Two story weatherboard Shamrock Hotel in 1905 corner of Seaby Street and Longfield Streets Stawell West. Standing in Front from left are Mary Jenkins and Agnes Jenkins. Note street light.Large two Story Hotel with verandah and railings. Two women man and young girl standing at front. Light pole prominent centre left of photo.Shamrock Hotelstawell business

Four photos of owners of Shamrock Hotel corner of Seaby Street and Longfield Streets Stawell West. Clockwise from top left Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. William John Jenkins. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan on left Four Photos of people. Woman, man, two ladies and older lady Owners of Shamrock Hotel stawell business

Main Street Procession East End Circa 1901. Stawell Brass Band plus Constable on Horseback visible. J Chadwick Importer of General Drapery with Boys Clothing on sign on left. Millinery on side of verandah. Commercial Hotel just visible on left. Sloane's & Scotchmans Poppet head Visible in background on right. Poppet Head in background on Big Hill on left is Crown Cross shaft.Croud of people lead by band in upper main street. Chadwick drapers on left. Mounted policeman on horseback in front of Commercial Hotel.stawell businesses streetscape

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The fountain is located on the southern side of the ornamental lake and was erected to celebrate the jubilee of the municipality (17 March 1906). Controversy surrounded the commission for the design and construction of the fountain, as it was originally assigned to a contractor in Carlton. Williamstown residents insisted the fountain be designed and constructed locally, and on December 1906 the fountain was tendered by local firm Bliss and Sons and opened for public use in 1906. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of fur granite columns supporting a granite canopy and is fully operational following restoration work in 2013. The idea for the fountain came from an elderly resident of Williamstown who suggested the council follow the example of Ballarat’s gardens with its many statues and monuments. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The significance of the fountain is its reflection of how Williamstown people felt for their Gardens and the importance placed on investing in locally operated business. It was noted in the Brief Jottings column of the Williamstown Chronicle, February 24 1906, the fountain is a “We favor the erection of the jubilee fountain in the Giffard-street (Williamstown Botanic) Gardens. Ornaments of that kind there will make that beauty spot even more attractive.” Sepia scene of a fountain situated on paths bordered with rocks. The fountain in on a plinth and the postcard shows the plaque and two of the four drinking stations. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of four granite columns supporting a granite canopy. Front: VALENTINE’S, M.355 THE FOUNTAIN, WILLIAMSTOWN GARDENS MELBOURNE, VICTORIA. REAL PHOTO. Reverse: vertical on left side of card and underlined: ‘Published by the Valentine & Sons Publishing Co. Ltd. / Queen St, Melb’. Top centre of card: Contains logo of ‘VALENTINES / REAL PHOTO SERIES’. The postcard is addressed to ‘Dear Agnes’ from ‘Una’. Marked in pencil on to right hand corner ‘1920 / $8’ believed to be put on the postcard by the vendor. postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, 1920, granite, bliss-and-sons, 1906

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The fountain is located on the southern side of the ornamental lake and was erected to celebrate the jubilee of the municipality (17 March 1906). Controversy surrounded the commission for the design and construction of the fountain, as it was originally assigned to a contractor in Carlton. Williamstown residents insisted the fountain be designed and constructed locally, and on December 1906 the fountain was tendered by local firm Bliss and Sons and opened for public use in 1906. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of fur granite columns supporting a granite canopy and is fully operational following restoration work in 2013. The idea for the fountain came from an elderly resident of Williamstown who suggested the council follow the example of Ballarat’s gardens with its many statues and monuments. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The significance of the fountain is its reflection of how Williamstown people felt for their Gardens and the importance placed on investing in locally operated business. It was noted in the Brief Jottings column of the Williamstown Chronicle, February 24 1906, the fountain is a “We favor the erection of the jubilee fountain in the Giffard-street (Williamstown Botanic) Gardens. Ornaments of that kind there will make that beauty spot even more attractive.” Sepia scene of a fountain situated on paths bordered with rocks. The fountain in on a plinth with a plaque. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of four granite columns supporting a granite canopy. High stumps of trees are just behind the fountain with larger trees in the background to the right and left of the image.Postcard, Gardens, Post-Card, Williamstown-Botanic-Gardens, Hobsons-Bay-City-Council, Jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, granite, Bliss-and-Sons, Madeleypostcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, granite, bliss-and-sons, madeley

Author: Alan Judge Holt amassed a significant collection of historical material related to the Surrey Hills area. Born in Moonee Ponds in 1912 to Edmund Holt and Ellen Ruby Sutton, he married Edna Jean Pallot in 1937. They lived at 62 Broughton Road, Surrey hills, had 3 sons and were strongly associated with the Surrey Hills Methodist Church. Alan was Secretary of the Victorian Lands Department and in his spare time recorded the occupancy of every property in Surrey Hills and Mont Albert at the beginning of each decade from 1890 to 1980. His collection of files and individual cards covers people, places, churches, clubs, businesses and other organisations in the area. Alan used this information to give talks and tours of the area and gifted his material to the local history collection through Jocelyn Hall.Unpublished manuscript / notes written by Alan Holt about settlers in and around Surrey Hills bound in-house. It is supported by maps showing landowners over various years from about 1840-1885(mr) henry jamieson, (mr) ken hall, (ms) edna holt, (mr) frank bamford, (mr) harrison buchanan, scouts, grange hill, wattle park, round hill, bona vista, mount albert, barton street, (mr) john raeburn, (mr) edmund holt, (mr) james dunn, butter merchant, mont albert road, elgar road, view hill, new street, surry mont, delany's hill, reservoir hill, riversdale road, middlesex road, surrey hills, (mr) aldo massora, aborigines, damper creek, back creek, west creek, kooyongkoot creek, (mr) john gardiner, (mr) chas mullins, (mr) henry elgar, (mr) robert campbell, (mr) alexander dyce, (mr) robert brooks, t budds payne, (mr) hugh glass, (mr) patrick trainer, w virtue, (mr) t fulton, (mr) john crimp, (mr) w dempsey, (mr) w e stanbridge, (mr) james atkinson, j porter, j collings, w edde, (mr) orlando fenwick, (dr)(mr) l l smith, (mr) j h knipe, (mr) george cockcroft, (sr) (mr) john martin kleinert, w morton, d delaney, a moeller, (mr) william smith, (mr) e.p.s.sturt, (mr) thomas blood, (mr) patrick mornane, (mr) henry de carle, w craig, j hill, w oliver, j keogh, a laing, vineyards, toll gates, (mr) david staig, (mr) phillip kleeper, (mr) goyder usher, (mr) james lawler, (mr) w.e. stanbridge, (mr) gideon rutherford, c a f mater, j gadsby, w h wrixon, e h lamont, i ainger, (mr) james henty, (mr) henry henty, w freemantle, w palmer, beckett park, maranoa gardens

In 1930 Miss Anne Cook opened Anne’s Pantry, a home-made cakeshop at 165 Union Road, but later moved to 135 Union Road. The business of the same name is currently (2018) located at 139 Union Road. Miss Cook used to catch the first train up from Auburn and usually worked into the evening. Eventually the long hours took their toll and she had to sell. Miss E Porteous, her assistant, pictured in this photo, remained for many years with later owners. She recalled: “On the first day we opened at 10 a.m., the people surged in and within half an hour there wasn’t a cake left.” A black and white photograph of a shop interior. There are a number of large jars full of biscuits sitting on the counter. Large tins and boxes are on the shelf to the left hand side. A wicker chair is beside the counter, and part of a table and chair is on the far left hand side. A lady with glasses is standing behind the counter.Original: Top LH corner: Just in case / you forget / Anne's Pantry / 1947 Top Middle: PS/ How could we forget / love Mumunion road, businesses, surrey hills, cake shop, pastry shop, shopkeepers, 1930, 1947, anne's pantry, e. porteous (miss), anne cook (miss)

"Braemar" at 18 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills - built c1894, demolished in1977 – and home of James Sneddon Snr. and family from 1890 until c1950. We believe it is James is at the gate and his family on the veranda. James was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire Scotland in 1833, as was his wife Jane. He died in March 1901 and she in March 1911. They are buried in Boroondara Cemetery (Pres B0522) with their daughter Jane (1864-1928). James Sneddon (Snr) was an important man in early Surrey Hills. He established real estate and ironmongery businesses in Union Road – first on the corner of Stirling Crescent and later over the road on the corner of Windsor Crescent. He was chairman of Surrey Hills’ MUIOOF (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows). James Sneddon Jnr. followed his father in the family real estate business and was an even busier community man. He was a JP and had roles in the Surrey Hills ANA, the Progress Association and the Choral Society. He lived 2 doors from his father. The real estate business continued on the corner of Windsor Crescent and Union Road (north side) until the business was sold to the Doubleday (family) after WW2.The Sneddon family were early settlers and business owners in Surrey Hills and remained over 3 generations. Different family members held many roles in community organisations. This photo is also important in documenting built heritage that has been demolished.Image of a Victorian, weatherboard, block fronted, single storey house with decorative veranda, viewed from the front. The garden in front of the house is well established and a light-coloured picket fence surrounds the property. Four people are in the photograph, three women (two seated and one standing) on the veranda and one male, who is leaning against the gate post.buildings, structures and establishments, houses, timber houses, house names, braemar, architectural styles, victorian style, families, family group, sneddon family, james sneddon (snr), boroondara cemetery, real estate agent, ironmonger

Ref: Mr & Mrs J Davies, Greensborough - Alfred Davies took over this store in 1904. He lived with his wife, Lucretia and 5 children above the store. His son Cyril recalled sleeping on the corner balcony on hot nights. Alfred Davies was a strong Temperance man and gave up the store when clients pressured him to collect their beer from the hotel opposite and deliver it with their grocery orders. The pharmacy moved across the road to this corner in 1936 when acquired by Dartnells. The corner shop in Woodheads building was a store and other businesses over the years. The "Druggist" on right, in Hansen's Exchange building, was established in 1889. From 1910 Percy Cathcart conducted the pharmacy there until 1936 when he was joined by Vic Dartnell, his cousin. In 1940, Vic transferred the business to Woodheads corner. His son John followed as a pharmacist until his daughter Amanda became the pharmacist. After the Dartnell family sold the business, the pharmacy continued in a similar manner as a compounding pharmacy and retained 'Dartnell' in its name.This documents the importance given to celebration of the British Empire in the Surrey Hills area in the first half of the 20th century. It also documents the earliest centre of business activity in the area with 2 major sets of dual occupancy residential and retail terraces - the Woodhead buildings and Hansen's Exchange, the later set of terraces having been demolished c1971.Sepia photo of the corner of Canterbury and Union Roads in 1906 or 1909 festooned with flags and lanterns for Empire Day celebrations. On the SE corner is Alfred Davies grocery store with advertising signs for Rosella jams and Southern Seas soap. There are people standing on a balcony above the Rosella advertising sign. Other adults and children stand in the street and there is a cab outside the draper's further east in Canterbury Road. On the opposite corner to Alfred Davies is a druggist and on the north-west corner is McNeil's Family Hotel.mcneil's family hotel, empire day, festivals and celebrations, grocers, pharmacists, alfred davies, businesses, woodhead's buildings, john woodhead, percy cathcart, hansen's exchange, hansen's folly

Thomas Carlyle Lothian (1880-1974) was born on 7 May 1880 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, eldest child of John Inglis Lothian, bookkeeper, and his wife Lillias Charlotte, née Smith. The family arrived in Melbourne in July 1888, John having come to represent the publishing firm of Walter Scott. His father started his own company in c1890. Thomas joined the business in c1897. In 1911 he established the Standard Publishing Co. Pty Ltd to sell the publications of the Caxton Press direct to the public. In 1912 he married Effie Marian Vines, who had worked for several years in his father's office. His father retired the same year and Thomas formed the company of Thomas C. Lothian Pty Ltd to carry on representing numerous well-known British and American publishers. However, he also published in his own right as the Lothian Book Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. In time he handed over his businesses to his two younger sons. His wife Effie pre-deceased him; he died at ‘St Abs’ on 19 April 1974. People in the photo are identified as: Left: daughter Lilian and centre front daughter Jean Back: Son Noel who studied horticulture and became Director of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens for 30 years; son John who managed the Standard Publishing Co. and sons John and Louis who became directors of the publishing firm. Grandson Peter, son of John became a later director.A black and white photograph of a group of 7 people in the garden of a house with veranda with fretwork and balustrade. It appears to be of timber construction. The two older people in front are seated; 4 younger people, a young woman and 3 boys, stand behind them and a young girl stands between them.(mr) thomas lothian, (mr) john lothian, (miss) lilian lothian, (miss) jean lothian, (mr) louis lothian, (mr) peter lothian, st abbs, house names, york street, surrey hills, lothian book publishing

"The bonfire at Beckett Park was the culmination of the EMPIRE DAY/CELEBRATIONS in Surrey Hills in 1935 and 1936. In 1937 vandals lit the fire prematurely but residents hastily rebuilt it - about / 100 tons including old tyres. A volunteer fire-watcher had his caravan close by until lights-up time on Saturday night. / Courtesy Ian Barkla. / see 180 (handwritten on backing board)." / "BONFIRE BUILDING at BECKETT PARK/EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN 1930s/ The celebrations were centred on the/ shopping centres in Surrey Hills and/Mont Albert to boost local business (and/ the spirits of residents) after the Depression./ - from a glass negative - Mr Ian Barkla."Image depicting the building of a large bonfire made primarily from rubber tyres, supported by a wooden frame c1937/8. There is a significant crowd of people watching the erection of the pyre from ground level. Several members of the crowd are seated or holding bicycles. There are multiple persons situated on the pyre or on a ladder propped up against the mound of tyres. The area containing the pyre has been fenced off with rope (?). A white coloured caravan in situated to the right (facing) of the bonfire in close proximity to a dark coloured car. Two stone towers and a park bench are also visible in the image.Black and white, W 25.3 cm x H 20.3 cm, landscapeparks and reserves, beckett park, balwyn, bicycles, crowds, empire day, depression 1929-1939, economic depression, frank leslie barkla, bonfires

This books showcases about fifty people who have survived for a minimum of thirty years in their business. Each has a photo attached. Of particular interest to Surrey Hills is the shop owner on pages 38 and 39, that of Henry Jamieson with the Knowles Radio shop in Union Road, Surrey Hills.This books showcases about fifty people who have survived for a minimum of thirty years in their business. Each has a photo attached. Of particular interest to Surrey Hills is the shop owner on pages 38 and 39, that of Henry Jamieson with the Knowles Radio shop in Union Road, Surrey Hills.retail trade - victoria, stores, environmental portraits, (mr) henry jamieson, knowles radio, (mr) adrian knowles, union road, surrey hills

Author: Alan Judge Holt amassed a significant collection of historical material related to the Surrey Hills area. Born in Moonee Ponds in 1912 to Edmund Holt and Ellen Ruby Sutton, he married Edna Jean Pallot in 1937. They lived at 62 Broughton Road, Surrey hills, had 3 sons and were strongly associated with the Surrey Hills Methodist Church. Alan was Secretary of the Victorian Lands Department and in his spare time recorded the occupancy of every property in Surrey Hills and Mont Albert at the beginning of each decade from 1890 to 1980. His collection of files and individual cards covers people, places, churches, clubs, businesses and other organisations in the area. Alan used this information to give talks and tours of the area and gifted his material to the local history collection through Jocelyn Hall.A spiral bound manuscript which includes a physical description of Wattle Park as well as covering aboriginal occupation, pastoral and timber cutting, the original purchasers and locations of neighbouring farms.back creek, wattle park, delany's paddock, cleary's paddock, blood's paddock, conran's paddock, udimore lodge, (mr) george thomas usher, (mr) orlando fenwick, phoenix grange, (mr) john filson, (mr) denis delany, (mr) john crimp, (mr) james atkinson, (mr) john lawler, (mr) henry de carle, (mr) walter craig, (mr) daniel dunn, (mr) frederick goyder, (mrs) eliza welch, metropolitan tramways, d h dureau, (mr) robert beckett, (mr) alexander gerald proudfoot, (mr) james conran, (mr) thomas blood, (mr) william smith, payne and glass

This bed jacket was crocheted for Carmela Materia (1931-2018) by her mother, Giuseppa Auditore, around the time they emigrated from Italy to Melbourne. Both women were longtime Brighton locals, residing in the area from the 1950s until their deaths. Carmela Auditore was the first woman from her home village of Scaletta, Italy to emigrate to Australia. Setting sail alone in 1950 at the age of 19, she joined her brother John and uncle Frank in McCallum St, Brighton. Frank had arrived some years earlier and had spent the duration of the First World War in an internment camp. John worked at the Brighton Case Company, a box manufacturer on Nepean Highway, and paid for her passage. Carmela found a job sewing children's clothing at Drummonds, a small factory in Church St. Working eight hours a day, five days per week, netted her a weekly wage of three pounds. To earn a little extra, she washed dishes at a St Kilda Road restaurant for ten shillings a shift. Her parents, Salvatore and Giuseppa Auditore, joined her in Brighton in 1952. They rented a house behind an antique shop in Bay Street. Salvatore had been a fisherman in Scaletta, but quickly adapted to the job he found helping around the Garage at Brighton Motors in Male Street. On 14 February 1953, Carmela married her sweetheart, Salvatore Materia, at St James Catholic Church in Gardenvale. Salvatore had been living with his aunt in Well Street and worked on the wharves. Both Carmela and Salvatore were hard workers. They owned a fruit shop in Church Street where Woolworths now stands, and years later Carmela recalled the familiar 6am tap on her window each morning when her husband returned from the market. On dark winter mornings, she felt as if her hands would freeze as she helped Salvatore unload cold cabbages and cauliflowers from his truck. They later owned a shop in Ludstone Street in Hampton. After Salvatore died suddenly at the age of 48, Carmela returned to sewing, working at the Willow Fashions knitting mill in Gardenvale. She later went into partnership with her sister and brother-in-law, this time in the delicatessen business. Her parents, Giuseppa and Salvatore, spent the rest of their days with Brighton. Carmela recalled her father cheerfully walking the streets, greeting people by name. He knew everybody. He loved being in Australia and enjoyed life to the last, insisting on having bread and wine on the table at every meal.Cream crocheted wool bed jacket. Loose around bust with wide sleeves and open sides. Fastens at collar with thin braided ties, and at waist with two pearlescent plastic buttons.bed jacket, migration, 1950s, carmela auditore, carmela materia, giuseppa auditore

This dress was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length blue jersey evening dress with round neckline and long sleeves. Cuffs edged with blue-grey ostrich feathers. Zip at back.Label: "Van Roth / REGD". Labels on side of inner zip: "100% POLYESTER" / SIZE 14 / TO FIT / BUST 90cm / WAIST 70cm / HIP 95cm".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, van roth, melbourne designers, flinders lane, 1970s

This cape was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length bright pink rayon jersey cape with pink ostrich feathers around the collar.pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s

This dress belonged to Brighton local Paula Folks, who wore it to her niece's wedding at St John's, Toorak in 1970. It also bears a second connection to Brighton through the label, Elegance, a Flinders Lane fashion house co-owned by Rudy Brill and Brighton resident Robert Salter. Paula was a longtime manager and owner of Pearl's Boutique, a well-known local fashion boutique established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Cream terylene chiffon dress with all-over daisy appliqués. High band collar with v-shaped scoop at back. Sheer long sleeves with gathered cuffs.Label: "miss Elegance / TERYLENE".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s, flinders lane, melbourne designers, robert salter, rudy brill, miss elegance, elegance

The knitting machine is a recently designed instrument, especially when it is compared with its ancient counterpart, the loom. It enables the creation of many metres of fabric very quickly. A knitting machine is composed of a series of needles which mimic the process of manual knitting. The mechanism engages numerous mechanical elements simultaneously and enables the creation of many metres of fabric very quickly. In addition, a knitting machine can be setup to produce unique bolts of fabric. The density of the fabric may be modified and a knitting machine can produce double-faced effects. A doubled-faced effect creates colour combinations through the introduction of an additional colour to the knitting pattern. This knitting machine is a Coppo brand. It contains over five hundred needles and was produced in the 1960s. It is a representation of the best available in the world at that time. Originating from Italy, it was designed for commercial use. Through both precision and capacity, Italian artisans were seen to be the best in the world of textiles and knitwear. Through emigration, globalisation and the regularly available quantities of wool, Australia came to compete on this stage. The owner of this particular machine migrated from Italy in 1959. When she did, she brought with her a Dubied knitting machine. She later replaced it with this Coppo. When in Australia the owner began work as a piece worker, knitting jumpers and worked for some of the iconic names in the Australian knitting trade including ES Poratt and Alpin Manufacturing. The owner’s role progressed from a piece worker to a wool garment designer and she won many Wool Industry Awards in the 1970s and 1980s. Her high quality of work using and her individual custom designs were spoken about by many of her customers and she had a very large private clientele. She designed and knitted fully fashioned tailored jumpers for people for around 30 years.Knitting table sits on a stand with wide metal legs. Legs contain lettering 'COPPO torino'. Legs are connected via three thin metal poles as well as a metal band and the bed of knitting table at top. The connecting metal band has the lettering 'SUPER - COPTAL' attached. The Knitting table itself contains two beds and a bench at the rear. Attached to the bench is a thin metal structure for the elevation of yarn. It has four crane esk structures above on this metal structure. The bench is covered in a pale grey laminate in the imitation of wood. Attached to the knitting bed is a sliding contraptions containing two handles at the front followed by a complex semi-circle sliding mechanism used to move the knitting mechanism front and back.Left Stand. Lettering: Coppo Torino Right Stand. Lettering: Coppo Torino Centre Stand. Lettering SUPER - COPTALcoppo, knitting machine, design, italy, wool, business, migrants

The building a Vision Resource Centre at Kooyong was made possible through donations made by a large number of people. To honour this commitment, a board was constructed listing those individuals and businesses who had contributed. During the various refurbishments of the Kooyong site, this board was taken down and is no longer retained.Large wooden board with vinyl lettering"The Vision Resource Centre was made possible by the vision and generous support of the Victorian community, including many individuals, Business leaders, Trusts, Blind members, volunteers and staff. The Association for the Blind gratefully acknowledges the financial support of all contributors, including the following major donors and supporters:" thereafter follows a listing of 93 namesassociation for the blind, fundraising

The Epson HX-20 (also known as the HC-20) is generally regarded as the first laptop computer, announced in November 1981, although first sold widely in 1983. Hailed by Business Week magazine as the fourth revolution in personal computing, it is generally considered both the first notebook and handheld computer. The typist could hear the message and check that it was correct. Used by visually impaired people who could not read Braille. Talking typewriter with brown keys in brown plastic case'Keynote" on left hand side.audio equipment, assistive devices

Framed portrait of Bruce Small who was President of the Association for the Blind 1955-1964. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Small stands in his Gold Coast mayoral robes, which consist of a dark blue velvet with ermine trim and a white ruffled shirt.. He wears a mayoral chain of office around his neck and glasses, with his hands clasped in front of him. Sir Bruce Small joined the Vision Australia’s General committee in 1944 and became President of the organisation in 1955. He developed an efficient team with Sir Hubert Opperman (for many years the world’s number one cyclist), whom he brought in as Vice President and Mr. Pat Lightfoot, himself president for many years. Sir Bruce had to leave school at an early age after the death of his father in order to support his family. The lessons he learned from this episode in his life created a man of quick wit, with a razor sharp mind and the skills of a gambler - attributes that enabled him to achieve his goal of “aiming for the stars”. This was put into effect when he proposed a plan for 3 new Vision Australia nursing homes in 5 years at Ballarat, Bendigo and Brighton at a cost, which at that time seemed impossible but which was finally achieved between 1957 and 1959, through astute financial management. Sir Bruce also supported the concept of organisational decentralization and made amendments to the constitution, which enabled the associated branches of the Vision Australia (then the Association for the Advancement of the Blind) to form local committees. This was in order to generate local interest in the blind people in the community and engage them in fund raising and running of the nursing homes. Although he resigned in 1964 when he moved to Queensland he still retained an interest in Vision Australia. Sir Bruce had always pushed for a symbol for Vision Australia which would be recognized by the public and serve a useful purpose. This took the form of a beacon which was erected at Brighton, overlooking the sea, having a twofold purpose – a reference point and guiding light for small craft, and symbolically for blind people a guiding light to direct them to a safe harbour. Sir Bruce switched on the guiding light at in 1969 having already donated the cost of $3000. Prior to joining Vision Australia, Sir Bruce had operated the Malvern Star bicycle business in Glenferrie Rd. He promoted and expanded the business making Malvern Star the industry leader in Australia. This was aided by his friendship with Sir Hubert Oppermen, who promoted Malvern Star bikes through his role as world’s number one cyclist. In 1967 he became Mayor of the Gold Coast and, in 1972 he was elected to the Queensland Parliament representing the seat of Surfers Paradise. 1 art original in gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Bruce Small / President 1955 - 1964 / Association for the Blind'.association for the blind, bruce small

Framed portrait of Malcolm Daubney who was President of Vision Australia Foundation 1999-2002. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB/VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Daubney wears a navy suit, pale blue shirt and navy blue Kiwi tie. Mr Malcolm Daubney has worked closely with blind and vision impaired people for many years. In the 1980s Mr Daubney was “volunteered” by John Wicking to the Vision Australia’s Kooyong Committee. Shortly after his appointment he was posted to Singapore for business, where he served on the committee of the Singapore Association for the Blind for five years. Upon his return he rejoined the Kooyong Branch Committee. Later he was appointed to the Vision Australia Board of which he was President from 1999 to 2002, and then Chief Executive Officer from 2002-2005.1 art original in old gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr Malcolm Daubney / President 1999-2002 / Vision Australia Foundation'.vision australia, malcolm daubney