania, kaunas, vilnius, soviet, germany, australia, victory, tannery, beechworth asylum, refugee, jennifer williams -
Unions Ballarat
Boris Yeltsin: From Bolshevik to Democrat (Don Woodward Collection), Morrison, John, 1991
Story of Yeltsin's political career. Yeltsin was a Soviet/Russian politician who also served as President from 1991-1999.Politics and government - Soviet Union/Russia. Biographical interest - Boris Yeltsin.Book; 303 pages. Dustjacket: blue background; colour pictures of Boris Yeltsin; white and blue lettering; author's name and title. Cover: blue background; silver lettering; author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, biography, yeltsin, boris, politics and government - soviet union/russia -
Unions Ballarat
Philby: the long road to Moscow (Don Woodward), Seale, Patrick et al, 1973
Kim Philby (AKA Harold Adrian Russell Philby) was a double agent, serving as a British spy. He defected to the Soviet Union in the 1960s.International intelligence and political affiliations. Biographical interest.Book: 349 pages. Front cover: black and white background; picture of Philby; white and red text; authors' names and title. btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, philby, kim, intelligence agencies - britain, intelligence agencies - soviet union, philby, harold adrian russell, biography -
Melbourne Athenaeum Archives
Theatre program, The Suicide (play) by Nikolai Erdman performed at the Russell Street Theatre commencing 5 August 1981
The play was written in Russia after the revolution in 1928. A satire on Soviet life, productions were banned and after 1934 the play disappeared completely until the 1970s.Translated by Peter TegelThis program contains historical information about both the author and the play as well as reviews from previous audiences :good conditionthe suicide, russell street theatre, program, melbourne theatre company -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Instrument - Chronometer, 1987
First State Watch Factory: This factory was founded in 1930 under orders from Joseph Stalin, the "First State Watch Factory" was the first large-scale Soviet watch and mechanical movement manufacturer in the USSR. Via its USA-based trading company (Amtorg), the Soviet government bought the defunct Ansonia Clock Company of Brooklyn, New York in 1929, and the "Dueber-Hampden Watch Company of Canton", based in Ohio. The soviets moved twenty-eight freight cars full of machinery and parts from the USA to Moscow in order to establish the factory. Twenty-one former "Dueber-Hampden" watchmakers, engravers and various other technicians helped to train the Russian workers in the art of watchmaking as part of the Soviet's first five-year plan. The movements of very-early products were still stamped "Dueber-Hampden, Canton, Ohio, USA" (examples of these watches are very collectible today). In 1935 the factory was named after the murdered Soviet official Sergei Kirov. During the second world war, as the Germans closed in on Moscow in 1941, the factory was hurriedly evacuated to (Zlatoust USSR). By 1943 the Germans were in retreat, and the factory was moved back to Moscow, adopting the "First Moscow Watch Factory" name. In 1947 the first wristwatches under the brand name "Pobeda" and the first Marine Chronometers and Deck watches were produced. By 1951 the production of wristwatches had increased to 1.1 million. In 1975 new machinery and equipment for manufacturing complex watches were imported from Switzerland. The first chronograph called "Okean" (3133) was produced for the space station "Soyuz-23."The Chronometer is of recent manufacture and an excellent example of the type of instrument used to navigate the seas in the 19th century. It is of good quality and of a type regarded as very accurate and well made. The maker, First Watch Factory, has a dept that is still producing the "8916" standard Chronometer for horologists and collectors. Marine chronometer of Russian make in wooden case, metal handles on sides, inscription on a metal plaque on the front of the case. Polished square wooden outer case with green felt lining and, a leather carrying strap and buckle. Outer case is hinged and has a metal latch on the front. Outer case has a red velvet covering with a button and loop closure. Inscription on box are in Russian & translate as follows: ХРОНОМЕТР, = CHRONOMETER МОРСКОЙ, = NAUTICAL ГОСТ, 8916-77 = Gost ЛОЛ ЕТ, on dial face = LOL ETflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, chonometer, russian, watch factory, marine, navigational instrument -
Unions Ballarat
Churchill's deception: the dark secret that destroyed Nazi Germany (Don Woodward Collection), Kilzer, Louis C, 1994
The book is an account of how Churchill deceived Hitler into invading the Soviet Union. The author asserts that Great Britain avoided opportunities to end the war in order to destroy both Hitler and Germany. Warfare and diplomacy.Book; 335 pages. Dustjacket: photos of Churchill and Hitler; black and white lettering; author's name and title. Cover: red and blue background; gold lettering; author's name and title. btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, churchill, winston, biography, history - united kingdom, military - united kingdom, world war ii, hitler, adolf, politics and government - nazi germany, politics and government - united kingdom, hess, rudolf, diplomatic relations -
Bendigo Military Museum
Book - BOOK, RECOGNITION GUIDE, 1 (Br) Corps Intelligence Training Directive, 1988
Used by Warrant Officer Class One, Greg Westhead, while he served in Bosnia. Refer to Cat No. 1496.7 and 910.2.Small rectangular book with black font and black printed images on the front cover. Right side of the front cover is a vertical orange band with black font on it. Images on the cover include a tank, a helicopter and a military vehicle (front) and the logo of the British Intelligence Corps (back). Roughly about 68 pages long detailing the warfare used by the Soviets.Front cover in bold writing " RECOGNITION GUIDE", on orange band " THREAT" . Front cover in smaller font " 1(Br) Corps Intelligence Training Directive".book, soldier's guide -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Book (item) - Aircraft Engines of the World 1944, 1944
aircraft engines of the Second World War. Particularly focusing on the state of aircraft engines in 1944. Considers engines from the United States of America, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the USSR (Soviet Russia). engines, aircraft engines, second world war, 1944 -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Uniform - Russian paratrooper red beret
The Soviet Union was one of the first countries to realize the unique potential of parachute forces. As early as 1927 there were reports of parachute troops being used against bandits in Central Asia. Within the next two to three years Leonid G. Minov began to organize the first military parachute units. He traveled to the United States to study parachute strategy and techniques employed in air rescue missions. He returned to his country with a supply of American-made Irvin parachutes. In April 1930, Soviet industry produced its first run of domestic parachutes, not surprisingly patterned on the Irvin style.Red felted wool beret withblack leather hat trimfabric informatiion labelt i.e. dry cleanrussian front 1918-1919, russian paratroopers history of russian paratroopers, history of change in aircraft to cater for paratroopers -
Bendigo Military Museum
Newspaper - NEWSPAPER, 1945, Guinea Gold, 16.6.1945
Some items include, B 29 raids over Osaka, General Blamey in Bougainville, British concessions to India, post war housing plan, Soviet Govt announces trial of Polish leaders, the races, civilian news.Newspaper, Guinea Gold, yellowed, 4 pages, all printing in Black, no illustrations or photos.ON Front, “Vol 3 No 209 - Sat June 16 1945”guinea gold, newspapers, 1945 -
Moorabbin Air Museum
Memorabilia (Item) - RAF/SOE Blood Chit WW2 ,Complete With Original Celluloid Cover with Neck Cord, Size Approx.23cm x 18cm
-
Unions Ballarat
Castro : a political biography, Matthews, Herbert L, 1970
Biography of Fidel Castro who led the communist revolution in Cuba and was the country's leader until 2008. Castro was instrumental in other communist revolutions around the world. His ongoing relationship with the Soviet Union caused tension with the United States and led to the Cuban Missile Crisis.Significant to the history of Communism - especially in Cuba. Paper; book. Front cover: black and white picture of Castro; red, black and white background.Front cover: author's name and title (black and white text).castro, fidel, cuba, cuban missile crisis, soviet union, ussr, usa, united states of america, politics, revolution, history, btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall -
Unions Ballarat
Secrets of State: A Detailed Assessment of the Book They Banned, Munster, George, 1982
Secret (leaked) government documents dealing with East Timor, US military bases in Australia, the Soviet Navy in the Indian Ocean, the Shah’s regime in Iran and the Vietnam War. Originally published as "Documents on Australian Defence and Foreign Policy 1968-1975" - this edition was previously banned and all unsold copies were destroyed by the government.Significant to Australian foreign relations in the period 1968-1975.Paper; book. Front cover: black background; pictures of newspapers and a book; red and white text.Front cover: author's name and title.btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, east timor, us military bases, soviet navy, vietnam, iran, vietnam war, documents on australian defence and foreign policy, government leaks, shah of iran -
4th/19th Prince of Wales's Light Horse Regiment Unit History Room
Film - DVD, The Great Tank Battle of Kursk
The great tank battle of Kursk took place in 1943, when the Germans mounted a huge attack on the Soviet army with a force f some 900,000 men, 2,700 of their most fearsome tanks, 10,000 artillery pieces and 2,000 aircraft. Codenamed 'Operation Citadel', the attack was Adolf Hitler's plan to avenge the disaster that befell the German 6th Army at Stalingrad.DVD in caseThe War File - The Great Tank Battle of Kursk -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
The Korean War 1950-1953 Certificate of Appreciation
The Korean War was a war between North Korea and South Korea. The war began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following a series of clashes along the border. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal force, came to the aid of South Korea. China came to the aid of North Korea, and the Soviet Union also gave some assistance to the North..A Recognition of the United Nations Forces which resisted the invasion of South Korea by Communist North Korean Forces.Rectangular shaped Glass covered picture frame showing the certificate of AppreciationCertificate of Appreciation presented to LARA R.S.L.certificate of appreciation, lara r.s.l., the korean war 1950-1953., korea, korean veterians association of australia inc, united nations -
Bendigo Symphony Orchestra Inc.
Work on paper (Item) - Program, Beever, Kristen, Emperor, June 2024
This program was given to attendees at the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra performance on 2 June 2024. Strauss’ Radetzky March kicks off a rousing program, which follows an extraordinary exploration through the relationship between music and power. Shostakovich’s gripping Symphony No. 5 is a powerful insight into Soviet Russia while Elyane Laussade brings her dazzling touch to Beethoven’s beloved fifth piano concerto.EMPEROR Sunday 2 June, 2024, 2.30pm Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo Luke Severn Conductor Elyane Laussade Piano Johann STRAUSS I Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Radetzky March, Op. 228 Conducted by Will Slow Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 in E-flat major, ‘Emperor’ INTERVAL Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No 5, in D minor, Op. 47bendigo symphony orchestra, luke severn, regional victorian orchestra, performance -
Polish Museum & Archives in Australia
Pennant, La Casa de Banderin, 08/1955
In 1955 the Polish Community in Chile wanted to Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the ending of the 2nd World War but, since it was not a happy occasion, as Poland had been betrayed and placed in the Soviet sphere of influence, they chose to create a Pennant with a plea for the Patron Icon of Eastern Poland - Our Lady of the Sharp/Morning Gate (Matka Boska Ostrobramska/Zaranna) in Vilnius (Wilno) - to give them a new Miracle on the Vistula, in reference to an epic battle which took place on 15th August 1922 on the banks of the Vistula (Wisla) River in which the Polish troops defeated the Soviet Army and turned back the march of Communism to the West. This particular Pennant was purchased by Stanislawa Zamecznik (nee Zakrzewska), while living in Chile after deportation from her birth place in Sianozatki near Bychov (Bychow) to Schweningen in Germany from which they emigrated to South America as Displaced Persons. It was brought to Australia when the Zakrzewski Family emigrated from Chile in 1956, first to Port Augusta and then subsequently to Sydney.It is significant in that it tells the story of the aspirations of the Polish Diaspora displaced from it's Homeland in the Kresy Region and scattered throughout the World, including the Americas and Australia.Pennant of red cloth with screen printing in white, mustard yellow and black hung on copper wire with gold cord Front: Polish inscription "KROLOWO POLSKI / BLAGAMY CIE O NOWY / CUD NAD WISLA / SANTIAGO DE CHILE / 15.VIII.1955" Back: Spanish inscription "LA CASA DE BANDERIN AHUMADA 61"polish pennant polski proporczyk orzel eagle matka boska ostrobramska zaranna our lady of vilnus santiago chile cud nad wisla miracle on the vistula -
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, 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
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