Emma Thomas Collection: Items were owned by Emma Courtis, nee Thomas. Family lived in Hamelin St, White Hills. Clothing items possibly made by Emma or a local person in White Hills area and used around 1890s. Emma's family include Elizabeth Penrose (mother), Solomon Thomas (father), and Richard Courtis, a blacksmith (her husband).Black jacket is handmade with a heavy cotton lining. Collar and hem of the garment are lined with black velvet. Sleeve hems also lined with a band of black velvet. Hock and eye fasteners provide centre closing. Twelve small, black buttons (decorative) have been sewn vertically along the centre panel from collar to hem. Boning has been inserted into both of the side seams to shape the jacket. Darts, with decorative stitching, have also been used to tailor the front of the jacket around the centre closure panels (Three darts on either side of the centre closure panels). A central seam runs through the jacket back which ends in a "scalloped" shape.emma thomas, emma courtis, clothing, jacket

In about 1888 William George Ashman (1871-11/2/1944) began a tailoring business in High Street, Eaglehawk. In 1890 he admitted his brother Arthur Thomas Ashman to the business and they traded as Ashman Brothers. In 1936 the company of Ashman and sons was registered at 265 Hargreaves Street. They specialised in made to measure, hand tailored suits. William married Clara Hunkin (1871-25/11/1944) in 1894. Their sons, John, Eric, Basil and Charles followed into the family business.Woolen fabric trousers, part of Dress Suit. A decorative strip runs down each leg. The waistband can be adjusted on either side by belt/buckle attachments. Trousers fasten with two buttons and there are four buttons at the fly opening at front. There are two deep lined pockets either side and one top pocket at rear on LHS. There is a maker's label stitched to the lining of the Rear pocket which reads "Ashmans, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo 'The Home of Better Suits'". A name written in ink below the maker's label is 'Mr M. Suurpaa, 28-3-1961 7252." Leather strips have been sewn inside edge of each leg cuff for garment protection.men's clothing, formal wear, trousers

Pattern 1949 Khaki woollen battle dress blouse. Five front buttons. Two front pockets, one on the left and one on the right.Two buttoned epaulets with embroidered crowns signifying rank of Captain.Royal Australian Regiment patches sewn on the left and right shoulders. Belted at the waist..Two red patches on each shoulder embroidered with Royal Australian Regiment. Identification tag sewn on the inside at the back of the neck - Docket number - 39614-14. Size - J K + M Serge KH. Garment no. - 209. Remarks - Vanzwol or Vanswol, J handwritten on tag. Tag sewn inside left front panel - A.G.C.F. VIC 1988 ARMY NO. NAME B34 handwritten. Care states - dry clean only, crease upper half of lapels only.battle jacket, royal australian regiment, van swol, van zwol, vanswol, vanzwol

BHS CollectionHanro Advertising Brochure for Undergarments: Four page brochure on a brown background with pink framed pictures of a model in a black and white photo wearing undergarments. The first page in a large frame is a model with long blond hair wearing a spencer trimmed with lace and is ribbed at the waist and is wearing briefs. At the bottom right side is printed 'Hanro of Switzerland in white print and on the left is the numbers: A)204/61563-41061 and the wool symbol. Page two has five frames with different spencers and briefs. At the bottom of each frame has the number of the garments and has the cotton symbol. The Third page has five frames each with different garments and their item numbers at the bottom along with a wool or cotton symbol. At the top printed in white is 'Hanro of Switzerland'. Back page has a large frame with a model wearing a Camisette and bikini, at the bottom printed in white is 'M02631/11166-40050 and the cotton symbol. To the right bottom printed in white is 'Hanro of Switzerland. At the right side top of the frame is printed in white 'Reine Schurwolle, Pure Laine vierge, Pura lana vergine, with the wool symbol to the side. Reine Baumwolle gezwirnt, Pur coton retors, Filo di scozia. With the cotton symbol. The bottom of the page has a border of 6cm in the pink colour. In the center of the brochure on A4 white paper in black print is a price list, page number and Item description. The page is header 'Hanro Preisliste/Prix courant Herbst/Automne 1977. Box 116AHanro AG, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland . Printed in Switzerland 77/2hanro, clothing, intimate apparel

Medal ribbon used for Olympic medals in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and made from fine 19.5 micron merino wool. It was made by Melbourne company TD Noone Woven Products who created the ribbon on a conventional ribbon loom. The finishing processes were undertaken by Superior Fit Australia, an Albury-based company. The ribbon was colour tested against various garment colours to confirm design suitability and colour balance and trialed for wearer comfort as it needed to be soft against the skin when carrying a medal. Durability was important as an Olympic medal is a lifelong keepsake. Woolmark supplied 5.2 kilometres of completed ribbon for medal useage.wool - superfine, woolmark company td noone woven products superior fit australia, ribbon, sport, the woolmark company 2000 australian olympic display - exhibition (21/12/2001 - 24/05/2002)

Black and white photograph on grey mount board. Cohn Bros. Vic. Brewery Picnic. Men dressed in suits and various styles of hats, females in dress of the period (1903). Large hats with decorations. Boys in long socks and boots, garments with sailor type collard. Girls in frilly dresses and some with aprons. Inscriptions: Printed on mount at front 'Cohn Bros. Victoria Brewery Col. Ltd. Employees Picnic, held at Cherry Tree on Saturday 7th March, 1903', 'Magnus Cohn, Julius Cohn (central)', hand written on back. 'From WL Newell 30/07/1974 (written in black lead pencil), 'Royal Historical society of Victoria, Bendigo Branch' in circular stamp (on reverse). History: Previous Acc. No. GP25WH Robinson Photo, Bendigoperson, group, cohn's brewery, see also 2001.201.01, 2001.202.01, 2001.203.01, 2001.207.01, 2001, 208.01

Clothing. Women's cream coloured cotton nightgown with elbow length sleeves. High round neckline with 3 cm broderie lace frill. Bib section below neckline (34 cms X 27 cms) has pattern of vertical lace strips, pin tucks and dark pink and cream ribbon. Front skirt section gathered into bib section. Back skirt pleated at centre back into yoke across shoulders. Long straight sleeves finished at hem with pin tucks and broderie lace edging. "A'' shaped garment widening to hem. Front opening left of centre below neckline (21 cm) fastened with two 1 cm plastic buttons - one button hole and one cotton loop.costume, female, women's cream cotton nightgown.

This swimsuit belonged to Audrey May Ferguson (nee Fulton), a longtime Brighton resident. Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun.Black one-piece rayon and cotton swimsuit. Straps button at back. Asymmetrical zig-zag front with double-line of white stitching, embellished by a large cream button.Label, white with green palm tree logo and red text: "Ada / OF CALIFORNIA" Label, white with red text: "61% RAYON, 10% RUBBER, 29% COTTON 36"swimwear, audrey may ferguson, audrey may fulton, melbourne designers, ada of california, ada murkies, toni murkies, 1950s, 1960s

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

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 long sleeved crew neck jumper with black horizontal stripes on lower half. Button at the back of neck. 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 cardigan with black edged scallop detailing on collar, button band and faux pockets.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

This book was owned by the late Dr Elizabeth Kerr and was donated to the Museum by the executor of her estate, Margaret Cameron. It was produced by the Villawood Textile Company of Sydney and contains knitting patterns for womens garments. It is the first edition of 'Hand Knits' and is dated Autumn / Winter 1959. This introduction mentions "the continued trend of quick-to-knit casuals, partly attributable to television...", thus the models used are TV personalities and stage actors (Bettina Welch, Pat Firman, Ronald Frazer, Lyle O'Hara, Wilson Irving, Kevin Colson, Del Cartwright) and some of the photography took place in the studios of Channel 7 in Sydney. The photography was by Herbert Brown of the Max Dupain Studios and Ingrid Robinson Pty Ltd provided the slacks and skirts.Hand Knits / by / Villawool / 3'6knitting handicrafts - history, villawood textile company ingrid robinson pty ltd, brown, mr herbert, knitting, handicrafts - history

Medal ribbon used for Olympic medals in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and made from fine 19.5 micron merino wool. It was made by Melbourne company TD Noone Woven Products who created the ribbon on a conventional ribbon loom. The finishing processes were undertaken by Superior Fit Australia, an Albury-based company. The pattern is an adaption of the SOCOG wave design. The ribbon was colour tested against various garment colours to confirm design suitability and colour balance and trialed for wearer comfort as it needed to be soft against the skin when carrying a medal. Durability was important as an Olympic medal is a lifelong keepsake. Woolmark supplied 5.2 kilometres of completed ribbon for medal useage.SYDNEY 2000wool - superfine, woolmark company td noone woven products superior fit australia, ribbon, sport, the woolmark company 2000 australian olympic display - exhibition (21/12/2001 - 24/05/2002)

Netta Fuller and her husband Alec were long-term residents of Kew. Netta's passion was for historic clothing and its exhibition. In 1985, Netta Fuller and Elizabeth Pace launched a parade of garments sponsored by Kew Historical Society at Holy Trinity Church, Kew. The parade was called 'Downunder Dressmakers' and included a collection of over fifty items of clothing dating from 1800 to 1984. The collection included dresses, hats, scarfs, capes, sporting costumes etc. In sourcing items for her collections, Netta Fuller collected costumes stored in old trunks and wardrobes, or even purchased from opportunity shops. Not satisfied with purchasing authentic costumes of the period, Netta also used these as models for artistic recreations.Two piece black silk evening dress, comprising sleeveless bodice and full-length skirt with inset panels on both pieces of guipure lace on tulle.australian fashion - 1950s, evening dresses, evening wear, netta fuller

Clothing. Infant's cream coloured silk coat with yoke front and back. Fold over collar (12 cm) with embroidered flowers on the front with embroidered zig zag edging. Round neckline with casing threaded with 1.8 cm patterned silk ribbon. Yoke sections lined with cotton fabric. Long sleeves gathered all shoulders, with embroidered pattern at wrist with 1.7 cm lace trim. Full length front opening with embroidered zig zag edging that continues around hemline of garment. Floral embroidered patterns across the back of the skirt above the hemline, and at the lower corners of the front panels. Front opening fastened with silk ribbon ties at neckline and one X 1.5 cm button at lower edge of yoke. Gathered skirt is unlined.costume, children's, infant's cream coloured silk coat

Clothing. Women's cream coloured long sleeved linen nightgown. High round neckline trimmed with 1cm red and white lace with scalloped edge. Front bib section below neckline (44 cm X 35 cm) of vertical red and white ribbon strips and pin tucks. Lower edge of bib section has zig zag shape dipping to V shape at centre front. Bib section edged with red and white lace.Front opening left of centre (24 cm) fastened with 2 X 0ne cm plastic buttons and cotton loops. Long straight sleeves gathered into cuff of red and white ribbon strips, lace with red and white pleated lace frill. Fabric yoke across shoulders at back below fabric yoke. ''A'' shaped garment widening to hemcostume, female, women's long sleeved linen nightgown

Clothing. Twelve shaped panels form the body of the jacket, which is dramatically ''shaped in'' at the waistline, and flared out toward the hipline. Four black fabric covered buttons form the closure, with hand-stitched button holes, all ''hidden away'' under an overlay of the beaded velvet, of which the jacket is made. The long sleeves, narrow at the elbow, flair out to an embroidered and beaded cuff, 35 cm in circumference. Sleeves are gathered at the shoulderline, giving fullness, and featuring an elaborate ribbon, cord, and beaded embroidery. The embroidery is repeated around the revere collar, and on the right-hand side of the bodice, and the full length of the back of the garment, and around the hemline, and also trims the opening edge of the left-front bodice. Lined with black silk. It feels as if there is extra to support beaded areas.GEORGE STIRLING & SONS, THE RICHMONDcostume, female, black velvet long sleeved jacket

Deep round neck, front and back. Sleeveless. Armholes edged wit a two cm band of lace, featuring a diamond shaped geometric design. Lace is spoke stitched to the garment, and has a scalloped edge finish. Two bands of the lace edge - one 2.5cm wide, and one three cm wide. Where they are stitched together, a drawstring of stranded cotton enables the neckline to be gathered in. The lace is spoke-stitched to the fabric, and inserts in circular loops (2) and oval inserts (3) decorate the back across the bustling. One circular shape and two oval shapes decorate the back across the shoulders. Fine, machine stitched, french seams at side seams. Right side seam has a nine cm opening in the seam to the hemline, with a metal hook and hand stitched loop to fasten.costume, female, cotton and lace round neck camisole

Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Black one-piece swimsuit with deep v-neck and low-cut back and high-cut legs. Halter neck. Ruched sides. Label in side: "ada / 16"swimwear, ada of california, ada productions, melbourne designers, ada murkies, toni murkies

Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Blue backless one-piece swimsuit with ruching up sides and front. Halter neck. Straps loop down over hooks at the back.Label in side: "ada / 12"swimwear, ada of california, ada productions, melbourne designers, ada murkies, toni murkies

Ada of California was a Melbourne swimwear company founded in the early 1950s by Brighton locals Ada and Toni Murkies. Born in Poland in 1922, Ada was 17 when the Second World War reached her doorstep. She and her family were torn from their home by Soviet soldiers and sent to a brutal labour camp in Siberia as part of a series of mass deportations. In order to escape the horrific conditions of the camp, Ada and her sister Barbara joined the Soviet-backed Polish Army. During her time in the military she became close with a handsome young Jewish officer, Lieutenant Antoni Murkies, who later became her husband. After the war Toni was awarded 15 medals including the highest Polish military honour, the Virtuti Militari. Ada was awarded 10 medals, including the Order of the Cross of Grunwald. Emigrating to Australia as postwar refugees in 1948, Ada and Toni arrived in Melbourne with little to their name. Working initially in garment factories and building their connections, by the mid-1950s the couple were able to start a company of their own, with Ada designing the garments and Toni managing the business. Within ten years, Ada of California swimwear was being sold in department stores throughout Australia, and the Murkies family were able to build a permanent home of their own in Brighton. By the early 1980s they had acquired several other major labels, including Watersun. This swimsuit is believed to be one of a large quantity of samples, seconds and unsold Ada Productions stock donated to Brighton Historical Society in late 1990 by Brian Samuel, who worked at the company between 1979 and 1990.Pink short-sleeved one-piece swimsuit with silver lamé embellishment. Sweetheart neckline and low-cut back with metal zip. A black and gold swing tag is attached to one sleeve.Label in bra: “Ada OF CALIFORNIA / MIRACULOUS s-t-r-e-t-c-h BRI-NYLON / 34” Swing tag, front: black with gold text and palm tree logo. “Ada / OF CALIFORNIA / ‘Limited Edition’”. Back: gold with black text. “‘Limited Edition’”. Interior: “Congratulations on your choice of ADA OF CALIFORNIA ‘Limited Edition” Swimsuit contoured for your discriminating taste. / Style 546 / Size 34 / Price £11.9.6”. Care instructions also included.swimwear, ada productions, ada of california, ada murkies, toni murkies, melbourne designers

This tabard is one of a small number that were produced/woven by Japanese master weaver Jun Tomita during the period that he was resident artisan at the Jam Factory in Adelaide. The tabard incorporates Ikat/Kasuri woven central panels. Tomita was born in 1951 in Toyama prefecture, and is based in Kyoto, the textile centre of Japan. The technique he uses kasuri (the Japanese term for ikat) is selectively pre-dying yarns before weaving to create pattern. The other decorative features of this garment are based on Japanese family crest designs (kamon). The pointed shoulders of this garment are reminiscent of the stiffened shoulders of kataginu, the upper part of the kamishimo ensemble that was formal wear for samurai men. Tomita was at the Jam factory from 1976-78 and he has works in numerous public collections, including: - Stanthorpe Art Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia / Australia - Oslo National Gallery / Norway - National Museum of Israel / Israel - Stedelik Museum, Museum of Rotterdam / The Netherlands - Denver Art Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, Long House Foundation - Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Art/USA - Victoria and Albert Museum, UK - Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art, Japan The donor purchased this tabard from an exhibition held at Wool House in Parkville Victoria, which was sponsored by the Australian Wool Board to promote the use of Australian Wool in textiles and fashion at that time, around April/May in 1977. At that time (1976-1977) the donor owned and run a retail/display shop for craft products such as ceramics, artworks and jewellery. The donor subsequently retained this in storage with some other items since the business closed.Double sided reversible tabard featuring woven centrals panels. One side is navy blue with white and blue detail panels, one side is grey with green, brown and cream central panel detail.textile, tabard, japan, art, clothing, weaving, fashion, design, ikat, kasuri

These thread spools come from the Fletcher Jones Factory in Warrnambool. They would have been used in the sewing and manufacture of the men's and ladies' garments made at the factory. The Fletcher Jones factory was established by David Fletcher Jones in 1948. David Fletcher Jones (1895-1977) set up as a travelling hawker selling drapery in the Western District in the 1920s. In the same decade he opened a shop in Warrnambool manufacturing men's clothing, specialising in the production of men's trousers. In 1946 a Fletcher Jones shop was opened in Melbourne and a company, Fletcher Jones and Staff, was established in 1951. The company expanded to manufacturing both men's and women's clothing, opening outlets in all States and becoming well-known Australia-wide. The company was dissolved in 2011 and the Warrnambool factory was sold.These items are of interest as a memento of the Fletcher Jones Factory and the Fletcher Jones company, one of the most important businesses ever established in Warrnambool and certainly one of the most cherished by the local Warrnambool community..1 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 11 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels. .2 A wooden stand with upright spikes holding 16 spools containing coloured thread (various colours). The threads are on blue and black plastic reels.fletcher jones and staff pty ltd, fletcher jones factory warrnambool

Gladys Reed was a member of the Ormond Choral Society c 1950. who performed plays and musicals the City of Moorabbin and she was skilled in hand knitting, crochet and dressmaking. Her garments were used by her family and the Ormond Choral Society . Patons' & Baldwin Ltd began as two separate companies: J & J Baldwin and Partners, founded in the late 1770s by James Baldwin of Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, and John Paton Son & Co., founded in 1814 by John Paton of Alloa, Scotland. The two companies merged in 1920 and diversified into producing wool for home knitters, as well as publishing knitting patterns under the "Patons Rose" and "Baldwins Beehive" trademark. By the mid-1930s, the company had establishments across Scotland and Northern England, Canada, New Zealand, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.Patons' knitting books have been used by hand knitters in many countries since they were published early in 20thC Gladys Reed and other residents of the City of Moorabbin used these pattern guides to make clothing for their families and community c1940A printed black and white booklet with 31 pages of knitting instructions and photographs c 1940Front Cover ; Patons / Knitting Book / No. 182 / 'Rhumba' See page 14 'Swing" See page 15 / 6d ( decimal = 5cents) Back Cover ; Patons / No. 182 / Knitting Book / 'Fandango ' /See page 17 / 'Tarantella' /See page 18knitting, crochet, craftwork, john paton son & co., baldwin j &j ltd, aloa scotland, launceston tasmania, melbourne, knitting mills, knitting books, coates j&p ltd, early settlers, moorabbin shire, mechanics institute cheltenham, ormond choral society, postworld war 11 settlers, housing estates moorabbin 1950, bentleigh, ormond, moorabbin, cheltenham, drama societies, musical society cheltenham, clark judy, reed gladys, reed george

Clothing. Woman's black waist length long sleeved silk blouse. Wide scooped neckline with fold over collar (10 cm) with rounded corners. Kimono cut sleeves with geometric pattern of black beading at wrist (5 cm wide). Front of bodice has crossover section with fastening across left shoulder. Front section has 30 cm panel of black beading geometric pattern. Waist is gathered by a cotton tape casing 2.5 cm above the hem. The front opening is on the LHS from shoulder to waist with eight metal hooks and cotton loops. Opening across the left shoulder is fastened with four hooks and loops and one press-stud. Back of bodice has matching panel (30cm wide) with a black beading geometric pattern. Garment is unlined. Beading patterns use 1mm black beads.costume, female, woman's black silk blouse.

High round neckline, edged with 1.5cm wide lace. Centre front panel is pintucked with a centre front opening, fastened with ten metal hook and eye fasteners. Five metal press-studs also fasten the overlap of pintucks, but these are possibly a later addition. A 3.5cm wide panel of fine watermark silk defines the waistline, in three 1.5cm pleats. Centre back seam has one .5cm flat pleat or tuck on either side. A 5.5cm panel of fabric is overlaid with a net based, beaded braid, of small black jet beads in a floral design-This braid extends around the neckline, and down each side of the front to below the bustline. This beading is also sewn of the eight cm wide sleeve cuffs. A cream crochet collar-most likely a later addition, is now stitched over the beading around the neckline. Garment is lined with black polished cotton.costume, female, victorian black silk beaded bodice.

Charlemont & Co., operated out of the Academy Studio, 114 Elizabeth Street from 1890 to 1898. The sitter’s identity has been established as a Mrs. Merritt. While we know that she is not the Mrs Merritt who was to be the wife of the future Mayor of Kew, there were two Mrs Merritts who were shopkeepers in High Street, Kew. Mrs Lucy Merritt operated a bootmaker’s shop, and subsequently a “boot warehouse” from 1888 until the 1920s. Miss Laura Merritt established a dressmaker’s shop in High Street in 1910. Her business also lasted until the 1920s, albeit changed to that of a bookseller and stationer. Silver albumen cabinet card by Charlemont & Co., who operated out of the Academy Studio, 114 Elizabeth Street from 1890 to 1898. In this portrait of Mrs Merritt, she is posed gazing directly at the lens, thus achieving a potentially more intimate relationship with the viewer. All that is revealed however in this supposedly more direct pose is her face. As with an earlier generation, her hair is centrally parted and flattened to accommodate her bonnet, which is surmounted by feathers. The detail in her coat-dress is sharply revealed by new photographic processes that allowed firms like Charlemont & Co., to capture greater light and shade, as well as the detail of fabrics. The entire garment is beaded with what is probably Parisian jet. The beading is arranged in a ‘paisley’ design. The paisley pattern was to become ubiquitous in the 19th century as a design on everything from carpets, to shawls, to clothing.Mrs Merrittcharlemont & co., mrs merritt

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

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