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.Small, black and white photo of a pillar box in High Street, Kew, outside the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery. "Pillar Box / Old shop / Kew Cemetery"pillar boxes -- kew (vic.), high street -- 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.Small, black and white photo of High Street, Kew, looking west towards Kew Junction."High St / Looking towards Junction / Jim's / 4high street -- kew (vic.), shopping strips -- melbourne

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) of the Kew shopping centre looking west towards Kew Junction in 1980.high street -- kew (vic.), commerce -- kew (vic.), shopping strips -- kew (vic.)

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) of the Kew East shopping centre looking west in 1980.high street -- kew east (vic.), shopping centre -- kew east (vic.), commerce -- kew east (vic.)

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of public parking in South Melbourne, perhaps used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), south melbourne, carparks, signs

The wheat silo was erected on railway land on the west side of the railway line at Sunbury from approx 1970s - 1980s. It served as a grain storage provision for the local cereal farmers.The former CFA depot which was in Evans Street. With the expansion of the shopping centre the silo was dismantled to provide commercial development on the west side of the railway line.The wheat silo is a reminder of past agricultural industries that were carried out in Sunbury.A non-digital photograph of two trucks and a crane dismantling a metal wheat silo, which has been standing in an open area. A CFA pavilion is visible in the distance.wheat storage, silos, sunbury railway station, evans street

The Sunbury Football Club, known as 'The Swifts' was formed in 1897 and the early matches were probably played on Munro's which was a stretch of land bounded by Evans, Barkly, O'Shanassy and Shields Streets. Later land adjacent to the railway line, now Sunbury Shopping Centre was where football was played until Clark Oval was opened in 1953. Since then it has been the town's main sporting venue and the site for the annual show and other events. In this photograph the football match is being played on the Clark Oval with the clubrooms visible in the background. The Sunbury Football Club is one of a number of sports clubs established vin Sunbury.A non-digital black and white photograph of a football match being played on an oval. The clubrooms are visible in the distance.sunbury football club, clark oval, "the swifts'

The two men are playing tennis on the former courts which were located in Evans Street in the open ground that was between Brook and Macedon Street. A shopping complex and car park occupies the site. The present day tennis courts are sited on the corner of Ligar and Cornish Streets.The tennis club was one of the many sporting clubs that were active in Sunbury from the early days of European settlement in the area.A sepia photograph with a cream border of two men playing tennis.tennis, tennis courts

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 four people had gathered to play a tennis match of the courts which were sited in Evans Street, which is now occupied by then Sunbury Shopping Centre adjacent to the railway line.A black and white photograph of two ladies and two men standing in front of a net on a tennis court.tennis, tennis courts

Many of the early shops found in the Sunbury township were small weatherboard buildings similar to the one in the photograph.A sepia photograph of a little child seated on a step outside a detached weatherboard building, which is a small shop..shops

Business George Giles Hairdresser Main Street Stawell 1908 on right. Shop next door on owned by brother Charlie Giles. Shops were between the Town Hall and Holy Trinity Church.stawell streetscape

Mrs Caroline de Graaf photographed in 1929. Caroline and James de Graaf were married in 1885 and came to live in Surrey Hills. They had two blocks of land at 13 Charles Street. At first James rode his bicycle to his work in Richmond and each week Caroline would walk to Richmond carrying her baby to see her parents. They would put their shopping on the bike and walk home in the evening. Eventually train schedules suited them and they were relieved to be able to use the train for the trip. James later became employed in the timber trade in Box Hill. A black and white photograph of a lady seated on the sand. She is wearing a coat and hat and carrying a bag. There is another bag on the sand beside her. It is possibly a camera bag.(mrs) caroline de graaf, (mr) james de graaf, charles street, surrey hills, clothing and dress

Mrs Florence Margaret Tacey (nee Edwards) was the mother of Albert Arthur Tacey. She was born in 1863; died in 1943 in Camberwell. Her husband was William Tacey born in the Buckland Valley near Bright in 1857. There were many members of the Tacey family who were butchers. Various members of the family were associated with Tacey's Butchers at 629 Canterbury Road, Surrey Hills. According to a Context P/L heritage assessment of the property the land on which the business was built "was purchased by Edward Tacey on 16 September 1889. Edward Tacey was a butcher and the Sands & MacDougall street directory indicates that a butcher’s shop had been constructed on the site and was operating by 1890. It seems that the family lived for some time at a house located next door to the shop at 627 Canterbury Road (visible on the 1909 MMBW plan, but since demolished). On 15 June 1920 Edward Tacey transferred all three blocks of land to Joseph Tacey, most likely his son * and also a butcher, who carried on business from the same premises. Joseph Tacey died on 20 February 1933, after which administration of his estate (which included the three blocks of land) passed to his widow, Mary Dorothy Tacey." Edward Tacey (1863 - 1952) was the brother of William Tacey (1857 - 1920). The property passed to Joseph Charles Tacey (1887 - 1933), his nephew and son of William, not his son. His wife was Mary Dorothy Coates. Albert Arthur Tacey was a brother of Joseph Charles Tacey. The SHNCHC has a large framed photo collage of the Tacey butcher's shop at 629 Canterbury Road. It hung in various Tacey family-owned butcher's shops around Victoria before coming back to Surrey Hills. The donor was the daughter of Albert Arthur Tacey (1902-1959). A black and white photograph of an older lady. She has greying hair, is wearing rimless glasses, pearls and a jacket over her dress.surrey hills, butchers, mrs florence margaret tacey, miss florence margaret edwards, william tacey, joseph charles tacey, albert arthur tacey

The railway extended through to Mont Albert in 1882, but it wasn't until 1890 that a station was built with funds raised by a syndicate of local landowners.The buildings on the south side of the railway were built in 1910-1911 in the Arts and Crafts style by architect, K W Hardy. The land occupied by the Hamilton Street shops was subdivided in the 1880s and the first purpose-built shop was 'Pope and Moran, Grocers'. This shop later became Tom Morris' Grocery. By 1930 shops stretched along both sides of Hamilton Street and part way along Churchill Street. The donor, the late Norman Carter held a significant collection of photos taken around Mont Albert and Surrey Hills, in particular subjects related to the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the centre of the road in Churchill Street, Mont Albert. Mont Albert station is on the RHS fenced off by a post and rail fence. Shops can be seen at the intersection of Hamilton and Churchill Streets. There do not appear to be any shops in Churchill Street. There are newly planted street trees within paling guards on the LHS. There does not appear to be any curb and channelling at the side of the road.Rear in blue biro in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting "Mont Albert Station 1919".mont albert station, railways, hamilton street, churchill street, shops, arts and crafts style, norman carter

The land along the eastern side of the Union Road shops between Montrose Street and the railway line was originally owned by the Zeplin family. It was subdivided in 1914 and offered for sale as individual sites. Building did not occur until after WW1 and after the creek across Union Road had been barrelled. The garage was built at 145 Union Road in 1925. It has had continuous use as a garage since then. Originally there were petrol bowsers on the footpath. The façade of the building is remarkably the same as it was in 1925 when David Denholm was the first proprietor. He remained until c1950 and was followed by Benchley Motors P/L, then Spenden Motors P/L. John and Val Warren-Smith purchased it in c1980. In 2019 their family, including Philip and Glenn Warren-Smith and 2 of Philip's sons, still operate it as J&V Warren-Smith Auto Service.The Union Road shopping strip was assessed for heritage protection by Lovell Chen in June 2011 (Surrey Hills and Canterbury Hill Estate Heritage Study: Union Road Commercial Precinct Citation). Within this report two buildings were mentioned as, unusually, still performing their original role. These were Dartnell’s Pharmacy at 376-378 Canterbury Road (contributory) and the motor garage at 145 Union Road (contributory). This is one of a number of 3 images taken in 1991 which document the interior and function of the building.A colour photo of a man in green overalls inside the workshop of a garage. There are two cars up on hoists and three towards the back of the workshop.philip warren-smith, val warren-smith, john warren-smith, j&v warren-smith auto service, benchley motors p/l, spenden motors p/l, garages, union road, businesses, glenn warren-smith, cars

The land along the eastern side of the Union Road shops between Montrose Street and the railway line was originally owned by the Zeplin family. It was subdivided in 1914 and offered for sale as individual sites. Building did not occur until after WW1 and after the creek across Union Road had been barrelled. The garage was built at 145 Union Road in 1925. It has had continuous use as a garage since then. Originally there were petrol bowsers on the footpath. The façade of the building is remarkably the same as it was in 1925 when David Denholm was the first proprietor. He remained until c1950 and was followed by Benchley Motors P/L, then Spenden Motors P/L. John and Val Warren-Smith purchased it in c1980. In 2019 their family, including Philip and Glenn Warren-Smith and 2 of Philip's sons, still operate it as J&V Warren-Smith Auto Service.The Union Road shopping strip was assessed for heritage protection by Lovell Chen in June 2011 (Surrey Hills and Canterbury Hill Estate Heritage Study: Union Road Commercial Precinct Citation). Within this report two buildings were mentioned as, unusually, still performing their original role. These were Dartnell’s Pharmacy at 376-378 Canterbury Road (contributory) and the motor garage at 145 Union Road (contributory). This is one of a number of 3 images taken in 1991 which document the interior and function of the building.A colour photo of a man in green overalls working on a car with its bonnet up.john warren-smith, val warren-smith, philip warren-smith, glenn warren-smith, j&v warren-smith auto, union road, businesses, garages, cars, mechanics

The land along the eastern side of the Union Road shops between Montrose Street and the railway line was originally owned by the Zeplin family. It was subdivided in 1914 and offered for sale as individual sites. Building did not occur until after WW1 and after the creek across Union Road had been barrelled. The photo was taken in the office of the garage which was built at 145 Union Road in 1925. It has had continuous use as a garage since then. Originally there were petrol bowsers on the footpath. The façade of the building is remarkably the same as it was in 1925 when David Denholm was the first proprietor. He remained until c1950 and was followed by Benchley Motors P/L, then Spenden Motors P/L. John and Val Warren-Smith purchased it in c1980. In 2019 their family, including Philip and Glenn Warren-Smith and 2 of Philip's sons, still operate it as J&V Warren-Smith Auto Service. The man on the phone is Walter Kurt (Wally) Hoersch. Warmly regarded and often mistakenly thought to be Philip's father, he was not a member of the family. Wally had an interesting background, not known to many. He was born in the German Templer colony of Sarona in Palestine. It had been established in Ottoman Palestine in 1871 and is now a suburb of Tel Aviv. In July 1941, 188 people from Sarona were deported to Australia on the Queen Elizabeth. Wally's family were amongst them. They were interned in Tatura in Central Victoria until 1947. Wally lived in Mont Albert North and later Templestowe; he died on 21/7/2002.The Union Road shopping strip was assessed for heritage protection by Lovell Chen in June 2011 (Surrey Hills and Canterbury Hill Estate Heritage Study: Union Road Commercial Precinct Citation). Within this report two buildings were mentioned as, unusually, still performing their original role. These were Dartnell’s Pharmacy at 376-378 Canterbury Road (contributory) and the motor garage at 145 Union Road (contributory). This is one of a number of 3 images taken in 1991 which document the interior and function of the building.A colour photo of a man sitting behind a desk in an office on the phone. There is another man standing behind him to his right.john warren-smith, val warren-smith, philip warren-smith, glenn warren-smith, walter hoersch, wally hoersch, j&v warren-smith auto, union road, businesses, garages, benchley motors p/l, spenden motors p/l,

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

This bed jacket was crocheted for Carmela Materia (1931-2018) by her mother, Giuseppa Auditore, around the time they emigrated from Italy to Melbourne. Both women were longtime Brighton locals, residing in the area from the 1950s until their deaths. Carmela Auditore was the first woman from her home village of Scaletta, Italy to emigrate to Australia. Setting sail alone in 1950 at the age of 19, she joined her brother John and uncle Frank in McCallum St, Brighton. Frank had arrived some years earlier and had spent the duration of the First World War in an internment camp. John worked at the Brighton Case Company, a box manufacturer on Nepean Highway, and paid for her passage. Carmela found a job sewing children's clothing at Drummonds, a small factory in Church St. Working eight hours a day, five days per week, netted her a weekly wage of three pounds. To earn a little extra, she washed dishes at a St Kilda Road restaurant for ten shillings a shift. Her parents, Salvatore and Giuseppa Auditore, joined her in Brighton in 1952. They rented a house behind an antique shop in Bay Street. Salvatore had been a fisherman in Scaletta, but quickly adapted to the job he found helping around the Garage at Brighton Motors in Male Street. On 14 February 1953, Carmela married her sweetheart, Salvatore Materia, at St James Catholic Church in Gardenvale. Salvatore had been living with his aunt in Well Street and worked on the wharves. Both Carmela and Salvatore were hard workers. They owned a fruit shop in Church Street where Woolworths now stands, and years later Carmela recalled the familiar 6am tap on her window each morning when her husband returned from the market. On dark winter mornings, she felt as if her hands would freeze as she helped Salvatore unload cold cabbages and cauliflowers from his truck. They later owned a shop in Ludstone Street in Hampton. After Salvatore died suddenly at the age of 48, Carmela returned to sewing, working at the Willow Fashions knitting mill in Gardenvale. She later went into partnership with her sister and brother-in-law, this time in the delicatessen business. Her parents, Giuseppa and Salvatore, spent the rest of their days with Brighton. Carmela recalled her father cheerfully walking the streets, greeting people by name. He knew everybody. He loved being in Australia and enjoyed life to the last, insisting on having bread and wine on the table at every meal.Cream crocheted wool bed jacket. Loose around bust with wide sleeves and open sides. Fastens at collar with thin braided ties, and at waist with two pearlescent plastic buttons.bed jacket, migration, 1950s, carmela auditore, carmela materia, giuseppa auditore

One of three leather bound books of sheet music belonging to Laura Dennys, Ethel Dennys, (daughters of Charles Dennys), and Daisy White (Lascelles Family). Ethel married Edward Harewood Lascelles. These books illustrate an aspect of women's life in these wool families. They were found at an opp shop in 2011 and donated to the National Wool Museum by Catherine Carman in 2022.Navy blue leather bound book containing sheet music, with gold inscription on cover.front: MUSICdennys, lascelles, music, sheet music, songs, piano, women, laura dennys, ethel dennys, daisy white

One of three leather bound books of sheet music belonging to Laura Dennys, Ethel Dennys, (daughters of Charles Dennys), and Daisy White (Lascelles Family). Ethel married Edward Harewood Lascelles. These books illustrate an aspect of women's life in these wool families. They were found at an opp shop in 2011 and donated to the National Wool Museum by Catherine Carman in 2022.Black leather bound book containing sheet music.dennys, lascelles, music, sheet music, songs, piano, women, laura dennys, ethel dennys, daisy white

One of three leather bound books of sheet music belonging to Laura Dennys, Ethel Dennys, (daughters of Charles Dennys), and Daisy White (Lascelles Family). Ethel married Edward Harewood Lascelles. These books illustrate an aspect of women's life in these wool families. They were found at an opp shop in 2011 and donated to the National Wool Museum by Catherine Carman in 2022.Maroon leather bound book containing sheet music, with gold embossed edging and lettering, with the initials L.D. on the front.front: L. D.dennys, lascelles, music, sheet music, songs, piano, women, laura dennys, ethel dennys, daisy white

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red ribbed skirt with elastic waistband.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red wide ribbed pleated skirt with a plain yoke, navy blue band at bottom edge and elasticated waistband. A purple x is located inside to mark centre back of skirt.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

Franco Liburti was wearing this coat when he farewelled his wife Assunta in Naples, Italy in 1957, the day she departed for Australia. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Men's coat featuring a charcoal herringbone weave, with three buttons down the front and on each sleeve cuff.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community, naples

Part of a selection of garments knitted by ‘Tina Knitwear’. Tina Knitwear was a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010, run by Assunta and Franco Liburti. Daughter Melissa Persi writes: Our parents Assunta (Mum) and Franco (Dad) Liburti ran a successful made to order knitwear business in Brighton from the mid-1960s to around 2010. Assunta was affectionately known to her family as Assuntina, therefore the business was named "Tina Knitwear" after her. Assunta and Franco were born in the beautiful seaside town of Terracina in Italy in 1933 and 1930 respectively. As was so common in Italy in the 1950s, Assunta who was in her late teens and early twenties learnt the intricate skills of machine knitting, dressmaking and pattern making. Franco on the other hand, learnt the building trade with his 2 brothers and specialised in bricklaying and tiling. As was so common after the war, Assunta and Franco yearned for a better life so they decided that they would get engaged and then migrate to Australia to be married and raise their family in Australia, a land of much opportunity which they no longer felt their beloved Italy held for them. Assunta migrated to Australia first in 1957 and later Franco joined her in 1958 where they were married. For the first few years, Franco (also known as Frank) worked as bricklayer /tiler on buildings such as the Robert Menzies building at Monash University in Clayton and various buildings in the Melbourne CBD. Assunta on the other hand put her machine knitting skills to use working in factories doing piece machine knitting for various knitwear companies. The hours were long, the conditions were difficult, and travel was onerous without a car. After their 2 older children were born, it was decided that dad would leave the building trade and they would start their own made to order knitwear business. That way they could work from home and raise their family together. Mum taught dad everything he needed to know so he could operate the knitwear machinery. They purchased COPPO knitting machines from Italy and a Linking machine from Germany. Initially they had a knitwear shopfront in Bay Street Brighton where a store assistant would take the orders and client’s measurements and Assunta would then make the garments from a small workshop in their home. Unfortunately, the assistants were not skilled dressmakers and often measurements and orders were incorrectly taken. Assunta being the perfectionist and highly skilled machinist that she was, decided that she needed to oversee the entire process from meeting the client, to taking their order, right thru to the fittings and completion of the garment. It therefore made sense that they should close the shop front and run their business from their own home in Brighton and hence “Tina Knitwear” was born. Together, for more than 40 years they ran their very respected and successful business and were well known in the Bayside area. They specialised in made to order knitwear for both men and women using mainly pure wool (from Patons, Wangaratta Mills, Japan and Italy) but also lurex and estacel. Over those years, many of their clients became their close friends. It wasn't unusual for clients to come to order garments and then end up in the kitchen chatting over a cup of Italian espresso coffee and homemade biscuits. Some of their clients were especially memorable and became lifelong friends. Mrs Connell was a dear friend of mum’s, each year she would buy tickets for the “Gown of the Year” fashion show. She would insist on taking Assunta and her 2 daughters so that we could see the latest fashions. Then there was their dear friend Ms Griffiths. She had been a Matron nurse at the Queen Victoria Hospital when she met my parents in the 1970s. She returned to live in New Zealand in the 1980s but came back to Melbourne every year to stay for 2 weeks with the sole purpose of visiting my parents (she adored them) and order garments. For those 2 solid weeks, mum and dad would only knit for Ms Griffiths and she would go back to New Zealand with at least 5 or 6 new outfits. I actually think she enjoyed mum’s homemade pasta almost as much as her new clothes! Over the years, my parents learnt to speak English very well given that majority of their clients were not Italian speaking. Their oldest child John born in 1960 learnt to speak English with the help of those clients who were such a big part of our childhood. Mum and dad always went above and beyond to ensure their clients were satisfied. Mum was an absolute perfectionist and it showed in her attention to detail and the quality of their beautiful work. You only need to look at the garments that have stood the test of time or speak to their clients to know that this is true. Their clients would always comment on how well their clothes would last and much of their clients came via word of mouth and recommendations. Occasionally there would be disagreements because mum had found an error in dad's knitting (either a wrong stitch or a sizing mistake mainly) and would ask him to redo a piece, he would argue back saying that it was fine, but we always knew who would win the argument and that the piece would get remade! Similarly, we recall discussions where mum would ask dad to find a particular colour of wool in the garage where the stock was kept. He would try to convince her that they were out of stock of that colour and that the client should choose a different colour. She would insist they had it and then after hours of searching, he would return into the house sheepishly holding the wool! Our childhood is full of beautiful memories of mum and dad always being present, clients coming and going, mum humming her favourite songs as she worked often late into the night and sometimes, we even fell asleep to the hum of the machinery. They put their heart and soul into "Tina Knitwear" and took pride in providing only the best quality garments for their clients. In Italian there is a saying “lei ha le mani d’oro” which literally translated means “she has hands of gold”. Franco enjoyed his work but for Assunta, it was more than just work and there is no better way to describe her skills, passion and dedication to her machine knitting… she truly did have “hands of gold”. We will forever be grateful that our parents’ life journey gave us the opportunity to live in a home filled with creativity, dedication and passion, amazing work ethic and mutual respect, lifelong friendships and a lifetime of love. Red and green plaid children's pinafore with green hem binding and in-built petticoat with lace edging.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community