The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This particular skirt, by one-time Kew resident Prie Acton, was sourced by Margaret Robinson. A-line suede leather midi-length skirt featuring "bull's eye" and zig-zag appliques at hemline. Skirt is black coloured.Label inside back waistband: Prue Acton / AUSTRALIA women's clothing, australian fashion, prue acton, skirts, costumes, 1970s fashion, melbourne fashion designers, margaret robinson

One of five group and individual portraits of the Noble family of Kew, two in the rear garden of what is presumed to be ‘Charnwood’, in Station Street, Coburg. The photographs date from the period c.1890-1914. One of the larger framed photographs is a portrait of the entire family group, while another is of two of the children, Frederick and Winifred. The father, Frederick William Noble was a businessman, and, at one period Secretary of the Victorian Creamery & Butter Company in South Melbourne. Later he was to manage J. Bartram & Co., Ice & Cold Storage Department in Flinders Lane. By 1906, the Noble family had moved to Kew, living for almost 20 years at 100 Walpole Street before relocating to 26 Molesworth Street in the mid 1920s. The five photographs in the collection reveal details of family life and social values as expressed through attire. The family is formally costumed in a manner indicative of their social status. Mrs Noble, in one of the large framed portraits, is dressed in a sombre manner in a long, dark-coloured long-sleeved, high-necked gown. It is difficult to know whether she is dressed in mourning wear in this black and white photograph. It was not uncommon for a woman to regularly wear mourning attire due to the high mortality rate in the Victorian era. This situation was compounded for women due to the size of extended families. A woman might rarely be out of mourning due to the death of a parent, a sibling, a husband, a child or a near relative. The portraits of the Noble family children, particularly Frederick and Winifred, show the elaborateness of formal attire worn by the children of wealthy families during the late Victorian era. Winifred is dressed in a long cotton dress and a broad-rimmed hat; both liberally covered in lace. Winifred and Frederick’s lace collars extend to their shoulders. Winifred’s diaries, covering the period 1908-50, are now in the collection of the State Library of Victoria. The most detailed of the diaries is from 1914, just before the outbreak of World War 1, and includes ‘Accounts of my Dancing Evenings - Season 1914’. The diaries were the inspiration for an art exhibition by Jim Pavlidis in 2014. One of the family’s two sons, Frederick, was to work at The Age newspaper for 50 years. His obituary records that “He was regarded as the epitome of accuracy and a fount of knowledge on many subjects, but especially cricket, the Royal Melbourne Show and Gilbert & Sullivan”. With Robert Morgan he compiled Speed the Plough, a history of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and its role in developing agriculture in Victoria.Framed portrait of Frederick Noble"Frederick Noble". The name "PRENTICE" is handwritten below the label.noble family, frederick noble

The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. While most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women, there are a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.Broad-rimmed soft, black polyester velvet woman’s hat designed by Caterina Lucci and imported to Australia by Crochetta.Label: Caterina Lucci [A Crochetta import]. Made in Chinawomen's clothing -- hats, headwear, caterina lucci

The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. Most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women. There are however a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.Faux wool woman’s hat made of 'polyacryl' and 'thermoplastisch' in shades of blue and yellow. While the hat is based on the shape of a fedora the design is softened by the varying shades of colour in the weave.Label: 70% Polyacryl 30% Thermoplastisch, Made in Italywomen's clothing -- hats, fedoras

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.One of only two fragments of the painted domed ceiling of the ballroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This triangular piece of the fresco is of a cherub's face.Label: 'This is from the "Southesk" ballroom 14-7-70'ordsall, southesk, cullis hill & co.

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.One of only two fragments of the painted domed ceiling of the ballroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This roughly square piece of the plasterwork shows a woman's head. Given the size of the face, it is believed that this section of the fresco represents one of the four 'geographic depictions of the earth including the seasons, night and morning'.Label: 'This is from the Southesk Ballroom 14-7-70'cullis hill & co., fresco, ordsall, southesk

This hat belonged to Mrs Moyra Rasmussen, who lived at 389 St Kilda Street, Brighton for over 50 years with her husband Rae Rasmussen, a bank manager with the State Bank of Victoria. The Mooney sisters, Nell and Ida, were situated beside the Regent Theatre in Collins Street, Melbourne and were well respected milliners and dressmakers. The hat's style is typical of the 1960s. Woven turquoise silk taffeta turban style ladies hat with half bow, circa 1960s. White mesh interior with teal grosgrain binding, thin black elastic band.Label, woven black on white: MISSES MOONEY / OF MELBOURNEhat, turban, rae rasmussen, brighton, misses mooney, millinery, melbourne designers, moyra rasmussen

Cap badges worn on naval umiforms by Captain William Robertson. Captain of the s.s.Casino2 hat badges decorated with laurel leaves, anchor and chain red velvet crownThe number 65 on stick-on label at back of B(2)local history, hat accessories, s.s.casino, captain william robertson, port fairy naval reserves, boxer rebellion, costume accessories

South Beach Development Coloured photograph of Drainage works with pipes at the left and large machine 410/F (sticky label now removed 2021)south beach, development, earth works, equipment, digger

A girl's white cotton dress. The collar has floral embroidery, puffed elasticised sleeves, a pleated front with three plastic buttons and floral embroidery. it has a flared skirt with pleating around the hemline.Label - "Colonial Recollections. 100 % cotton. Made in India".dresses, girls clothing

This item is part of the Dodgson Collection, which was bequeathed to Queen's College in 1892 by the Rev. James Dodgson. The collection was created by Aquila Dodgson, brother of James. Aquila Dodgson was a friend of the English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, and it was through this friendship the Aquila was able to acquire ancient Egyptian artefacts. A detailed study of the collection was made by Christine Elias "Discovering Egypt: Egyptian Antiquities at the University of Melbourne", M.A. thesis 2010.Two ovals of hieroglyphs with remains of a red/brown paint on face of cone and round edge. Small paper label inscribed with 'A6' attached to cone.funerary cone, james dodgson, aquila dodgson, flinders petrie

This item is part of the Dodgson Collection, which was bequeathed to Queen's College in 1892 by the Rev. James Dodgson. The collection was created by Aquila Dodgson, brother of James. Aquila Dodgson was a friend of the English Egyptologist Flinders Petrie, and it was through this friendship the Aquila was able to acquire ancient Egyptian artefacts. A detailed study of the collection was made by Christine Elias "Discovering Egypt: Egyptian Antiquities at the University of Melbourne", M.A. thesis 2010.Three columns of hieroglyphs and remains of a red/brown paint on the face of the cone and on body, end broken off. Small paper label inscribed with 'A6' attached to cone.funerary cone, james dodgson, aquila dodgson, flinders petrie

The large cedar desk was formerly used by the head light keeper at Point Hicks. It was made in the nineteenth century, probably by the Victorian Public Works Department (PWD) as an item of standard issue for use in government offices. The PWD operated in Victoria from 1855 to 1987 and was responsible for the design of Victoria’s major public buildings and other infrastructure including the supply of stores, furniture and equipment.The desk has turned legs, leather top and two drawers each with a pair of wooden knob hand pulls and is identical to the large desk remaining at Cape Nelson. A smaller version is at Cape Schanck, and another desk formerly at Cape Schanck is not able to be located. Gabo Island has a small cedar desk or table in the same style. Two sides of the Cape Schanck desk are stamped with the crown motif and monogram of the PWD but it is not known if the Point Hicks desk and the other nineteenth century examples are stamped with these details. There are also c.mid-twentieth century desks remaining in the collections at Wilsons Promontory and Gabo Island. officeThe Point Hicks desk has first level contributory significance for its historic values as government issued furnishing that is original to lightstation’s head keeper’s. Early, large two drawer cedar desk. Each drawer has two wooden handles. Leather insert on top of desk is worn. Commonwealth of Australia, Dept of Transport stamp with stock number on side of desk.On label on side, "C. of A. / D. O. T. / 143581"

Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. was a North American jewellery company that was established in 1949 by the Stuart family as part of Emmons Jewelry, Inc. It began operations in England and Australia in 1968, and in Australia it moved from Carlton in Melbourne to Wodonga in 1969. The premises were originally on High St. in Wodonga, but a new warehouse was built in Melbourne Rd. later in 1969. It was a direct selling jewellery business using a party-plan model similar to Tupperware and Avon. The sales reps or 'Hostesses' were provided with jewellery samples in demonstration kits, which they displayed at jewellery parties in their homes. The designs for jewellery such as brooches, necklaces, earrings, chokers and bracelets were purchased from freelance designers and jewellery manufacturers rather than in-house designers. In 1979 Sarah Coventry Pty. Ltd. in Wodonga was bought by three Australian businessmen, including Wodonga local Jim Sawyer, and continued to sell jewellery under the name "Sargem Pty. Ltd”, for several more years in the 1980s. As part of the Sarah Coventry collection, the earrings have local significance with the decentralised commercial development of regional centres such as Wodonga in NE Victoria, as well as national and international significance from the perspective of social and economic developments for women after World War II. The direct selling party-plan business model Sarah Coventry was based on is also considered the first of its kind for jewellery.Pair of gold toned metal clip-on earrings with rectangular brown glass settings. "MADE IN U.S.A." - on a label attached to the back of one of the earrings.sarah coventry, jewellery, wodonga, costume jewellery, vintage fashion jewellery, earrings

Heavy Australian Army trench coat with silver buttonsTempalton (?) 3/643(?) on label.1957 Size 7

A Legacy widow, Beryl Billing, with three mail bags and a lot of loose letters. Beryl Billing was the co-ordinator of the stamp sorting for many years and wrote progress reports in the Answer in the 1990s. Photo reference 910319 on the proof sheet (00851) is assumed to mean the date was 19 March 1991. The widows clubs have sorted used stamps and sold to a stamp dealer for many years to the present day. It raises some funds and provides a purpose for gathering together. Later information found shows that Mrs Billings is the wife of a legatee and not a Legacy Widow. She started the stamp group in February 1981 and by 2006 the stamp sales had raised $206,698.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows. Colour photo x 2 of Beryl Billing with post bags of letters.Label on the back from Keesing Photographic. Handwritten '910319B'widows, fundraising, stamps, beryl billing

A Legacy widow, Beryl Billing, with a group of widows all sorting stamps and trimming stamps from envelopes. Beryl Billing was the co-ordinator of the stamp sorting for many years and wrote progress reports in the Answer in the 1990s. Photo reference 910319 on the proof sheet (00851) is assumed to mean the date was 19 March 1991. The widows clubs have sorted used stamps and sold to a stamp dealer for many years to the present day. It raises some funds and provides a purpose for gathering together. A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows and for fundraising. Colour photo x 2 of Beryl Billing and a group of widows sorting stampsLabel on the back from Keesing Photographic. Handwritten '910319B'widows, fundraising, stamps, beryl billing

The black tin helmet case is an object owned by Major-General Gellibrand who motivated Legatee Stan Savige to found Legacy. Major-General Sir John Gellibrand KCB, DSO and Bar, D. de G(Fr), DSM (US), was born in Tasmania in 1874. After schooling in England and Germany he entered then Royal Military College, Sandhurst, taking the Sword of Honour in 1893. Commissioned into the South Lancashire Regiment, he saw service in the Boer War, 1900. This case which would carry a service cap, a dress cap and a pith helmet dates from that period. Moving to the Manchester Regiment in 1902, Captain Gellibrand then attended Staff College, Camberley 1906-7 and was posted DAA and QMG Ceylon. In 1912 he retired and returned to Tasmania. He joined the AIF as a Captain in 1914, served in 24th Battalion and commanded 6th Brigade and then 3rd Division. He motivated his erstwhile Staff Captain Stan Savige to get together the Melbourne men who founded Legacy in 1923. This Hat Box was generously donated by Mr W C Steele of Wangaratta. Former Captain AIF. Melbourne Legacy keeps the case on display in the main reception foyer.The helmet case being on prominent display at Melbourne Legacy shows the respect Legacy holds for Major-General Gellibrand.Black tin case that contained Major-General Gellibrand's Cap and Helmet. Has two compartments separated by a flap that can lift.Typed label in plastic sleeve attached by green twine.helmet, case, john gellibrand

Photos of an 'At Home' event at Legacy house on 19 March 1992. A special guest was Ben Thomas a boy who had done a lot of fundraising for Legacy. He is shown with President John Sullivan. Also present was Sir Edward Weary Dunlop who was a frequent visitor to Legacy.A record of a function recognising the help of a young boy with fundraising and promotion.Photo x 10 of a gathering at Legacy house in 1992.Paper label says 'At Home 1992 March 19th'fundraising, ben thomas, john sullivan, dunlop

Items in the collection re Jack Swatton, refer Cat No 6719.2P for his service details.1. Khaki cotton safari jacket. Has four pockets, four brown bakelite buttons, shoulders have two badges each: - Red curved cloth badge with words "Northern Victorian Regiment". The other badge is square red cotton with Rising Sun, crossed swords and roman numerals III. 2. Hat - Khaki fur felt. No badge.1. Written on label is "3/92404 - Swatton C.J".post ww2, 38th bn, passchendaele barracks trust

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.Boroondara Library Service green woollen long sleeve jumper with the logo of the City embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.Logo: "Boroondara City of Harmony" / Manufacturer's label: "Castle".library uniforms, jumpers, clothing, boroondara library service

Document produced by the Transit Research Corporation of New York, details the specifications for the Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) for a streetcar or tram for American cities. The MMTB researched this type of tramcar for use in Melbourne, taking out a licence for their production. This document dated 1/4/1947 with revision to 1/6/1950 would have been part of the licence agreement. Unfortunately, there were insufficient funds to build this type of tramcar. Only tram 980 which was based on a modified W6 class body was fitted with PCC equipment, later transferred to prototype PCC tram 101. See reference.Yields information about the technical specification for US PCC tramcars.Document - bound with card covers, approx 300 printed pages including folded drawings held by an Arnos type steel binding clip,On the spine with a green/white label "Specifications for PCC Car"tramways, tramcars, pcc, new trams, tramcar specifications

Jacket used on Fox FM radio tram, A class 237 during 1992 - see item 2798 for associated documents. Only 9 produced.Demonstrates a jacket produced by Fox FM for their "Black Thunder" Tram advertising the radio station during 1992.Medium size jacket, leather and swede, polyester lining, press studs with embroidered FOX on front and back.Markings on jacket "Dory's" size labels, "Made in Australia"fox fm, tram 237, a class, uniforms