Cream pith helmets were part of the uniform worn by Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses (Nurses) from the early 1900s when giving nursing care to the sick poor of Melbourne. When riding their bicycles the helmet was held on by a long white scarf tied under the Nurse's chin. From its earliest years when Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) Trained nurses, known as 'Nurse' in those days, began to wear uniforms the chosen colour was grey, though the style changed throughout the years as fashions changed from the late 1800s through to the 1970s. The Nurses firstly wore long grey frocks and a white cap with a long white tail hanging from the centre back. When bicycles were introduced in 1903 the headgear changed to a cream pith helmet adorned with a red Maltese cross in the centre front. This was held on with a veil going over the hat and tied under the chin. Over the years there were complaints that the veils became wet in the rain and they asked for a change of uniform, but this did not happen until 1921. The Nurses complained their skirts became wet when riding their bicycles in the rain and asked, when raining, to be able to wear breeches and gaiters. This was granted provided they wore aprons when attending patients. It was not long before the uniform changed to a shorter length grey frock, red cardigan, grey coat and grey brimmed hat; later changed to a peaked grey hat. In 1966 MDNS were granted Royal patronage. Now as Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS), the uniform was redesigned and colour changed in 1971. By 1972 the Sisters were wearing the new winter uniform of a blue/grey skivvie under a V neck tunic style frock made of blue/grey herringbone winter material with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, and a beret of the same material. In summer the uniform became a royal blue V neck tunic style frock, with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, worn over a short sleeve white blouse. A royal blue peaked hat with the RDNS insignia in the centre front was worn at first and then only worn on official occasions. This uniform was worn until changed to a corporate style in the mid 1980s,This hard cream coloured pith helmet has a 'pudding basin' shaped crown with 2 eyelets on both sides of it and a raised 'button' in the centre of the crown. This is encircled by a slightly sloping brim. A red cotton Maltese cross is emblazoned in the centre. The crown has a 66 cm circumference and is 12 cm deep; the raised central button is 3.5 cm x 3 cm; and the brim has a 101 cm circumference and is 5 cm deep.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, mdns uniforms, rdns, royal district nursing service

This hat is part of the uniform worn by all the Trained nurses (Sisters) of the Melbourne District Nursing Service, (MDNS), during the 1960s. The Sisters travelled around the inner and outer suburbs of Melbourne administering nursing care to patients in their homes. From its earliest years when Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) began to wear uniforms the chosen colour was grey, though the style changed throughout the years as fashions changed from the late 1800s through to the 1970s. The Trained nurses firstly wore long grey frocks and a white cap with a long white tail hanging from the centre back. When bicycles were introduced the headgear changed to a white pith helmet adorned with a red Maltese cross in the centre front. This was held on with a veil going over the hat and tied under the chin. Over the years there were complaints that the veils became wet in the rain and they asked for a change of uniform, but this did not happen until 1921. The nurses complained their skirts became wet when riding their bicycles in the rain and asked, when raining, to be able to wear breeches and gaiters. This was granted provided they wore aprons when attending patients. It was not long before the uniform changed to a shorter length grey frock, red cardigan, grey coat and grey brimmed hat; later changed to a peaked grey hat. In 1966 MDNS were granted Royal patronage. Now as Royal District Nursing Service, RDNS, the uniform was redesigned and colour changed in 1971. By 1972 the Sisters were wearing the new winter uniform of a blue/grey skivvie under a V neck tunic style frock made of blue/grey herringbone winter material with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, and a beret of the same material. In summer the uniform became a royal blue V neck tunic style frock, with the RDNS insignia on the upper left, worn over a short sleeve white blouse. A royal blue peaked hat with the RDNS insignia in the centre front was worn at first and then only worn on official occasions. This uniform was worn until changed to a corporate style in the mid 1980s,A Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) felt grey peaked hat, which has a deep crown and a flat top. Stitching comes from four corners of the crown at an angle to a grey band, which contains several rows of stitching, and surrounds the crown.. A stiff sloping grey brim, containing several rows of stitching, joins the band surrounding the crown, the rear of the brim is turned up and the front forms a peak. A cotton red Maltese cross is sewn to the centre front of the crown and band. A white with blue 'created by Effie Joy' label is attached to the inner hat band along with 'Size 22'. The crown is 9.5 cm deep and the brim is 5 cm deepmdns, melbourne district nursing service, mdns uniforms, rdns, royal district nursing service

Given to Box Hill RSL as part of a fathers RAAF Uniform from Bomber Command. Uniform worn by Flying Officers from Australia. This hat has strong provenance as the name of the owner is written on the hat, with service number, and the family connection to the donor. Navy Blue/Black Band and Gold Emblem with name and number written on brim of hat. Leather binding. The number written on the hat is the service number for Maurice Anthony O'Keefe.Hand written on Brim: O'Keefe, MA/428470headwear, ww2, uniform bomber command

Deaconess Hilda Fisher was Warden of the Methodist Deaconess Order of Victoria and Tasmania. She was also Chaplain of Fairfield Sanitorium and then later was appointed to Fairlea Prison for Women.Grey nylon Panama summer hat with brim. The hat has grey grosgrain ribbon with a flat side bow and grey grosgrain edging at the brim. The hat has thin elastic strap.methodist deaconess hilda fisher, deaconess hilda fisher, methodist deaconess

Part of the Leo Reoch Cohn Collection. See Catalogue No. 5527.2 for his service record.Light khaki pith helmet with band. The crown has four panels, with a domed ventilation button on top. The brim is edged with cotton trim. Underside of the brim is painted green. It has an adjustable brown leather sweat band.Stamped on the inside of crown in black ink: '71/8 (inside a circle)'. Handwritten on the inside of the crown in black: 'E. W.'.pith helmet, headwear, leo reoch cohn

This hat belonged to a Warrnambool undertaking firm, Beattie and Phillips. This firm was established by Christopher Beattie and Henry Phillips in 1865 and was originally situated in Koroit Street. Beattie’s son, James, took over the business in 1916 and moved to new premises at 82 Fairy Street about 1928. In 1945 the business management was transferred to James Leahy and the firm continued until 2000. The top hat was used by both James Beattie and James Leahy and would have been one of several used by the employees in this undertaking business. The suppliers of the hat were Cramond and Dickson (note that the name ‘Cramond’ is misspelt on the hat itself). John Glass Cramond and James Dickson established their clothing and drapery and ironmongery business in Warrnambool in 1855 and it continued to operate in Liebig Street until 1974. This is a highly significant item for three reasons: 1. It belonged to, and was used by, two directors of the undertaking firm of Beattie and Phillips, a most prominent business in Warrnambool for 135 years 2. It was supplied by the firm of Cramond and Dickson, a dominant retail shop in Warrnambool for 119 years 3. It is an important example of a social custom of the past – the wearing of formal wear, including a top hat, by funeral employees (even to the extent of taking the hat by rail for funerals etc outside of Warrnambool) This is a black top hat with paper and silk inserts in the inside crown and a brown leather lining stitched on to the inside of the brim. There is black corded ribbon around the brim and around the outside of the hat. The brim is made of felt with the crown showing a shiny pile. There is a small round metal insert on the top of the crown. A piece of a newspaper dated 1st January 1931 is stitched into the inside of the brimInside the hat on the bottom of the crown – ‘Extra Quality’; ‘Crammond (sic) & Dickson Warrnambool’ with a stamp logo on the silk – a British logo with a lion and a unicorn with the words – ‘Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense’ and ‘Dieu et Mon Droit’ In biro on inside crown are the letters ‘J.L.’ undertaker's hat, beattie and phillips, christopher beattie, henry phillips, warrnambool history

Uniform belonged to Elizabeth Majory TUCKERMAN.War time Red Cross uniform and hat. .1) Beige cotton/linen button through dress with short sleeves & red buttons. .2) Australian Red Cross Society enamelled badge on left breast pocket. .3)Khaki green felt hat with wide brim & Petersham band with red edging stripes & bow round brim. Petersham band inside crown with size label & elastic strap. Red Cross enamelled badge on hat band..1) Written in ink on tape centre back neck, "TUCKERMAN" & identical tape inside hat. .3) Label, printed in black on band inside crown, "Made in Australia/N451-1943/Size 7-223/8 ins.uniforms, red cross, badges