Sepia Photograph of Mitchell Family of StawellNames written on bottom of Photograph familys, clothing

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from."Playing cards featuring Onkaparinga sales mottos and picturesOnkaparinga Pure Wool Blankets/Australia’s Best/Rugs, Blankets, Piece Goods, Men’s and Boy’s Clothing/Made from Pure Wool In White Pink Blue Green And Primrose/The Home Of The Famous Onkaparinga Pure Wool Products/White And Coloured Blankets Give Individuality And Charm/Made In Australiablanket fever, wool, playing cards, advertisements, onkaparinga

The garment and cap were made by Peg West for Robert. Peg was a former member of the historical society who lived at 10 Wattle Valley Road, Mitcham (1931 - 2009). She knitted many garments for family and friends. The wool was purchased by Barbara Gardiner for the jumper and cap for Robert.Man's dark grey with multi-coloured fleck wool hand knitted ribbed jumper and matching cap. The rib pattern is two knit two purl stitches. The garment is long sleeved with cuffs and a polo neck collar. The matching cap (beanie shape) has a twin back edge.costume, male, handcrafts, knitting

Items used by most families in the area in the 1940s to 1980s to protect the heels of their shoes.Cardboard covering displaying tacks and protective plates for 12 pairs. Size OO to be used on mens/ladies/children's shoes to protect the heels.costume accessories, footwear accessories

Frock was worn by donor's daughter Susan during time the family lived in England1964 white terylene dress, puff sleeves gathered at bodice and trimmed with nylon lace from neck edge to skirt. Five pearl buttons from neckline to skirt. Dress is lined from the bodice to the hem which is trimmed with nylon lace. Neck rear has two button opening. See also NA3591.1.2 Booties, NA3586 Bonnet, NA3592.1.2 BootiesSally Pigtail Regd - Terylenecostume, children's

Donated by grand daughter of Edith and Ron Palmer. Bride Ellen Lidgerwood married Ron Mathers on 4 September 1937.The Best Man was the brother of the Groom, George Mathers. The bridesmaid was the sister of the groom, Miss Mathers and the flower girl was the niece of the bride, June Lidgerwood. For full family history and photos of both weddings see Supplementary File NA3817 & NA3818. Dress worn by Ellen at her wedding and Veil worn by both sisters Edith and Ellen Lidgerwood at their wedding ceremonies, Edith in 1936 (see NA3817) and Ellen in 1937Prominent Box Hill families1937 cream seersucker dress featuring a cowl neck and long sleeve, slit at shoulder to create cowl effect. Slim at lower arm to a point over the hand and fastened at seam with press stud. Bodice cut on the cross under the bust. Cut on the cross figure fitting skirt to the floor, complete with long train. On the back is a slit opening fastened with hook and eye and glass clear buttons. Below the slit are eight glass buttons with false rouleau button loops. The train is made of an added detachable piece. Veil worn at both sisters weddings but with different headdresses. Headdress has small circle of flowers and berries. See sister's wedding dress NA3817.costume, female ceremonial

George Harold Merrett married Dorothy Lorna James at Christ Church, Horsham 14/08/1954. wedding gown and accessories were donated by family members. Photo of wedding couple.Cream lace dress and train overlaying pink satin with attached cream taffeta half slip trimmed with 4 cm cream lace inserted with blue ribbon. Design is scalloped sweetheart neck, dropped waist line and 34 pink satin covered buttons down centre back of the bodice. Sleeves are crossover cap sleeves and 180 cm train from centre back waist line. Pair of elbow length cream kid gloves, three pearl buttons at wrist and cream net horseshoe with apple blossom and pink rayon horse shoe. Full length cream veil attached to pearl and blossom headdress. See also NA4231 Mauve Bridesmaid's dress, NA4138 Mauve hat for bridesmaid's dress and NA3949 Mauve fingerless gloves for bridesmaid's dress.costume, female ceremonial

The bedspread (NA2862) and apron were owned by Maria Austin (born 25 August 1867 Buried at Box Hill Cemetery 15 November 1955) and used when she worked as a 'Nanny' in England. Many of the children she cared for kept in touch with her after she came to Australia with her family in 1914. They arrived on Show Day, 1914 on the last ship to leave England before the First World War was declared. She lived at 26 Nelson Road Box Hill now the site of the Box Hill R.S.L. Maria was born 25 August in 18?? and died in 1952 and is buried in the Box Hill Cemetery. She was the Great Aunt of the donor.White bib front apron with ties to back of neck - wide waist band ties - 12 cm hem line - also three 2cm pin tucks above hem line - two 12cm pin tucks at top of bib front. Pocket on right hand side.M Austin. 1.2.1901|Laundry mark in red 59costume, female working

Made and embroidered by Phoebe Lewell as a school project when she was 16years old. It was acquired through the Webster family of Vermont, when Bruce Reynolds was selling some items for them. It was subsequently donated to the Society by Bruce Reynolds.White cotton baby frock smocked in blue at yoke and sleeves, with blue feather stitch around yoke and neck.costume, children's

From the Till collectionTHE TILL COLLECTION SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT|The significance of the Alwyn Till Collection is that Alwyn was born in Mitcham in 1921. He attended Mitcham Primary School and Box Hill Boys High School. He served his Community mainly through his activities within the Christ Church Anglican Church Mitcham. He joined the Royal Australian Airforce in World War II in September 1939. He trained as a Pilot in Australia and Canada, was posted to England and saw action in Europe. He was shot down over France and rescued by and then joined the French Resistance and while fighting with them was fatally shot. A Baron fighting with him wrote to his mother to inform her of his death.|Alwyn's parents were Evaleen Victoria Till (nee Maggs) and Sydney Norman Till who first lived in Creek Road Mitcham, before moving to 573 Whitehorse Road Mitcham. His father served in World War I where his eyesight was damaged and he was taught by the then Blind Institute in suitcase making of which we have two examples in this collection. He died in 1931. Alwyn took over responsibility for his mother and sister Alison. We can understand how devastated his mother and sister would have been at the news of Alwyn's feeling that he must serve his country in World War 11.|His letters home were so precious to them that they carefully kept all his correspondence, notices of death and condolences from friends. After Alison's death in 2007 her relation Joan Walker transcribed each of Alwyn's letters home into two bound volumes. The executors, Joan Walker and Anne Drew deposited the original letters with the Whitehorse Historical Society. Due to their significance as historical documents of one serviceman's complete correspondence with his family the Whitehorse Historical Society Committee after consultation with the donors deposited the original letters with the State Library of Victoria. The Whitehorse Historical Society retains the copies.|Alison and her mother kept many family memorabilia and personal items which make up this significant collection as they show how people lived, worked and served in the local community and municipality.|This collection represents the love and devotion of the women to their families during the course of two world wars. The father was disabled as a result of World War 1 and died an early death and a son who thereafter took on the responsibility as head of the family at an early age. This young handsome charismatic son served his community in peace time and gave his life in World War 11. This mother and sister were devoted to his memory.Blue hand stitched square bound at neck edge with white tape and ribbon ties. Three lines of pattern. One has circles one has pink thread and one dark blue thread. The bottom edge is fringed in blue and white thread.costume accessories, children's

George Harold Merrett married Dorothy Lorna James at Christ Church Horsham 14/08/1954. Wedding Gown & all accessories were donated by family, plus wedding photo.Mauve Damask satin full length gown. Shaped bodice with pin tuck detail over bust line, pin tuck shawl collar across back. Zip closing down back, full flared skirt. Bodice lined with rayon.|Refer to 3985.1-5, 3949.1-2, 4138, 3999.1-2, 4000.1-2costume, female ceremonial

Margaret Skey migrated to Australia with family 4/8/1957. She was wearing this coat on a hot summer's day, arriving in Melbourne 6/9/1958 on a cold wet Sunday. This coat was purchased at the local shop - Prattes of Streatham London.Red Mohair overcoat. Shawl collar fastening to a tab in front & closing with three large buttons down front. Wide raglan sleeves with turnback cuffs.LESTERS COUTURIERS STREATHAM LONDON SW 16costume, female

Belonged to Captain Matheson, father of donor. Family owned 'Strathdon'.A property they purchased when he and Mary McLaren were married. The property was named after a ship he served on.Soft black leather oval shaped case with strap at top. Lined with dark blue cotton and small leather pocket inside. Five detachable white collars, leather travelling tag and leather sewing kit inside. Sewing kit contains sewing cotton, scissors, buttons, wool, safety pins and name tags. Eight items make up the set.Sewing case: 'Matheson's Collar(1763.3) Weichmargetson St Andrews back 1 1/2 front 1 3/4-15 1/2|Collar(1763.4) CDM|Collar (1763.5) Pelaco Napier 15 1/2 x 1 1/2|Collar (1763.6) Pelaco Napier 15 1/2 x 1 1/2 CDM|Collar (1763.7) The Myer Store For Men Melbourne + Adelaide VR 15 1/2 x 1 1/2 apex collars Linen faced.|Luggage Tag (1763.8) C.Matheson Passenger tocostume accessories, collar accessories, male

Donation of McNamara Family- Cream nylon hail spot ladies' gloves. Short, with X 2 lace applied motifs at wrist. - Hail spot fabric on upper side only, lower side plain nylon.Label (unreadable)clothing, gloves, c 1950's, nylon

Family of heather McNamara.- Mauve silk velvet scarf, lined with darker contrasting satin.clothing, velvet, c 1950's/60's

From the McNamara Collection- Child's nylon collar with points & front tie - Edged in lace - Cream colourNilchild's clothing, collar, lace, mcnamara, tyack

From McNamara Family.Cream lace collar with shoulder straps, 2 press studs.collar, lace, mcnamara

Example of 1960's couture fashion at height of Australian industry.1966 lemon cotton dress & bolero labeled Ricki Reed (melb)Ricki Reed -All cotton-14worn by estelle bannister to family wedding january 1966.

Marriage of Melambi Emily Thomason to William Archibald Anos on 15th Oct 1913 at Presbyterian Church Clayfield, QueenslandBeautiful example of handmade wedding Dress of the era.Family wedding dress and trainNilwedding dress - 1913 - amos/thomson

Black & white photograph of three women. Inscription. To dear Albert Maggs, with love and best wishes with a safe return, from sisters and mother. B.A.Maggs, Main rd, Ringwood.Evelyn & Grandma & Chrissie (Harriet)maggs, mrs, evelyn, harriet, clothing and dress

Maggs family related to Till; Hardidge and Cook familiesBlack & White photograph of two women & a female child standing outside a weatherboard buildingmaggs marianne, clothing and dress, maggs harriet, till alison bertha

Black and white photograph of Mrs Till and Alison Till both standing behind Alwyn Till. A small dog to right of group. Tall hedge in background.till, evelyn till, alison bertha till, alwyn clothing and dress

Black and white photograph of a woman standing behind an older woman who is sitting in a cane chair on a wooden verandah. In background a weather board house with a fly wire door.till clothing and dress

Black and white photograph of three women standing behind one man..till, clothing and dress

Black and white photograph of four adults, three women and one man, standing in a row, all wearing winter clothing.till clothing and dress

Part of Mcnamara collection- Crochet in ecru cotton - false front to be worn under ladies' suit for modestyNilhandmade accessories, crochet, clothing

Handmade petticoat with embroidery - from McNamara collection.- Cream silk petticoat - Cut out embroidery at bustline - Hem is embroidered and scallopedlingerie, silk, mcnamara, children wear