Photocopy of draft form of an option prepared in 1928 by Melbourne barrister R.G. Menzies for the sale of an orchard in Mitcham Road, Mitcham.Draft form of an option prepared in 1928 by Melbourne barrister R.G. Menziesorchards, land sales, menzies, robert gordon, sir, mitcham road, mitcham

Bulletin (5 pages) concerning the history of Radio Australia. Commenced on 5 December 1939 Federal Cabinet authorised an international short wave service to meet the needs of Australians at war. In 1945 the name changed to Radio Australia. In 1950 it passed to the A.B.C.The history of Radio Australia.radio broadcasting, menzies, robert gordon, sir, australia calling, radio australia, australian broadcasting commission

The Norman Oliver collection. Norman Oliver was three times Mayor of Bendigo - 1950-51, 1964-65, 1970-71. One page letter with the letterhead of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, addressed to Cr N. J. Oliver, Lord Mayor of Bendigo, requesting his assistance with the raising of funds for the setting up of Churchill Fellowships. The letter is signed by Robert Menzies (R.G. Menzies)bendigo, council, norman joseph oliver , councillor norman oliver. mayor of bendigo. churchill fellowships.

Legatee Stan Savige attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth on 2nd June 1953 as a representative of Legacy at the request of the Co-ordinating Council and the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies. This booklet is his account of the events as he wrote in a letter back the President of Legacy. In shows the interest in the Coronation, and L/- Savige's account was of interest to so many that it was published in a booklet for the Legatees.The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was an important event and Sir Stan Savige felt it worth sending a letter that was published for Legatees about it. Also that Legacy was deemed important enough to send a representative.A booklet recounting the Queen's Coronation as observed by Stan Savige.coronation, stan savige

Images from the unveiling of the statue of Sir Thomas Blamey in Melbourne on 27 February 1960. The dignitaries included Prime Minister Robert Menzies and Lady Blamey, the wife of the late Thomas Blamey. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of Legacy attending the unveiling of the statue of Sir Thomas Blamey.Colour slide x 4 of the unveiling of a statue of Thomas Blamey.Handwritten in blue pen 'Blamey Statue unveiling 27 Feb '60'. One slide includes 'PM Menzies and Lady Blamey' handwritten in blue pen.thomas blamey, statue

Legatee Stan Savige attended the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth on 2nd June 1953 as a representative of Legacy at the request of the Co-ordinating Council and the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies. This booklet is his account of the events as he wrote in a letter back the President of Legacy. In shows the interest in the Coronation, and L/- Savige's account was of interest to so many that it was published in a booklet for the Legatees. Two additional copies of the booklet - see full images at 01164.The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was an important event and Sir Stan Savige felt it worth sending a letter that was published for Legatees about it. Also that Legacy was deemed important enough to send a representative.Two copies of a booklet recounting the Queen's Coronation as observed by Stan Savige.One copy has handwritten 'B' in top right in pencilcoronation, stan savige

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the seated invited guests at the dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Kew as an independent municipality. The point of view is from the south end of the building, looking towards the stage at the north end of the main hall. [Originally both halls could be separated or joined by concertina doors.] On the stage, centre, is from left Mr. W. Birrell [Town Clerk], Cr WHS Dickinson [the Mayor], and The Rt Hon Robert Menzies, MP for Kew and Prime Minister of Australia.cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic), centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960

Article by Judy Lewis published in the Eltham Town Community News [2009] page 10 describing the history of the property known as Judge Book Villlage / Eltham Retirement Centre operated by Melbourne CityMission as the Centre is placed on the market for sale. The detailed article includes a table of milestones including in 1956 when Prime Minister Robert Menzies laid the foundation stone. Includes colour photos. In 2021, Judge Book is known as St Vincent's Care Services Eltham. judge book memorial village, aged care, melbourne city mission, seniors, nursing home, aged care facility, judgebook, ken patterson, willandra, judy lewis

First games played 1926. The Club was then situated in South Parade. Ladies were invited to join in 1927. The yearly fee was 1.10 sterling. In 1933 the green was officially opened by Robert Menzies. The clubhouse was finally completed in the late 1940's. By the 1960's membership had risen to the extent that a new site was needed. A site on the east side of Pakenham Street, south of the creek, was proposed but it was subject to flooding. In 1966, after the flooding of the creek was managed, the South Parade property was acquired and the new greens were ready by September 1966.Coloured photograph of the Blackburn Bowling Club, Pakenham Street Blackburn. Photograph shows rinks in front of the club house - 2012blackburn bowling club, sporting clubs, pakenham street, blackburn

Construction on the Sydney Melbourne coaxial cable began in 1960 and was one of Australia's biggest and most important telecommunications projects of the 20th century. The laying of a coaxial cable between Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, allowed people to direct dial long distance phone calls (rather than operator assisted), and supported simultaneous television broadcasts for the first time. It was officially opened on 9 April 1962 by the then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies. This souvenir coaxial cable was presented to Mr Roy Kerr on his retirement. Mr Kerr was the Assistant Chief Engineer, Headquarters Customer Networks Branch, Telecom Australia.This cable has strong historic significance as part of the historic and technologically important Sydney-Melbourne coaxial cable. The cable represents not only a feat of technology but a shift in social engagement with telecommunication technologies, as it allowed people to direct dial long distance phone calls (rather than operator assisted), and supported simultaneous television broadcasts for the first time; it put the power of connection directly into the hands of the Australian public. This souvenir length of cable is well provenanced, and the details of the cables use and significance is inscribed on the steel casing. A 6 tube copper coaxial cable with lead sheath, quad 20lbs conductor cable (paper insulated), and a presentation metal collar and base. Inscriptions around the top of the metal collar and the base. "OLYMPIC CABLES PTY. LTD / AUSTRALIA" "6 TUBE COAXIAL CABLE / WITH 32 PAIRS 20LBS/MILE UNARMOURED / SYDNEY MELBOURNE 1960"coaxial cable, cable, sydney-melbourne coaxial cable, telstra, postmaster general's department (pmg), telecommunications, subscriber trunk dialling (std), television, telephone

This slide shows the 1956 "Queen of Begonias" in Ballarat, on her float during the Begonia Festival street parade. Miss Carol Penrose, who was crowned by the Prime Minister Robert Menzies, is shown in the background. The runners up that year were Janet Saunders and Hillary Richards, otherwise known as "Princesses", one being pictured here, in front of the Begonia Queen. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library.begonia festival, festival, queen of begonias, ballarat, parade

Income and expenditure of the Communist Party Australia (Victoria Branch?) from 1915-1954. Includes memberships/affiliations. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_Party_of_Australia) describes the Party as originating in 1920 although the beginning of these records precedes that date by five years. It is also noted that the party officially dissolved in 1992, although the record held ceases at 1954 when the funds were transferred to Building Trades Federation Trust Account. The records are contemporaneous with Robert Menzies' attempted ban of the Party in 1951. The records cease in 1954 which was a time of active paranoia in Australia about Communism. The Labor Party split happened in 1955 leading to the formation of the Democratic Labor Party (a party describing itself at anti-communist).Politics and government. Financial records keeping - Communist Party of Australia.Book; 191 pages. Cover: brown background; gold lettering; title ("Cash Book"). Loose pages - account balances, Commonwealth Trading Bank of Australia, Victoria Street, Melbourne.Preliminary pages, in pencil: "Relief Fund see page 47".btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, communist party australia, cpa, politics and government, financial records, democratic labor party, australian labor party, communism

President's overview of the year including: completion of reception room which joins 16 and 18 Thanet Street, thoughts on the success of the school, attendance at International Dog Guide Conference in London, over 27 years the school has trained over 800 dogs, deaths of Jack Franks and Thelma McKenniariey, assisted actor Robert Menzies portray a blind character in the movie 'Cactus', difficulties in running the hostel and day centre with few qualified people to fill vacancies for the former and lack of volunteer drivers for the latter, decision to close Cairns shop, resignation of Kevin O'Mahoney and difficulties in replacing him, long cane training in Queensland, demand for guest speakers, thank you to work experience students, welcome to Ray Owens, presentation of Anzac Award by Lt Governor at Government House, beginning of in-house breeding program - rather that rely on donations of suitable puppies - with Roz McNaught, Alf Krummel and Dawn Robinson providing and housing these dogs.1 volume with text and illustrationsannual reports, lady nell seeing eye dog school, phyllis gration

The Medal, Presentation Box and Certificate from Buckingham Palace are a very important addition to Council’s History and Heritage collection because of their association with a past Mayor of the City of Caulfield Harry Carl Hortin Smith. Although a total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, only a handful of these medals survive in major Australian museum collections. The National Museum of Australia holds a similar medal which was awarded to Sir Robert Menzies. The Museum of Victoria also holds a similar medal but neither collection contains a presentation box or certificate from Buckingham Palace. The significance of the donation is greatly enhanced due to its good condition and the fact that it includes all items associated with the presentation the Medal. Most museum collections only include the jubilee medal. Together these unique historical objects tell a complete story of this important event which was cause for great celebration around the world.George V Silver Jubilee Medal, 1935. Round silver medal with attached loop and red ribbon with blue and white stripes on the edges. Awarded to Harry, Carl, Hortin Smith Mayor of the City of Caulfield. A total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V.OBVERSE: Conjoined half-length busts of King George V and Queen Mary wearing crowns and robes of state; around, GEORGE . V . AND . QUEEN . MARY . MAY . VI . MCMXXXV. REVERSE: A crowned monogram GRI (Translation - George King and Emperor) with the dates of his reign at either side, MAY 6 1910 May 6 1935.commemorative medal, silver jubilee, king george v, 1935, queen mary, harry carl hortin smith, mayor, city of caulfield

The Medal, Presentation Box and Certificate from Buckingham Palace are a very important addition to Council’s History and Heritage collection because of their association with a past Mayor of the City of Caulfield, Harry Carl Hortin Smith. Although a total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, only a handful of these medals survive in major Australian museum collections. The National Museum of Australia holds a similar medal which was awarded to Sir Robert Menzies. The Museum of Victoria also holds a similar medal but neither collection contains a presentation box or certificate from Buckingham Palace. The significance of the donation is greatly enhanced due to its good condition and the fact that it includes all items associated with the presentation the Medal. Most museum collections only include the jubilee medal. Together these unique historical objects tell a complete story of this important event which was cause for great celebration around the world.Red rectangular box used to hold the "HM King George V Silver Jubilee Medal" which was awarded to Harry, Carl, Hortin Smith, past Mayor of the City of Caulfield."1910 (royal crown symbol) 1935" Embossed in black letting in the middle of the top of the box.city of caulfield, mayor, silver jubilee, harry carl hortin smith, king george v, medal

The medal was awarded to Mr C.H.H. Smith as Mayor of the City of Caulfield, 1934-1935. The Medal, Presentation Box and Certificate from Buckingham Palace are a very important addition to Council’s History and Heritage collection because of their association with a past Mayor of the City of Caulfield. Although a total of 85,234 Jubilee medals were awarded to 'the great and good throughout the Empire' in 1935 to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, only a handful of these medals survive in major Australian museum collections. The National Museum of Australia holds a similar medal which was awarded to Sir Robert Menzies. The Museum of Victoria also holds a similar medal but neither collection contains a presentation box or certificate from Buckingham Palace. The significance of the donation is greatly enhanced due to its good condition and the fact that it includes all items associated with the presentation the Medal. Most museum collections only include the jubilee medal. Together these unique historical objects tell a complete story of this important event which was cause for great celebration around the world.Certificate from Buckingham Palace by command of His Majesty The King accompanying a Silver Jubilee medal awarded to Harry, Carl, Hortin, Smith. The first two names on the Certificate are incorrect and read "Charles, Henry, Hortin Smith*, 6 May 1935. The correct name is "Harry, Carl, Hortin, Smith confirmed by Mr Smith's grandson.

William Morris Hughes, Australia’s 7th and longest serving Prime Minister until 1957 when Robert Menzies overtook Hughes’ record term from 1915 to 1923. A long standing parliamentarian of 51 years and 7 months continuous service as a member of Australia’s House of Representatives – from the 1st parliament in 1901 to the 20th in 1952. The Prime Ministers Avenue is a collection of bronze bust portraits of the Prime Ministers of Australia, located at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in Ballarat, Victoria. The Prime Ministers' portraits are commissioned after the incumbent term of each Prime Minister by the City of Ballarat. The City of Ballarat has taken responsibility for commissioning the busts after funds set aside by politician Richard Armstrong Crouch were exhausted in 2014. Crouch originally donate money to pay for six busts, the first of which was unveiled in 1940. The collection of prime ministers' busts are unique in Australia, representing the only sculptural portrait collection of all past Australian Prime Ministers. The different styles used reflect the unique artistic practices of the selected artists; textures, sizes and features and proportions are used by the artists to interpret the characteristics of each of the subjects.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat Bronze bust cast on granite plinthWilliam Morris Hughes Prime Minister 1915-23prime minister, australian pm, william morris hughes, parliament

The original Kew Town Hall offices were located in Walpole Street, Kew. Before 1960, even though it had been much discussed over a number of decades, Kew did not have a 'civic hall'. When required, events such as balls, exhibitions or theatrical events were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in Walpole Street. A new City Hall was to be opened by Sir Robert Menzies in 1960. It was located beside the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road. It is now used as the Kew Library. Cr Hugh George Ferguson (at right) was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Australian Imperial Forces. After the war he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term. He died in 1975, aged 75, and is buried in Boroondara Cemetery.An item of historical interest donated by members of the Dods family in 2006. The Dods-Ferguson Collection includes a number of items once in the possession of the families related to or descended from two mayors of Kew: Cr. Hugh Ferguson and Cr. Frederick Dods.Publicity photograph of two men and a woman inspecting architectural models for a new Kew City Hall. The man at the right of the photograph is Cr Hugh George Ferguson, Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The Hall, now occupied by the Kew Library, was opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte MLA, Premier of Victoria in 1960.Herald Sun Feature Service / Hugh G. Ferguson & Associates / New Kew City Hall. kew city hall, hugh g. ferguson & asociates, architectural models - kew, cr hugh george ferguson

Likely from WWIPair of miniature flags on small black flag poles with wooden caps. The Australian Red Ensign, or the Australian Civil Ensign, is simply a red version of the Australian National flag. It is for use only at sea and officially never on land, but can be used by private citizens. At sea, it is the only flag allowable for merchant ships registered in Australia under the Navigation and Shipping Act 1912 and The Shipping Registration Act 1981. Pleasure craft, however, may fly either the Red Ensign or the National Flag. The history of the Red Ensign is intertwined with the history of the Australian National flag. From 1901 to 1954 the Red Ensign was used as the National Flag by State and Local Governments, private organisations and individuals. The Blue Ensign was for Government use only, reflecting British practice with its ensigns. The design of the Australian Red Ensign was always kept in step with the Blue Ensign (i.e. with respect to the number of points on the stars, etc.) but there was often public confusion about which was the `correct′ flag to fly. Many thought the choice was merely one of fashion or preference. In 1941, Australia′s Prime Minister Robert Menzies stated that there should be no restrictions on private citizens using the Blue Ensign on land and, in 1947, Prime Minister Ben Chifley reaffirmed this position but it wasn’t until the passage of the Flags Act 1953 that the restriction on civilians flying the Blue Ensign was lifted after which, use of the Red Ensign on land became a rarity. Since 2008, 3 September has been officially commemorated as both Australian National Flag/Merchant Navy Day which allows the Australian Red Ensign to be flown on land for the occasion as a matter of protocol. The blue flag is the New Zealand National Flag.flag, ensign, anzac, new zealand, navy, naval

The 2/8th Armoured Regiment was raised in June 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W G Hopkins with officers and men selected from the wider AIF in Victoria. The regiment trained in newly arrived M3 General Grant tanks at Puckapunyal before moving north to Singleton, then the Wee Waa plains. The regiment sailed for New Guinea in April 1943 and carried out mobile defence to airfields at Port Moresby, Milne Bay, Dobadura and Popondetta. The regiment returned to Australia in February 1944 and disbanded as an armoured regiment and retrained as Nos 41, 42 and 43 Landing Craft Companies. They returned to the South West pacific serving at Bougainville, Balikpapan, Lae and Wewak. Captain Ken Menzies, son of Sir Robert and Dame Pattie Menzies served with the Regiment and consequently Dame Pattie became patron of the Regimental Association after the war.Rare document associated with an armoured regiment of WWII (1939-45) autographed by the patron Dame Pattie Menzies.Folded coloured card being Menu and Program for luncheon held at the Melbourne Bowling Club, Windsor, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the 2/8th Australian Armoured Regiment. Enamel lapel pin attached to front cover.Autograph of Patron on front cover Dame Pattie Menzies GBE "Pattie Menzies "; on back cover "Ian (Kilty) McKay / Lorna McKay" and "Pattie Menzies"2/8th armoured regiment, menzies pattie dame

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red ribbed skirt with elastic waistband.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red wide ribbed pleated skirt with a plain yoke, navy blue band at bottom edge and elasticated waistband. A purple x is located inside to mark centre back of skirt.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community