The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Sleeveless high necked turquoise coloured dress shortened to mini length.Label: Pam Parkerpam parker, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1960s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Dark blue green rayon dress self patterned with small flowers of a lighter colour. The short sleeved high waisted dress is fastened with a zip at back.Label: Cann’s, Swanston Street, Melbournecann's, georgina cann, women's clothing, day dresses, australian fashion - 1950s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Long sleeved three quarter length black dress with pink insertions and a stylised pink emblem on the bodice. The pink lining is pleated to provide extra body.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1930s, dresses, fashion and textiles collection

The Fashion & Textiles collections of Kew Historical Society include a number of textiles, as well as women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Textiles include items manufactured or created in the United Kingdom as well as in Australia. As other cultures opened to Australian travellers in the 20th century, members began collecting and donating textiles produced in a number of other countries. Fashion (or clothing/costumes) in the collection was essentially produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, This cocktail dress is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Rosemary-Vaughan Smith.Medium length silver satin evening dress. The weave of the silk fabric includes small pink flowers. The bodice is gathered to give the impression of a bow. The dress has strapped shoulders.women's clothing, cocktail dresses, evening wear, rosemary vaughan-smith, australian fashion - 1950s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This outfit was donated to the Fashion Collection by Val Goldsworthy.Brown wool coat with large silver buttons and fur trim to neck and sleeves. Matching brown dress.Label: Merco Davronmerco davron, australian fashion - 1960s, melbourne fashion designers

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.This theatre costume was made Thea Sartori for her daughter to wear in a Ruyton Girls' School theatre production. It is one of a number of items donated to the Fashion Collection by Thea Sartori, which were made by, or for four generations of her family: her grandmother Frances Ethel Winifred Jones; her mother Dorothea Fush (nee Winstanley); by Thea Sartori (nee Morris), and her daughter. Burgundy coloured long theatre costume in the Medieval style. The high waisted dress has a square neck and gilding to the long sleeves. The dress was worn in a Ruyton school play. character “Anne of Cleeves”women's clothing, theatre costumes, ruyton girls school, thea sartori

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Hot pink chiffon tiered evening dress.Label: Hartnell of Melbournehartnell of melbourne, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1960s, evening dresses

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This emerald green, satin evening dress, owned by Gwen Steele, was worn by her to a reception for Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 at Government House, Melbourne. [The personalised printed invitations are kept in the Subject File 'Gwen Steele'.]Emerald green, satin cocktail dress with shoe-string straps.royal visit (victoria) 1954,, gwen steele, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1950s, cocktail dresses

Joseph Butterworth COOMBS (1842-1901), was an accountant who founded a successful mercantile trading company. At the time of his marriage to Caroline Mary MICHEL in 1869, Coombs had already purchased ten acres of Studley Park. The acreage included land on the west of Fenwick Street that extended along lower Stawell Street to the corner of Yarra Street, all of it connected directly to the Yarra environs. A right of way to Studley Park Road was on the title, though Coombs went on to purchase more land, some of which faced Studley Park Road. In addition to owning the Studley Park acreage, Coombs later acquired 1,201 acres of land abutting the Acheron River. While retaining the Kew property he became a Taggerty Councillor and was Shire President for a time. J.B. Coombs died at Acheron Station in 1901 (aged 59 years). A few months after, tenders were called to repair the Kew dwelling, the Fenwick Street property now appearing in records with the name ‘Hope Mansell’. Caroline Coombs remained at Hope Mansell until she died in 1924, survived by three sons and five daughters. Not long after her death, advertisements appeared for the sale of the Studley Park land. The sale seems to have been a mechanism for distribution of the Estate, as the following year the original ten acre holding was transferred to members of the family. The eldest daughter Mabel married William Younger who, with his brother Alexander, developed Younger and Mackie Courts, both south of Studley Park Road. [Research: Kerry Fairbank]In 1961, the granddaughter of Joseph and Caroline Coombs, Mabel Isola (Younger) Grattan, donated ten 19th century dresses and parasols to the Kew Historical Society. The costumes, now known as the 'Coombs Collection', are the earliest recorded items of clothing to enter the Society's collection. Each of the items in the Coombs Collection, of which this item forms a part, is historically, aesthetically and socially significant. As a collection, the costumes includes outstanding examples of morning wear, day dresses, wedding dresses, and clothing accessories, providing evidence of outstanding dressmaker skills in Victoria during the mid to late Victorian period. One-piece, floor length blue silk day dress with a bell skirt that is slightly longer at the back. The dress is joined, centre-front with hooks and eyes. It is probable that the 19th century cream-coloured lace on the bodice and cuffs is a later addition. The lace extends in a long loop at the font of the skirt. The bodice has a high round neck, later modified to a V-shape. The dress must at one stage have been reconfigured or strengthened at the join of the bodice and skirt, as there is evidence of the use of new machine stitching. The dress is fully lined with a stiffened cotton lining fabric. Apart from minor staining, the dress is in excellent condition. The dress is the earliest complete costume in the collection. Measurements - 145.0 cm (centre back) 25.0 cm (waist, flat)Nilcoombs collection, fashion - 1860s, women's clothing, costumes, daywear

Elizabeth Morrison, was born in 1874 and died in 1963, aged 89 years. She was the schoolteacher at Warrigal until she married the donor's grandfather and moved to Melbourne to take up residence with him. Her husband Edward was a porter on the train from Melbourne to Adelaide. Together they had three children: two boys and a girl. The donor's father was the youngest who was born in 1911.  The eldest son, Kenneth Morrison, was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church, and an Air Force Chaplain during the Second World War, while the daughter was a spinster who owned a few haberdashery and children’s clothing stores. The donor's father had a newsagency in Bridge Road, Richmond. He and his wife lived in Carson Street, Kew for about 50 years and had four children, two of whom were to become lawyers, another a surgeon and the final child social worker/family therapist. The donor's father lived until he was 100 years of age.The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.The costume, which may have been used as a mourning dress is comprised of a matching heavy black silk skirt and top. The styling of the short bodice is accentuated by pleating and by the use of spirals of Parisian jet (black glass beads) on the bodice and cuffs. Chiffon lace is attached to the cuffs and is of the period. The dress is made of silk damask with a woven design of joined lines and circles. The rigidity of the fitted bodice is achieved by the use of baleen and by a heavy striped cotton fabric. The wide skirt, in contrast, has a stiffened brown cotton lining. There is a small insertion on the inside of the bodice that may have been used for a watch. The dress is in excellent condition. elizabeth morrison, australian fashion - 1890s, women's clothing

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.Very fine, lightweight silk two-piece pink and white striped dress comprising a long skirt and a short fitted jacket. The jacket is edged with cream lace at the collar and front. On examination, the lace, while appearing to be in a later style has been judged to be of the period.There is a small faded label on the rear collar of the dress, on which is hand printed the name of the dressmaker. The name has been variously interpreted as reading Miss Gibbens, Miss Gibbons, or Miss Gibbuis. women's clothing, day dresses, australian fashion - 1900s

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This handmade evening dress, worn by Kaye Cole, former mayor of Kew in 1979-80, has strong local provenance to the district.Purple caftan with embroidery and beading at the neck and on the sleeves, given to the donor by Kaye Cole, former councillor and Mayor of Kew 1979-80. The costume is believed to have been worn at various civic functions.kaye cole, mayor of kew 1979-1980, evening dresses, fashion - melbourne - 1970s

Kew Festivals were held locally from 1974, initially every two years and later annually. For a number of years, Festival parades were held. Kew Historical Society members traditionally participated in historic costume.Group of nine Kew Historical Society members and friends, dressed in period costume in readiness for participation in a Kew Festival parade. Participants include L-R: Scott Littlechild (bike rider), Ken Silcock (swagman); ...; Kim Sullivan (top hat); Les Littlechild (policeman with truncheon); Graeme McCubrie (judge); ...; ...; Graeme Lindsey (policeman).kew festival -- parades, kew historical society - kew festivals

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.Very faded photographic colour positive of a christening gown and four Victorian-era dresses displayed at the 1976 Festival of Kew exhibition mounted by the Kew Historical Society. This picture is one of the earliest showing items from the Coombs Collection on display. The collection had been donated to the Society in 1961. Dresses displayed: L-R blue silk 2-piece fitted day day dress with long train; cream satin parasol; gold taffeta wedding dress with long train; blue silk 2-piece day dress with applied later lace at neck and waist; duck egg blue quilted afternoon dress with buttons at front. Inscribed verso: Kew Historical exhibition 1976festival of kew 1976, kew historical society -- exhibitions, coombs collection

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.This photograph confirms that the purple ballgown is/was part of the Coombs family donation of Victorian era costumes made to the Society in 1961. Therefore it is important for establishing the item's provenance. Display of costumes from the collection of the Kew Historical Society, exhibited during the Festival of Kew in 1979. Recognisable items include from left the 1890s purple ball gown, the 1860s white satin wedding dress and the blue two-piece 1880s outfit. All items are clearly from the Coombs donation of 1961, there being no other record of costumes occurring before 1979. Inscribed verso: "Taken during Festival of Kew 1979 / Kew Hist contribution / Exhibition of Family Treasures / Donated by Janet McDermott 1979"kew historical society -- exhibitions, festival of kew -- 1979

St Hilary's Anglican Church in Kew was established in 1888 on land granted to the congregation by the Dumaresq family. The brick building shown here replaced an earlier wooden structure.Small black and white photographic positive, one of four, of a Christmas party for children at St Hilary's Church, 12 John Street, Kew. The children, surrounding an adult Santa Claus, are dressed in festive costumes and a number carry balloons. The foundation plaque is on the wall to the children's left. The photo was tentatively dated to 1932 by the donor. Inscribed verso: "St Hilary's Christmas Party ?1932"churches -- kew (vic.), st hilary's church -- kew, anglican churches -- melbourne (vic.)

St Hilary's Anglican Church in Kew was established in 1888 on land granted to the congregation by the Dumaresq family. The brick building shown here replaced an earlier wooden structure.Small black and white photographic positive, one of four, of a Christmas party for children at St Hilary's Church, 12 John Street, Kew. The children, surrounding an adult Santa Claus, are dressed in festive costumes and a number carry balloons. The foundation plaque is on the wall to the children's left. The photo was tentatively dated to 1932 by the donor. Inscribed verso: "St Hilary's Christmas Party ?1932"churches -- kew (vic.), st hilary's church -- kew, anglican churches -- melbourne (vic.)

St Hilary's Anglican Church in Kew was established in 1888 on land granted to the congregation by the Dumaresq family. The brick building shown here replaced an earlier wooden structure.Small black and white photographic positive, one of four, of a Christmas party for children at St Hilary's Church, 12 John Street, Kew. The children, surrounding an adult Santa Claus, are dressed in festive costumes and a number carry balloons. The photo was tentatively dated to 1932 by the donor. Inscribed verso: "St Hilary's Christmas Party ?1932"churches -- kew (vic.), st hilary's church -- kew, anglican churches -- melbourne (vic.)

White girls nightgown. Long with short sleeves with extensive tiered crochet-work down the front of the dress. The back of the dress laces up with white ribbon.No visible markingscostume, children's, nightgown, clothing, sleepwear, white, crochet.

Identification has been given as follows: Young women: (?) Elizabeth Cooper, Ilma Bodley, "Queen" Avis Andrews, Marion Fair, Lynette Elliott. Names of girl and boy attendants not known by donor. The Queen Carnival was a fundraiser for the Holy Trinity Tennis Club. The Queen Carnival Coronation was held in the Canterbury Memorial Hall on 11 June 1940. Mrs F Eastwood was the trainer and the Honorary Secretary of the tennis club. The donor Mary Holborn married Geoffrey Stroud Clucas in 1946 in Surrey Hills. The photo documents a social fundraising practice common in the early 20th century. Queen carnivals were also popular in New Zealand. In both countries they were particularly common during World War I and in the years after, when they were used to raise funds for returned soldiers. The first such carnival is believed to have been held in Napier, New Zealand, in 1913. The carnivals were not always annual events, and were held in various locations throughout a year.Black and white group photo of 5 women, 2 girls and 2 boys in formal costume mounted on cardboard which has been roughly trimmed. The 'Queen' is seated in the centre and the 2 young girls and 4 young women are standing beside her. The 2 'pages' seated in front of her on the edge of her train. The photo appears to have been taken in a hall. REAR: "Holy Trinity Tennis Club Queen Carnival / June 11 / 1940 / M Clucas / 33 Jurang St / Balwyn"sport, tennis, holy trinity anglican church, 1940, clothing and dress, queen carnival, mrs mary clucas, miss mary holborn, mrs f eastwood, elizabeth cooper, ilma bodley, avis andrews, marion fair, lynette elliott, canterbury memorial hall

The children were students in the infant class at Bulla Primary School and were dressed in Chinese costumes for their performance at the 1988 school concert .heir teacher, Jenny Wilson and Wayne Boyer, one of the parents were supervising the children before they entered to hall to perform their item.School concerts encouraged students in understanding and appreciating the creative arts in education.A non-digital coloured photograph sixteen children dressed in Chinese costume standing in a doorway, waiting for two adults to direct them into a hall.school concerts, bulla primary school, jenny wilson, wayne boyer

The children were performing in concert organised by the Bulla Primary School in 1988. he event took place at the Bulla Community Hall in Green Street, Bulla. The school staff and parents planned the entire program which was well attended by the wider community.A non-digital coloured photograph of ten children in fancy costume from the upper primary classes are performing on the stage with two older girls dressed in identical costumes leading the group. A rear view of four audience members, seated in the front, is across the lower part of the image.school concerts, bulla community centre., bulla primary school

The children from Bulla Primary School were performing at their school concert in 1988, which took place at the Bulla Community Hall. The children on the stage were in the infant and middle school grades. Teachers and parents organised the event.A non- digital coloured photograph of a choir of twenty children on a stage singing. Five of the children are seated in the front and they are dressed in colourful satin Chinese costumes . school concerts, bulla community centre., bulla primary school

The adults performing on the stage were staff members and parents from the Bulla Primary School. The event was the school concert which took place in 1988 at the Bulla Community Hall in Green Street. From their costumes they seemed to be performing a bush dance. A non-digital coloured photograph of six women dressed as bushmen dancing a folk dance on a stage with children seated on the floor in the front watching them.school concerts, bulla community centre., bulla primary school

The students from Bulla Primary School were participating in drama activities which included acting, dancing and singing. The children who are dressed in traditional costumes in this photo were preparing to perform in the activities.The variety of performing activities that the children engaged in gave them an introduction the diversity of areas of the performing arts.A non-digital coloured photograph of a group of children with an adult gathered around in a covered-in outdoor area with four of the children dressed in traditional costumes and lined up in front of the others.drama activities, bulla primary schooil

A coloured photograph of the students an teachers from Bulla Primary School assembled in the school yard. Everyone was dressed in colonial costume to celebrate an important local event.bulla primary school, bulla

Lil was born in Long Gully, Bendigo in 1904 daughter of Herbert Charles Leopold Willaton and Lillie Jenkins. She had 3 brothers and 3 sisters, one brother dying in infancy. The family lived in Lille Street, Surrey Hills. Both her parents and one sister died in Surrey Hills. In the 1920s Lil gained her A.L.C.M. (Australian London College of Music) in singing and made a career of teaching gymnastics with calisthenics, rhythmic movement etc. She arranged the music and lyrics for items and also designed the costumes, as well as conducting the physical training which culminated in annual concerts held in Box Hill and other town halls. Lil married Leslie Reginald Stephenson in 1934 and they lived at 36 Union Road, Surrey Hills. She died in July 1995 and is buried in Buried Box Hill Cemetery - CE-126-0001. A black and white photograph of a young lady dressed in a graduation gown and wearing a mortarboard on her head.(miss) lil willaton, (mrs) lil stephenson, entertainers, singers, gymnastics, calesthenics, teacher, lille street, union road, (miss) lille louisa willaton, (mrs) lille louisa stephenson, box hill cemetery

Mrs Constance Clucas, a talented musician in the Holy Trinity choir, started 'The Surrey Hills Operatic Society' in 1931. She trained members of the Society to concert standard. Mrs Clucas produced operettas for some ten years. Titles included 'The Arcadian', 'Princess Ju Ju', 'The Quaker Girl', and 'Miss Hook of Holland'. Local musicians formed the orchestra which was extended for the concert presentation by a few guest artists among whom were locals Marion de Saxe, a flautist, and Fred McBeath. Rehearsals were held in the Surrey Hall and a small Canterbury Road Lodge Hall with final staging in the Surrey Hall and Camberwell Town Hall. Scores and costumes were hired from J. C. Williamson.The photo is reflective of the cultural life of Surrey Hills in the 1930s.A sepia coloured photograph of a lady standing in a garden dressed in a peasant looking outfit and holding a (?) feather duster. She is wearing a hat in traditional Dutch-style.(mrs) constance clucas, holy trinity choir, churches, surrey hills, (ms) marion de saxe, (mr) fred mcbeath, the surrey hall, canterbury road lodge hall, (mrs) ethel cerini, camberwell town hall, surrey hills operatic society, 1930-1939

Group of 38 male and female students of varying ages from Surrey Hills Primary School. It is taken outside the school buildings and students are accompanied by 2 female teachers. Most of the students are dressed in oriental costume. surrey hills primary school, school concerts, children, education, primary education, music, schools, (mr) john reaburn, operetta