This dress belonged to Christina Barclay 'Ina' Strahan (nee Guinn, 1889-1974), the mother of donor Sheila Alston (1911-2008). Ina married medical practitioner Dr Septimus Strahan in 1909 and the family lived in a stately home in Moonee Ponds from 1912 until Septimus' untimely death at 56 in 1933. Ina later moved to Sandringham, where her daughter Sheila also settled after her marriage to Peter Alston.Black chiffon and lace dress with long sleeves, scooped neckline. Lozenge shaped lace pattern; machine top-stiched chiffon panels.Label, woven, blue on cream cotton, centre back: MADE IN FRANCElace, christina barclay strahan, 1920s

Established by local designer Ralph Samuel, Hartnell of Melbourne was one of the leading high-end Flinders Lane fashion houses of the 1950s and 1960s. This dress still has its original store tag attached, which tells us that it cost 39 pounds, 19 shillings and sixpence - a large amount of money to spend on a dress in 1952. Adjusted for inflation, this price tag equates to approximately $1,480 in today's money.Mauve tucked and folded cocktail dress with twin shoulder straps, ruched bodice and gathered skirt. Rose detail on each hip. Tulle underskirt. Swing tag still attached to back zip.Label, white with blue text: "Exclusively yours, / Hartnell / REGD / MELBOURNE" Swing tag: "THIS GARMENT is made from finest material and designed for the fashion conscious woman / NO. 3633/332 / SIZE SSW / PRICE 39"19"6 / Hartnell of Melbourne Pty. Ltd. / Almond Pink"hartnell of melbourne, 1950s, ralph samuel, melbourne designers, flinders lane

Knitted by the donor's grandmother, Elsie Hone. Knitted using bicycle spokes as knitting needles. Elsie Hone (nee Stone) was born in 1890 and died in 1987. She had six children and she apparently knitted this vest for her second son (fifth child), Albert George Hone (b.1914) for his 18th birthday. Albert and his wife Grace had four daughters between 1942 and 1951. The donor's mother, Ina Harriet Nilsson, was born in 1925 (fourth daughter, sixth child of Elsie) and as she had a son, the donor's uncle George (Albert?) passed it on to her. Both the donor's elder brothers wore and out-grew the vest and eventually it was passed on to the donor, Ray Nilsson. The vest was worn for many years while the donor worked at VACC Insurance Co Ltd in St Kilda Road, Melbourne and in the North Sydney, Canberra and Dandenong offices and it was a talking point as he recalled the story. (Information provided by the donor)Fair Isle patterned hand-knitted vest in beige, brown, yellow, green and red.vest, hand-knit, fairisle, elsie hone, great depression, albert george hone, ray nilsson

Worn by three brides in 1941, 1944 and 1948. The dress was made for Eva Elizabeth (Bid) Harvey for her marriage to Morris Langlo West on 2 October 1941 at St James Catholic Church, North Road, Gardenvale. They had two children, Julian (1942-2005) and Sr. Elizabeth West (born 1942). Bid was born in 1906 to Michael and Kitty Harvey. They lived at 51 Cole Street, Elwood. The bridesmaid was Bid's niece Jocelyn Hickey. The dress was also worn by Jocelyne Dorothy Taylor when she married John Carlisle (Carl) Harvey (Bid's brother) at James Catholic Church, Gardenvale on 30 June 1944. Jocelyne's bridesmaid was Jocelyn Hickey and the best man was Basil Robinson. The reception was held at 'Birdwood', Birdwood Avenue, Brighton. Jocelyne was born in Rangoon, Burma in 1921 and was the eldest daughter of Stanley and Dorothy Taylor. Carl was the only son of Michael and Kitty Harvey. Jocelyne and Carl lived at 15 Harwood Street, Elwood and later at 54 North Road, Brighton. They had five children, Michael, David, Jennifer, Robert and Eric. The third bride to wear the dress was Jocelyn Mary Hickey, who was bridesmaid to Bid and Jocelyne. Jocelyn Hickey was born in 1929 to Daniel and Doreen Hickey (Bid's sister and Jocelyne's sister-in-law). Jocelyn married Gerard Leslie O'Donnell at St James Catholic Church, Gardenvale in 1948. The bride's attendants were Adita Smith, Maureen Bow and Jacqueline Connell. The groom's attendants were Jack Fallon and Con O'Donnell. The reception was held at 51 Cole Street, Elwood. Jocelyn and Gerard had three daughters, Maree, Carlene and Janine. They lived in Bunyip, Victoria. (Information provided by the donor).Cream crepe wedding dress with short sleeves and dropped waist. Sweetheart neckline, bodice and sleeves decorated with floral design in bugle beads. Fastens with metal zip in left side seam.wedding dress, wartime bride, 1940s, eva elizabeth harvey, jocelyne dorothy taylor, jocelyn mary hickey

Two piece ivory satin evening dress. Bodice (.1) is decorated with central panel of finely pleated chiffon and embellished with ready-made strips of beading and artificial pearls. Short puffed sleeves. Russet coloured velvet band applied to waist of bodice and finished with a metal rosette. Plain gored satin skirt (.2) with cream velvet binding around hem. Label, printed grey on cream cotton, centre back bodice waist: Bussell, Robson & Bussell / MELBOURNE.evening dress, bussell robson & bussell, 1890s

Dust coat worn by Mr Frederick Alister Jennings when he managed a family grocery store circa 1948 at 510 Point Nepean Road, East Brighton. Frederick was born at Nagambie, Victoria in 1909 and died in Brighton in 1979. He was the son of Hugh Edwin Jennings and Alice Constance Warren. He married Margaret Jean Hughes in 1934 and served in the Second World War. He lived at 1 Valda Grove Brighton. Frederick was a commercial traveller as well as his time spent managing the store in Point Nepean Road. It is believed this coat dates from his time at the store c1948 - 1955. The store was owned for many years by his father-in-law W. G. Hughes and was one of a group of shops near the corner of Centre Road. In 1944-45 the group of shops included Fletcher’s fuel merchants, a haberdasher, butcher, fruiterer, grocer, Brighton East post office, a ladies’ hairdresser and Hughes’ grocer. In 1950 Hughes’ grocery store was between a service station and the Commercial Bank on what had been renamed Nepean Highway. The business was sold to G. S. Maynard, grocer, sometime before 1960.Unlined dustcoat of beige cotton. Fastens centre front with three brown plastic buttons. Two large patch pockets. Separate cloth belt with metal buckle. Signs of wear and mending. .1 - coat .2 -beltGarment label reads: APEX (RLG.) Dust Coat DEPT. MYER STORE for MEN. MELBOURNE & ADELAIDEdustcoat, occupational dress, grocer, hughes grocery store, brighton, frederick alister jennings

This gown was the winning entry in the Mannequins and Models Guild's Gown of the Year competition, held at the Chevron Hilton Hotel, Melbourne in November 1963 in aid of the Torch Bearers for Legacy. Designed by Lorna White for Hartnell of Melbourne and modelled by Marien Brindley, the dress’s construction is reputed to have consumed 300 hours, with the finished dress weighing 6 kilograms and costing around 3000 pounds. Evening gown made of cream ribbon lace and a rich latte-colured satin; applied beading. Cut with a high waist, short sleeves and deep V at centre back. Boned interior bodice. Centre back zip and train. gown of the year, hartnell of melbourne, lace, beading, ralph samuel, lorna white, marien brindley

Cream silk princess line wedding dress with scalloped neck edge, ruched front bodice panel and ruched and gathered panels on skirt. Three-quarter length sleeves with slashed sleeve details. Centre back opening fastened with silk thread covered buttons.wedding dress, 1870s

Silk blouse made by Toula Mavrokefalos, the mother of long-time Brighton resident Olga Black. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Cream silk short-sleeved blouse. Hand embroidered around inside of stand collar, centre front panel and sleeve edge in red, blue, black and green floral and geometric design.migration, ithaca, romania, olga black, toula mavrokefalos, toula black

These gloves belonged to Maria Frisch who had survived a number of concentration camps during the war and emigrated with her daughter Anne to Australia in 1948. Maria and her daughter Anne were Polish Jews. As a small child Anne had been smuggled out of the Krakow ghetto in 1942 and was taken in by a Polish woman. At the end of the war Anne was reunited with her mother in Krakow. In 1945 they travelled to Italy to be with Maria's sister Ida who had lived in Florence since the 1930s. When Maria and Anne emigrated to Melbourne, they lived in Martin Street, Brighton. Maria's husband, and Anne's father, perished in Mauthausen concentration camp. Maria Entenberg married Jack Frisch in Melbourne in 1952.Pair of black suede gloves with original paper bag from Florence. The gloves are embroidered with small pink rosebuds and green leaves. They are unused and are still tacked together. T0098.1 - left glove T0098.2 - right glove T0098.3 - paper bagPaper bag, printed in blue and red: "Vasto assortimento GUANTI in pelle / A LARGE STOCK OF KID GLOVES / BEFORE YOU BUY, VISIT US / ELEGANCE AT LOW PRICES / MARIA PIA NICCOLINI / P.za S. Lorenzo Stand N. 21 / FIRENZEgloves, florence, emigration, holocaust, maria frisch, anne gouttman

The collars were made by Maria Frisch who had survived a number of concentration camps during the war and emigrated with her daughter Anne to Australia in 1948. Maria and her daughter Anne were Polish Jews. As a small child Anne had been smuggled out of the Krakow ghetto in 1942 and was taken in by a Polish woman. At the end of the war Anne was reunited with her mother in Krakow. When they emigrated to Melbourne they lived in Martin Street, Brighton. Maria's husband, and Anne's father, perished in Mauthausen concentration camp. Maria Entenberg married Jack Frisch in Melbourne in 1952. Two artificial pearl collars in original cardboard box. One collar is constructed with two tiers of interlaced pearls and the other with three. The lid of the box is covered in a textured printed cream paper with a flower and sprig pattern in red, brown and green. T0099.1- small necklace T0099.2 - large necklace T0099.3 - box lid T0099.4 - box basecollar, necklace, holocaust, maria frisch, anne gouttman, migration

This dress was worn by Nancy Kirsner (nee Rosenhain, b. 1906) and her older sister Mona (b. 1903) as children in England. Nancy Bertha Rosenhain was born in Worchestershire to German-Australian metallurgist Walter Rosenhain and Australian Louisa Rosenhain (nee Monash). Louisa was the sister of Sir John Monash; the couple met through a synagogue in Melbourne before settling in England. Nancy travelled to Melbourne in 1929 and was married to Marcus Kirsner on 24 July 1932. Nancy and Marcus lived together at 3 Baroona Court in Brighton.White cotton piqué dress. Square neck. Skirt gathered at waist. Broderie anglais trim around neck and sleeves. Hand-embroidered cornelli work on sleeves, bodice, and skirt. Small frill on skirt. Three self-covered buttons at back.children's clothing, 1900s, nancy bertha rosenhain, mona henrietta rosenhain, jewish diaspora

This dress was worn by Brighton model Coral Triplett when she married John Knowles at St John's Church, Toorak, on 18 June 1966. Made from beaded wool lace, it was commissioned by the Australian Wool Board for the Gown of the Year competition and made by Jinoel, a high-end Melbourne fashion house run by husband and wife team Jill and Noel Kemmelfield.White French wool lace wedding gown with low neckline and high empire waist. Bodice embroidered with beads.wedding dress, 1960s, coral triplett, coral knowles, john knowles, jinoel, australian wool board, gown of the year, wool lace

NSW Mounted Rifles officer's mess dress waistcoat worn by Lieutenant William Augustine Newman (1873-1955) during the Second Boer War. Born in Campbelltown, NSW, William began working in the colonial public service at the age of eighteen. In 1899 he travelled to South Africa to fight in the Second Boer War as an officer of the 1st NSW Mounted Rifles. Returning to Australia in time for Federation on 1 January 1901, William rejoined the public service and was appointed to the original staff of Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton, attending the first opening of Federal Parliament in Melbourne as Barton's private secretary. He went on to serve as the chief clerk of the Home Affairs Department, Commonwealth Electoral Officer for Victoria and official secretary to the Governor-General. In 1927 he was appointed Administrator of Nauru, a position he occupied until his retirement at the end of 1932. He retired to Brighton, where he lived with his family at 43 Martin Street until his death in 1955.Black NSW Mounted Rifles officer's mess dress waistcoat. Black superfine wool front, with black cotton back and cream cotton lining. The neck, front and bottom front edge are edged with gold metal lace and gold cording in an Austrian knot style. Two front pockets are edged in the same looped cording. The left front opening is edged with a row of decorative gold metal studs, with hook and eye fastenings underneath.Handwritten in pen on lining: "MESS WAISTCOAT / BOER WAR / LIEUT. NEWMAN / Gift of Mrs. D. Kelly, daughter".military uniform, nsw mounted rifles, boer war, william augustine newman

Formed in 1990 by a group of current and former social services and administrative staff at the then-Brighton Council, the Lovely Learned Luscious Ladies of Brighton were a group bound by friendship, humour, fun and a delightfully strange knitting project. Each member took turns to add ten rows ten rows of knitting to the piece, following a series of handwritten rules on an attached card. The wool used was not to be bought, but could be "begged, borrowed or stolen", and previous work was not to be altered. The ladies met bi-monthly over dinner at local restaurants and hotels to swap gossip, play games and share the progress of the knitting. The work of twelve women over eighteen years, the piece documents fond memories, personal passions, wedding celebrations, the birth of a grandchild, footy triumphs, holidays and major events. It is a testament to a close-knit friendship, as expressed on the rules card: "MAY THIS PIECE SERVE TO BIND US TOGETHER".Irregular-shaped knitting project consisting of multicoloured knitted stripes in a variety of yarns and stitches created by a group of women over a period of eighteen years. The piece includes numerous additions and embellishments by the various makers, including sequins, beads, shells, badges, ornaments and laminated images.Attached yellow laminated rectangular card with handwritten rules: "1) Nominated member is to knit (in any stitch of choice) 10 rows of your best by the next meeting. 2) The yarn to be used is not to be purchased for the job but can be begged, borrowed or stolen. 3) The colour of yarn is to be left to member's discretion, but judgement will be passed by others. 4) The nominated member will not tamper with, pull out or destroy a previous member's work. 5) On returning the work to the meeting the member shall declare to what genuine purpose the piece will be put on completion (as a guide for future knitters), e.g. rug for favourite chardy, cock sock for lover. 6) The next knitter can (and shall be encouraged to) change the purpose as stated by the previous knitter. 7) This tag must not, without the permission of a majority of members, be removed. MAY THIS PIECE SERVE TO BIND US TOGETHER."brighton, brighton council, social groups, knitting, 1990s

First World War Army jacket belonging to Lieutenant Sydney Matthew Callaghan (1892-1976), who served in the Australian Engineers, AIF Canteens Section and the Australian Flying Corps during WWI. Sydney and his family lived at 34 Normanby Street from 1932. His parents lived in Bay Road, Sandringham.First World War Army jacket, khaki with four front pockets. Winged Australian Flying Corps patch above left breast pocket. Lieutenant's insignia on epaulets: two diamond-shaped metal 'pips' and a curving band with the word "AUSTRALIA". Flying Corps colour patch on each shoulder: a pale blue triangle with two small red stripes and a large central darker blue stripe. Metal belt hooks on either side of the waist. The garment has been widened, with a strip of khaki fabric inserted in the centre back.sydney matthew callaghan, australian flying corps, military uniform, first world war

Brighton councillor Sally Allmand's grandmother Minnie Toms (1878-1983) began making this dress and matching jacket in the 1920s, but never finished it. Sally's mother (also named Minnie, 1914-2001) finished it in the 1970s and Sally wore it when, as Mayor of Brighton in 1981, she was introduced to the Queen during a Royal visit.Sleeveless black floral lace dress (.1) with v-neck and matching collarless jacket (.2) with scalloped bottom hem.sally allmand, minnie toms, brighton council, politics

This uniform was worn by Sandra "Sally" Allmand circa 1953-57 as a member of the 3rd St Andrews Girl Guides company in Brighton. Sally Allmand went on to serve on the Brighton Council from 1977 to 1983 and was mayor in 1981.1950s Girl Guides uniform consisting of a dress, belt and beret. Blue cotton dress with long sleeves and high collared neck. Various patches sewn onto sleeves and front breast. Three front pockets fastening with black plastic buttons featuring Girl Guides trefoil logo. Breast pocket has two vertical white stripes. Brown leather belt with silver metal buckle with embossed Girl Guides logo and the text "Girl Guides Association / Be Prepared". Navy blue felt beret with two sewn-on patches. Included with the dress are a Girl Guides 'test card' dated 1953 and a rectangular De Reszke cigarette tin containing a collection of Girl Guide ribbons, patches and buttons. .1 - Dress .2 - Belt .3 - Beret .4 - Test card .5 - Box of patches and ribbonsDress label: "The Guide Shop / STATE HEADQUARTERS / RUN BY GUIDES / FOR GUIDES".girl guides, sally allmand, 1950s

Pat Grainger (1930-2023) had a distinguished career as a graphic designer. In the 1960s she lived in Brighton and was working with her husband Les Mason in the influential Les Mason Graphic Design studio in South Melbourne. This was one of three Norma Tullo outfits she owned at the time; she believed it would have been around 1967. Pat was a founding member of Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society and was active in local history and environmental and social justice causes. Norma Tullo (1936-2019) was an influential Melbourne fashion designer circa 1960s-1980s, part of a new wave of younger designers creating youthful, modern and affordable styles for a young market.Black and white paisley nylon hot pants dress (.1) with collar. Front button fastening with seven fabric covered buttons; short sleeves and accompanied with short red wool scarf (.2).Label, white text on black: "TULLO".pat grainger, paisley, melbourne designers, pat mason, norma tullo, 1960s

These shoes were worn by Emily Cock (nee Smith), the daughter of wealthy early settler John Matthew Smith. From 1856 until 1931 the Smiths lived at 'Castlefield', a mansion on a vast estate that at one time stretched along South Road from Bluff Road to Hampton Street. The land was gradually subdivided, and the house is now a part of Haileybury College. Julien Mayer was a French ladies shoemaker and prolific exporter who advertised his successes on the shoes themselves by stamping the soles with details of the prizes he had won.Pair of black kid leather shoes with low block heel, decorated with pink silk, cut-away applique and embroidery. Pink bow with metal clasp on one shoe; missing from the other. Edged with pink silk ribbon binding, largely deteriorated.Sole embossed with "MAYER / Julien / à Paris", in addition to tamped with three small medallions proclaiming the awards the shoemaker won in London in 1862, Porto in 1865 and Paris in 1867. Handwritten in interior sole of T0124.2 in pencil: "Emily Smith / Castlefield"emily smith, castlefield, shoes, 1860s, applique, embroidery, julien mayer

This is the wedding dress of Ella Janetzki, nee Sutcliffe, who married Eric Janetzki in Adelaide on 25 January 1941. The dress was made to measure in a shop in Rundle Street, Adelaide, and cost four guineas. Eric had enlisted in the army in 1940 and was called to duty in 1941, which determined the date of the wedding - though Eric very nearly didn't make it! He caught the train from his home town of Nhill, Victoria on the eve of the wedding only to be held up by flooding on the tracks, ultimately arriving three hours late amid much fuss. Ella later said that there were so many setbacks it was amazing they married at all. They remained together for 58 years until Eric's death in 1999. The dress was also worn by Ella's sister Eileen in October 1943 when she married Jack Edwards at the Church of Christ, LaTrobe Terrace, Geelong. As this was during the war, the sisters did not have enough clothing coupons to purchase another dress. BHS also holds Ella's daughter Rayleen Haig's wedding dress (T0131).Cream lace wedding dress with high square collar, short puffed sleeves and long train.wedding dress, wartime bride, 1940s, ella sutcliffe, ella janetzki, eric janetzki, eileen sutcliffe, jack edwards

This wedding dress belonged to Rayleen Haig OAM, nee Janetzki, who married Donald Haig in Geelong on 15 August 1964. The dress was designed for Rayleen and made by Deon's of Melbourne, which specialised in wedding gowns (she believes it was above Sportsgirl in Collins Street). It cost about one hundred pounds. The reception was held in the Carlton Hotel, Geelong. A longtime local resident, Rayleen was a Brighton councillor (1983-92) and mayor (1989-90). She was awarded the OAM in 2007 for "service to local government and to the community through health, historical and aged care organisations, particularly within the City of Bayside, and to the National Council of Women of Australia".Cream silk dress with boat neck, short sleeves and back zip. Guipure lace flowers on sleeves and skirt.wedding dress, rayleen haig, rayleen janetzki, donald haig, deon's of melbourne, brighton council, mayor

Heather Leonard wore this outfit to a Brighton Primary School fundraiser in the late 1960s. She hand painted the white platform heels to match her yellow and orange dress, and her husband Paul wore similarly bright colours with a mustard yellow and purple shirt. Heather was born in the Bayside area, initially working as a nurse and later as a yoga teacher. She and Paul lived together in Male Street for forty years until his death in 2002. Paul worked in advertising and later became a painter, mainly of Australian icons.Floor length dress (.1) of printed cotton with yellow and orange pattern, with scoop neck, short flared sleeves and zip at the back. Platform shoes (.2) with block heel. White leather, hand painted yellow and orange.heather leonard, paul leonard, brighton primary school, 1960s

Paul Leonard wore this shirt and vest to a Brighton Primary School fundraiser in the late 1960s. His wife Heather wore a matching yellow and orange dress, with hand painted yellow and orange shoes. Paul and Heather lived together in Male Street for forty years until his death in 2002. Paul worked in advertising and later became a painter, mainly of Australian icons.Cotton men's shirt (.1), mustard yellow with purple collar, cuffs and buttons. Men's knit vest (.2) featuring yellow and navy blue horizontal stripes and trimmed with narrow red stripe.paul leonard, heather leonard, brighton primary school, 1960s

This swimsuit belonged to Jessie Aldred (nee Dell, 1903-1995). Jessie was a dressmaker who married Frederick Ashley Aldred (1902-1974) in 1928. They lived at 34 Thomas Street, Sandringham from the late 1920s until at least the late 1970s. BHS also has a photo of Jessie on Hampton Beach in the 1920s. Seagull swimsuits were designed by Peter O'Sullivan (who also designed Black Lance swimwear) and manufactured by Botany Knitting Mills Pty Ltd in Melbourne.One piece black wool lastex swimsuit with mini-shorts and a modesty skirt to cover the tops of the thighs. White straps and white lacing down centre bodice. Seagull logo on left thigh. Low back; straps fasten with buttons at back waist. Hidden drawstring at back waist.Label: "This Seagull Swimsuit is protected by the patent and designs reg. nos. 22340/35, 13277, 16028/34".jessie aldred, jessie dell, swimwear, seagull, 1930s, melbourne designers

This swimsuit belonged to Merilyn Case (nee Aldred), who grew up in Sandringham. BHS also has a swimsuit belonging to her mother, Jessie Aldred.One-piece halter-neck swimsuit with sweetheart neckline. Deep blue with gold central panel and halter strap. Low-cut back.Triangular label features a picture of a mermaid above the text "MADE IN ENGLAND".merilyn case, swimwear, 1950s

Purchased from an opportunity shop, this dress is a stage costume bearing the label of Bonn & Mackenzie, a prominent UK costume designer from the 1950s to the 1970s. The dress appears to have been worn by June Bronhill (1929-2005), a prominent Australian opera singer and actress, whose name is handwritten on the label. Born June Mary Gough, she began using the stage name of Bronhill in 1952 in honour of her NSW home town of Broken Hill as a form of thanks to the local community who had helped raise money to send her overseas for professional training as a singer. Bronhill trained in London and gained early exposure with the English National Opera. She went on to star in many theatrical productions in Australia and the UK. She moved back to Australia permanently in 1976, and in 1980 was cast in her first television role as Mrs Crawford in the Australian version of 'Are You Being Served?'.Full-length short-sleeved dress of white cotton, lace and nylon, featuring elaborately ruffled sleeves and vertical stripes of lace on the skirt and bodice. The dress is open at the back, fastening with hooks and cotton ties to facilitate quick costume changes.Label, white cotton with red text: "BONN & MACKENZIE LTD. / TEMPLE BAR 1393". Handwritten underneath in black pen: "JUNE BRONHILL".june bronhill, bonn & mackenzie, theatre costume

Three generations of women are represented in this apron. The linen used was woven by Olga's great-grandmother Efstathia in the late nineteenth century with flax grown on the island of Ithaca. Olga's mother Toula Raftopoulos added the whitework around 1908 at age 16 - the first piece of lacework she made on her own - and embroidered her initials on the front. Olga embellished the apron with coloured embroidery around 1950 at age 20. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Cream linen embroidered half apron. White lace along hem, along with white embroidered initials, "T.P." Coloured floral and abstract embroidery along sides in red, black, blue and green.olga black, toula raftopoulos, migration, embroidery

This top was made by Toula Mavrokefalos Black (nee Raftopoulos) as a teenager living in Romania. It was intended to be worn under suit jackets. Her daughter, Olga Black, is a longtime Brighton resident. Olga Maria Black was born in Melbourne in 1930, the daughter of Ithacan migrants Constantine and Toula Mavrokefalos. Constantine first emigrated to Australia in 1902, returning to Greece circa 1912-13 to serve his home country in the Balkan Wars. Toula's family had left Ithaca for Romania when she was only six months old, but she happened to be visiting the island at the very time that Constantine arrived, fresh from the war. Within three weeks they were married, and when Constantine returned to Melbourne in 1914 his new bride came with him. Constantine had trained as an accountant, but his qualifications were not recognised in Australia. Changing his surname to the Anglicised "Black", he started off working in his older brother Dionysios's cafés before going into business on his own. In 1917 he opened the Paris Residential Café at 54-56 Swanston Street, which offered both dining and accommodation. The business saw some years of success, but did not survive the Great Depression. Constantine died in 1944. Olga's mother Toula learned to sew as a child, while growing up in the Romanian village of Brila. She developed her skills making lace and embroidering items for her trousseau. Some of the linen she embroidered had been woven from flax on Ithaca by her own grandmother, Efstathia. During the Depression, when money was scarce, Toula embroidered at home, doing work for a factory in Flinders Lane. Using a cotton reel, a threepence and a sixpence she created and embroidered designs on hundreds of blouses. Olga spent her preschool days sitting at the table where her mother worked. Toula would involve Olga by allowing her to help choose the colour combinations. Toula lived with Olga in Brighton until her death in 1976. Olga inherited her mother's sewing skills. She re-invented some of Toula’s trousseau nightdresses and skilfully altered other clothing, making dresses which she wore around Brighton for many years.Long-sleeved top of cream georgette with high round neck. Front features three handmade rectagular lace panel inserts, surrounded with floral cross stitch embroidery in red, blue, black and greentoula mavrokefalos, toula black, olga black, migration, embroidery

This nightshirt was made by Vasiliki Raftopoulos for her husband Panayioti around 1890. Both natives of Ithaca, the couple and their children were living in the village of Brila in Romania at the time. They emigrated to Australia around 1920, following their daughter Toula, who had settled in Melbourne with her husband Constantine Mavrokefalos in 1914. Toula and Constantine's daughter, Olga Black, is a longtime Brighton resident. BHS holds a collection of garments and textiles made by the women of Olga's family, spanning four generations.Men's white cotton nightshirt with red and black cross stitch embroidery. Fastened with red tassels (one missing).vasiliki raftopoulos, panayioti raftopoulos, olga black, migration, embroidery