A cream programme with mauve print. On the front cover is a photo of Mr. W.C. Frazier, A.R.C.O., Conductor, and the words, Castlemaine Choral Society. Season 1923. Seventh Grand Concert. A programme by the Bendigo and Castlemaine Choirs. Monday Evening, 3rd December, 1923, in Castlemaine Town Hall. Programme Threepence. H.W. Byrne, Hon. Sec.program, music, castlemaine choral society, lydia chancellor, collection, music, castlemaine choral society, concert, entertainment, singing, choir, amusements, castlemaine town hall, bendigo choral society

This receipt was issued to R. C. Morgan of Orbost. on May 17, 1956. It was for rent of reserve for six shillings. It was issued by the Orbost Shire Council. The Shire of Orbost was a local government area about 380 kilometres east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The shire covered an area of 9,347 square kilometres and existed from 1892 until 1994. Originally, Orbost was part of the Bairnsdale Road District which was created on 30 April 1867. Splitting away as part of the Shire of Tambo in 1882, Orbost was first incorporated as a shire in its own right as the Shire of Croajingolong on 30 May 1892. It received its present name on 17 February 1893. On 3 January 1913 part of its western riding was annexed to Tambo as its Cunninghame Riding. Local governments play an important role in the lives of citizens in Australia. Local government authorities exist to provide services and amenities to local communities, and are also responsible for regulating and providing services for land and property in their district. This item is representative of a time when Orbost had its own Shire Council. A widow - faced envelope with a green threepence stamp top right corner. At the top is "Shire of Orbost". Bottom right is "If not claimed within 7 Days please return to SHIRE HALL, ORBOST".There is a receipt to R.C. Morgan for 6/- being for the "rent of reserve" and signed by L.A. Walker. It has the Orbost Shire logo in the top left corner.orbost-shire-council morgan-r.c.

This coin holder is designed to be used in England. Similar types of coin holders were popularly used by the more affluent in all parts of Australia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They were popular as gifts and often inscribed with the owner’s name or initials.This attractive coin holder has no known provenance but it is a good example of the type of coin holder used by people in the 19th and early 20th centuries so has value as exemplifying a social custom of generations past. It will be useful for displayThis is a small container, nickel-plated and embossed with silver-coloured patterns on the top and bottom. The container is hinged and the top has five circular buttons that are on springs and can be pushed inwards. These five movable buttons produce indentations of different sizes and they can be used to hold coins to the value of threepence, sixpence, one shilling, two shillings and two shillings and sixpence. The coin values are marked on the top of the buttons. Top: ‘3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/-, 2/6’ Side: ‘Best Nickel Plated’ ‘Made in England’ antique coin holder, social history, warrnambool history

32 page booklet. An account of two year's work (1915 - 1916) for the Victorian Education Dept's War Relief Fund in raising 100 thousand pounds. Compiled by Gilbert M Wallace. Illustrated with B & W photos. Published by Lothian Book Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. Printed by St Abbs Press, Melbourne. Price threepence. Introduction by Frank Tate, Director of Education.Education Dept, Victoriagovernment, state, education, victoria education dept., gilbert m wallace, war relief fund

Document. KELLY & ALLSOP COLLECTION. Bendigo Sewerage Authority First and Final Notice of Rate. Pink form No.3518 made out to Michael Kelly for property in Pall Mall and dated 19 April 1926. Nett Annual Valuation 15 Pounds. Total Rate One Pound six shillings & threepence. Sewerage rate is one shilling and sixpence in the Pound. T. R. J. Brown, Rate Collector at the Town Hall, BendigoBendigo Sewerage Authoritybusiness, stockbroker, kelly & allsop, kelly & allsop collection, bendigo sewerage authority, rate notice, michael kelly, t.r.j.brown

Twelve(12) State Electricity Commission of Victoria Provincial Tramways tickets. Eight(9) 8d(eight pence) tickets printed in red, Nos. C668538, C667380, C668542, C668543, C66544, C668545, C668546. Three(3) 10d(ten pence) tickets printed in black, Nos. A747804, A747805, A747806. One(1) 1/-(one shilling) ticket printed in mauve, No. A592800. One 1/3d(one shilling and threepence) No. Csg 074933.person, individual, basil miller

A light brown programme with a brown border and blue print on the front cover. It also has the words Castlemaine Choral Society. Season 1924. Tenth Grand Concert and a photo Mr. W.C. Frazier A.R.C.O., Conductor. Underneath the photo are the words ' A programme by the Bendigo and Castlemaine Choirs. Tuesday Evening, 2nd December, 1924, in Castlemaine Town Hall. Accompanists : Miss McGauchie and Miss E. Haines. Programme Threepence. H.W. Byrne, Hon. Sec. H.W. Shelton, Printer, Castlemaine.' 8 pages.H.W. Shelton, Printer, Castlemaine.program, music, castlemaine choral society, lydia chancellor, collection, music, bendigo choral society, castlemaine choral society, programme, castlemaine town hall, entertainment, singing, choir, entertainment, amusements, buildings, concert, program

These stamps have been printed and sold to gain funds for the Warrnambool Patriotic Fund. This fund was first set up in 1914 by the Mayor of Warrnambool, Cr A. Fritz Landmann, to provide funds for the welfare of servicemen and women during World War One so these stamps may date from that time (with the cost of threepence suggesting this time). However the Warrnambool Patriotic Fund also existed in World War Two and the Warrnambool R.S.L. today has a Patriotic Fund to assist ex-servicemen and their dependants and other charitable causes.These stamps are of minor interest as a memento of local fund raising in war time.These are two rectangular-shaped pieces of paper, part of a pad of stamps joined together by perforated lines for easy detachment. These two stamps have perforations on the sides and in the middle. The middle perforation is partly separated. The stamps contain blue printed material.Warrnambool Patriotic Fund 3d.world war one, warrnambool r.s.l.

The Shire of Warrnambool operated toll gates from 1866 to 1869 as a means of raising revenue for road construction. There were three toll gate locations – on the main Belfast (Port Fairy) Road at Dennington Bridge, on the Woodford Road at Russells Creek and on the Geelong Road at the Allansford Bridge. The toll gates were unpopular and unprofitable for the lessees as travellers were able to avoid the tax by skirting around the gates. They had toll houses besides the tollgates. The printers of these tickets, William Fairfax and Henry Laurie, were the lessees at the time of the Warrnambool Examiner newspaper. This paper, founded by Richard Osburne and John Wilkinson, and published with some gaps from 1851 to 1880, is a key source today of Warrnambool’s history at the time. These toll gate tickets are significant because:- 1. They date back to the 1860s and were only issued from 1866 to 1869 2. They are the only artefacts we hold of the time when toll gates were operating in our local district 3. They are the best example of how the Shire of Warrnambool in its early history raised revenue for road building and maintenance. These are eleven toll gate tickets, ten for the Belfast (Port Fairy) Road toll gate and one for the Woodford Road toll gate. One is mounted on a Swintons store label (6 pence) and four are mounted on cardboard (2 shillings, sixpence, and two shillings and sixpence) and six are loose (three shillings, two shillings and sixpence and threepence). The Belfast Road tickets are yellow, green, blue and cream and the Woodford Road one is white. All have black printing. There is also an undated newspaper cutting with information on the toll gate tickets. Belfast Tickets: Shire of Warrnambool, Main Belfast Road, Toll Gate and the price Woodford Road: Shire of Warrnambool, Woodford Road, Toll Gate, 1s 6d Six of the eleven tickets also have ‘Fairfax and Laurie, Printers’ The sixpence ticket on card has the name R P Christian in ink written on the back of the card. shire of warrnambool, toll gates, r p christian, woodford road, main belfast road, swintons pty ltd

Photocopies of a newspaper article. The Bendigonian, Vol. XXIII., No. 1082, Bendigo. Victoria. Thursday, December 6, 1917. Price Threepence (written 3d). A advertisement for the BEEHIVE FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, View Point, near Fountain, Bendigo. Also three newspaper articles, Matinee Entrainment, 'Cottage by the Sea' benefit. Raywood 'Queen' Competition. Last story 'Killed by joy', munitions girl's tragic death., Daisy Charlotte Whitmore, aged 23 was to be married to Leonard Dudley, but she died the day before the wedding of pleurisy.The Bendigonian.newspaper, olive pell collection. the bendigonian 1917.

Leather purse with hand written note to "Mrs. Steele" from "Mrs Wright". Also old coins and tokens insitu. Brass clips. Coins; UK 1943 threepence, 2 X UK 1907 halfpenny (one with hole in it), French 1952 twenty franc, USA one cent, UK 1906 one shilling. Card -presented to Miss Steele by her old shop mates. "Bush" March 27, 1907. Newspaper cutting - in back pocket, T.W. Bull, disease reader and herbalist - advertisement. Card: Presented to Miss Steele, by her old shop-mates on the occasion of her leaving for the "BUSH". March 27, 1907. Card: Dear Miss Steele, Please accept this small gift with best wishes for your happiness in your new home. With love N. Wrightleather purse, coins

English currency before decimalisation in the 1970's consisted of pounds, shillings and pence with twelve pennies to the shilling and twenty shillings to the pound.Coins ranged from farthings which were one quarter of a penny through to pennies, threepence, sixpence, shillings ,half crowns and crowns. Most coins had a variety of common names such as a " bob" for a shilling a "quid for a pound and a tanner for a sixpence. This coin is the equivalent of five shillings and is known as a crown. The text around the obverse, "Victoria Dei Gratia 1844". On the reverse the text of Reg Fid Def"Britanniar translates as Queen of Britain and defender of the faith. This coin is one of the smaller denominations.A common currency coin which has social and historical significance.Round copper coin with flat edge. The The obverse has an image of the young Victoria with text around the edge.The reverse has an image of Brittania in a chariot.Dotted edge around the inside rim of both sides.BRITTANNIAR REG FID DEFon the reverse and Victoria Dei gratia on the obverse.english penny, 1854 penny

A programme with blue and red ink. The front cover has the words, ' The Scotch College Dramatic Society presents ' A Safety Match' a play in four acts by Ian Hay. The Playhouse, Melbourne Thursday, Friday, Saturday 23rd, 24th, and 25th August, 1928 To commence at 8 p.m. The Scotch College War Memorial. The Dramatic Society earnestly hopes that the proceeds of this year's performances will be sufficient to enable the erection of the Memorial to proceed forthwith. Any friend of the school wishing to assist should forward a donation to the Business Manager (Mr. J.A. E. Wilson) at the school. Programme threepence.' Printer Brown, Prior & Co. Pty. Ltd.430 Little Bourke St. Melbourne.program, theatre, scotch college dramatic society, lydia chancellor, collection, program, programme, scotch college dramatic society, 'a safety match, '

See Geological Survey Victoria: GSV Reference ID: 43711 South Nell Gwynne 'The Central Nell Gwynne which recently took over the reef prospected by Nell Gwynne ( B.M.L.) will continue to work the mine until the new Company, South Nell Gwynne Gold Mining Company is ready to take over. The main development work is at the 1080 feet level where stoping is being carried out on a spur system which has shown several colours of gold. ...The trial crushing in shaft sinking gave 4 dwt per gold per ton..... ' ( 29th July 1938, 'The Herald, Melbourne) 1941 Geological Survey Vic: SOUTH NELL GWYNNE, BENDIGO. MINING AND GEOLOGICAL JOURNAL: ' Journal, dark green hard cover, buff bindings on spine and corners. On spine of book in gold print: ' Share Register South Nell Gwynne G.M. Co. N.L.' South Nell Gwynne Gold Mining Company share register, 1938 to 1941. Alphabetical index in front, four hundred pages. Entries detail date of purchase, name of shareholder, distinctive number range, call account and paid by. Page 299 has a list of forfeited shares in the Company with a list of shares sold by James Andrew & Co., on 8th December 1938. Shares were 'forfeited for non payment of the 2nd call of threepence per share'. Share register is part of the Margaret Roberts Collection. bendigo, goldmining, goldfield, south nell gwynne gold mining co., nell gwynne, margaret roberts collection, mr j.j. stanistreet, mine manager

This book has been in two Warrnambool lending libraries. It has been borrowed by subscription holders from 1938 to 1950. The book was first in Hudson’s Hygienic Library at 71 Liebig Street Warrnambool. A.R.Hudson had a bookshop and newsagency at the same address. Subscribers to the library paid two shillings and sixpence to join the library and then threepence a week for borrowing the book. The library was open to 9 p.m. and was advertised as ‘The most up-to-date library in the Western District.’ ‘Hygienic’ libraries were a feature of privately-operated libraries in Australia, mostly in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. The increased interest in germ prevention and health improvement led to the ‘hygienic’ practice of sterilising the books after each borrowing. It appears that the books were wiped with formaldehyde. Following Hudson’s ownership of this book, it was in Stronach’s Library at 105B Liebig Street. There have been examples of private subscription libraries in Warrnambool since the 1860s (plus the subscription library available at the Mechanics’ Institute). After 1950, with the increase in the funding and building of public libraries, subscription libraries for the general public largely disappeared. This book is of interest as an example of the books that could be borrowed from a private subscription library in Warrnambool in the early to mid 20th centuries. This is a hard cover book of 247 pages. The cover is red and yellow with an illustration of a racing car on the front and black printing on the front and back. The spine has been reinforced with black tape which is now peeling off. The inside front cover and the back cover have stickers from lending libraries. Inside the back cover are a series of stamps. The book is scuffed and somewhat stained. ‘Hudson’s Hygienic Library’ ‘Stronach’s Library’ warrnambool subscription libraries

Two copies of Australian Red Cross Society Knitting Book, one small and one larger. The front cover shows the name of the society, a large red cross with the title Knitting Book underneath. The smaller book has information about the purpose of the Australian Red Cross Society in war times, Price: Threepence. Second Edition. The back cover has information regarding free carriage on S.A Railways and by Adelaide Steamship Company. It also has a 5 inches ruler on the left edge of the back cover.The larger book has the same title with the addition of Parcels addressed "Australian Red Cross" are carried free over the railways. On the back cover is printed Copies of this knitting book may be obtained upon application to any Red Cross Emergency Service Company in Victoria. Inside are various patterns for clothing - caps, sleeveless pullover, waistcoat muffler, armlets, man's socks and mittens, kneecaps, hot water bottle covers and scarves. non-fictionTwo Australian Red Cross knitting pattern booklets for home knitters, c.1940's. They were used by Ms Dorothy Hunter. These booklets were collected over 15 years and were used for exhibition at Memo, Gallery Healesville Friday 23rdOct to 18th November 2015.knitting, knitting patterns, knitting equipment

Variety of coins, tokens and objects collected by the original owner. Sources not known at this point.Rectangular white card with eleven coins and ten small objects attached, all labelled. Items attached are as follows: 096.1 Token from R. Parker ABT. 1854 096.2 Token, Thomas East, Melbourne 096.3 Token, T Butterworth and Company, Castlemaine 096.4 Coin, 1843 Shilling 096.5 Coin, 1845 Sixpence 096.6 Coin, 1843 Fourpence (Groat) 096.7 Coin, 1856 Threepence 096.8 Coin, 1877 Penny 096.9 Coin, Halfpenny 096.10 Coin, 1878 Halfpenny 096.11 Coin, 1826 Shilling 096.12 Coin, Item found at Union Jack Reserve, possibly a coin with an integrated hole. On either side of hole is marked 1/2. Requires identification. 096.13 Button, T&S Extra Quality button, metal 096.14 Button, Ceramic disc with 'K K..... Wien' marked upon it 096.15 Tiny Pot for melting Gold 096.16 to 096.18 Small unidentified ceramic crucibles? 096.19.2 Musket balls 096.20 Leaf patterned broochcoins, numismatics

This nightgown belonged to Toula Mavrokefalos Black, nee Raftopoulos (1892-1976). Born in Ithaca, Toula's family migrated to Romania when she was only a baby. She learned to sew as a child while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. In 1914, Toula emigrated to Australia with her husband Constantine Mavrokefalos. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Her daughter Olga Black spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years. BHS holds a collection of garments and textiles made by the women of Olga's family, spanning four generations.Women's cream cotton sleeveless nightgown. Cutwork embroidery on bodice. Blue stain under one arm.nightgown, toula black, toula mavrokefalos, 1900s

10 x envelopes with accounts, returned to Connelly & Tatchell as they were undeliverable or unclaimed at the addresses sent to. A. Mr. T.O.O'Brien, Nolan Street, Bendigo Purple two pence Victoria stamp on the envelope . , b. Mr Collins, horse trainer, Myers St. Bendigo.Purple two pence Victoria stamp on the envelope, c. Mr. Jno Buckley Jr. Pyramid Hill.Purple two pence Victoria stamp on the envelope, d. Messrs. Hunter & Cruickshank, Brewers, McCrae St., Bendigo ( crossed out now PO Windsor ) Brown one penny Victoria stamp on the envelope e. Messrs Connelly & tatchell, Barristers & Solicitors, Bendigo.Purple two pence Victoria stamp on the envelope, f. Messrs Henry Cullen and David Cullen, Mitiamo, Farmers.,Purple two pence Victoria stamp and a yellow three pence on the envelope g Mr. Isaac Dart, c/- Mr. Colvin, Publican, Wedderburn,Purple two pence Victoria stamp on the envelope h., Messrs. Connelly & Tatchell & Dunlop, Barristers, Bendigo., i. Messrs Henry Cullen and Da vid Cullen, Mitiamo Farmers.Purple two pence Victoria stamp and a yellow three pence on the envelope , j. Messrs Connelly Tatchell & Dunlop, Barristers & Sol, Bendigo. Letters have two penny or two penny and threepence stamps on front. Stamped ' not known by letter carrier' or unclaimed. Dates within 1894.business, legal, connelly & tatchell collection:

This scarf belonged to Olga Black, a longtime Brighton resident. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Victory scarf with the flags of France, the United Kingdom, USA and the USSR. 'Victory' printed in yellow in the centre surrounded by names of countries and regions.scarf, world war ii, second world war, 1945, olga black

Made by the cousin of Brighton local Olga Black. The cousin gave her the doll in 1937, when Olga was around seven years old. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Handmade painted wooden bead doll representing a sailor. Cream coloured body and limbs and pink head. The body is made from one long oval bead and the limbs from small round beads.doll, child's toy, childhood, sailor, olga black

This waistcoat belonged to Olga Black, a long-time Brighton resident. Part of a Greek national costume, it was designed by Olga in the 1950s, with the silver cornelli work completed by a Collins Street workshop. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Black velvet waistcoat, decorated with silver cornelli work. Pale blue cotton lining. Fastens with hooks and eyes.greece, ithaca, migration, olga black

Silk blouse made by Toula Mavrokefalos, the mother of long-time Brighton resident Olga Black. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Cream silk short-sleeved blouse. Hand embroidered around inside of stand collar, centre front panel and sleeve edge in red, blue, black and green floral and geometric design.migration, ithaca, romania, olga black, toula mavrokefalos, toula black

This top was made by Toula Mavrokefalos Black (nee Raftopoulos) as a teenager living in Romania. It was intended to be worn under suit jackets. Her daughter, Olga Black, is a longtime Brighton resident. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Long-sleeved top of cream georgette with high round neck. Front features three handmade rectagular lace panel inserts, surrounded with floral cross stitch embroidery in red, blue, black and greentoula mavrokefalos, toula black, olga black, migration, embroidery