Artefact may have been used for enema or vaginal irrigation. Mary Howlett (1840-1922) began practising as a country midwife in 1866 in the western district of Victoria. She qualified as a 'ladies monthly nurse' in 1887 and continued to practise as a nurse and midwife until 1920.She began her six months training at the Melbourne Lying-In Hospital. She was known by many as 'Auntie', and her career spanned more than 50 years. Mrs Howlett's midwifery box and contents were given to Dr Frank Forster, and he donated them to the museum collection in 1993.Black bakelite irrigator, resembling a test tube in shape. The irrigator has four entries, a connecting bridge and serrated edged flange. Stopcock attachment and tubing are missing.irrigation, midwifery

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society Executive Committee 1991. Pictured L-R: Back row - Dennis Katsamas, George Coutsouvelis, Anthony Drakopoulos, John Tscoucalas, Christos Lourantos. Front row - Antoni Razos, Maria Dellas, Sia Andrews (President), Helen Vlass, Nick LourantosAlthough women played a very active role in the organisation of social functions and fund raising activities, they were not eligible to become full members until 1985 after which they could also be elected to the executive committee. Prior to this there was a Ladies' Committee formed in 1944 which organised social events. Sia Andrews, Maria Dellas and Helen Vlass were the first women to be elected to the executive committee in 1985. In 1991, in the Society's 75th year, Sia Andrews became the first female president. A coloured photograph of the executive committee of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society photographed standing in front of an honour board. Five men are standing behind three women and two men who are seated.

The Cassie Football Club was part of the Young Men's Castellorizian Club (YMCS), 1962 - 1965, an organisation established within the Castellorizian Association of Victoria to cater for the sporting, social and leisure pursuits of the second and third generations of the Castellorizian youth in Melbourne. Whilst the football team was the main focus for both players and supporters, the YMCS also fielded cricket and debating teams. This football trophy was awarded to the Best & Fairest for the 3 years of the club's duration - N Constance 1963, N Constance 1964 and L Scotis 1965. This item is of social significance as it represents the hey day of the club, with both an active ladies and men's group supporting the youth. Membership was at its peak across the organisation and the generations, with the sporting teams becoming a key focus of social events. This trophy also symbolises the assimilation of the Castellorizians in Australia in fielding teams in the typical Australian sports of Australian Rules Football and cricket.Wooden Shield with 9 silver stirling plaques attached, including a ribbon across the top and the bottom, a central shield, and 3 small shields either side of the central shield. Six silver engravings including one across the top "CASSIE FOOTBALL CLUB," another across the bottom "BEST & FAIREST," and on the three smaller shields to the left, for the top one "N CONSTANCE 1962-1963," on the middle one "N CONSTANCE 1964" and on the bottom shield "L SCOTIS 1965." On the back of the shield price marked as 6 pounds, 6 shillings shield, football trophy, australian greeks in sport

Ledger contains member entries and details for 3 societies. Bendigo Deutscher Verein entires from 1884 - 1946. Golden Star Rebekah Lodge. Entries relate to members having Doctor and medicine, or medicine only. Written in pencil across page 'amalgamated with Sandhurst I.O.O.F'. 1930's entries. Loyal Sandhurst Lodge I.O.O.F - entries from the1920's to 1935bendigo, clubs, deutscher verein, i.o.o.f

Clothing. White fine linen fabric, trimmed at lower leg with a 2 cms wide cotton , brooierie insertion and a 12 cm wide frill of textured (?) fine linen or cotton lawn broiderie. The front waistband dips to a central 8 cm deep peak. Waistband at side seams, is 4.5 cm deep and back waistband is 10 cm deep at side seams, and the 11 cm deep at centre back. Two 1.4 cm covered buttons close the back waistband. The knickers have a gathered opening panel, called at the time a ''drop-seat'' or ''access hatch'' at the centre back. This panel has a 5 cm deep waistband, fastened at either side by a covered button, and a third button at the centre. These buttons are sewn to the back waistband, and the button holes are sewn, correspondingly on the gathered back. A drawstring tape is also threaded through the back waistband. A 6 cm wide gussett sewn from the crotch extends 23 cms long.Printed in fine black ink on back opening; D.S.R.F. No 11.costume, female underwear, victorian era knickers

Clothing. Five sided green, silk, beaded bag. Lined with green linen gauze like fabric. Ten .8 cm brass loops sewn to the top of the bag.Has a drawstring of green cotton thread. Two peaked flaps, 7.5 cm deep, fall from below the drawstring over the top of the bag. Flaps and the main body of the bag have exquisite tiny glass beads - white, and clear-(reflecting the green of the fabric) in an absolutely exquisite floral design. These beads are the tiniest beads imaginable. The underside of the flaps is lined with the linen gauze, and an overlay of silk. This silk is badly worn and disintegrating.costume, female, ladies green silk beaded bag

Object. Finely tapered wooden cane- .7 cm diameter at base and .9 cm at base of metal handle. The rounded top, forming a handle is metal and while some numbers are visible,I do not think that there is a hallmark to indicate silver No 935 and some indistinguishable letters. The metal extends around the handle and 10.5 cm down the cane. A 2.5 cm wide ''bracelet'' of a different metal encircles the cane, over the top of the darker metal. The cane has a covering of black paint, which is showing wear and tear. The cane has a 2.7 cm metal tip-possibly brass. This is engraved with two fine metal rings.On base of longer metal 935….costume accessories, female, ladies walking cane

Object. (a) A circular metal disk, slightly convex with six tiny crosses spaced around the outer rim. Shaped like a funnel at the rear, the handle extends into a 16 cm stem which would fit over the walking cane. Eight raised circles decorate the stem, giving a .8 cm decorative ridge. Four circles impressed below the lower edge. A hallmark is impressed below these circles, xo.... with remainder unreadable. (b) Circular rounded top, decorated with concentric small circles, raised slightly, and each centred with a tiny blue gemstone. A larger Royal Blue, circular raised gem stone is at the centre. This knob is 6 cm in diameter.costume accessories, female, ladies walking cane

Object. Wooden frame and handle, metal mechanism and spokes, line fabric covering. Wooden handle is 4 cms in diameter and 9 cm long. An eyelet through the handle may once have a carrying loop. The handle has a polished wood finish, and is decorated with painted leaves. The top peak of the umbrella is also polished wood, 3.5 cm long, 2 cm in diameter. The fabric is linen, and has a Japanese ''Cherry blossom'' type print. The outer edge has a 6 cm deep border in a tan coloured linen.costume accessories, female, ladies umbrella

Clothing. This garment has been severely damaged - the waistband has been removed, and a 45 cm diameter circle has been cut from the polished cotton lining. There is also fabric damage adjacent to the internal side pocket seam, velvet binding at hem, stiffened linen lines the inside at the hemline - 20 cm deep, and a narrow binding of black velvet encircles the lower hemline. While the waistband has been partly removed, the original two metal hooks, and three metal eyes are still in place. This garment is severely damaged, but it does still give insight into the inner construction of the garment. Ten ''gores'' or sections make up the circle of this skirt.costume, female, full length black skirt

Clothing. Black nylon, bracelet length gloves. Two x 1 cm wide panels of lace are in-set just above the wrist, on the upper side of the glove.DENTS ALL NYLON 72 MADE IN HONG KONG. (Label inside left glove).costume accessories, female, ladies black nylon gloves

Textiles. Navy blue and red leather handbag. Body of handbag of navy leather with 2 cm diagonal strips of red leather across each corner front and bag. Side seams have red leather cord trim. Metal frame for opening covered in red leather with gold coloured metal trim on front with push clasp (5 cm x 1 cm) with blue leather trim. Opening tab on front. Inside lined with brown cotton fabric.Central swinging hinged coin purse and one gathered side pocket.Insde purse is a 9.5 cm lead pencil and a pen nib. Manufactured by MILADI HANDBAGS.Cloth label inside bag 'Miladi Handbags'textiles, domestic, ladies navy blue and red leather handbag

Textiles. Brown leather handbag with silver coloured metal frame with push clasp. Leather tab to open on front. Three vertical pin stripes on one side front and back. Leather loop on back (2cm x3 cm). Inside lined with brown fabric with swinging hinged coin purse and two gathered inside pockets. Matching brown leather coin purse with press-stud fastener. Stored inside handbag containing a 1938 fold out calendar -"It's Christmas" printed on front of calendar with candlestick and holly leaves.textiles, domestic, ladies brown leather handbag

Textiles. Grey cotton crocheted handbag with cream coloured xylonite or celluloid frame. Circular crocheted pattern with scalloped edge. Swivel opening clasp. Plastic chain link handle attached to frame. Lined with pink silk fabric.textiles, domestic, grey cotton crocheted handbag

Textiles. Black clutch style handbag with strap ( 1.5 cm wide). Front fold over flap decorated with embroidered pattern of stripes and circles on black cotton fabric. Inside lined with black polished cotton. Two internal side pockets. Gold coloured metal press-stud fastener on front flap.Label stitched inside 'Made by Jack Eaton' Handbags Pty Ltd NSWtextiles, domestic, ladies clutch style handbag

Textiles. Brown leather coin purse with fold over flap at front with suitcase metal fastener.Inside fold out concertina spaces (four).textiles, domestic, ladies coin purse

Textiles. Gold coloured metal mesh handbag with metal frame with twist clasp. Two V shaped points at loqwer edge with 2 cm mesh fringeing. Metal chain link carrying handle. Not lined.textiles, domestic, ladies gold coloured metal mesh handbag

Textiles. Brown velvet handbag with ornate decorative silver metal frame with slide clasp. Silver metalchain carrying handle with three metal rings attaching tow pieces of chain. Lined with brown leather. Name written in pen inside handbag , possibly C.Martin, difficult to read.textiles, domestic, ladies brown velvet handbag

Textiles. Black silk faille handbag with gold metal frame with hinged clasp with black plastic top section. Front and back cardboardand base covered with black fabric with soft fabric side inserts. The front of the handbag is decorated with embroidered stitching. A 2 cm fabric carrying handle is attached to either side of frame. The handbag is lined with black silk fabric with one zipped pocket and one open pocket. Stored inside the handbag are two mirrors. 1. 12.8 cm x 7.6 cm with red leather backing. 2. Double sided mirror 6 cm x 8.6 cm , plus a small perfume bottle 1.5 cm x 2.8 cm x 1 cm with label "LE DIX" Balenciaga Paris France, and black plastic lid. Back of label "OFFERT" Not for sale.Label inside handbag ''A WYSOKIER'' V16 Top grade Failletextiles, domestic, ladies black silk taille handbag

Textiles. Brown fabric handbag with brown xylonite or celluloid frame with hinged clasp. Brown silk fabric with insert at lower edge of brown and gold patterened fabric. Plastic chain link carrying handle (broken). Lined with patterned cotton fabric (blue,red,yellow).textiles, domestic, ladies brown fabric handbag

Clothing. This unusual jacket has a fitted ''waistcoat'' appearance, fastened by eleven 1.5 cm diameter buttons, and hand stitched button holes. A separate, shaped front then overlaps the front. This has one tiny 7.5 cm long bound breast pocket, and an 8.5 cm long bound pocket at the lower section of each front. Front panels are peaked at the lower edge and have turned back lapels at the centre front - 4 cm wide. These are held by a 1.5 cm button at the top. and taper to the top of the peaked lower edge of the fronts. The high neckline is finished with a 4 cm deep stand-up collar. Long sleeves are tapered at the wrist, and have a 4 cm long opening at the sleeve edge, trimmed with 2 buttons on each sleeve. Stand-up collar, front edges and sleeve edges are lined with brown polished cotton. Internal seams and hem are bound in brown cotton fabric. Back of jacket is shaped by six panels of fabric, nipped in at the waist with two pleats and a button trimmed tab, at the lower centre seam, giving beautiful shaping. A home - stitched garment- machine and hand stitched.costume, female, ladies fitted long sleeved jacket

Clothing. High round neckline, full length, centre front opening - rounded at the lower edge, and trimmed with two velvet covered buttons, under which is a small metal hook and eye to fasten at the waistline. Sleeves are full length, and trimmed with two fabric covered 2.5 cm buttons at the top edge of a 9.5 cm opening - this may have been a turn-back cuff, or a peaked edge. Left turn back is badly worn. The jacket is fully lined with a similar colour, nylon fabric. This is a home sewn garment.costume, female, ladies pink crushed jacket

Clothing. Three quarter length sleeves, finished on the outside with a peak, outlined with tiny pink, glass beads-13 cm long. The inner side of the sleeve has three rows of gathering 13 cm long. A peaked collar at the front neckline is also edged with tiny pink glass beads, and tapers in shape at the back opening. This opening is 56 cm long and fastens with 1.2 cm covered buttons and loops, (31 buttons in total). The back centre panel is peaked at the lower edge. Side panels are ggathered at the side seam, and also as they join the front and back centre panels. Circular skirt. A beaded floral motif is stitched to the centre front panel, midway between neck edge and waist. Centre panels extend below the waist at both front and back. An underarm ''protector panel'' under the left armhole with printed motif. Tiny glass beads, beaded flower panels. On underarm protection panel a circular shaped printed label reads: PERFECT FITTING GUARANTEED HYGENIC, REGD. ''ADMYRA''. MADE IN ENGLAND, RUBBER LINED 1585 3- DRESS SHIELDS COTTON AND RUBBER.costume, female, ladies cream synthetic fabric dress

Clothing. Cream silk embroidered sleeveless top with a neckline at front and back, which is edged with a fine rouleau binding. The fine silk binding also edges rhe sleeveless armholes. The fabric is woven with a floral woven design. A 2 cm wide tie attaches to the side seams 13 cms below the armholes.The top is sleeveless, and the hemline which is rounded at the side seams, is finished with a self fabric binding. Silk shadow embroidery trims the front neckline, and extends to the midriff. Embroidery is in a floral design. The pyjama pants are full length, with a fine bound finish - probably at or slightly above the ankles. An 11 cm deep V shaped panel at the front waistline, and an elastic casing at the back waistline. A panel of shadow embroidery decorates the side hemline. A small dart, 6 cm long, from below the armhole on either side of front bodice.SILK and RAYON MADE IN CHINAcostume, female, ladies cream silk pyjamas

Clothing. Made in England by Bally, cream satin with a 5 cm high heel. Beautifully shaped rounded toe, and oval shaped front opening. Fully lined with fabric and leather. Heel area lined with cream kid leather. Hand marked inside heel ; H 3250916 823(possibly identifying style and maker). Still in original box: on box ''Carolz''9, possibly name of style. A6415 White Satin Pump Last 1381 8 1/2BBally Made in England. ( Even a piece of confetti inside the box and in one shoe).Bally England - gold lettering enclosed in a double ring, gold oval shaped logo. On sole 8 1/2 B. FABRIC UPPERS RESIN SOLE, MADE IN ENGLAND.costume accessories, female, cream satin ladies bridal shoes

Clothing. Shaped gathered 'bra-like' bodice, joins a peak midriff panel. 1.3 cm satin ribbon straps over the shoulders. Skirt is permanently pleated nylon with a 10 cm deep woven lace edging, woven into the fabric. A 3 cm wide band of nylon lace insert, outlines the top front of the bodice.costume, female, ladies white nylon nightie

Clothing. ''Dusty pink'' nylon gloves- ''Bracelet'' length.Two rows of zig zag stitching, one at either side of glove, holds a 3 mm wide elastic, 10 cm long (one on a side seam, and one just above the thumb). one cm wide gussets of fabric in between each finger.DENTS, NYLON, MADE IN AUSTRALIA.costume accessories, female, ladies pink nylon gloves

Cream coloured crocheted collar with scalloped edge. Open pattern.Full circle. Stored inside box 11400.650. Hand made in 1960's by Lillian may Ellison (Nee Rogers) Natimuk.Labelled; Grandma Ellison made these.costume accessories, female, ladies cream crocheted collar

Dark brown nylon scarf with dark tan and brown all over printed pattern of flowers and leaves. Printed pattern forms a border around four sides with three full length printed panels. Straight side edges with 3 mm hems 10 mm fringing at both ends secured with two rows of stitching.costume accessories, female, ladies brown nylon scarf

Negative. Possibly Val Densworth with relative or friend (possible names Bev, Marylin, Phyl or Cat 'George'). Dated 25 July 1987.slide, bendigo, densworth, posibly val densworth with relative or friend (possible names bev, marylin, phyl or cat 'george'