This dress was worn by Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, to a Mayoral Ball held at Brighton Technical School in 1977. Diane Margaret Lewis completed a law degree at the University of Melbourne, later marrying one of her classmates, criminal lawyer Ramon (Ray) Lopez. When she decided to run for the Brighton City Council in 1975, she was seen as an outside chance. Undeterred, she rallied a small group of friends and supporters and set out on an extensive door-knocking campaign that won voters to her side and successfully unseated former mayor Keith Devenport. She went on to serve two terms on council from 1975 to 1981. Di initiated many local projects, including the creation of a bike path along Nepean Highway and the first Brighton Festival, while balancing family life and a demanding ‘day job’ as personal assistant to Victorian Minister for Youth, Sport and Recreation Brian Dixon. She was a member of the Women’s Electoral Lobby and a champion for women’s representation, encouraging both Sally Allmand and Kate Harman to run for council (both were successfully elected). She advocated forcefully for an open, transparent local government in which ratepayers had the chance to participate and be heard. In 1976 Di became the first woman to hold the title of Mayor of Brighton, and she made it clear from the outset that she was going to do it her way. For the annual mayoral ball in 1977, ordinarily a staid traditional function, she chose a discotheque theme based on the Rod Stewart album Night on the Town, with a broad dress code of ‘black tie or jeans’: ‘You’ve got to get with the times,’ she said. ‘We want people to wear whatever they feel comfortable in.’ Di herself chose to attend in this knee-length chamois dress embellished with strings, ribbons, beads and feathers. It was both a fashion statement, exemplifying her colourful, flamboyant and forthright style, and a political one: a declaration of her intention to lead a progressive council, embracing the new and refusing to be hemmed in by dated traditions. In 2020 she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to local government and to the community of Brighton.This dress has local historical significance for its association with Brighton's first female mayor, Councillor Di Lopez, who wore it to a Mayoral Ball in 1976. The dress exemplifies her flamboyant reputation, modern outlook and willingness to break norms. At the time, the dress was a radical choice for a Mayoral Ball, where women typically wore formal evening gowns. With her choice of dress, Cr Lopez was making a public statement, breaking away from dated traditions and announcing her intention to bring the Mayor's office into the 1970s. In this way, the dress also points to the wider social and political changes taking place both in Brighton and across Australia during the mid-1970s.Three quarter length chamois dress circa 1974. Machine stitched with a v-neck and full length sleeves and an uneven raw hem, the dress is decorated with narrow thongs of chamois embellished with red beads and blue feathers. The open-fronted bodice is laced with red ribbon and the skirt is decorated with a large blue wool cross stitch and a combination of blue wool and purple ribbon cross stitch. Made in the style of an Indian 'Wild West Dress'.di lopez, chamois, brighton, brighton council, brighton technical school, mayoral ball, 1970s, feminism

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born on 2 August 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Two black and white photographs of a man dressed in a band uniform leaning against the ornate wrought iron railings of a brick house. The man is Frank Wright and the uniform is of the Soldiers Memorial Band in Ballarat.frank wright, conductor, wrought iron, soldiers memorial band, brass band

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.A black and white photograph of a man leaning on a light pole while standing on a timber deck over water.There is a timber building behind him, on the building is a sign "Spout Bath". The man is Frank Wright.frank wright, spout, bath

photograph: black and white photo of man operating machinery in factory. Man dressed in dustcoat. On back of photo in purple ink stamp: Handschin & Ronus, Aktiengesellschaft, Liestal, ( Scheiz ) Photo taken in Switzerland ?as aboveorganization, business, hanro, hanro, bendigo, manufacturing

Wedding photograph of Wilhelm Kuebler and his first wife Johanna Kaltenbach. They were both internees in Camp 3 at Rushworth during WW2.Black and white photograph of a man and woman posing in front of a backdrop of trees and shrubs. Lady dressed in long white dress and man in long jacket and suit pants. Photograph has been laminated.Wedding photo: Artist Wilhelm Kuebler and his first wife Johanna Kaltenbach. Computer image created by Horst Blaich, Bayswater 3153. Tel.: (03) 9720 2658 October 2001 round emblem underneath with side on head. Around the edge: Albert Blaich Family Archive 1970-2000wilhelm kuebler, johanna kaltenbach, johanna kuebler, camp 3 rushworth

Great Western Ladies Cricket Team 1907 Refer to. Stawell Times & Wimmera Advertiser 1907 March 15 Great Western Ladies Cricket Team M Smeaton, M Porter, L Fowler, L Wathen, C Fowler, H Nicholson, L Porter, L Farrell, G Smeaton. G Wathen, M Bullock. 1907 Dec 13 G & M Smeaton, S & M Porter, L & G Wathen, E Coates, E Glisson, E Goswinckle, E Delahoy, M Blanden.Group of Ladies in long dresses, white blouses and hats standing in front of a pavilion verandah. Man at each end, two ladies and a man holding Cricket bats. Original photo is a post cardLadies cricketers of Great Western season 1907stawell sport

Colour photograph white edges.Woman in Orange hat. Man in centre with piano accordion. Man on right green bow tie. Back of photo reads: Mary Hogan John Meredith Peter Ellisphoto, group, musicians

This photo was part of the Hill family's collection. Notes indicate that it was probably taken by Walter Hill, son of William Valentine Hill of 10 Pembroke Street, Surrey Hills. Walter Ormond Hill was born in 1887. No death record has been located. It is not known where the photo was taken. The donor was the nephew of Walter Hill.A black and white photograph of a man of Chinese appearance with two large containers and a stick connecting the two. The man is dressed in a three piece suit. The jacket appears to have Asian style toggle buttons on it.chinese, drapers, walter hill (mr), walter ormond hill (mr), william dempsey (mr)

Hard cover book with a colour image of a horse rearing above a man lying on the ground whilst another man looks on. Western story about a railroad company experiencing issues with a rival company.fictionWestern story about a railroad company experiencing issues with a rival company. 192 pages.westerns, railroads, gun fights, fiction

A couple on the first tennis courts to be built in Sunbury. They were situated behind the Post Office. A retail centre and bus terminal now occupies the site.A non-digital black and white photograph of a lady and man standing near a tennis court. The man is wearing a striped sports jacket and the lady is holding a tennis racket. People in the background are playing tennis.tennis, tennis courts, evans street

Wedding photograph of Lillian Ball and James Carlyle Bennett, who married in Adelaide in 1910. Lillian Ball was a daughter of Oscar Ball and his wife Elizabeth, née Mitchell. James Mitchell Carlyle Bennett was not related to the Bennett family which ran the butcher's shop. He was mine manager at Dawson's Dam.Black and white copy of original photograph showing a seated man in dark suit, holding hat. A lady standing next to man wearing dress, gloves and large floral hat in an outside setting.james mitchell carlyle bennett, lyle bennett, lillian bennett, lillian ball

Green woollen beret, black corduroy rim, small black ribbon at rear.Front: “Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RASigs) badge” Stamped inside: “Kent Pure Wool Large”military history-uniforms/army, costume - male headwear, beret, signals

Willandra Sarah"WILLANDRA SARAH CHAMPION MEDIUM WOOL EWE/ 1986-1987-1989/ MELBOURNE SHEEP SHOW STEPHENSsheep breeding sheep stations agricultural shows merino sheep knitting, willandra merino stud, jerilderie, sheep breeding, sheep stations, agricultural shows, merino sheep, knitting

Collector says - "Once I had gathered a dozen or so blankets, I started noticing the many different labels; where they were made, by who, the logos and fonts used. Then the labels became a thing, then the blankets had to have a label to join the collection. My favourite labels are by Physician, they had at least 4 different labels over the decades but the best has to be the Lady In Bed logo. Physician, Onkaparinga, Eagley and others matched the colour of the label to the colour of the blanket - a nice touch. Strangely, Castlemaine labels were always sewn on the back of the blanket where all the other mills sewed theirs on the front. To this day I always roll or fold a blanket with its label on display." " For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Checked blanket, pink, blue and lavenderClan Murray series of Challenge/Lambswool 'Perma-nap' blankets/All pure wool/Super Grade blanket, blanket fever, wool, challenge woollen mills

Collector says: It was always satisfying to reunite matching blankets. One of these was acquired from a garage sale in Castlemaine and the other from The Mill Market in Daylesford.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double sized blanket, cream with salmon stripesThe Laconia Blanket/Guaranteed Odorless and Free From Filling/Made in Australia/Wool 70% Cotton 30%wool, blanket, blanket fever, laconia, cotton

Collector says: It was always satisfying to reunite matching blankets. One of these was acquired from a garage sale in Castlemaine and the other from The Mill Market in Daylesford.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double sized blanket, cream with salmon stripesThe Laconia Blanket/Guaranteed Odorless and Free From Filling/Made in Australia/Wool 70% Cotton 30%wool, cotton, blanket, blanket fever, laconia

Collector's note: "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from. One hundred mill labels sewn onto a single sized cream blanket with blue end panels(On original blanket label) "Marco" Blanket/Wool 70%/Cotton 30%/Guaranteed Free From Fillingwool, blanket, blanket fever, labels, sampler

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for mens garments.Patons KNITTING BOOK / No. / 399 / No. / 399 / P&B / WOOLS / "TREVOR" - See page 10 / 1'3d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.No. / 400 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. / 400 / "MAGNOLIA" / See page 10 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'6d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for boys garments.No. / 384 / Patons KNITTING BOOK / No. / 384 / P&B / WOOLS / FROM 5 TO 15 YEARS / 1'6d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for dolls clothes.Patons KNITTING BOOK C.3 / DOLLS' CLOTHES / P&B / WOOLS / 1'- / 2ND EDITIONknitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

This knitting pattern leaflet was published by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for womens garments.No. / 395 / Patons KNITTING BOOK / No. / 395 / "VERIAN" - See page 8 / P&B / WOOLS / 1'3d.knitting handicrafts - history, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history

Guide to knitting and crochet produced by Patons and Baldwins, c.1950s.Patons / WOOLCRAFT / REGISTERED / 12TH EDITION / 2'- / P&B / WOOLS / A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO KNITTING AND CROCHETknitting crochet, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, knitting, crochet