A sepia portrait photograph of a well-dressed man framed in an oval outline. The image is backed onto a light brown board. A crown is in the top LHS and a lion in the centre underneath the photograph. Written on the back in pencil - MRS. J. MURPHY.

A sepia portrait photograph backed onto lighter brown board of a man.

The following information is written on then back of the photograph - 'Wee Georgie Wood, English tutor'.A sepia studio photograph backed onto a light brown board of a lady and a young boy.Handwritten across the lower RHS: BEST WISHES/GEORGIE BOY.

Bennet family home 51 Smith Street with two cars parked in front. First church of England is just visible in background. Lady on left is Jessica Bennett. Young lad leaning on mudguard Graeme Bennett born 1933 later mayor of Stawell. The lady at center is Margaret Bennett. and gentleman with hat is John Bennett Senior, original owner of North Western Woolem Mills. Photo taken outside john Bennetts home in smith street with no kerb or nature strip, looking towards Seaby Street. Note the canvas Water bags on front of one car to keep water cool. John Bennet Sen born in 1895 in Yorkshire. his wife Jessie Brown married in Warrnambool.Two 1940's cars parked with a group of people posing for photo.stawell industry

Family tree and Infromation inc. Photographs. THe Henderson Family were Early settlers in the Stawell Area.Blue Card Cover with Black Print and Brown tape on spineDescendants of William Henderson 1826-1909stawell

72p; ill; fascims; ports This book is about Robert Benjamin Stevens, a leather merchant and his family and their descendants, who lived in Surrey Hills.72p; ill; fascims; ports This book is about robert Benjamin Stevens, a leather merchant and his family and their descendants, who lived in Surrey Hills.stevens family, genealogy, (mr) john fidler, (mrs) jane fidler, (mrs) jane sebeston, (miss) jane sebbison, (miss) ann selina stevens, (miss) mary jane stevens, (mr) robert benjamin stevens, (miss) mary ann matilda stevens, mont albert road, surrey hills, (miss) margaret fidler, (miss) christina fidler, (mr)william cromarty, (miss) mary fidler, (mr) robert stevens, (mr) (rev) andrew mitchell ramsay, (prof) (mr) frederick sargood, union road, (mr) eric marshall, (mr) robert archer, (mr) frederick stanley, (mr) jim cerato, (mr) norm bainbridge, (capt.) - pearson, (mr) john rae brown, (mr) james barclay, (ms) agnes sarah goding, (ms) mary ann wilkins, (miss) - bowes, box hill market, mosgiel hospital, leather merchant, (mr) clifford james, (mr) keith mackay, arbee handcraft, (mr) noel stevens, (mr) don fowler, (mrs) doris may, (mrs) doris stevens, (miss) grace elizabeth archer, (rev) j morley, (rev) p schweiger, (rev) g shepherd, a michaelis, a cromie, a cravino, w h doery, r king, b j parkinson, h perrin, e williams, (mr) bruce torode, (mrs) illma bruce, (mr) malcolm gill, (ms) sandra shepherd, (mr) don lewis, (mr) clive shepherd, (ms) fiona mccaughey, (mr) alan stevens, (ms) helen skilbeck, (ms) patricia stevens, (mr) peter austin, (mr) ross shepherd, (mr) geoff stevens, arp warden, pembroke road, mont albert, (miss) zilla bertha loughrey, (mr) cliff snape, (miss) lyn bull, gascoyne street, (miss) cheryle patricia charlton, scouts, (mrs) margaret duckworth, (mr) barry duckworth, chatham state school, (ms) gwen dovey, (miss) agnes millicent, (miss) joyce shepherd, (miss) elsie may good, langford street

David Miller (Dave) Mair (1879-1938) married Lily Vipond Deakin (1890-1945) in 1910. They had 5 children: Geoffrey David (1913-1970), Beryl (1916-1976), Gwynneth (1917-1997), Isabel Lillian (1921-1997) and Shirley Inez (1928-1968). Personal communication from Laurie Newton, Beryl's daughter: Dave and Lily initially lived in East Melbourne after they married. Dave walked across the gardens to work at the MCG. He never drove or owned a car. Geoffrey, Beryl and Gwynneth were born in East Melbourne. They subsequently moved to Louise Avenue, Mont Albert and Isabel may have been born while they were there. Later they purchased 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert. Electoral roll details: 1919 68 Park Street, Hawthorn 1922 24 Louise Avenue, Mont Albert 1924 20 Barton Street, Mont Albert So, Shirley would have been born while they were at Barton Street. On the basis of these dates, this may have been taken in Hawthorn. Identification of 'Grannie': If this is Lily's mother her name is Janet Deakin (nee Longmore - 1851-1939). If it is Dave's mother her name is Isabel Brown (1855-1944). The other woman is identified as May Little, who helped in the house. Dave Mair was a very keen sportsman. A sepia photo of a well-dressed family in and beside a buggy. The group is comprised of a man, 3 women and 3 children. The chimneys of Victorian or perhaps Edwardian houses are in the background.On rear: "Grannie Dad Mum / Beryl Geoff Isabel" (in hand 1 and blue biro) "on left Isabel on knee" (in a different hand in black biro) "May Little (Helped in / House" (in hand 1 in blue biro). On the basis of inscriptions in family autograph books, the first and third inscriptions look to have been written by Beryl Mair.david miller mair, dave mair, lily vipond mair, lily vipond deakin, geoffrey david mair, beryl mair, gwynneth mair, isabel lillian mair, janet deakin, janet longmore, isabel brown, isabel mair, horse-drawn vehicles, children, may little

David Miller (Dave) Mair's (1879-1938) extended family - Grannie would be his mother Isabel / Isabella Brown (1856-1944); Grandpa would be William Mair (1850-1924); Uncle Will Mair would be his brother William (1877-1948); Minnie Mair would be William Mair's wife Agnes Minnie Morice (1875-1910); Rita Mair is their daughter Rita Florence Mair (1908 - ?); Don Mair is their son Donald Douglas Mair (1910-1984); Auntie Elsie is Dave Mair's sister Elsie Brown Mair (1886-1954); Uncle Lloyd is Elsie's husband Lloyd Mortimer (1893-1950 TBC). Elsie married Lloyd Mortimer on 7 December 1917 at Rippon Lea. At the time her parents were living at 'Roslyn', 283 Hotham Street, Rippon Lea. This is also the address for Elsie and Lloyd in the electoral rolls 2 years later. The writing is identified as being that of Beryl Mair on the basis of her inscriptions in her and her daughter Laurie Young's autograph books. A sepia photo mounted on grey paper of a well-dressed family in and beside a car. The group is comprised of 3 men, 3 women and 3 children. The road is not sealed; in the background are 2 single storey terrace houses with bull-nose verandas which are set behind a picket fence. The paper mount is well-worn and discoloured around the edges.On rear: "Grannie Grandpa / Uncle Will Mair / Minnie Mair / Rita " / Don " / Auntie Elsie / Dave Mair's sister / Uncle Lloyd / Mortimer" On the basis of inscriptions in family autograph books, the first and third inscriptions look to have been written by Beryl Mair.isabel brown, isabella brown, isabel mair, isabella mair, william mair, minnie mair, agnes minnie morice, rita mair, rita florence mair, don mair, donald douglas mair, elsie brown mair, lloyd mortimer, elsie mortimer

David Miller (Dave) Mair (1879-1938) married Lily Vipond Deakin (1890-1945) in 1910. They had 5 children: Geoffrey David (1913-1970), Beryl (1916-1976), Gwynneth (1917-1997), Isabel Lillian (1921-1997) and Shirley Inez (1928-1968). Beryl was born on 1 March 1916; she married Lance Young in 1939. She is listed at 20 Barton Street as a milliner in 1937 at which time she would have been 21 years old. As she married 2 years later it can be assumed that her career as a milliner was relatively short. This is part of a large donation of material from the Deakin, Mair and Young families. The Deakin, Mair and Young families had many connections with Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.A light brown flyer with brown printing advertising the services of Miss B Mair, milliner located in the Moran & Cato's Building at the corner of Whitehorse and Union Roads, Mont Albert.Nil beryl mair, milliner, moran & cato, t&s press, businesses

Laurie Young was the daughter of Beryl Mair (1916-1976) and Ernest Lance Young (1915-1999). The family lived at 5 York Street and later 11 York Street, Mont Albert. Laurie was born on 18 August 1947.A cream honour certificate with printing in red, brown and black awarded to Laurie Young in 1956 for attaining 97.3% in Grade IV. Signed by the class teacher M W Daniel and the Head Master, E [?] Hall. It includes the school crest and motto - 'Fighting Through'.laurie young, laurie newton, mont albert central school, school, education, e hall, m w daniel, certificate

This cot cover insert was made during the 1929 depression an a time of financial hardship. It was made by Jean Hepner's Grandmother from used woollen garments. They were hand stitched on to an old woollen blanket. The quilt was used by at least five of the seven children born in to this family and also by grandchildren in later years. It was used with assorted covers which were replaced when needed.Child's cot cover insert (wagga) made from discarded woollen garments such as socks, stockings and vests and stitched in multiple layers on to a woollen blanket. It is mostly cream in colour with patches of blue and brown.quilting, history, depression era, wagga, geelong, quilting - history

A dress belonging to the family of George Ward Cole in the late 1800s; possibly his wife Thomas Anne Ward Cole or one of his daughters, Margaret or Agnes. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor the Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently subdivided and later demolished. A hand sewn, brown silk, evening dress, circa 1860, consisting of a bodice and skirt. The bodice features an off the shoulder neckline edged with cream lace. A chevron design of black velvet trim, passes from the shoulders to the centre front waist, then hangs loosely to the hip line. The black velvet trim on the sleeves and the skirt is edged with a black fringe. The bodice (.1) base is finished in a v-shaped front at the natural waistline. There are short puffed sleeves also feature the black velvet fringed trim and lace at the edge along with three epaulette style strips, which pass from the shoulder seam to the edge of the sleeve. Each strip finishes with a decorative bobble. The bodice lining is cream glazed silk with steel boning, cotton tabs sewn into both sides have four eyelets for lacing. The dress has a full, floor length unlined skirt (.2) which is slightly longer at the back creating a modest train. The skirt has horizontal bands of the velvet trim and finishes with a box pleated trim of the dress fabric. The dress is fastened at the back using two connecting rows of black velvet covered buttons.brighton, st ninian's, 1860s, evening dress, george ward cole, thomas anne ward cole, margaret morison ward cole, agnes bruce ward cole

This item is from the "Barone" Collection. "Barone" (also known as "Seaview") was a stately Brighton home built at 9 Moule Avenue prior to 1855 and demolished in 1986. The house's residents included Edward Elgin Browne (during 1859-72), a Melbourne tea merchant, and the family and descendants of retired Scottish Army captain Archibald Black (during the period 1880-1970). Its neighbors included “St Ninians” owned by the Ward- Cole family, “Seacombe” owned by the Moule family, and the home of James Grahame and his family. The items in the "Barone" collection were largely donated by two of the house's later owners, Mrs Doris Halkyard and Mrs Brian Brandt.A pair of black wool twill women's jodhpurs from late 1800s to early 1900s. The jodhpurs feature a flat flap-front that buttons on either hip with four buttons on either side. The cut of the leg is full tapering through shaped panels to a slim fit over the calf. At the centre front of the leg at the shin, the pant leg is laced closed and finished with brown binding. From the back, the pant hangs loose and full over the bottom, tapering to a slim fit over the calf. Note: These jodhpurs are not a matching piece of the riding habit T0002.1. However, it appears that the same person wore them together as an outfit.barone, riding habit, seaview, jodhpurs, brighton

This item is from the "Barone" Collection. "Barone" (also known as "Seaview") was a stately Brighton home built at 9 Moule Avenue prior to 1855 and demolished in 1986. The house's residents included Edward Elgin Browne (during 1859-72), a Melbourne tea merchant, and the family and descendants of retired Scottish Army captain Archibald Black (during the period 1880-1970). Its neighbors included “St Ninians” owned by the Ward Cole family, “Seacombe” owned by the Moule family, and the home of James Grahame and his family. The items in the "Barone" collection were largely donated by two of the house's later owners, Mrs Doris Halkyard and Mrs Brian Brandt.Leather, wood and metal ankle boots c.1860. Dark brown leather upper constructed of two pieces, the foot secures with a metal clasp at the centre front ankle. The upper is adhered to the wooden sole with metal nails. The sole of the forefoot has been reinforced with a metal horseshoe around the edge. On one shoe, a modern inscription (ball point pen) : From "Barone" 9 Moule Ave Brighton. Sept 1970 On other shoe, typewritten on paper: From "Barone", 9 Moule Ave., Brighton Pres. Aug 1970children's shoe, barone, seaview, brighton, 1860s

A dress believed to have belonged to a family member of Mrs. Jessie Somerville Singer (nee Watson), 1849-1935. As the dress dates from circa 1850, it could have belonged to someone from one generation previous, possibly her mother Elizabeth Watson. Jessie Somerville Singer was the second wife of Mr. Edward Singer (1829 – 1904) of 'Somerville', New Street, Brighton Beach. Edward's first wife, Maria, died in 1861; their son William died approximately 12 months later. In the 1861 census of North Bradley England, Edward was recorded as a carpenter journeyman. After these tragedies Edward, then aged 30, left England to start a new life in Australia. He emigrated as an unassisted passenger on the steamship 'Great Britain', departing from Liverpool and arriving in Melbourne in April 1863. Edward worked as a joiner and overseer for a timber merchant in Franklin Street, Melbourne. In December 1869 he bought a property at 1115 Hoddle Street, East Melbourne, between Hotham and George Streets. At some stage he also acquired 1117 Hoddle Street. He also owned another property in Rushall Crescent, North Fitzroy. On 10 July 1873 Edward married Jessie Somerville Watson, the daughter of William Watson and Elizabeth Martin. They lived at Hoddle Street for some years, later moving to Rushall Crescent, North Fitzroy before in the 1880s settling in what was then the semi-rural suburb of Brighton. Edward is recorded as working there as a joiner. The house 'Somerville' was built by the Singers in circa 1880 at 100 (now 78) New Street, Brighton. The family moved there upon Edward's early retirement and lived there until 1941. 'Somerville' was sold, the house demolished and the land subdivided in the 1930s. Edward and Jessie appear to have lived comfortably. Edward died on 30 July 1909. Jessie died on 11 November 1935. Many members of the Singer family have lived in and around Brighton since Edward and Jessie first made their home there. The donor, Mrs Dorothy Constance Cook, was Jessie's granddaughter.A silver and brown striped silk taffeta dress comprising separate bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The dress features a high round neckline fastening down the centre front with concealed hook and eye closures with ten (two missing) decorative brown silk velvet buttons. The front and back feature a briown silk velvet ribbon that forms a v shape from the shoulder to the centre front just below the bust and centre back below the shoulder blades. From the ribbon falls a brown and silver silk fringe approx seven cms deep. The bodice is shaped and boned into the waist and finishes in a deep v over the stomach. At the back the bodice is shaped to the body finishing in a smaller curved v over the small of the back. The sleeve attaches to the bodice at the true shoulder and falls in a pagoda sleeve to the mid forearm. The sleeve is also trimmed with brown silk velvet ribbon near the base of the sleeve. The full skirt is pleated at the waist, falling to the floor, longer at the back to accommodate the crinoline.somerville, new street brighton, jessie somerville singer, edward singer, elizabeth martin, brighton, 1850s

A cloak believed to have been worn by Captain George Ward Cole. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor the Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently sub divided and later demolished. A cream, green, brown and red striped cotton evening cloak with a brown silk velvet collar from the 1880s. The cloak features a double tiered velvet capelet with high standing collar that meets in the centre front, fastening with three hook and eye closures and finishing just below the shoulder line. At the centre front throat is an additional piece of lined cloak fabric which may have attached across the throat, purpose unknown. The lining of the throat and collar of the capelet appears to be a replacement with a darker red silk. The original red silk lining features through out the remainder of the garment. Inside the front left breast, the lining features two pockets; inside the right breast, the lining features a single pocket. The lining also features a waist tie to secure the cloak to the body. The cloak is approximately mid calf to ankle length. st ninians, george ward cole, brighton, 1880s

This dress belonged to Brighton woman Mariam Issa, an author, public speaker and co-founder with Katharina Kons of the nonprofit organisation Resilient Aspiring Women (RAW). Born in Somalia, Mariam and her family arrived in Australia as refugees in 1998. Seeking to bring women together and foster connections, in 2012 Mariam opened her Brighton backyard to the community. The RAW community garden unites women from all cultures through gardening, food and storytelling.Long loose kaftan-style dress, turquoise cotton with black, brown and cream embroidery around neck and shoulders, depicting large brown flowers surrounded by swirling cream border. Round neck and short, loose sleeves.mariam issa, migration, somalia, resilient aspiring women

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. Two-tone brown jumper with vertical ribbed pattern, raglan sleeves, ribbed collar and cuffs. 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. This garment was owned and worn frequently by Assunta herself, as part of an ensemble. 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. Forrest green skirt shaped with darts and has an elastic waistband. Has a brown silky lining. knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Framed portrait of George Maxwell who was President of the Association for the Advancement of the Blind 1920-1935. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the AFB Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Maxwell is turned slightly away from the viewer, and wears a blue suit, white high collared shirt and a blue tie. George Maxwell was President of Vision Australia from 1920 to 1935. After an early teaching career he studied law, was admitted to the Bar and became one of Victoria’s great criminal lawyers and later a Federal Member of Parliament. He took an interest the welfare of blind people from his student days. A detached retina in 1920 led to total blindness nine years later, which gave him a great empathy for those with a similar affliction. Through his contacts he was also instrumental in obtaining the first voting rights for blind Australians. Up until 1902 blind people were unable to vote if they couldn’t write with a pen. George Maxwell was working at that time at the legal firm of Strongman and Crouch one of the partners, Mr. Crouch, was elected as a member of Parliament. When the Commonwealth Electoral Bill was being drafted, Mr. Crouch has a clause added enabling blind people to vote in Federal elections, constituting a world first. But perhaps his greatest achievement was obtaining the pension for legally blind people. Until 1910 only those who met the age and means test criteria were eligible. With the help of his legal and political friends a bill was passed which granted the pension to all persons over 16 years of age who were unable to work due to physical disability or blindness. Until this time these people had to be supported by their families or go to a benevolent institution. This was a world first and gave to blind and vision impaired people a measure of independence which increased both their self reliance and self esteem. 1 art original in gold/brown frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Honourable George A Maxwell Q.C. / President 1920-1935 / Association for Advancement of the Blind'.association for the advancement of the blind, george maxwell

Owner: Edmund Moutray Esq. died on voyage from London to Adelaide 1860.Mrs. V. Rowley, daughter, and Moutray family, Port Fairy districtAn example of an heirloom and it’s connection to familyblack top hat, tall crown, cream lined: brown leather case with lid and red liningbrim: 720/ 678 crown: extra quality/ Lincoln/ Bennett/ & Co. base of case: E. Moutraylocal history, costume accessories, hat accessories, edmund moutray, london, mrs v rowley, moutray

Built c 1889. The current Church of Christ is on the left. One of the foundation families was that of Mr and Mrs John Woodhead, who owned the land from Union Road to Warrigal Road and from Canterbury to Bona Vista Avenue in 1885. Mr Woodhead built 'Kirkland' in Union Road - in 1889/90. The land for the church was given by Mr Woodhead. Photograph taken in 1990.A coloured photograph of a weatherboard building with two windows at the front with brown painted surrounds, and a brown painted wooden door. There is a path leading to the door and looks to be a building on each side. There is a large tree in the background.Church of Christ/ Surrey Avenuekirkland, house names, union road, surrey hills, warrigal road, canterbury road, bona vista avenue, (mr) john woodhead, church of christ, churches

The gentleman in the photo is George Burton Coop, an architect / draughtsman. The donor, his son George Lister Coop was about 21 years of age when he took this photo in 1958 of his family home. His parents were: George Burton Coop (b c1906 Williamstown; died aged 54 years at Mont Albert) and Winsome Alice (MS: Trewartha) who married in 1936. They are first listed at this address in the electoral roll in 1937. They had 2 children: George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 and Alison - born c1945. However the donor informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. Alison being younger did not go to Chatham Primary. A digital copy of a colour photo showing detail of the front view of 688 Whitehorse Road. The house is white weatherboard in a Californian bungalow style with a tiled roof and shingles detail in a dark brown stain. The balustrades and finials of the veranda are simple with occasional feature planks with a tulip detail. A bird cage hangs from the veranda. The veranda is supported by rough-cast sturdy pillars. The house sits behind a cypress hedge. The photo was taken in winter as deciduous shrubs are bare. A gentleman astride a ladder is pruning the hedge. george l coop, whitehorse road, mont albert, californian bungalow, cypress hedge, gardening, george burton coop

Pale blue cover with red lettering, b/w photograph of houses on a hill non-fictionThe early life of 4 grand historical homes in Port Fairy/Belfast. seaview, talara, cooinda, loongana, teresa murphy, powling, suter, powell, margaret emily brown, dilmond john howes, ian wood, lloyd rutledge