This book is a collection of Victorian Indigenous Elders' life stories and oral histories. The Elders share their stories in an attempt to ensure that both sides of Australia's history are finally heard. These stories tell of cultural resistance on missions, of defying assimilation laws, of forever moving around to save children from the welfare. They document the development of both fringe and urban communities and work in the Aboriginal rights movement. They clarify the ways in which these experiences have affected the individual authors along with the indigenous population in general. Also included in the book is a brief history and analysis of the legislation, policies, attitudes and strategies that have affected the lives of the authors and their families since colonisation. This aspect provides an historical perspective, encouraging a deeper understanding of the Elders' stories. Reconciliation can only eventuate with an understanding gained from hearing and including the voices of Indigenous Australians. Contents: The writing team Indigenous elders: keepers of knowledge; custodians of land and culture Aboriginal lands Missions and reserves Growing up running from the welfare /? Aunty Olive Jackson Respecting our Elders /? Aunty Lola James If your mother didn't tell you, then your grandmother did! /? Uncles Les Stewart Don't dwell on trouble /? Aunty Audrey Critch There are my people /? Aunty Gwen Nelson We were all cousins, more or less /? Aunty Iris Lovett-Gardiner Aboriginality is about culture, not colour /? Aunty Dianne Phillips Take up the opportunities we struggled to make /? Aunty Frances Gallagher Home /? Aunty Eileen Alberts We were supposed to forget our Aboriginality /? Aunty Gwen Garoni Not enough heart to say sorry? /? Uncle Brian Kennewell-Taylor Learning from indigenous elders: Keeping the traditions, keeping the culture strong; Since time immemorial; Invasion: the tide ran red; The flood of legislation; Stolen children; Cultural resistance: holding on to children traditions and land; Organised resistance: a movement is born; The 1950s: community resistance to race laws; The price of assimilation; The Aboriginal rights movement; After the flood: self-determination; Turning the tide Bibliography Appendix. Cultural custodianship: developing an indigenous methodology.maps, colour illustrations, b&w photographswiradjuri, victorian indigenous elders, oral histories, yorta yorta, dja dja wurrung, language maps, victorian missions and reserves, lake condah, framlingham, coranderrk, ramahyuck, lake tyers, wahgunyah, cummeragunja, moonahcullah, balranald, ebenezer, maloga, acheron

John Bulmer spent forty years of his life as missionary to Aboriginal people in Victoria, in 1855 devoting his activities to communities on the Murray, but most of his life was spent at Lake Tyers where he established a Church of England mission in 1862, In his later years he wrote a series of thirteen papers in which he recorded his observations on the life and times of the people to whom he ministered. Over a period of several years Alistair Campbell transliterated the manuscripts, altering a little but retaining the flavour of the original text.maps, b&w photograph, word lists, tablesgunai kurnai, gippsland, lake tyers, lakes entrance, king charley, snowy river, ellen hood, sarah moffat, lance mcdougall, kassie mcdougall, tom foster, alec mccrae, nellie blair, john bulmer, victorian history, indigenous social life, kinship, religion and mythology, bush foods

The Rev. Ronald W Albiston 28/9/1919–16/08/2006 was educated at Melbourne Boys' High School, the Victorian Congregational College and the University of Melbourne. From a young age he held positions within the local church, was secretary of the East Kew Congregational Church at the age of 16, as well as superintendent of the Sunday School from the age of 15. Ron was supported during his life and ministry by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy. He was ordained at Northcote Congregational Church on 21 December 1942. His ministry was exercised in Northcote/Clifton Hill (1942–45), Yarrawonga and associated district (1945–50), Ballarat Dawson Street and "Zion" Sebastopol (1950–68), and Rockdale Congregational, Sydney, later Uniting (1968–83). Due to ill health, Ron retired on the 30th of April 1983. He was President of the Australian Council of Churches from 1971 to 1973, President of the Congregational Union of NSW from 1973 to 1975. As a member of the Joint Planning Committee he was involved in the development of the Uniting Church and inaugural Chairperson. Following union, he was a member and later Chairman of the Board of Social Responsibility. He was instrumental in founding the Mayflower Village for the Aged, the Rockdale Community Aid Service, and helped form the St George Community Conference.The Rev. Ronald W Albiston 28/9/1919–16/08/2006 was educated at Melbourne Boys' High School, the Victorian Congregational College and the University of Melbourne. From a young age he held positions within the local church, was secretary of the East Kew Congregational Church at the age of 16, as well as superintendent of the Sunday School from the age of 15. Ron was supported during his life and ministry by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy. He was ordained at Northcote Congregational Church on 21 December 1942. His ministry was exercised in Northcote/Clifton Hill (1942–45), Yarrawonga and associated district (1945–50), Ballarat Dawson Street and "Zion" Sebastopol (1950–68), and Rockdale Congregational, Sydney, later Uniting (1968–83). Due to ill health, Ron retired on the 30th of April 1983. He was President of the Australian Council of Churches from 1971 to 1973, President of the Congregational Union of NSW from 1973 to 1975. As a member of the Joint Planning Committee he was involved in the development of the Uniting Church and inaugural Chairperson. Following union, he was a member and later Chairman of the Board of Social Responsibility. He was instrumental in founding the Mayflower Village for the Aged, the Rockdale Community Aid Service, and helped form the St George Community Conference.The Rev. Ronald W Albiston 28/9/1919–16/08/2006 was educated at Melbourne Boys' High School, the Victorian Congregational College and the University of Melbourne. From a young age he held positions within the local church, was secretary of the East Kew Congregational Church at the age of 16, as well as superintendent of the Sunday School from the age of 15. Ron was supported during his life and ministry by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy. He was ordained at Northcote Congregational Church on 21 December 1942. His ministry was exercised in Northcote/Clifton Hill (1942–45), Yarrawonga and associated district (1945–50), Ballarat Dawson Street and "Zion" Sebastopol (1950–68), and Rockdale Congregational, Sydney, later Uniting (1968–83). Due to ill health, Ron retired on the 30th of April 1983. He was President of the Australian Council of Churches from 1971 to 1973, President of the Congregational Union of NSW from 1973 to 1975. As a member of the Joint Planning Committee he was involved in the development of the Uniting Church and inaugural Chairperson. Following union, he was a member and later Chairman of the Board of Social Responsibility. He was instrumental in founding the Mayflower Village for the Aged, the Rockdale Community Aid Service, and helped form the St George Community Conference.Informal B & W photo of the Rev. Ron Albiston. Albiston is standing, hands clasped behind back, smiling into the camera. He's dressed in a suit with clerical collar and waistcoat. The photo has been taken outdoors, possibly at a picnic."Rev. Ron Albiston"albiston, ron, congregational minister

"William (Bill) Clark was engineering manager with Fruehauf tractors, and now starts life as a minister at Kaniva. He'd been in transport engineering for almost 30 years before studying for ordination. The children, both grown up, one married, will remain in Melbourne. Bill told me he enjoys working with people and looks forward to the opportunity to share with lay people who know their community, in communicating toward and with the whole community the love and concern of the gospel. Margaret, his wife, enjoys gardening, crocheting, reading and walking. Bill says his other interests are practical work, including welding." 2017 - retired minister.The two photos show head and shoulders of a middle-aged Clarke.C&N identification.clarke, william, margaret clarke, uniting church minister

B006.1 associated with St George's PFA, St Kilda. Membership of the PFA was symbolised by the wearing of the badge. Badges were received by new members only at a special Badge Presentation Service. The letters "PFA" stand out clearly on the badge with the letter "F" the largest because Christian Fellowship is central - with God and and one another. Around the letters is a ring of blue. A ring is an emblem of love and blue traditionally stands for truth of loyalty. Behind the letters are a white St Andrew's cross. Around the edge of the badge are serrations which point outwards and symbolise the reaching out of the Fellowship to the world. The aim of the PFA was "to unite youth in the fellowship of service of the Kingdom of God." Its objectives were "to present to youth the Gospel of Jesus as good news for them, the community and mankind, and as a call to vigorous and faithful activity for Christ's Kingdom in collaboration with all who seek that Kingdom. to help them understanding of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ through study of the Bible and other sources of inspiration. To assist youth to grow to full and true maturity by helping to meet their spiritual needs in physical, mental and social realms. To unite the youth of the Presbyterian Church into a Fellowship of worship, study, recreation and service directed toward the achievement of these objectives." Source: "PFA Handbook", 1960.Seven Presbyterian Fellowship Association round blue and white enameled lapel badges. B006.1 PFA lapel sterling silver badge.PFApresbyterian fellowship association

Clara Jane Matthews was born in 1870 as the eldest daughter of Robert Matthews. She married William Frederick Busse on the 5th of December, 1894 at St Columb’s church, Hawthorn. Clara and her husband lived on Main Street in Chiltern, and her husband was a Clerk of Courts in Chiltern and Wodonga throughout his life. Clara and William also owned a 640 acre farm called Clairedale Park, four miles (6.5km) outside of Barnawartha. They had both crops and sheep on the property, and adopted innovative farming practices. It appears that Clara was heavily involved in the farm business, as she is listed as a purchaser of sheep in multiple stock reports between 1914 and 1918. This is very unusual for the era, as women were not generally involved in stock markets, especially if her husband was still alive. Clara’s husband’s work at the court likely meant that he wasn’t able to travel to the markets in order to purchase stock. Clara’s taking the reigns in this manner was highly unusual, and signals just how strong of a woman she must have been. Clara Busse died in Chiltern in 1968, when she was 98 years old. She is also the mother of Wilfred C Busse, who was an author and a member of the Chiltern Athenaeum. This photograph is of a woman who lived most of her life in Chiltern, and undoubtedly contributed to the community of the town within her 98 years. She will most likely be remembered as the wife of William Frederic Busse, Clerk of Petty Sessions, or as the mother or Wilfred Clarence Busse, author and barrister. Although the records of her time almost entirely connect her with the men of her life, her father, husband and then her son, some digging can reveal that she was an entire person of her own, who broke norms of her time and is worthy of being remembered for her own sake.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board in a textured metallic frameObverse: Clara Jane Busse / (nee Mathews) / Mother of W. C. Busse / clara jane busse, clara busse, c j busse, busse, women in agriculture, remarkable women, 20th century women, women's history, working women, wilfred busse, wilfred clarence busse

The first sculpture awarded the Shire of Eltham 'Art in Public Places' Award/Commission. The Judges were Inge King, Jenny Zimmer and Daryl Jackson. The work deals with the juxtaposition of suburban and rural surroundings. This scupture is a typical example of the artist's oevre of the period. This sculptre is site specific and refers to the nature of the environment. The colour - bushfire red / sienna - alludes to the history of fire in the urban/rural fringe and the title, as well as the sculpture's shapes, forms and material refer to the natural and local elements. Judges report noted: "The most vital and expressive work for the site...with a great sense of dynamic movement and vibrant colour. Its' abstract forms will enliven the surroundings and the urban and natural environment. This work is the most appropriate for the site and expressive of the dynamics of an evolving community in which artistic discourse and debate has always thrived." The work has acquired the status of a major landmark from the National Trust. The Breeze is an abstract work made out of welded steel and painted in enamel in bush fire red / sienna. It comprises a series of flat, cut-out shapes, interlocking at different angles, giving the impression of being hinged together rather than fixed. The work references nature and the built environment. Its geometric shapes suggest man-made structures within industry and suburban life, while rural areas can be identified by the organic flame-like shapes fanned by the wind. The circular cut-out in the eye mimics the sun, symbolising the intense heat of the Australian climate, while the colour red alludes to the history of bushfire within the urban and rural fringe. N/Apublic art, ginger, red, sienna, elements, steel, abstract, breeze, fire, sculpture

Alan Marshall was an author of more than fifteen books, and lived much of his life in Eltham. He became a central figure in the area's arts community of writers, artists, sculptors, film makers, actors and musicians. He is shown stroking a book to his heart, perched on a crutch, which references his disability (contracted polio when he was young), and his status as one of Australia's most successful and loved authors. His most famous book, 'I Can Jump Puddles' is based on his life story and the obstacles he faced as a child in trying to overcome his disability. Marcus Skipper submitted the idea for the work to the first 'Art in Public Places' Awards in 1990. The selectors at the time recommended that the work would be more suitably placed near the Eltham Library. It was commissioned and installed for the new Eltham Library, which was designed by Greg Burgess in 1994. It was partially funded by the then Shire of Eltham's Art Development Fund (Eltham Arts Council) and the rest donated by the artist Marcus Skipper. This work has significance for its reference to two well known names associated with Eltham and its history. The sculpture is a realistic statue of the famous Australian author Alan Marshall who wrote "I Can Jump Puddles". He lived and worked in the Shire. The artist Marcus Skipper represents a highly recognised family of artists associated with Monsalvat. The sculpture 'Alan marshall' has been classified as of regional significance by the National Trust of Australia. A realistic depiction (almost life size) of Alan Marshall cast in bronze with green patination. Dressed in a jumper and slacks, Marshall is shown perched on a crutch, holding a book to his heart, gesturing to his audience to come and listen to his words. alan marshall, bronze, skipper, i can jump puddles, eltham library, novalist, ekphrasis2017, figure, public art

The 'Black Saturday' bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009. It was Australia's worst ever natural disaster. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire-weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire: 173 people died and 414 were injured as a result of the fires. For most women being part of the Lasting Memories Mosaic Group was a way of reconnecting to the area, friends and neighbours. As the months went by, the idea of creating a gift to the community together was born. The women wanted to artistically express their memories of what they had experienced. Creating a mosaic seat in the heart of St Andrews allowed the group to be 'in control' of building something from the ground up - a symbol of hope, recovery and renewal. All of their experiences and memories have been included into the seat design, which makes it so special. This mosaic seat is proudly positioned outside the St Andrews Hall, which is also the site for the St Andrews market held every Saturday throughout the year.The Lasting Memories Mosaic group began this piece just after the Black Saturday fires in 2009. After the horrific fires ravaged through St Andrews and the surrounding areas, a group of bushfire affected ladies bravely came back to St Andrews to begin their healing in an artistic way. Each woman created something beautiful and meaningful, using remnants of crockery, glass, tiles and bricks salvaged from their own properties. This artworks identifies who they are and tells their personal 'life journey' and family heritage and memories of what they had experienced before, during and beyond Black Saturday. It is also an expression of their love for the St. Andrews area and the nature and people within it. A large concrete seat in the style of an organic chaise lounge covered in mosaic (broken tiles, glass, crockery and ceramics of all shapes and colour). The pieces have been placed to form pictures, words and patterns that tell and recount stories and memories of reflection, hope and love of a group of people who experienced the Black Saturday bushfires. (Click on links to view details of the seat) black saturday, mosaic, art, lasting memories, st andrews, tiles, glass, fire, concrete, cement, chris reade, ekphrasis2017

Alan Martin studied under Max Meldrum, at the National Gallery School and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He later established his own art school. He has won several prizes and is represented in several provincial collections. Alan Marshall was the author of more than fifteen books, and lived much of his life in Eltham. He became a central figure in the area's arts community of writers, artists, sculptors, film makers, actors and musicians. He contracted polio when he was young is considered one of Australia's most successful and loved authors. His most famous book, 'I Can Jump Puddles' is based on his life story and the obstacles he faced as a child in trying to overcome his disability. The portrait of Alan Marshall was exhibited as a finalist at the 1956 Archibald Prize.

Yiannoudes Family Film Memorabilia It is normally a time consuming and difficult task to accurately assess a collection’s significance to the primary criteria, however in the case of the “Yiannoudes Family Film Memorabilia” we have no hesitation of its high significance about its historic, social, rarity, interpretive, cultural and provenance to Australia, including the country side where most of this collection memorabilia visited. From January 1959 and until 1982, “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures”, owned by Mr Peter Yannoudes (Παναγιώτης Γιαννούδης) and Mr Stathis Raftopoulos (Στάθης Ραφτόπουλος) travelled around Australia to entertain the Greek, Turkish, Indian and Yugoslav speaking population of Australia and provide a significant cinema culture. They travelled as far as Perth in WA, Adelaide in SA, Tasmania, Darwin in Nt, Canberra in ACT and Sydney and NSW. However they found themselves also in places like Berri and Renmark in NSW, where concentrations of migrants lived and thrived during the period. Initially they were travelling by train, carrying all their equipment by hand and placing them in boxes and suitcases. However after 1962 when they acquired their first automobile, travelling became less of a burden, nevertheless cumbersome and laborious. They carried with them initially two portable projectors (second one as a backup) and at times travelled with a third in order to ensure that technology will not be letting them down at the time of film projection. At times the films were projected onto a white sheet of cloth because there was no proper screen to project it on at the venue they were using. Mr P. Yiannoudes has also published a book in October 2010, titled “Greek Cinema Across Australia – Behind the Scenes”. The book was published in two languages, English and in Greek. Details about the launch can be found on the Diasporic Literature Spot website at this address (in the Greek language) http://diasporic.org/ellinika/biblia/greek-films-in-australia/. His book is devoted to those with whom he co-operated in order to bring for the first time Greek language films into Australia. Their names are: Stathis Raftopoulos, Andreas Papadopoulos, Andreas Katopodis, Theodoros Kanellopoulos, Michael Ioannou, Fotis Hatzipavlides, Kostas Vrahnas, Evaggelos Terpenos, Dionysis Lourantos, Dimitris Georgiou, Vasilis Florias and Jim Gragie. All businessmen with the right entrepreneurial spirit to be the first and to make their mark in the making of cultural Australia. Mr P. Yiannoudes a Cypriot by descent born in the town of Vouni, a village in the area of Lemesos. In Lemesos he learned the first few things about cinema which would help him in all his later life. He migrated to Australia in 1956 has been a prominent member of the Greek & Cypriot Communities in Melbourne for many decades. He has been President of the Cypriot Community, President of Federation of Cypriot Communities in Australia (for 18 years), President of SEKA (for 26 years) and highly regarded member of the Greek-Cypriots Diaspora since he also has been Vice-President of the Global Federation of Cypriots of Diaspora for 18 years. Mr P. Yiannoudes is now working on creating a small museum of these pieces in the back of the Westgarth Theatre with the help of the Plutarch Project and …. In this collection numbering hundreds of items, we will try and capture some of the glory that was the Greek film industry in Australia for 23 years between 1959 and 1982. “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures” also owned a large number of cinemas in Melbourne, the National Theatre in Richmond, the Westgarth Theatre in Northcote (which is still owned by the Yiannoudes family today), Sun Theatre in Yarraville, Kinema in Albert Park, Empire Theatre in Brunswick, Paramount Theatre in Oakleigh, Globe Theatre in Richmond, Galaxy Theatre in Brunswick and the Cosmopolitan Theatre in Brusnwick. At the same time they were hiring other theatres for film projections. They were the Astor Theatre in St. Kilda, Victoria Theatre in Richmond, Sunshine Theatre in Sunshine. Apart from Melbourne they were using the Pantheon Theatre in Adelaide, the Norwood Town Hall in Adelaide, the Shepparton Town Hall in Shepparton, the Premier Theatre in Perth, the Rivoli Theatre in Berri and the Renmark Theatre in Renmark. The number of films shown around Australia were over 1500 in total whilst about 1218 of them were in the Greek language. Other languages shown were in Turkish (about 150 films), Yugoslavian (about 100 films), English, French, German, Swedish, Dutch language films. “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures” was the first company to bring Swedish and Dutch films to Australia. They also showed Martial Arts films for the first time in Australia in 1975 at the Galaxy Theatre in Melbourne. However one of the most significant pieces that tell the story with places and dates is the Show Logbook. The Show Logbook has a large number of stories to tell. It is still intact and in fair condition after all these years of travelling around Australia. It is categorised with an alphabetic index on the right by film title. Greek, Indian, Turkish and Yugoslav language film titles adorn its pages alongside the place where they were first shown, the towns and cities they visited and the dates for each one. It is an extremely significant part of history of the settlement of migrants in Australia. This Log Book is of Primary Significance to the "Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures" and the Yiannoudes family film memorabilia collection. It has a Historic, Social, Provenance and Rarity significance for the settlement of migrants in Australia and the entertainment industry.This is the Log Book, manually updated and used by "Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures" for films shown in different parts of AustraliaCollins Stock Records Booklogbook, films, shown, cultural, language, greek, australia, γιαννούδης, κατάσταση, yiannoudes

This altar cloth is one of a set of four of various sizes, embroidered and donated by a parent for the opening of the school's chapel. The chapel was completed in 1989 and officially dedicated 'in thanks for the work of J.R. Pascoe' in March 1990. Religious instruction has never formed part of the curriculum at Westbourne but Christian values have underpinned the school's identity since its very early days. Recognising the importance of spirituality to the broader life of a school, Principal John Pascoe set about building a small chapel at the Truganina campus. In 1988, Reverend George DuRink was appointed as inaugural chaplain, in time to advise on the chapel design, and remained at the school for more than twenty years. Reverend DuRink's friendly, inclusive approach to ministering, drawing largely on his extensive knowledge of philosophy and ethics, and welcoming the many faiths and cultures that came to the school from the growing surrounding community, set the tone for the spiritual dimension of education at Westbourne. An integral part of the fabric of the school, the chapel has been a place to gather for comfort and support during difficult times, a place for quiet reflection and at times a place for music and celebration.This altar cloth has historic significance as it is associated with the very beginning of the Westbourne chapel and was used in the chapel for many years. A rectangular piece of evenweave fabric with a fringed edge and cross stitched with a blue border around the entire piece and a yellow and green Westbourne logo facing the short edge at one end.

- Migrant ships arriving into Port Melbourne in 1956. Migrants boarding the train to Bonegilla camp and resettling in Victoria. - Section on Olympic Games in Melbourne was filmed by Father Basil Valentin OFM who was the Chaplain of the American Olympic team. -Also showed extracts of Moomba festival in 1957. - Slovenian settling on Australian farms and weddings of members of the Slovenian community This video shows the magnitude of migrants who arrived in Australia in 1956 by ships mainly from Italian ports from Genoa, Trieste and Naples. It shows the settling of migrants into camps and depicts their everyday life including education and recreation and assimilation into Australia. 120 minute video cassette in colour depicting migrant ships arriving to Port Melbourne in 1956 and short clips of the Melbourne Olympic Games. Also includes footage of train journey to Bonegilla camp and camp housing facility.0002migration, resettlement, bonegilla, slovenians, ships, olympics 1956

On Sunday 19 December 1954 at 3.30 pm, 52 people attended the inaugural general meeting, which was held in the Catholic church hall at Theodore Street, St Albans. Slovenians at the meeting were enthused at the prospect of developing closer ties and a committee was formed to organise the next dance. This humble beginning laid the groundwork for the establishment of the first Slovenian organisation in Melbourne, Victoria.On 5 December 1954 the first meeting of the club’s preparatory committee was held at 36 Prentice Street, East St Kilda with 26 people in attendance. The group prepared a list of regulations and decided on the name Slovenski klub Melbourne – Slovenian Club Melbourne (SCM). The first Minutes of the Meeting announced the club’s statement of purpose: • to assist migrants of Slovenian origin; • to assist assimilation to the Australian way of life; • to help Slovenian migrants in every possible way, especially financially; • to help Slovenian refugees in Europe, especially those who wanted to find a a new and free life in Australia; • to offer members and their friends healthy intellectual and physical activities in the cultural, social and sports arenas; and • to cultivate a Slovenian cultural heritage while also making contributions to their Australian community.A sepia photo of the Slovenians attending the first meeting in St. Albans, 1954 Some in attendance included: Ljubo Pirnat, Paule Postarenko, Ivan Gerbec, Tinka Verbic, Zladko Verbic, Viktor Ferfolia, Tusek, Joze Pekolj, Mrs Potocnik, Joze Potocnik, Janezic, Fanc Novina, Joze Golenko.first slovenian club, slovenians in melbourne, slovenian club, regulations of first slovenian club

Important Victorian Labour Day annual event in Melbourne and many floats form a lengthy parade - celebration in the streets of Melbourne, concluding at the Alexandra Gardens along River Yarra; it is a presentation of various communities, arts and cultural performances in the State of Victoria.Getting together, celebrating multicultural community and many facets of social lifeGold plated trophy presented to Slovenian Association Melbourne in 1980 for the entry of a float at the Moomba parade.Melbourne Moomba Festival Chairmans Trophy 1980 Best Float by First Time Entrantslovenian association melbourne, moomba parade, moomba festival melbourne, moomba float

This dress was hand crocheted by Miss Muriel 'Dolly' Williamson, who was noted for her skill at handicrafts and her sense of fashion. Throughout her life she hand made many of her own clothes and enjoyed wearing them to local social events. She had a large collection of hand knitted and crocheted clothes, most of which were dispersed amongst her friends when she finally went into a nursing home. The donation of this dress was facilitated by Ms Julia Fry from Community Options Barwon who is Miss Williamson's case worker. This dress is typical of the style of the 1960s, with its bright colours and long line. Miss Williamson called it her 'Carmen Miranda' dress.Dress, hand crocheted by Miss Muriel Williamson in bands of mid green, light green and white wool, c.1960s. Detail of dress hand crocheted by Miss Muriel Williamson, c.1960s.fashion handicrafts crochet, williamson, miss muriel blanche, fashion, handicrafts, crochet

The opportunity shop was established by volunteers to raise funds for groups as listed. The shop was in Enterprize Way, Mitcham on land once occupied by White's Hay & Corn Stores. It was a successful venture and ran for many years.Badge 1 - Opportunity Shop - Vermont - Maroondah (V.M.H.) Hospital Auxiliary (Green). Badge 2 - Opportunity Shop - Church & Life (C&L) Community Aid Abroad Badge 3 - Community Aid Abroad (C.A.A.) Opportunity Shop (Blue) Badge 4 - Opportunity Shop - Nunawading - Maroondah Hospital (N.M.H.) (White) Badge 5 - Opportunity Shop. Vermont Church Community Aid (V.C.C.) (Yellow)Mitcham Opportunity Shopnumismatics, badges