F.G.Barnard, writing in 1910, recorded that Ernest Ingle opened a boys' school in a private house in Cotham Road, Kew, in 1872. The school was later moved to larger premises in Charles Street, where suitable school rooms were added. Ingle's career was cut short by a fatal attack of typhoid fever in 1875. The school then passed into the hands of Mr. J. Henning Thompson. Under Thompson's management the school speedily became a strong rival to the neighbouring Hawthorn Grammar School. Barnard also lists in his Jubilee History of Kew, that Dr N.C. Vance [winner of the trophy for the 440 yards running event] was a notable alumnus of Kew High School. It is assumed that N.C. Vance was the son of Rev G.O. Vance who was appointed vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Kew, in 1870. This is a tangible memento of the first Kew High School, awarded to a pupil eight years after the school's establishment. The trophy is historically interesting as it was presented to N.C. Vance by Ann Bon, a notable Kew resident and a supporter of Indigenous People in Victoria, particularly William Barak and his family.Silver plated trophy in the form of a cup on a pedestal with two arms, each surmounted with pine cones. The trophy has a range of design features including convex and concave decorated surfaces created by repoussé (i.e.hammering). Specific decorative aspects include scrolling at the top of the cup and floral sprays at front and the rear of the trophy. There is a single inscription identifying the school, the event, the winner and the identity of the person presenting the trophy. The metal used in the cup section of the trophy is heavier and thicker than that used in the rest of the trophy.There are no compositional or maker marks on the trophy.Inscribed: "Kew High School / Old Boys Cup / Presented by / Mrs John Bon / Won by / N Vance 1880"dr n vance, kew high school -- kew (vic.), private schools -- kew (vic.), sports trophies -- kew (vic.), n.c. vance

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography. The 1860s marked the beginning of the era of reserves and missions. Six Aboriginal reserves were established during the 1860s. These were under the control of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines. Four were Christian missions receiving government aid. These were Lake Tyers (Anglican) and Ramahyuck (Presbyterian/Moravian) in eastern Victoria for the Gunai/Kurnai clans; Ebenezer (Moravian) in north-west Victoria for the clans of the Wimmera and Lower Murray; and Lake Condah (Anglican) in south-west Victoria. The other two were secular government controlled reserves: Framlingham which, like Lake Condah, was established for the Mara-speaking Gunditjmara and Kirrae-wurrung people of south-west Victoria; and Coranderrk, located about 60 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, for the Kulin clans of central Victoria. In 1863, after a period of devastation to the Kulin people, Coranderrk was established at the junction of the Yarra River and Badger Creek. Reference: http://coranderrk.com/, accessed 24 December 2016An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.Albumen silver photograph mounted on boardprinted in ink on support l.c.: SCENE NEAR "CORRANDERRK" STATION. / COPYRIGHT REGISTERED. printed in ink on support reverse c.: VIEWS OF VICTORIA. / (GENERAL SERIES.) / No. 9. / SCENE NEAR "CORRANDERRK" STATION. / This scene was taken from the hill near Rourke's Bridge, on the Healesville Road, and displays in the foreground / the River Yarra. The roadway which is seen in the mid-distance has lately been constructed by the Government, / as the old tracks which formerly existed, were liable to be swamped by the periodical overflowing of the River. Mount / Ridell can be seen in the extreme distance immediately behind the roadway. / Corranderrk is the local habitation / for the natives of this district, and is situated on the right hand side of the picture, about a mile and a half / from the roadway. printed in ink on support reverse l.c.l.: J.W. FORBES, Agent, printed in ink on support reverse l.c.: ANGLO-AUSTRALASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, MELBOURNE. printed in ink on support reverse l.c.r.: 10 Temple Court, Collins Street West.nicholas caire (1837-1918), coranderrk aboriginal station, aborigine, yarra river, badger creek, first peoples, aboriginal and torres straight islander

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.On the Miller Estate, Myrtle Hill, an immense red gum became known as the 'Canoe Tree' because of the scar in its trunk which was believed to have been caused by the local Indigenous inhabitants of Kew in creating a canoe. Dorothy Rogers (A History of Kew, 1973) records that "the tree, with increasing age became a safety risk, and was at first lopped, but when the land was subdivided some years ago it was removed all together. In Bowyer Avenue, which bears a family name of the Millers, a memorial has been erected which commemorates the tree." There is no date given for its removal.canoe tree, myrtle hill, dorothy rogers, bowyer avenue (kew), first peoples

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A New Call to the People of Kew: 1956 Centenary of the Kew Baptist Churchkew baptist church, churches -- kew (vic)

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Melbourne before history began. The text of five radio programmes presented by Edmund Gill on the prehistory of the Melbourne regionindigenous australians (vic), australian broadcasting commission, first peoples

A bi-monthly magazine published by the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria'The Victorian Deaf' Newsletter is a significant publication as an historical record giving and insight into the people, activities and events of the Deaf Community in Victoria.Vol. 2 No. 4, July-August 1931; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWf. e. frewin, school for the deaf, old kent road,rev j. f. frewin, clara e briner, r. a edmanson, john adcock, h. puddy, e. j. d. abraham, e. johnson, g. mortimer, e.r. noble, g. newham, j. mclean, r. h. lambert, w. ashby, w. h. crush, james johnston, warrie ashby, willie elwin, david ashby, l. ching, richard ching, gerald turnley, charlie luke, bert tyzzer, p. sutherland, colin johnsm. gibson, j. mclaurin, mrs rivers, r. betts, l. sanders, mrs j. e. muir, ivan guthrie, joe dickenson, les owen, tom derby, gwen hawkins, jack stewart, maurice mark, byron taylor, robert ryan, mrs g. dumman, emma chambers, miss flynn, claude lyfield, clem noonan, w. shirra, e. cork, j. mcgonigal, g. akester, kit robinson, w. skewes, gracie coghlan, agnes barrie, kate lawrence, jessie love, reggie thaw, jim hartigan, peter clarke, elizabeth sutherland, springbourne, lacrosse, hockey, bagatelle, badminton, billiards,

A bi-monthly magazine published by the Deaf Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society of Victoria. 'The Victorian Deaf' Newsletter is a significant publication as an historical record giving and insight into the people, activities and events of the Deaf Community in VictoriaVol. 2 No. 1, February 1931; Size 21.5cmHx14cmWjohn e. muir, e. r. peacock, sarah lewis, frederick j. rose, deaf and dumb asylum, old kent road, lucy lewis, solomon moss, victorian deaf and dumb institution, a. r. thomson, georg quantock, canon crotty e. j. d. abraham, j. marks, mrs g. hawkins, gwen hawkins, dr cairns, box hill cemetery, w. j. mccaskil, nicholson, mrs f. holmes

The photograph was printed for a historic display at the Bulla Primary School. The children in the photograph who were past pupils of the Bulla State School are Eric Lewis Grant, who was born on 10th September in 1889 and died on 26th March 1969 and Harold Bruce Grant, born 2nd December 1891 and died on 21 December 1934. Further information states that they were 'Ossie's uncles', who was also an old Bulla resident. Bulla State School was one of the earliest schools to be established in the nineteenth century. It was closed down in 1996, which caused much disappointment to the residents.A photocopied print of an old photograph of two boys in a garden. It has been pasted on board and has a white surround with information about the people in the photograph printed under the image. SCHOOL DAYS is printed at the top of the photograph. grant, eric lewis., grant, harold bruce., bulla, bulla primary school

The photograph was taken from the iron bridge on the Rupertswood Estate. The tower of the Rupertswood Mansion can be seen in the distance. The Eadie family were business people and millers in Sunbury.A post card featuring a dark sepia image of a creek with a large house in the distance. There is a hand written message on the back.Written on the back: Dear old boy Many happy returns of the 8th. I . . . . . . . . . . . . making the . . . .Yours ever Will. Iron bridge at Rupertswood. Mr Hal Eadie Dannevirke NZ.rupertswood mansion, jacksons creek

The tennis courts in the photograph were located in Evans Street in Sunbury on the site of the present day Shopping Square complex. They were used by the townspeople in the 1920s. The various sporting clubs generated much community spirit in Sunbury.A black and white copy of an old photograph of a lady and man sitting under a sun umbrella on a tennis referee's seat at a tennis court. Some people in the baCKGROUND ARE PLAYING TENNIS.tennis, tennis courts.

The burial of Michael Ford took place in the older Catholic section at Sunbury Cemetery. A black and white photograph of a crowd of people at a burial in a cemetery with three clergymen officiating. burials, sunbury cemetery

Four photos of owners of Shamrock Hotel corner of Seaby Street and Longfield Streets Stawell West. Clockwise from top left Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. William John Jenkins. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan. Agnes Jenkins nee Keegan on left Four Photos of people. Woman, man, two ladies and older lady Owners of Shamrock Hotel stawell business

Mr Charles Ansell Smith of 3 Vincent Street with his family – Roy, Stan and Frank Smith and Dorothy (Mrs Cromwell). Photo is without Kenneth or Harold so possibly taken during WW1; Kenneth enlisted in 1914, Harold in 1915 and killed in 1917. The boys went to Surrey Hills State School and Dorothy to Milverton Girls School, first at 192 Union Road, it later moved to ‘Nilgard’, 221-223 Union Road. Helen Malvira Mackenzie (1865-1956) married Charles Ansell Smith (c1861-1934) in 1891. He was baptised 23 April 1861 in Tintinhull, Somerset - son of William Maxwell & Louisa Claudina Smith (nee Ansell). His father was curate of the church at the time. Helen Malvira (or Malvena) MacKenzie, known as Nellie, was the second daughter of the John Mackenzie J.P., of Westernport, and Wilcannia, N.S.W., and great granddaughter of the late Admiral Pasco, R.N. They lived at 'Devon', 3 Vincent Street from at least 1910 but perhaps earlier until 1915. Charles Ansell and Helen Malvina Smith’s children: 1. Kenneth Ansell – b 1892 d 3 May 1977 at Lancefield SERN 819 Enlisted AIF on 17/8/1914 giving his occupation as book seller Assigned to 8th Battalion, G company Enlisted 17 August 1914 Embarked A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914 Returned to Australia on 23 October 1918 Obituary describes him as eldest child of the late Charles Ansell & Helen M Smith of Surrey Hills and Lancefield. 2. Stanley Charles – b 1893 (Carlton) - lived Surrey Hills 3. Dorothy Louisa – b 1894 - 1988 4. Harold Maxwell Pasco – b 1897 Oakleigh SERN 3268 Educated Surrey Hills State School Religion Cof E Occupation: Clerk Served with 48th Infantry CMF, Kooyong Enlisted 23 July 1915 – parents living at Vincent Street at the time Assigned to 24th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement Embarked HMAT A73 Commonwealth on 26 November 1915 KIA 4 October 1917 at Passchendaele, Ypres No known grave. Parents at ‘Cloverdale’, Lancefield 5. Francis W D (Frank) – b 1898 – 1972 Obituary: Frank (FWD) Smith on Feb 14 (suddenly) Francis Wm Douglas Smith, son of Charles Ansell & Helen M (Surrey Hills & Lancefield) and brother of Kenneth (Lancefield), Dorothy (Mrs Cromwell), Harold (KIA) Roy & Stanley. 6. Roy MacKenzie – b 1901 – 1988 m Ruby Olive Laity in 1931 So, the children were all born before the family came to Surrey Hills but Vincent Street was where they grew up. Charles and Helen are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (CE-NS-1266) Stan Smith was most helpful to the History group of the S.H. Neighbourhood Centre with his research into S.H. History and in particular for the vast amount of detail he gave on people and happenings. His observations have been very accurate and he has very precise recollections of the old days. A black and white photograph of 3 young men, a lady and an older man. The men are dressed in suits and the lady in a below-the-knee dress. The young men are carrying hats whilst the older one is wearing his.(mr) charles ansell smith, (mr) roy smith, (mr) stan smith, (mr) frank smith, (mrs) dorothy cromwell, (miss) dorothy smith, milverton girls school, union road, surrey hills, nilgard, francis william douglas smith, stanley charles smith, roy mackenzie smith

‘Dalriada’” at 77 Union Road, on the corner Bona Vista Avenue has been demolished. It was the home of Mr Charles Henri Dillon Steele, a dentist of Collins Street, his wife Sarah (nee Russell) and daughters Harriette Vevers (Hattie) and Margaret Dillon (Nancy). They are pictured with grandmother Mrs Sarah Ann Vevers Russell (nee Lasslett), who with her husband Alexander lived at 'Clifton', Union Road, Surrey Hills from prior to 1903. He died in 1903 at Clifton. She was still living there in 1919. A black and white photograph of a group of people in their garden, enjoying the sun. The man is standing, two older ladies are sitting on deck chairs and the two younger girls are sitting on the grass playing with a kitten.(mr) charles steele, dalriada, house names, surrey hills, bona vista avenue, (mrs) sarah steele, clothing and dress, union road, (miss) harriette vevers steele, (miss) hattie steele, (miss) nancy steele, (miss) margaret dillon steele, (mrs) sarah ann vevers russell

Museums are changing from being static storehouses for artefacts into active learning environments for people. New forms of museums, new ways of working with objects, new attitudes to exhibitions and above all, new ways of relating to museum publics, are emerging. At the end of the twentieth century, old structures are being replaced to prepare for a new century. Many social institutions are reviewing their roles and potentials, and museums and galleries are among them.incl. bibliographical references; 213p; endpaper: Susan Barnett museums

“The Willows” home of John Butler Maling on south side of Whitehorse Road in Shepreth Street, near Banool Road. He built 2-roomed mud brick cottage in about 1861 extending it in stages into a weatherboard Victorian villa as his family grew. John Butler Maling's uncle (also John Butler Maling lived nearby at 'Ancyra' at 26 Weybridge Street). 'The Willows' was situated on a small farm of c13 acres with a creek running through it, lined with willows. The house was demolished after J B Maling's death in 1931 when the land was subdivided, some of it having been previously bought by the Education Department for the site of Chatham Primary School. J B Maling trained his six sons as builders. Charles Henry and his family are pictured in this photo. Charles Henry Maling (1875-1953) married Katherine Mitchell (1875-1958) in 1901. They lived at 9 Benson Street, Surrey Hills but came to live at 'The Willows' for 5 years prior to 1931 to care for Charles' father. Charles and Katherine are the older man and woman centre back with daughter Ellen Grace, known as Nell (1882-1960) in the front of them. Right front seated on the pillar is daughter Jane Emma (1872-1980) with her baby. Her husband Robert Wilhelm (Bob) Sutherland is the younger man at the back. The occasion is thought to be the christening of their first child. The other people are Rev O Cordell, his wife Mary and their children who are friends visiting from Africa where the donor, Rev Charles Maling, son of Charles Henry Maling was working with the Church Mission Society. A black and white photograph of a group of people standing (one lady sitting) on the front steps of a house.the willows, house names, (mr) john butler maling, whitehorse road, banool road, balwyn, surrey hills, (mr) charles henry maling, (mrs) katherine maling, (miss) nell maling, (mrs) jane sutherland, (mr) bob sutherland, (rev) o cordell, (mrs) mary cordell

The bonfire at Beckett Park was the culmination of the EMPIRE DAY/CELEBRATIONS in Surrey Hills in 1935 and 1936. In 1937 vandals lit the fire prematurely but residents hastily rebuilt it - about/100 tons including old tyres. A volunteer fire-watcher had his caravan close by until lights-up time on Saturday night. From glass negative taken by Ian Barkla's father, Frank Leslie Barkla of 37 Grovedale Road, who was a keen photographer and a member of the Melbourne Camera Club.Image depicting the building of a large bonfire made primarily from rubber tyres, supported by a wooden frame c1937/8. There is a significant crowd of people watching the erection of the pyre from ground level. Several members of the crowd are seated or holding bicycles. There are multiple persons situated on the pyre or on a ladder propped up against the mound of tyres. The area containing the pyre has been fenced off with rope (?). A young boy in the image (second from left with bike) has been identified as Alex Walker.Black and white, W 25.3 cm x H 20.4 cm, landscapeparks and reserves, 1937, beckett park, bicycles, crowds, empire day, bonfires, alex walker, frank leslie barkla

Alice Louisa (Louise) Jackson was one of 12 children of George James Jackson and his wife Alice Eleanor (nee Taylor); both of whom were jewellers. One of her brothers, George Hall Jackson, served in WW1. The family lived at 'Handsworth', 7 Russell Street, Surrey Hills. Alice was born 25/9/1892 and died 25/8/1983. She was buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-2010. REF: Personal communication (email) Ruth Theodoridis, her niece, 30/5/2018: Alice trained at the Austin Hospital prior to WW2. She worked there after graduating and became the charge sister of the ward for terminally ill patients, many of whom were TB patients. After she retired from the Austin she nursed elderly and dying people in the Surrey Hills area. She had had a tricycle made especially for her as she could not ride a bicycle. She would always ride in the centre of the road in case the trike tipped over. She left her estate to the hospital. A black and white photograph of a young lady, identified as Alice Eleanor Jackson, seated between an older couple in front of a house.jeweller, watchmaker, russell street, surrey hills, clothing and dress, nurse, george james jackson, mrs alice eleanor jackson, miss alice louisa jackson

Jubilee Reunion 12/12/1936 School No. 2778 established 1886 at first using a Recreation Hall in Albany Crescent near the corner of Windsor Crescent, Surrey Hills. Surrey Hills was first subdivided into urban blocks in 1883 when the train line to Lilydale was opened. Previously the children of local farmers walked to Balwyn school or to a small school in St. Brigids Church which was on the northeast corner of the present Riversdale Road, and Warrigal Road Church. This photo is at Surrey school via Chatham School archives.Photo of a group of past scholars attending a Jubilee Social on 12 December 1936.On front of photo: Old scholars reunion Jubilee Social Surrey Hills No 2778 / 12.12.361936, clothing and dress, people by circumstance, schools, surrey hills state school, festivals and celebrations

This dress is a 'Dolly Varden' or 'shepherdess" style costume worn by Ida Annie Wallace (1890-1976) on a sea voyage to China accompanying her parents in 1911. The BHS has a photo of Ida wearing this dress when she was a guest at a dance for young people given by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne (possibly T. J. Davey). This party may have been held on the ship or it may have been a seperate event. This style dress was a popular choice for fancy dress in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The style is named after the character Dolly Varden in Charles Dickens, 'Barnaby Rudge' 1841. Around 1872, Dolly Varden-inspired costumes and paraphernalia were very a popular craze. Family information states that the silk for this dress was purchased by Ida and Marjorie's grandfather's sister (great aunt) in England circa 1840. The dress was donated by Marjorie Wallace (1901-1999), Ida's sister. Marjorie did not accompany the family to China, but stayed home with a governess. Marjorie lived in Brighton between 1923 and circa 1950 and attended Firbank Church of England Girls Grammar School.A dress consisting of bodice (.1) and skirt (.2). The bodice is made from beige silk with sprays of red and blue flowers and originally laced down the centre front with pink ribbon. The lower part of the bodice is modelled on a late 18th century polonaise design. The bodice is boned and features waist tapes. The elbow length sleeves are finished with beige hand made Maltese lace featuring Maltese crosses. The mid calf length skirt is made from pale pink silk which has been quilted and lined to create a stiffened form. Also with the dress is a piece of scrap floral fabric (.3) that is the same as the bodice fabric.dolly varden, marjorie wallace, barnaby rudge, charles dickens, fancy dress, ida annie wallace

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this bag from Tyabb Packing House Antiques in Tyabb, Victoria.Oval shaped bag made from armadillo leather with head and feet attached. Leather straps may be a recent addition. Metal clasp. Mirror on inside of lid. Interior lined with blue silk.handbag, armadillo, 1960s fashion, 1970s fashion, di reidie, vintage clothing

For the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia, making possum skin cloaks has long been a culturally important practice. But during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, possums and other native animals were also heavily hunted by white colonists who coveted their warm and fashionable furs. This rug, made from fifteen possum pelts, was used in a Brighton home during cold winter months in the 1920s.Possum skin rug made from 15 rectangular cut pelts mounted onto a brown wool felt with cut scalloped edges. possum skin, rug, fur, 1920s

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this two piece ensemble from the influential fashion boutique "The House of Merivale and Mr John" to wear to a performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" by London Festival Ballet, featuring Rudolph Nureyev at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda in May 1975.A two piece ensemble consisting of long evening dress (.1) and matching jacket (.2), cropped jacket of black acetate. The jacket features a tie front and long buttoned sleeve. The full length dress is slim fitting with centre back zip, shoestring straps and shaped bust with ruched centre front."Mandamatilda", "Dry Clean Only, SSWdi reidie, 1970s, house of merivale, manda matilda

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this 1930s dress in 1983 to wear to her sister's Registry Office wedding in William Street, Melbourne. It was the first vintage clothing item she ever purchased and was the starting point of a lifelong love of collecting, preserving and promoting historical clothing. She subsequently wore the dress to a great number of events and considered it an important piece in her wardrobe. c1930s black cotton filet net dress with white cotton embroidered flowers. The dress fastens centre front with three hook and eyes, eleven black silk covered buttons and finished with black acetate ribbon band pussy bow at the neck , is slim fitting and finishes at approximately knee length. The head of the sleeve is gathered with a small shoulder band and finishes above the elbow with a black silk band. filet net, 1930s, di reidie, vintage clothing