Letter written from (unknown) POW imprisioned by the Japanese on Morotai Island from 1942 - 1945 to (unknown) friend. Descriptive of life and treatment in POW camp. The island was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Morotai's southern plain was taken by American forces in September 1944 during the Battle of Morotai, and used as a staging point for the Allied invasion of the Philippines in early 1945, and of Borneo in May and June of that year. Japanese soldier Teruo Nakamura was discovered in the Morotai jungle in 1974, as one of the WWII Japanese soldiers who held out subsequent to the Japanese military's surrender.Photocopy of letter, 4 pages, originally written in ink on (unofficial) Australian Red Cross form.Added to head of letter at a later date is inscription ' First letter written home for 3 1/2 years'.Top left hand- FOR SAFETY/ IN YOUR LETTERS DO NOT REFER TO:-/ The name of your ship or other ships in the convoy, or its escorts./The date of sailing, ports of call, or probable destination./ The description of troops, their loca-/tion or any other information/ which, if intercepted, would be of/ value to the enemy. In your Top right hand- Australian Red Cross Society/ (UNOFFICIAL)/ 25-8-45/ (added at later date 'Morotri Island')/ Alex, Have witten this especially/ as i don't wish our women folk to know the tougher side of life./Well Alex for the first/ 2 1/2 years as POWs we lived reasonably/ well, but the last 15 months was like /hell. Heres the worst lot of b-s/ you could find on earth, they worked /us from 7AM till 6 PM, & fed/ us on muck you wouldn't feed to/ Pigs. I'm nothing at all they would 2, pow, morotri island, morotai island, world war, prisoner of war, australian red cross society

Digitised video (2.66GB) Duration: 51 minutes. Recorded August, 2022 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)Presenter: Louise Blake is a writer and historian with an interest in the stories of women, families, and communities on the nineteenth-century goldfields in Australia and New Zealand. Inspired by her family connection to the gold mining settlement of Woods Point, Louise completed a PhD on Women and Community on the Upper Goulburn Goldfields in north-east Victoria in 2019. In this talk Louise will share her research on Lawrence and Esther Chubb, who lived and worked at Gaffneys Creek on the Upper Goulburn Goldfields in the 1870s and 80s. In a series of letters Lawrence wrote to his family in England, and now held by the State Library of Victoria, Lawrence shared his early struggles as an independent miner on the central Victorian goldfields, his protracted courtship with Esther, the ordinary intimacies of their life at Gaffneys Creek, the work that Esther did to support the family in this remote mining region, as well as the material and emotional support provided by and to family, friends and neighbours. A rare and revealing source, these letters help to expand our understanding of the lived experience of mining families, particularly the work that women did to sustain families and communities, in this period of waged labour and tribute mining in Victoria.

The women of the pioneer families were very skilled at dressmaking , needlework and lace making. The early settlers had to be self reliant and made and repaired their own clothes, haberdashery and furnishings These tools were used to make crochet work doilies, antimacassars, and add decorative work to lingerie, collars, cuffs, baby clothes, bonnets and bibs.5 assorted steel crochet work hookscraftwork, crochetwork, needlework, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, steel manufacture

This half petticoat was made by Jean Green's mother and worn under her Wedding Dress in 1922. Jean Green also wore it under her Wedding Dress in 1950. This item of lady’s underwear is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families.A lady's ankle length white cotton half petticoat with a gathered elasticised waist. The lower half of the petticoat has an overlay of Cut-work cotton.dressmaking, craftwork, lacework, pioneers, market gardeners, early settlers, moorabbin, bentleigh ormond

This lady’s cotton bib apron, completely handsewn with lacework and embroidery is an example of the dressmaking and craftwork skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C. A lady's fine white cotton, full length hostess Apron with a bib and long ties. The hem border is cut-work 10cm and the whole apron is decorated by hand embroidered floral designs. unsigned Note attached " Every stitch by handclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework

This lady’s white cotton combination petticoat , commonly called a 'teddy', is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C . Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A lady's white cotton combination underwear with a buttoned crotch and hand worked decoration on bodice clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This chemise is an example of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families This lady’s white cotton chemise has short sleeves, and drawstring waist . The neckline has cut work and needlework flowers and the cuffs have lace edging. is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C clothing, crochet, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, lacework, moorabbin shire, bentleigh, mckinnon, hunt ailsa, dairy farms, fruit orchards

This is a hand worked lace panel for laying over a baby's dress for a Christening ceremony. It is an example of the dressmaking and lacework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shirec1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families A hand-worked lace panel with collar and armholes that would be placed over another white baby's gown for a christening or special eventclothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, risstrom l, dairy farms, fruit orchard

This lady’s hand sewn cotton 1/2 petticoat with cut work is an example of the dressmaking and needlework skills of the women of the early settlers families in Moorabbin Shire in the early 20th C Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire c1900 and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families Lady's white cotton 1/2 slip with cutwork front, hand sewn scalloped hem.clothing, haberdashery, crochet, doilies, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, bentleigh, lacework, moorabbin shire, marshall d, dairy farms, fruit orchards

Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. The Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company was founded in 1857 by James E. A. Gibbs and James Willcox and opened its London Office in 1859 at 135 Regent Street . By 1871 the Company's Chief Office for Europe was at 150 Cheapside, London, this office was later moved (post 1885) to 94 - 96 Wigmore Street, then 37 & 39 Moorgate Street (by 1891 to post 1907) and later 20 Fore Street, London . Right from the initial production the manufacturing of the Company's single thread, chain stitch machine was undertaken by Brown & Sharpe, Rhode Island and this continued up until 1948. A special hand crank mechanism was produced in England for the European market, but the general design of the Willcox & Gibbs remained essentially the same throughout its production. The only major improvement was in 1875 when the glass tension discs were replaced with an automatic tension device which ensured the machine could not get out of adjustment. In addition to the domestic hand and treadle machines the company produced a wide range of industrial models. The Company finally closed in 1973. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America in the late 1860's but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The cloth plate has various American patent dates, four dating between 1857 & 1860 relating to J. E. A. Gibbs, three dating between 1860 & 1864 relating to Chas H. Willcox (son of James Willcox), the machine was also licensed under five other patents including the infamous Elias Howe patent of 1846. There are only two English patents one for J. E. A Gibbs and the other for James Willcox. In 1887 a W & G Sewing Machine sold in England for 6 pounds , with its box and bits, at a time when the average wage was less than 10/- shillings per week. The early settlers of Moorabbin Shire had to be self sufficient making their own clothes, tableware, bed coverings, furnishings and equipment. The women were skilled dressmakers and craft workers.Willcox and Gibbs: Serial No. 158679. A single thread, chain stitch Sewing Machine with a special hand crank mechanism produced in England for the European market, and the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. This Willcox & Gibbs came complete with its wooden carry case. The machine was made in America c1870 but it has the ornate hand crank produced at Coalbrookdale near Telford, England which was, in Victorian times, renown for producing high quality ornate iron castings. This machine has the glass tension discs which were used on domestic models until 1875. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base casting and it also has a deep wooden base. The Willcox & Gibbs badge is located on the rear of the base castingsewing machines, early settlers, pioneers, moorabbin, brighton, gibbs james, willcox james, willcox henry, new york, america, dressmaking, mateial, machine makers, wrought iron work, telford england

In the 17th century young girls were taught embroidery as a necessary skill for marriage, this also helped them make very beautiful handbags. By the late 18th century, fashions in Europe were moving towards a slender shape and women wanted purses that would not be bulky or untidy in appearance, so reticules were designed. Reticules were made of fine fabrics like silk and velvet, with wrist strap often decorated with pearls, sequins, beads and embroidery. A lady's black velvet, silk lined, evening bag with draw-string and hand made tassels. The bag is decorated with beads in a floral designmoorabbin, brighton, early settlers, pioneers, cheltenham, craft work, dressmaking

This girl's white cotton dress is typical of the craftsmanship of the home dressmakers among the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shirec 1900The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and the women made most of the clothing for their families.c1900 girl's dress is made of cotton and is all hand-worked, with cutworkclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers

This white, cotton, baby's pinafore with hand crochet work is and example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white cotton infant's pinafore, with hand crochet work around armholes, and lower edge of garment. Feather stitch embroidery, and pin-tucking on bodice. Waist ties.clothing, crochet work, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, market gardeners, dendy special survey, brighton pioneers

This white, cotton half petticoat with hand crochet work on the hem is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners in the Moorabbin ShireThe pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This petticoat is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these familiesA lady's white cotton half petticoat, with deep hand- crochet border at the hem. brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dress, bentleigh, early settlers, garments

The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. This white, cotton Lady's blouse with pin-tucked front and back is and example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners in the Moorabbin Shire. Ladies long-sleeved white cotton blouse with high collar. Pin-tucking to front and back, guipure lace inserts on front of bodice. Significant tear at lower edge of the garment.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, home dressmaker, craft work

This white, cotton, short-sleeved blouse with eyelet work for a young woman is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c 1900.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A white, cotton, short-sleeved blouse, with eyelet work for a young woman .brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, maggs geoff

This heavy, detachable lace collar is an example of the dressmaking and needle work skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c 1880 The Maggs family settled in the Brighton district in the late 1800,s. After the Dendy's Special Survey of the Brighton area in 1841 land allotments were rented or sold to pioneers who established market gardens, dairy farms, fruit gardens and vineyards. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these familiesThis heavy, lace collar is detachable and consists of hand crochet work.clothing, crochetwork, pioneers, early settlers, dendy henry, maggs geoff, brighton, bentleigh, moorabbin, market gardeners, craft working, dressmakers

This white, girl's blouse with ribbon inserts is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The Maggs family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A white cotton , girl's blouse , decorative with ribbon insert.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, maggs geoff

This white cotton lady's slip bodice is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin ShireThe Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Fitted, fine white cotton lady's short sleeved slip bodice. Five front buttons. Hand embroidered satin stitch scallops on both sleeves and at neckline.brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, craft work, blackburn nance

This white cotton lady's slip bodice is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Undergarment. Front opening soft, white cotton lady's slip bodice with short sleeves. Hand embroidered satin stitch scallops to both the sleeves and neckline. Five button opening - one button is missing. clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, dressmakers, market gardners, craft work, early settlers, blackburn nance

This white cotton lady's slip bodice is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire. The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Fine white cotton lady's slip bodice. Front opening with five buttons. Hand embroidered satin stitch scalloped edges to both the sleeves and neckline. Good condition.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, blackburn nance

This long calico baby's nightdress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A short-sleeved, long calico baby's nightgown. There is extensive hand-embroidery and pin-tucks on the bodice. Waist ties embroidered at the front. Crochet edges to neck and sleeves. The garment opens at the back.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work

This long, white fine lawn cotton pin-tucked baby's christening dress is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families.A white, fine lawn cotton, pin-tucked, baby's long christening dressclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, craft work

This cotton baby's nightgown is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire.The Maggs family were early settlers in the Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. A long white cotton infant's Christening or 'walking-out' dress. The neckline and short sleeves have broderie anglais trim. Bodice has extensive cut-work and hand embroidered feather-stitching. There is further hand-embroidered feather-stitching around the waist band. The skirt of the garment has pin-tucking and lower borders of further cut-work The garment is in good condition.clothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dendy henry, market gardeners, baptism, dressmakers, craft work, maggs nance

In the 1820s perforated cardboard first became available. Then, with the invention of the printing press, designs such as sentimental or religious mottos were pre-printed on the card and a Victorian craze began as it provided a simpler and cheaper method of embroidering for the masses compared to the previously far more expensive linen embroidery. Over the following decades embroidering of punched-card grew enormously in popularity and a variety of articles from Christmas decorations to birthday cards, and in this case a Neele case to celebrate Queen Victoria's golden Jubilee in 1887. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Small cream coloured Punched-Cardboard needle case,with red satin lining and red cross-stitch decoration. The case contains four paper packets each containing sewing needles of a different gauge. Each packet of needles is 3 1/2 cms long and 1 cm wide. The size of the needles In red cot tonCross stitch on one side of the card needle case the word "NEEDLES" is embroidered, and on the other side the word "JUBILEE". Inside the needle case is four packets of different sized needles, by Wm Mattins1887, queen victorias golden jubilee, victorian punched card work, hand embroidery, different packets, different gauge sharp needles, wm shrimpton and sons, william mattins, abel morrals, copestakes, cross stitch

This small child's dress with insertion and crochet work was worn in 1920- 30 by a child of an early settlers family of MoorabbinEarly settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA girl's white cotton blouse, with large collar, hand-crochet work and insertion at waistline clothing, moorabbin, dressmaking, cheltenham, market gardners, craftwork, early settlerse

Pioneers migrating to Moorabbin Shire brought items they thought would assist them in the new Country. They had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils while establishing their market gardens and farms. A wooden wool winder, with extending arms for winding hanks of wool into balls prior to knitting. For ease of use the winder also rotates. Circa 1860s this winder was made in Ireland.The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items used to exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these families. Phillip Jones migrated from Ireland c1852 and his son, James Jones 1857 – 1940 was born in East Brighton , married Mary Ann Moore and raised his family in Bentleigh, as the area became known. A wooden wool winder, with extending arms for winding hanks of wool into balls prior to knitting. For ease of use the winder also rotates. Circa 1860s this winder was made in Ireland.brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, bentleigh, market gardeners, wool, craft work, early settlers, knitting, craft equipment, jones mary ann, jones james, jones phillip, herron john

This ankle length black dress with pleated skirt , buttoned bodice, self belt and long sleeves is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the families of the pioneer settlers and market gardeners of the Moorabbin Shire c1910The Blackburn family were early settlers in Moorabbin Shire. The pioneer settlers and market gardeners of Moorabbin Shire had to be self reliant and made their own clothing and utensils. This is one of many items that exhibit the skill and craftsmanship of the women in these familiesA lady’s ankle length, black dress with a pleated skirt, buttoned bodice, a self belt and long sleevesclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, dendy henry, market gardeners, craft work, blackburn nance

Early settler women used their dressmaking and craft skills to make clothing and homewares for their homes and familiesA pair of white cotton pillowslips with pin-tucking and broderie frillclothing, brighton, moorabbin, linen, pioneers, haberdashery, dendy henry, market gardeners, dressmakers, craft work, risstrom lorna