The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. Dress owned and worn by Dione McIntyre.Pale pink long woollen dress the skirt of which is embroidered above the hem with large woollen flowers of the same colour. Beneath the floral embroidery are long pink woollen tassles. women's clothing, australian fashion, evening dresses, dione mcintyre

1946 White crepe frock fashioned with long sleeves and a round neckline with double collar, the bodice is buttoned through to a curved waistline. A wide belt of the same fabric accentuates the waistline, with a long full skirt extended into a graceful train and matching long gloves. The triple layered veil of tulle, with the longest layer draping down the back of the gown, with an embroidered edge and motif, the top layer of the veil covering the face has the same embroidered motif and on the edge.embroidered motif on the points of the veil, as well as the edge.

Harriett Wilson was the wife of William Wilson, an active member of and preacher with the Linton Methodist congregation. This is one of two photographs of Mrs Wilson in the collection. This one appears to have been taken earlier than the other. The other photograph is Registration no. 480 (Box 14, also Mounted photograph 21), and shows a somewhat older Mrs Wilson, although Mrs Wilson is wearing the same dress in both photographs. An inscription on the back of the photograph says that this photograph was given by Mrs Wilson to F. Bryant on December 16, 1890. Mrs Wilson died in a fire in 1900 and is buried in Linton cemetery. See notes in Wilson family file.Small sepia photograph of a woman with hair drawn back from face, wearing a long-sleeved, full-skirted gown with beaded detail on bodice and white collar, seated with left hand resting on lap, right arm crooked on back of a chair, holding a book in her hand.In faded pencil on reverse of photograph: "James / Wilson / Linton / Given by Mrs Wilson / to F Bryant Dec. 16, 1890". Written in darker pencil over the top of this: "Mrs Wilson / (Granny)".mrs w. wilson, harriett wilson ("granny" wilson), old lintonian collection

This light woollen evening dress is made from Peppinella, a new fabric Norma Tullo introduced into her range in 1973. The fabric was used exclusively by Tullo, and came from the wool of Peppin Merino (first introduced into Australia in 1858 by the Peppin brothers). According to the papers of the day Tullo’s 1973 winter collection featured ‘St. Trinian’s styles to garments dripping lace, in bold plain colours to floral prints.” Shirley Lyle designed the floral fabric. Norma Tullo (1935-2019) was one of the leading fashion designers of her time, establishing her label in 1956. After establishing a business the Old Metropole Arcade in Melbourne in 1956, with three sewing machines, Tullo's ready to wear fashions for young women became sought after, and her business flourished. In 1966 the Japanese department store chain Isetan Co Ltd began to mass-produce her garments for their stores across Japan. Tullo closed her label in 1977, and later worked for Fletcher Jones. Ann Carew, 2020The dress is historically significant as a dress designed by Norma Tullo, a leading fashion designer of the 1960s and 1970s. During this period the Australian Wool Industry strove to promote wool, and to develop light woollen fabrics to compete with new synthetic fibres such as rayon. The garment is historically significant for the use of a merino wool showcasing its versatility for dress fabrics. Full length woman's dress with full skirt and long sleeves, collared with open neck and pleat work on bodice. Material is predominately red with a repeated pattern featuring posie of blue and mauve flowers.Inscribed, black label on back neck left of zip, 'TULLO/IN/PEPPINELLA/AUSTRALIA MERINO WOOL'; Inscribed, white satin label on back neck right of zip, 'DRY CLEAN ONLY'; Inscribed, white satin label underneath above label, 'SIZE 12/To Fit Bust 34"/To Fit Waistwool, rmit design archives, rmit university, woman's dress, textile design, australian fashion

Part of S E Surman collection (album) page 14 right. Identification not confirmed.Sepia photograph of a lady with hair drawn off face, wearing long sleeved waisted long gown with flounced skirt, frills at wrists decoration at throat, standing with hands together at flowers on stand. surman collection, lydia bryant

Clothing. High lace-edged round neckline - lace 1.3 cm deep. Long sleeves-gathered at the shoulder, and edged at the wrist with a 4.5 cm deep, gathered broderie anglais, featuring a shamrock, and flower design. The bodice has a centre front panel of lace. 9 cm wide at the neckline, tapering to 4 cm wide at the high waistline. This panel is edged with a 4 cm wide scalloped edge at the broiderie anglais trim. Three rows of pintucks, give a finish to the filigree braid, and the gathered broiderie frill. The long skirt is gathered at the lower bodice, and is 70 cms long. The lower 20.5 cms at the hemline has alternate bands of three pintucks, a 4 cm panel of flowers and cutwork broiderie, three pintucks, 4 cm panel panel of broiderie, three pintucks and a 4 cms deep machine stitched hem. Bodice has a back opening, with only one 1 cm diameter covered button evident, a cotton tape passes through a casing, and ties at the back waistline.costume, female, infants nightdress.

Hilda Hill Collection.Black & White Photos. 8 Family members, one named Jonah and another Gay, on Holiday Point Lonsdale December 1921 & January 1922. Jonah and Maisie sad leave taking Jan 1922, Post in left background, Jonah(left) holding newspaper wearing light coloured bowler style hat White dress, has dark coloured coat on her left arm just visible, short sleeved coloured? Top, Maisie also wearing Bowler style hat jacket, lacy blouse. Long skirt, parasol, and dark coloured coat on her left arm. Exterior of 'The Ranch' 1922 Family Member Cyril is sitting on the steps, to the right is a verandah post and in the background a white chair covered by a white cloth. Photo of two men sitting in a car of the times, two other people standing on the near side, in front of house with medium height picket fence(white), hedge growing on the inside along the fence, tree in nature strip near rear of car.australia, history, hill family life, photographer hilda hill persoanl collection 1921-1922

long cream silk skirt with cotton petticoat sewn in. Silk decorated with crocheted rosettes, tiny pleats running 3/4 way down the skirt, and 9 tiny pleats running around the circumference of the base. Petticoat same colour with ruffle around base. Clasped with hook and eye at waist.No visible markingscostume, female, skirt, silk, cream, petticoat, clothes

Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.Black and white photograph of two men dressed in suits and a woman dressed in a skirt and long sleeved top. They are standing beside a very high stone wall. The man on the right is Frank Wright and his companions are elderly.frank wright, conductor, stone wall

Clothing. Silver grey long silk skirt with train. Front of skirt finished with a pleated decorative band. Skirt V shaped panels, as seen on the bodice. V shapes on front, edged with the silvery satin as seen on the sleeves of the bocice. Front and back of skirt are decorated with three flat bows of silk fabric, grey grosgrain ribbon, and gold lurex knitted fabric. Appears to match the boned bodice, but probably the waistline has been extended, as it is now finished with totally different fabric. ( Grey taffeta).costume, female, evening or sunday best

Portrait of David Scallan & his Wife. David Scallan was a mining broker. David was also the first Shire President 1864 - 65. In 1864 he was a member of the Roads Board. Also, the first Committee of Management of Central Park. One of the main Stawell inner streets is Scallan St.Photograph of a woman and gentleman standing in a studio setting. Womans frock has a frilled skirt with long sleeves. Gentleman had light coloured trousers with a long dark coat buttoned at the neck. c 1865 - 70'sstawell

c1860s Long women's dress in fine two-toned pink strip. Skirt longer in back. Bodice has three deep pleats on each side from shoulder to waist.Sleeves have self ruffle and cream lace frill at wrist. Seven buttons gold backed and white stars pattern in centre run down the front of the bodice.costume, female

Fine white cotton, embroidered cotton. Cap type shoulder/sleeve.Totally embroidered. Yoke has Vshaped panel of finely embroidered cotton, edged with a cotton panel, edged in fine embroidery. These strips are repeated down the long organdie skirt. A deep panel of embroidered cotton organdie type fabric reaches from the hemline to the yoke. Handsewn, extremely fine seams. White cotton tape tie at back neckline, and back yoke. Garments from the Executor of Estate of late Frieda Kahland. See also 11400.122, 11400.363, 11400.364, 11400.365.costume, children's, babies christening gown

This private late-nineteenth-century four-wheeled carriage has been built to transport a family or group of passengers with a coachman in the front seat. It can be pulled by one horse, or by two horses if the T-pole is attached. The button fittings along each side of the carriage indicate that a folding roof or hood was once attached. The frame across the front of the carriagewas likely to have been a ‘dashboard’ with a leather or wood covering to prevent water, mud and other particles from splashing onto the passengers. The rear step between the two side-facing bench seats is adjustable to allow for ladies’ long skirts. These rear seats appear to be removable, in which case the carriage could be converted to a wagon to transport goods and equipment. The carriage could have been illuminated by oil or carbide lamps placed into the lamp holders on the sides. The carriage was kept under cover for many years in an open-front sandstone building that also included living quarters and an area that may have been stable. It was at ‘Murweh’ a Warrnambool property at 203 Liebig Street. The home is now Heritage and National Trust Listed and described as a ‘gentleman’s residence’. It was built by James Wotton Shevill in the 1860s. Shevill was a councillor from 1875 to 1878, serving in 1878 as Mayor of the Borough of Warrnambool. Jeremiah Wade lived at Murweh there from 1879-1880. By 1915 F.B. Whitehead and his family were living there, and by 1930 the address was used by Mr T.J. Rome and his family. Thomas James Rome was still using that address in September 1973 after his 100th birthday. It is believed that one of the property’s owners had been an Obstetrician in Warrnambool. The current owner re-told the story that children used to hide in the back section of the carriage and smoke, hidden from the sight of onlookers. He had heard the story from a previous owner.The well-appointed horse-drawn four-wheeled carriage is likely to have first belonged to a local councillor and past Mayor of the town of Warrnambool, J.W. Shervill, whose 1860s city property was the carriage location for many years. The carriage is a rare local example of a town-based lifestyle befitting a prosperous personality of the late 19th century. It adds to the story of Warrnambool's development as a town influenced by the port, wealth gained from shipping and the home place of prominent local people such as the Councillor and later Mayor. The side-facing rear seating is unusual for a passenger carriage. It has the feature of removable rear bench seats, allowing for the dual purpose of a carriage or wagon.Carriage; the Victorian-era horse-drawn four-wheeled open carriage has a coachman’s bench seat across the front and two side-facing bench seats in the rear. There are steps at the front on each side and a centre adjustable step and the back. It has a hinged shaft, two lamp holders and a separate T-pole. The bench seats have padded backrests upholstered in green leather and each has padded armrests at the ends. A rectangular metal frame, likely to have been a dashboard, is mounted across the front of the carriage. It has two inner vertical bars. The carriage's body is painted dark green with crimson highlights on some of the panelling. Decorative oval panels with hand-painted motifs are mounted along the sides. The side panels of the carriage have metal fastener buttons attached. The iron-rimmed wheels have sixteen wooden spokes and copper cuffs on the outside of the hubs, and the rear wheels are higher than the front wheels. Wooden brake blocks are mounted onto the back wheels and are active by a metal lever at the front right side of the carriage. The undercarriage is fitted with leaf springs on each side, mounted from front to back axles. Included are: (1) The separate T-pole that allows two horses to be harnessed to the carriage (2) Leather horse winkers with metal hardware and oval brass plate on the side of each winkerMotif painted on an oval panel [a musical lyre within a blue floral wreath flanked by scrolls] flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, murweh, buggy, cart, carriage, wagon, horse-drawn vehicle, victorian buggy, four-wheeled carriage, coachman’s seat, bench seat, side-facing benches, upholstered seats, victorian decals, heritage vehicle decoration, antique hand painting, hand painted decals, motifs, iron-rimmed wheels, wooden brake blocks, leaf springs, t-pole shaft, rear step, equine carriage, 19th century vehicle, victorian transport, transport, gentleman’s vehicle, james wotton shevill, councillor, mayor, jeremiah wade, f.b. whitehead, thomas james rome, warrnambool obstruction, warrnambool genealogy, warrnambool pioneers, victorian carriage, one horse carriage, two horse carriage, horse drawn carriage

Child's Pinafore dress with long sleeves. A tight cuff fastened with a button. Square yolk. Pleated Bodice which is long. Full pleated skirt. Opened right up the back buttoned and hooked. Belonged to Irene Crowley who passed away c1914 aged 3 or 4. Her mother kept this frock and the family found it after she had passed away. stawell clothing material

Small portrait of a lady standing beside a small, high table with a book on it. She is wearing a long, high neck dress with a frill neckline and a brooch at her neck. The skirt is long and full. Her hands are resting on the book. The photographer's name and address is printed on the back.Chevalier, Pall Mall, Sandhurstphotograph, portrait, female, portrait of a lady, chevalier

3 small plastic dolls with jointed arms, brown hair & painted faces, various costumes 1 short pink dress, 1 long with red velvet bodice & white skirt, 1 long with aqua bodice, white lace over orange underskirt.toys, dolls, plastic

Black dress of synthetic crepe fabric. Sleeveless bodice with darts at front from waist to bustline. Side panel inserts under arms to waist. Back has opening from neck to below waist with metal zipper(53cm). Peplum(8cm) at waist front and back. Decorative bows of black cord at waistline at each hip. Long tassels.Knee length skirt is knife pleated. Dress is unlined.Markings/Inscriptions Label attached to lower zipper. ''A59110 mf ex st sz'' Handwritten ''Sample'' ;Y127' '12'.costume, female, black synthetic crepe dress

Coloured slide transparency. Image is of a male dressed in costume. He is wearing a long white tiered skirt, with a grey and white coat over a red and white top. A white cummerbund is fastened around his waist and a white headdress is on his head. He is posed standing against a wall. On the lower white border of the slide the words Fancy Dress Party Brian Taylor have been handwritten.Kodachrome Transparencyslide, bendigo, bendigo institute of technology

Clothing. Infant's cream coloured cotton nightdress. High round neckline with 1.5 cm lace edge, and casing with .8 cm cotton tape drawstring. Yoke front and back. Casing below yoke. Front yoke has layers oversewn below neckline - three vertical strips of lace. Long straight skirt sections gathered at yoke. Set in sleeves, pleated at wrist with 1.3 cm lace trim. Centre back opening (27 cm) fastened with cotton tape at neckline and 1 X 0ne cm patterned button at lower edge of yoke. Lower edge of skirt has five horizontal pin tucks above the hem.costume, children's, infant's cream cotton nightdress

The group is pictured outside the Linton fire station/weighbridge. The occasion was probably to do with the visit to Australia by the Queen in 1954.Black and white photograph of five men wearing casual clothes and one woman wearing skirt with long-sleeved top and head scarf. The building they are in front of has the date "1939" on it. On the left behind them is a display with small Union Jack and Commonwealth flags, the word "LINTON", and the date "1954"."Bill Grigg (grandfather of Chris Grigg), Carrie Murrell / Ted Porter Les Ching / Bill Murrell Dave Nicol / Shire of Grenville weighbridge in background".bill grigg (william spencer grigg), carrie murrell, ted porter, les ching, bill murrell, dave nicol

The bridal coat was part of a wedding ensemble worn by Peg Young in 1939. The final two images in the carousel include a wedding photograph of Peg and her husband. A letter accompanying the donation on file describes the outfit as: "Rosemary [Peg] looked very nice indeed in a simple white satin dress that made her look very tall and slim. It had trimming round the neck, down the front and on the shoulders that looked like quilting, with a little gold in it, and she wore gold slippers and a lovely lace veil, lent by Auntie Nellie. She carried a large sheaf of bright red roses." Mrs Peg Young, a Kew resident was at one stage President of the Children's Book Council of Australia. She was also a member of the Kew Historical Society. The coat was donated by her daughter, Mrs Helen Tutt.Floor-length satin bridal coat with a buttoned full length opening at the front extending the length of the garment. The front of the coat is hand-quilted in an abstract design of arabesques. The buttons are covered with the same satin fabric as the coat. Accompanying the dress there is a photo of the couple on the steps of the unnamed church in London and a letter describing the event, including the coat.Transcript of accompanying letter: Red Cottage Mallory Road Hove 4 Sussex England July 21.39 Dear Faith I have been up to London today to Rosemary's (Peggy) wedding. Though you might like to hear about it. To my mind the one sad part was that your Uncle Bertie and your adopted sister could not be there. Daisy (Margaret) has been simply splendid in all she has done. Rosemary looks very nice indeed in a simple white satin dress that made her look very tall & slim. It had trimming round the neck down the front & on the shoulders that looked like quilting, with a little gold in it, & she wore gold slippers & a lovely lace veil lent by Auntie Nellie. She carried a large sheaf of bright red roses. Her two bridesmaids were Mary & Brenda. They wore the same bridesmaids dresses as they wore at their sister Peggy's wedding a few weeks ago. They were very pale blue satin, simply made, with long skirts & they had lovely little flat bouquets made of the heads of all sorts of flowers out in the gold holder which I am sending you & tied round the handle with gold ribbon. They had wreaths of the same flowers in their hair. Nevil gave Rosemary away."costumes, wedding dresses, wedding coats, peg young, helen tutt, fashion design, fashion -- united kingdom, fashion -- 1930s

Dress, blue/white denim-type weave, button-through. 7 white buttons and hooks-and -eye at the waist. belt of same fabric with 8 lines of oversewing, white button and two buttonholes. Dress has shirt collar, two patch pockets on skirt and long sleeves with buttoned cuffs and two keepers at waist.costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

Dress worn by Mary (Molly) Sprunt on marriage to John (Jack) Leith on 12 March 1938 at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Rushworth. Veil was handmade by mother Madge Brydon in 1912 for her wedding. Dress and veil donated by Molly's daughter. Dress also worn by sister - Lyndsay (Lyn) Sprunt for her marriage to George Hendrie on 10 November 1945 at St John's Church Elsternwick. Gown made by Molly and Lyn's aunt Edith Brydon. Veil (NA3495) worn was made by mother Madge Brydon. Donated by Molly's daughter.Cream damask 1938 satin dress. Long sleeves, cross over neckline to a diamond front panel. Skirt cut on the cross, with front pleat. Back skirt has long train. Self-covered buttons at centre back.|See also NA3495 - Veil. Also worn for 1945 wedding with veil. NA3496 - Shawl.costume, female ceremonial

Small portrait of a family consisting of father, mother and child. The father is standing beside the mother who is seated and holding a small girl on her knee. The man is wearing a suit. The jacket only has one button at the neck. The lady's dress is long with a full skirt and the little girl's dress has a full skirt and short sleevesBent late Batchelder, Centre of Pall Mall, Sandhurstphotograph, portrait, family, family portrait, bent late batchelder

The sport had its origins during the Depression of the 1930s when teams were formed to keep young women fit and healthy. The sport became more organised during the 1940s with a system of scoring developed to ensure teams could compete against one another. Points were deducted for lack of precisions, dressing, movement and length of pace. At its peak marching competitions drew large crowds of spectators. Teams marched not only in competitions but also frequently appeared in parades and social occasions. Jim Trewin trained Orbost's Marching Girls' team, the Waratahs, and served as vice president of the East Gippsland Marching Girls' zone. His wife, Doris, acted as chaperon Together with a trophy, a chaperone's blazer and photos this uniform forms part of the history of the Orbost Marching Girls group.An Orbost Marching Girls' uniform It has a white pleated skirt, a long-sleeved white blouse and a red velvet vest with 6 gold buttons. There is a badge on the left shoulder. A red ribbon is attached to the blouse as a bow tie. On the vest shoulders are white tabs with gold buttons. The skirt and blouse are made of cotton. A pair of short white gloves are included.On badge- Victorian Girls Marching Associationuniform marching-girls leisure clubs recreation

Copy of original photograph. Photograph shows a woman with hair drawn back front face, wearing striped long-sleeved waisted full skirted gown, seated with hands folded together on lap, beside a bearded man wearing suit with bow tie, standing at left with right hand behind woman's shoulder, left arm hanging by his side."Mr and Mrs John Christie, Carngham - Man of Kent hotel buried in Linton cemetery".mr & mrs john christie, man of kent hotel carngham

Depicted are 14 students comprising the the 1952 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The photograph is an official school portrait taken outdoors on a patch of grass with a leafy bush visible in the background. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Six girls are kneeling in the front row, and eight are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: gton / Margaret Hanesho (?) / Helen Gordon / 1952 / Mary Macpherson-Smith /ruyton girls' school, kew, victoria, tennis, sport, women's sport, students, school, 1950s, uniform, lauriston, hockey, field hockey, hockey stick

Depicted are 13 students comprising the the 1950 Ruyton Girls' School hockey team. The photograph is an official school portrait taken outdoors on a patch of grass with a leafy bush visible in the background. The students are all dressed in light coloured shorts with a collared, buttoned blouse, wool blazers, white socks and white sneakers. Five girls are kneeling in the front row, and seven are standing up in the back row. All of the students are holding their own hockey stick. The idea of field hockey for female players was brought to Victoria by two sisters, Lillian and Margaret Irving, who had first seen girls playing it during their travels in England in 1902. By 1903, the Irving sisters were joint headmistresses of Lauriston, a school they had founded two years earlier. Both had deep connections to Ruyton Girls' School through their time as teachers at the older school during the 1880s-1890s. For Lilian Irving, this had included seven years as Ruyton's co-Principal with Miss Eliza Bromby from 1888-1895. With these links it was only natural that Ruyton students would join Lauriston to try out the new game. On a vacant block on the corner of Mercer and Malvern Roads, students from Ruyton and Lauriston Girls' Schools had assembled to play Victoria’s first ever inter-school hockey match for girls. Some students from Melbourne Girls' Grammar School came along to watch the spectacle and assess the new game's potential. Hockey quickly caught on, and friendly games were soon being played amongst a number of Melbourne's girls' schools. An Association was formed in 1905, and the rules formalised. These included arrangements around the competition fixture and the length of games (35 minutes for each half). In celebration of their joint role in bringing field hockey to Victorian school girls, Ruyton and Lauriston have met for friendly re-enactment matches in 2003 and 2018. The photograph also illustrates the shift in hockey uniform and apparatus. In the early 1920s, Ruyton established instructions for playing attire: "skirts must be eight inches off the ground. No white petticoats...", and importantly, least any team get an unfair advantage, "hard-rimmed hats and hatpins must not be worn during play." Ruyton appears to have taken the latter instruction to heart, and adopted the soft tam o’shanter hat as seen in surviving photographs of early teams. The tam o’shanter may have been removed for play, but the blouse and long skirt had to be put up with. According to Lilian Irving they had "a horrid habit of parting company", and she was delighted to see the transition to a more comfortable tunic in later years. Another change she observed was the hockey stick itself, which originally were all of "uniform thickness from handle to head, about the thickness of a stout walking stick" and so very different from the hockey sticks that are used today.The record has strong historic significance as it depicts a former notable student, Helen Gordon (maiden name Cole), pictured third from the right in the front row. Helen started at Little Ruyton in Prep 1940 and finished Year 12 in 1952 as School Captain, Bromby Captain, Form Captain for Matric, Tennis Captain, Hockey Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, and an award for Best All-Round Girl. She also played baseball for Victoria. After finishing school, Helen went on to graduate from the University of Melbourne as a physiotherapist in 1956. Her first position at age 19 involved setting up clinics with the Victorian Health Department Poliomyelitis Rural division. Helen’s strong ties to Ruyton continued when she held the position of President of the Old Ruytonians’ Association from the start of 1966 to the end of 1967. In 2019, Helen received an Order of Australia Medal for service to community health as a physiotherapist. She was also the recipient of the 2022 Victorian Senior Achiever Award at Parliament House. Helen passed away in July 2023 at age 88. The record's significance is further enhanced by its strong provenance, having been produced by Ruyton Girls' School and donated to the Archives by a familial connection.Black and white rectangular photographs printed on matte photographic paper.Reverse: Ruyton Hockey Team 1950. / 17 Cole / From left to right standing. / Helen Cole. / Left to right kneeling. /ruyton girls' school, kew, victoria, tennis, sport, women's sport, students, school, 1950s, uniform, lauriston, hockey, field hockey, hockey stick