This photograph was taken of the debutantes and their partners presented at the annual debutante ball.This photograph is significant for its links to the Chinese Young League. The League was formally established on 4 October 1932 to to promote free social intercourse and goodwill among its members and their mutual improvement. Membership was open to all persons, with one or both parents or grandparents born in China. Wives of Chinese members were permitted as members with the same privileges. It was a significant social organisation for Chinese-Australians in Melbourne in the mid to late twentieth century.Laminated black and white photographic print (copy print) on card. Front of card, top centre: 'Young Chinese League debutante set 1938'. Front of card, bottom centre. 'Back row: Claude WONG HEE, Jack GOON, Arthur WHEE, Gordon NAM, Gordon LOUEY, Owen YOUNG, Stanley AH MOUY, Harold KONG, Dennis QUON, G TYE DIN, Harold MEW. Next Row: Linda YOUNG, Doris WHEE, Rose YIN, Phyllis POON, Violet TOW, Thelma WING JAN, Kim SHEE, Violet LOUEY, Eunice CHIN, Edna KONG, Betty WHEE, Jean LIM, Norma YOUNG'. Back of card, top right hand corner. Number '1938' has been written in blue pen. Sticker text 'P735 (another version = P587) 93.2.1'.young chinese league, debutante balls, melbourne

CLUNES ANNUAL HOSPITAL BALL HELD IN CLUNES TOWN HALL.GROUP OF PEOPLE ATTENDING CLUNES HOSPITAL BALL IN 1938. IT WAS HELD IN THE TOWNHALL. BALLOONS AND STREAMERS DECORATING THE HALL.A MEMENTO OF THE HOSPITAL BALL CLUNES. 13.9.1938local history, photographs, events and celebrations, hospital, 1938

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. There were no items directly related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue, but Page 16 featured an advertisement for Eastern Roadlines Pty. Ltd. bus services to Falls Creek. The inside back cover also included an advertisement for Fred Griffith's Romney Stud at Toonallock which was the regular venue for the Albury Ski Club Annual Ball.tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. There were no items directly related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue, but Page 12 featured an advertisement for Eastern Roadlines Pty. Ltd. bus services to Falls Creek. The inside back cover also included an advertisement for Fred Griffith's Romney Stud at Toonallock which was the regular venue for the Albury Ski Club Annual Ball.tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. There were no items directly related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue, but Page 2 featured an advertisement for Eastern Roadlines Pty. Ltd. bus services to Falls Creek. The inside back cover also included an advertisement for Fred Griffith's Romney Stud at Toonallock which was the regular venue for the Albury Ski Club Annual Ball.tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

The people were attending the annual Fireman's Ball which was one of the popular events held in Sunbury. Dances and formal balls and other community social events were popular in many towns throughout the country.A black and white photograph of a group of people in fancy dress assembled in a large hall. fireman's ball, sunbury, memorial hall

Donald Clark Collection.Notice for the 12th Annual Tarnagulla Firemen's Ball, held at Tarnagulla Hall on Friday October 24, 1969.fire brigade, tufb

Page from the Australasian Sketcher 1 Sept, 1877 with three sketches showing people in various Old time fancy dress. Details are on the back of the page. Also on the back are two other articles: The Bachelors' Quadrille and The Bachelors' Quadrille Assembly. Also a small advertisement for ball boots and shoes available at Abbotts of Pall Mall and a copy of Bachelors' Quadrille Assembly Sixteenth Annual Ball (Bal Masque) held on Tuesday, 4th September, 1888 at the Town Hall, Sandhurst. T. W. Orr, Hon. Sec.newspaper, argus, news items, peter ellis collection, australasian sketcher 1 sept 1877, fancy dress ball, abbott's lyceum theatre, sandhurst town hall, abbotts, t w orr

This wooden boomerang has been made to promote the Boomerang Club in Warrnambool and to use as a decoration at the Boomerang Club functions. The Warrnambool Boomerang Club was a social club formed in 1934 and it continued until at least 1953. The club had over 200 members enrolled by the late 1930s. The club organized regular activities, including monthly dances, an Annual Ball, Christmas parties, picnics and dinners. Profits from the activities were donated to local charities with over £600 being donated in 1946. This boomerang is of interest as a memento of the Boomerang Club, a social club in Warrnambool in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. This is a wooden boomerang painted brown with white and red lettering on the boomerang face and a white border along the edges. The red paint is fading. There is a small hole at the top for attaching the boomerang to a wall or other object. ‘Boomerang Club.’ history of warrnambool, boomerang club, warrnambool

Annie Mary (Mollie) Sibson was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J Sibson of Milwa Gippsland. Mollie held the position of paid nursing sister at Bendigo Hospital until her marriage in 1933 to Eugene Sandner, although Mollie did continue to hold an unpaid position on the Board of Management of the Hospital for many years afterwards. The annual ball would have been a popular event at which men and women could socialise. Mollie Sandner served as Mayoress of Bendigo from 1978 - 1979 at which time her husband served as Mayor.Printed, bi fold green card with attached green cotton used by Molly Sander to record dance partners at the Hospital Auxiliary Ball. Card is printed in green ink with scalloped edges. Inside lists twenty dances including the Fox Trot, Waltz and Schottische, against which perspective dance partners have placed there initials in pencil. Front: Hospital / Auxiliary / Ball / Town Hall, / June 30th, 1931 / Bendigomollie sibson, eugene and mollie sandner collection, bendigo town hall, city of greater bendigo town hall, bendigo hospital, city of bendigo mayoress

This sash was presented to Miss Flora Lloyd along with a trophy as the winner of the Belle of the Ball at the annual Diggers' Ball held on the 3rd July 1953 in the Sunbury Memorial Hall. She was partnered by Mr. Chris Hall.A pale blue sash with a gold tassel and R.S.L. insignia at one end."Sunbury R.S.L./BELLE of the BALL/Coronation Year Ball 1953"1950s, sunbury, sunbury memorial hall, sunbury r.s.l, lloyd, flora, deverall, dances, sunbury news, george evans collection

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. There were no items specifically related to Falls Creek in this issue. However the back inside cover featured an advertisement for Toonallook Romneys and Shetland and Welsh ponies from the Toonallook, Albury which was the property of Fred Griffith. It was frequently the venue for the annual fundraising ball for the Albury Ski Club. tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

Blck covered exercise book - secretary's record, Bachelor's Quadrille Assembly Secretary's minutes 16 April 1886 to 22 November 1888 Hand written minutes, attendance, accounts, and newspaper cuttings of the Assembly's Masked Balls 1 Quadrille Assembly's secretary's minutes/ accountsexercise book 2 inner cover with newspaper accounts of BQA's 16th annual masked ball 4th Srept 1888 3 BQA's minutes of cttee mtg held 19 March 1886 at the Crown Hotel 4 rear fly leaf with newspaper accounts of the BQA's The Bal Masque held at the Town Hall (undated); and the 15th masked ball 5 attendance of the first night of the first series 30th March 1886 (members, visitors & who sold tickets) ; with newspaper cutting of 15th annual masked ball at the Town Hall imposed over the attendance record

Activites of the Girls Club included organising annual socials and a ball to raise funds for the Hurstbridge Memorial Park in 1923. They were particularly active in the 1920s and 1930s. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, hurstbridge, girls' club, girls societies

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue include:- Cover - Rudi Wurth, winner of the National Slalom and Downhill titles at Kosciusko, 1954. Page 3 - After considerably activity and lobbying, Falls Creek is to have a Comfort Station before the winter season. Page 16 - A detailed and entertaining account of the Albury Ski Club's Annual Woolshed Ball held at Fred Griffith's "Toonallook", NSW."toonallook", facilities at falls creek, albury ski club

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 appointed in 1934 as the Musical Director of the London County Council (the GLC or Greater London Council), where he organized many amazing concerts in most of the 150 parks, in and around the London district. He was also responsible for some of London’s major concerts at Kenwood, the Crystal Palace and Holland Park. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and Conducting and was a Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. Frank was awarded an M.B.E. in 1967. 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.This cream card with blue print folded in half, is both a menu and a programme of music. On the front cover is the coat of arms of the Royal Military School of Music. It is to celebrate the thirty-third annual dinner and ball of the Kneller Hall Club. On the back cover one of the fanfares is "Melba" by Frank Wright.Only printed informationroyal military school of music, frank wright, fanfare melba, kneller hall club

Prior to the election of female Councillors and Mayors in the 1960’s, the Lady Mayoress role was one of the few ways women could be active in civic life. Mayoresses made important contributions to their local communities through their charity work and as ambassadors for their region on a state and at times, national level. Mayoresses were also required to undertake Mayoral duties on occasions when their husband was unavailable. Mayoress Staples was born Harriet Jane Whitford in 1892 and died in 1959. Married to Cr alber Staples, the couple reinstituted the annual Mayoral Ball after an absence of many years. Framed, oval photographic studio portrait. Hand coloured detail.vincent kelly, studio photography, staples, harriet jane whitford, city of bendigo mayoress, city of greater bendigo portraits

Schuss was advertised as Victoria’s Official Ski Journal It was issued monthly from 1935 to 1961 except during the war when summer issues covered two months. This continued after the war, but it averaged 10 issues annually over its 25 year life. Schuss was published by the Ski Club of Victoria which had a membership of 38 Ski Clubs and demanded to be recognised as the prime authority on skiing in the state. The other 30 ski clubs with 85% of the members disagreed and the politics of skiing became heated. These clubs formed the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs with their own journal, Ski Horizon. With the establishment of the Victorian Ski Association, Ski-Horizon published its last issue in Nov - Dec. 1955 and the role of the official journal was fully taken over by “Schuss”. This item is significant because it contains stories, images and information documenting the development of the ski industry in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue include:- Page 153 - an advertisement for ski lessons, tours and accommodation for skiers with Bob Hymans. A second advertisement for Pearce Bros., General Merchants at Tawonga stated they could arrange for food supplies for clubs or ski parties to be delivered into lodges at city prices. Page 168 feature a photo by H. Gibbs - On the road to Falls Creek, beyond Howman's Gap, showing slopes of of Spion Kopje in the background. Page 177 - The Galleon Ski Club had opened its books to a limited number of Associate Members and offered its Members use of the "GALLEON" Lodge. Associate Membership fee was set at £1/1/- per annum. Lodge fees were 12/6 per day per member. Page 182 announced ALBURY Ski Club's Annual Ball will be held this year on November 28th. The event promised to live up to the reputation of the previous year's very happy "do" at Toonallook Woolshed, and it should be worth going a long way to be in it, even to devoting the whole weekend to a visit. Note the date now.schuss journal, bob hymans, h. gibbs photos, galleon ski club, albury ski club

Invicta Mills was one of final two remaining blanket mills of the forty that had been in operation in Australia when Invicta first began trading in 1946. This Newsletter chronicles many key milestones of this significant Textile enterprise that began humbly and grew to champion the Australian wool industry here and internationally. This typed internal company Newsletter included transcripts of the speeches made at the 1986 Annual Ball to commemorate the company’s achievements at the 40 Year mark. The Newsletter contains information about the history of the company; its’ owners, staff, wholesale customers, suppliers etc. This included the relationship with former Mayor Ron Walker. Also mentioned are the various international Wool Mark Awards the firm won for the blankets designed and produced over several decades. The Business Owner’s Speech at the Commemoration Ball “40 Years” by Mr Leon Korsica is recorded in the final pages. It tells the story of the beginnings and development of the business: its challenges, successes and some stories about key people. Invicta was a multicultural enterprise employing people from 40+ nationalities, many of whom were lifelong employees. It included former German soldiers despite the Company owners were Jewish, with much of the workforce being part of the first wave of post WWll migrants from all over Europe. Page 5 is typed in Vietnamese, a testament to the multicultural nature of the company.14 A4 pages make up the newsletter with printing on both front and back. Only black Ink has been used in the Newsletter with picture and words making up the contents of all these pages.invicta mills

The Bendigo Competitions Society Inc. was originally started by a group of local traders – The Chamber of Commerce – a group of businessmen. 2024 marks the 98th Bendigo Competitions Society Annual Bendigo Eisteddfod. Gwenllian Maude Dunstan Born: Long Gully, 8 August 1911, daughter of Thomas Dunstan and Maude Jane James Married: 1939, William James Rowe Gwenllian Rowe died Bendigo, 18 March 2002 William James Rowe Born: Long Gully, 1912, son of William James Rowe and Hilda May Goldsworthy Railway employee. William Rowe died Bendigo 24 June 1985. Both are buried at Bendigo Cemetery; Quick Lawn, Section 1, Row 1. (No photograph available) Bendigo Musical, Literacy and Elocutionary Society Competitions Certificate 1932. Third prize awarded to Gwen Dunstan for Champion Solo, Ladies and Gents 16 and under 21. Signed by the President H. Woolcock and the Secretary. The rear side of the certificate has handwritten notes. Six Bendigo Musical, Literary and Elocutionary Competition Awards Judge’s Award Sheets for 1923, 1925, 1926, 1930, 1931 and 1932. Letter to Miss Dunstan notifying her that she had been included in the Annual Masonic Ball Debutante set in 1931. The chaperone for this event was Mrs G V Lansell. history, bendigo, bendigo competitions

Elizabeth Wilson met James Henry Courtney at the annual Lord Mayor's Ball on 28 August 1890. In 1892, Capt James Courtney moved to 'Courtland' an architect-designed house at 31 Jenkin Street, Northcote. James married Elizabeth at Nth Fitzroy. Several years later they moved to 108 McKean Street, Nth Fitzrory. Capt and Mrs Courtney were guests at the official opening of the Australian Parliament on 9 May 1901, the reception at the Exhibition Building that evening, and the Royal Review at Flemington the following day. Finally they moved to 'Lumeah', a brick villa at 11 Belmont Avenue, Kew.Black silk floor length skirt with black lining and internal tapes. The skirt is distinguished by a gathered hem giving the impression of ruffles. With the donation, there is also an accompanying group of copied photographs of the Courtney family, including one which shows Elizabeth Courtney, the owner of the skirt. The skirt was donated by Frances Courtney, a descendant by marriage of the original owner. women's clothing - 1890s, australian fashion - 1890s, skirts - 1890s, elizabeth courtney (nee wilson), 11 belmont avenue (kew), capt james henry courtney, elizabeth jane courtney (nee wilson), lumeah - 11 belmont avenue - kew (vic)

Bendigo Advertiser '' The way we were'' from Monday, October 28, 2002. Miniatures: in 1960, 15 mini-debutantes, dressed in white frocks and wearing wristlet posies of pink and blue, were presented to the Bishop of Sandhurst, the Most Rev. B. D. Stewart, at St Liborius' annual children's ball in Eaglehawk Town Hall. The debs and their partners were: Patricia Hill (John Leahy), Pauline Hughes (Bradley Penno), Ann Stewart (Philip Munro), Margaret Benbow (Garry Kallismae), Marie Girvan (Norman Hall), Mary Anderson (Colin Hill), Valerie Andrew (Bernard Crameri), Dianne Crawford (Danny Dullard), Jennifer Newman (Michael Cluff), Carmel McQuillan (Robert Hall), Dorothy Wilson (Shane Metcalf), Rhonda Metcalf (Wayne Fitzgerald), Patricia Fitzpatrick (Mark Gladman), Mary Stack (John Keogh), Elizabeth McCann (Joseph Singe). The clip is in a folder.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

The date on the photograph states "approx 1946", actually 1947. The Bendigo RSL conducted Annual and Debutante Balls for many years as a fund raiser. The following article appeared in the Argus; “Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 14 August 1947, page 8 ________________________________________ 12 debutantes presented at Bendigo Ball Early Victorian posies which matched the pastel flowers in their hair were carried by the 12 debutantes who came out at the Annual RSL Ball at Bendigo Town Hall last night. The debutantes, who were presented to Lieut-General and Mrs V. A. H. Sturdee, were Eileen Clarke, Daphne Green, Norma Knopp, Doris Purtell, Inez Somerville, Eileen Simpson, Joy Taylor, Olive Tope, Judith Waters, Elvie Walker, Patricia Young, and Dorothy Herbert. The official party included Cr and Mrs D. W. Streader, Mayor and Mayoress of Bendigo; Cr and Mrs. McEwen, Mayor and Mayoress of Castlemaine; Major-General Rankin, MP, and Mrs Rankin; Mr Galvin, Minister for Lands, and Mrs Galvin; and Colonel Lansell MLC, President of Bendigo RSL.” Photograph B & W on light cream backing board. There are 12 young men, 12 Debutante girls, 2 Flower girls and 1 female Chaperone. Text has been written on the front in blue pen and black pencil.In blue pen and black pencil, "RSL Deb Ball approx 1946", In black pencil, "Bruce back row 7th from left, Olive 2nd back row from left", in black pen, "Reg Brock Bendigo"brsl, smirsl, debutante

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this publication include:- Page 2: The road to Falls Creek from Howmans Gap likely to be closed while activities on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme are restricted due to VIctoria's lack of finance for public works. Page 5 - A note from Fred Griffith (President, Albury Ski Club) gave plans for the club's annual Ski Ball on Friday, 30th November. It will be held in the Toonallook Woolshed. Fred says you are welcome to bring your sleeping bag and stay the night (what's left of it) at Toonallook where the recovery from hangover can be spent very pleasantly on the property or swimming and boating on the Hume Weir nearby. - N.E.D.S.A. officials are getting preparations in hand for the visit next year of a N.E.D.S.A. team to New Zealand. John Robertson, of Myrtleford Ski Club, is the Trip Secretary and Toni St. Elmo is acting at present as Manager.ski history victoria, federation of victorian ski clubs, ernest forras

Ski-Horizon is the official journal of the Federation of Victorian Ski Clubs which began publication in 1949. The were 26 original member clubs which included Albury Ski Club, Bogong Ski Club, Myrtleford Ski Club, Tallangatta and District Ski Club and Wangaratta Ski Club. Two pioneers of Falls Creek, Tom Mitchell, M.L.A., and Martin Romuld were Vice-Presidents of the Federation.This Journal is significant because it documents the early development of skiing in Victoria.The journal features stories and events chronicling developments in Victoria and internationally. Items related to the Falls Creek Area in this issue include:- Page 1:- The Annual Albury Ski Club Ball was to be held at "Toonallook" on Saturday 22nd November and host Fred Griffith was hoping a contingent from Melbourne would attend. Boy Scouts in N.E. Victoria were getting involved in skiing. The Wodonga Scouts had made several trips to Falls Creek and the Yarrawonga Scouts were planning to join in. Based on the success of the recent N.E.D.S.A. team to New Zealand it also seemed likely that a New Zealand provincial team would visit Falls Creek in 1953.tom mitchell m.l.a., toonallook, fred griffith

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