Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Thin paper white label with gold printed text.front: An Original by / Tina Knitwearknitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Wooden 1-50 Scale model of the Dennys Lascelles WoolstoreOn plaque - 1-50 Scale Model of The Dennys Lascelles Woolstore / Cnr Moorable & Brougham sts, Geelong, Which will house the National Wool Centre - Geelong / The Centre is a project of the Geelong Regional Commission and is Geelongs major bicentinnial celebratons project

The Manor House Rug was designed by Brinton's Carpets in 1990 exclusively for the National Wool Museum. The design is based on an earlier design from Brinton's UK Persian Rug Archive Library. This Manor House Rug sample was woven at the National Wool Museum on the 1910 gripper type Axminster Jacquard carpet loom. The rug is made from 80% wool and 20% nylon, the internationally preferred blend for high quality, long lasting carpets.Red, green, blue, black, cream floral patterned carpet sample with jute backing.axminster loom, carpet, sample, rug, wool, national wool museum, brintons

From Rosemary Cameron - This quilt has been made in 100% wool to celebrate the diversity, durability and beauty of pure wool, especially the lightweight cool wools. The woollen patches were kindly donated by Mr. David Jones, managing Director of Fletcher Jones and Staff which were pre-cut samples of European Fabrics in various weights, textures and colours. I had the task of creating a design around the fabrics available, some of which I only had to sample. I chose to surround my design with dark shades to encompass at the top of the quilt, the lightness of the sky and the trees, in the middle the warmth of summer, the dryness of central Australia and at the bottom the rick tones of Opals, our mineral wealth and the internal heart of earth. To add excitement and texture to this design I chose 31 Australian Wildflowers including all the Australian Floral Emblems, some unusual wildflowers and favourite small wildflowers. Twice life size, these flowers have been made of silk wool and cotton, embroidered, painted and beaded by our creative and talented Hamilton Quilters, their results are fantastic! The brilliance and timeless quality of these Australian Wildflowers intensify and complement the colours of the Wool Quilt. The Quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted at quilting bees. It has a woollen batting, binding and backing which was a delight to work with and very easy to quilt. The flowers were assembled and attached in small working bees. To the fifty-two Hamilton Quilters who have worked on this quilt for six months thank you for you hard work and creativity especially Joan H. Lyons for her time, enthusiasm and knowledge when difficulties arose. Joan M. Lyons has worked with me on various stages of this Quilt, her help and support has been tremendous. To my family who have tolerated scraps of wool and silk, photographs, wildflower books and specimens and drawings which have at times almost taken over our house, a year from ideas to completion, thank you for your support and help in many ways.Multi coloured patchwork quilt with native flowers protruding from centre in a diamond shape.Embroidered on back - "The Celebration Quilt" Made in 1990 by The Hamilton Quilters, Designed by Rosemary A.O. Cameron. Made of Pure Wool. Beryl Anderson, Joan Askew, Bett Basham, Marilyn Baulch, Rau Blaby, Pauline Boyd, Aileen Beckwith, Dorothy Beveridge, Ros Brommell, Rosemary Cameron, Gwen Cook, Anne Cordner, Kaylene Cowland, Elaine Denby, Barbara Dolman, Rosalie Duffield, Helen Fry, Glennys Gardner, Nola Gunning, Margaret Irvine, Bev Jeffrey, Emma Jensen, Betty Lacy, Helen Lampard, Joan H. Lyons, Joan M. Lyons, Elaine McDonald, Carole McEwan, Joy McLeod, Joyce McLeod, Mary May, Joan Mallinson, Susan Mason, Anne Menzel, Val Mills, Betty O’Brien, Di Pettigrew, Therese Read, Sherry Robertson, Lee Rowland, Irene Saddler, Nanette Templeton, Glenys Tindall, Liz Wallis, Ruth Walter, Marion Warburton. Alison Waterman, Pat Wilmot, Nola Malcolm, Ann Nicholls, Margaret Rowe, Jill Hillier.celebration, flowers, hamilton quilters, quilt, native flowers

This photograph was found loose in the first of three albums compiled and owned by J W Allen, Secretary of New South Wales Grazier's, and is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of sheep 1928-1929. The album contains photographs of travel, sheep, farms, stations, people and landscapes from around the world. Locations include Naples, Port Said, Suez, Birregurra (Vic), Alexandra (Vic), Ballangeich (Vic), Keith (SA), Mt Gambier (SA), Buckland Park (SA), Tasmania, Winton (QLD), Sydney Harbour, Canberra (ACT), Toowoomba (QLD), Rockhampton (QLD), Tocal (NSW), Deepwater (NSW), Glen Innes (NSW), Longreach (QLD), Moree (NSW), Barraba (NSW) and Mudgee (NSW). Properties depicted include Mooleric, Turkeith, Woolongoon, Minadale, Crower Station, Merrindie, Koomooloo Station, Cappeedee, Koonoona, Rathmore, Ellenthorpe, Camden Park Station, Glenlegh, Strathmore Station, Ilparran Station, Binneguy, Midkin, Terlings, Ashley, Bereen, Plumthorpe, Mayvale and Havilah. The album was found in a clean out at the Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute and donated to the National Wool Museum, along with other related material such as photographs, glass lantern slides and ephemera.Black and white photograph showing a row of buildings, with a fence in the foreground and trees in the background. back: [handwritten] B / A Queensland town – main street / from train. / Note houses on [?} – white ants / & cooleragriculture, sheep, farming, stations, research, breeding, photography, travel

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting illustrated diagram of hair follicles.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow with horns in a barn tied with a rope around the muzzle.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow with horns outdoors, with another cow in the background grazing.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a man holding a horned cow with a rope. A fence, trees and farmland is shown in the background.front: [printed] MAKERS / NEWTON & Co. / 3 FLEET St. LONDON / [handwritten] Werlir[?] Herry[?] Cownew south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a diagram relating to cattle breeding.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow in a barn.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow in a barn.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow in a barn with a rope on it's muzzle.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow in a barn with a rope on it's muzzle, held by a man.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow in a barn with a rope on it's muzzle. A man can be seen partially in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow standing in front of a barn with a rope on it's muzzle.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow standing in a paddock with trees in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a horned cow standing in a paddock. Other cows are partially shown in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting horned cows standing in a paddock with trees in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a calf standing in a paddock with a fence in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow standing in a paddock with a fence and trees in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow standing in a paddock with a fence and trees in the background.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a graph of cattle breeds.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a chart showing variations in hair follicles.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of twenty black and white glass lantern slides previously housed together in an old cardboard box. [8611 - 8630] The slides are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass lantern slide with paper edging depicting a cow standing in front of a barn, with a rope tied on it's muzzle.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of three unmounted black and white glass negatives previously housed together in a plain brown envelope. [8631 - 8633] The negatives are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The negatives were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass negative depicting a graph relating to sheep breeding and rainfall.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, negative, glass lantern slide

This item is part of a collection of three unmounted black and white glass negatives previously housed together in a plain brown envelope. [8631 - 8633] The negatives are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The negatives were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass negative depicting a graph relating to sheep grazing.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, negative, glass lantern slide, sheep

This item is part of a collection of three unmounted black and white glass negatives previously housed together in a plain brown envelope. [8631 - 8633] The negatives are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The negatives were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Black and white glass negative depicting a geometric graph relating to sheep breeds.new south wales graziers association, travel, cattle, agriculture, j w allen, photography, negative, glass lantern slide, sheep

This item is part of a collection of six black and white glass lantern slides previously housed in this box. The slides and this box are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Brown paper box with printed black text on a label adhered to top. Paper with hand written text is also stuck to top.top: [handwritten] DIAGRAMS OF WOOL / FOLLICLES + FIBRES. / CHART OF MERINO / FLEECE / + Micrographsnew south wales graziers association, travel, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide, sheep, breeding

This item is part of a collection of four black and white glass lantern slides previously housed in this box. The slides and this box are part of a greater collection of around forty three black and white glass lantern slides, along with other photographs and photo albums related to this collection. This item is associated with the New South Wales Graziers Association world tour of merino sheep 1928/9. The slides were possibly used as supporting material in presentations made by J W Allen when on tour.Brown paper box with printed black and red text on top, and handwritten text on top. Labels with printed text are also on the sides and bottom on the box.Top: [handwritten] NICHOLS / LAMB [printed] OPEN IN PHOTOGRAPHIC DARKROOM / Kodak / PLATES / TROPICALLY HARDENED / MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN BY KODAK LIMITED LONDON / TRADE MARK PROTECTED THROUGHOUT THE WORLDnew south wales graziers association, travel, agriculture, j w allen, photography, glass lantern slide, sheep, breeding