This wedding dress belonged to Barbara Stewart, nee Bellamy, who married Alexander Stewart at St Andrews Church in Brighton on 15 June 1968. The dress was made by 'Madam', a dress shop in Church Street. At the time of donation, Barbara had been a Brighton resident for 80 years.Cream mini-dress of net and wool lace with textured floral pattern. High round neck and long sleeves, with small frill at collar, cuffs and hem. Satin lined, with a zip at the back.barbara bellamy, barbara stewart, alexander stewart, st andrew's church brighton, 1960s, wedding dress

This dress belonged to Bayside woman Wendy Young, who bought it around 1980 from Melbourne designer Prue Acton's Toorak shop for about $300. She recalled, "It was one of her off the peg creations, but I never saw it on anyone else... she made limited runs, especially as this is hand painted silk." The belt has been signed by Acton.Sleeveless bias-cut dress of watermelon pink silk featuring red and gold hand-painted abstract designs. The dress features a Mandarin collar with a button fastening at the throat. A matching silk belt with tapered ties wraps around the waist.The belt features two signatures in gold paint: "Prue" and "P Acton"prue acton, 1980s, melbourne designers, wendy young

This dress belonged to Mary Grace Medbury (nee Matthews, 1885-1967). Mary was born in Kansas, USA, and as a teenager travelled to Devon, England, before she came to Australia with her family and married Walter Ambrose Medbury (1887-1947). They lived together in Cheel Street, East Oakleigh. Walter, a building contractor, worked on numerous construction projects in the Melbourne area, including the Oakleigh Methodist Church, the HMAS Cerberus naval base and - closer to home - the former Brighton Courthouse, which was built in 1936 and still stands at 15 Boxshall Street. Mary gave the dress to her granddaughter, Fiona Nissen, when Fiona was a teenager. A Brighton local, Fiona donated it to the Society in 2013.White cotton muslin day dress with three-quarter length sleeves and square neckline, both edged with lace. The dress features white floral embroidery on the sleeves, skirt and front of bodice. Hook and eye fastenings at back.mary grace medbury, mary grace matthews, fiona nissen, migration, 1900s

This dress belonged to Brighton woman Mariam Issa, an author, public speaker and co-founder with Katharina Kons of the nonprofit organisation Resilient Aspiring Women (RAW). Born in Somalia, Mariam and her family arrived in Australia as refugees in 1998. Seeking to bring women together and foster connections, in 2012 Mariam opened her Brighton backyard to the community. The RAW community garden unites women from all cultures through gardening, food and storytelling.Long loose kaftan-style dress, turquoise cotton with black, brown and cream embroidery around neck and shoulders, depicting large brown flowers surrounded by swirling cream border. Round neck and short, loose sleeves.mariam issa, migration, somalia, resilient aspiring women

This dress belonged to Ellen Davis, nee McLaughlin (1870-1956), great-grandmother of Margaret Lake. Ellen was born in County Donegal, Ireland. She married George Washington Davis in 1890 and the couple moved to South Africa, where George owned a bicycle store. During this time, Margaret says, Ellen "had a life of luxury, having servants at her beck and call and even sleeping at the foot of her bed to protect her from any harm". She was a "tiny lady of 5 foot tall" and George "could put his hands around her waist of 18 inches". On coming to Australia they opened a garage and taxi service in Graham Street, Port Melbourne. They lived here until Ellen's death in a road accident in 1956. Ellen gave the dress to her great-granddaughter when Margaret was ten years old. Aged 62, Margaret told BHS, "I have worn it on several occasions, mostly to costume parties and fancy-dress balls when I was younger. I have loved it all this time and displayed it on a dress model in my last home". As she had no granddaughter of her own to leave it to, she decided to donate the dress so that it would continue to be cared for.Sleeveless black silk crepe dress with V-neck and scalloped hem. Covered with black beaded designs, with white bead and iridescent pink sequin accents.margaret lake, ellen davis, ellen mclaughlin, beading, 1920s

This capelet belonged to Ellen Grace Snowball, nee Anketell, (1866-1945), who lived with husband Oswald Robinson Snowball (1859-1928) at 'Wolsingham', 11 Boxshall Street, Brighton. Oswald Snowball was a solicitor and politician who was active in the Freemasons and the Orange Order. Active in Protestant moral crusades during the 1990s, he was a vocal opponent of liquor and gambling and advocated Bible reading in public schools. In 1909 he succeeded Sir Thomas Bent as Brighton's representative in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, a seat he held for close to twenty years until his death in 1928. During his last year of life, despite serious illness, he served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly under the Hogan government.White ostrich feather capelet. Feathers sewn onto crescent-shaped cream cotton fabric, with an elaborate silk tassel at either end.ellen grace snowball, ellen grace anketell, oswald snowball, capelet, ostrich feather, 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 dress as a vintage item and wore it during the years 2010-18, before donating it to BHS. The Mooney sisters, Nell and Ida, were situated beside the Regent Theatre in Collins Street, Melbourne and were well respected milliners and dressmakers.Short sleeved peach silk dress (.1) featuring beige lace appliqué on neckline, along with original rectangular brown cardboard box (.2).Label: "MF 2900 / Misses Mooney / of Collins Street" Printed on lid of box: "Misses Mooney / 189 Collins Street, Melbourne"di reidie, vintage clothing, misses mooney, melbourne designers

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 dress as a vintage item.Light brown floor-length silk evening dress featuring a band of black and bronze beading around neckling. Circular beaded buckles at either side of waist. Zip at back.Label, pale blue on cream "Exclusively Yours / Hartnell REGD / MELBOURNE" Label, black on pale grey: "Exclusive Finest / IMPORTED FABRIC".di reidie, vintage clothing, melbourne designers, hartnell of melbourne, ralph samuel

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 dress as a vintage item. Brian Samuel, son of Hartnell owner Ralph Samuel, viewed this dress at BHS in 2019 and suggested that it may potentially have originally belonged to his mother Shirley Samuel (nee Slonim, 1922-2006).Sleeveless gold lurex evening dress. Zip at back, partially covered by three small cream bows.Label, pale blue on cream "Exclusively Yours / Hartnell / REGD / MELBOURNE"di reidie, vintage clothing, melbourne designers, hartnell of melbourne, ralph samuel, shirley samuel

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 dress as a vintage item. Elvie Hill (1917-2018) was a Melbourne fashion designer and a longtime Brighton resident. She established her eponymous label and became well-known for her elegant and feminine designs. She dressed some of Australia's best known women, including Lady Sonia McMahon and Dame Pattie Menzies, and was also known for her boutiques in Melbourne (the last store closed in 1991). She retired in 1999, aged 80.Long-sleeved silk chiffon evening dress with yellow/gold floral print and brown, red and black border at hem. Ruffled neckline and cuffs. Snap fastenings at cuffs and zip at back. Matching silk chiffon sash.Label, inside collar, black on white: "ELVIE HILL / OF MELBOURNE" Label inside seam: "SIZE 10 / TO FIT / Bust 80cm"di reidie, vintage clothing, melbourne designers, elvie hill, 1970s

This beret was worn by Marlene Austin, nee Trenberth in 1956 as part of the uniform of an official driver for the Melbourne Olympic Games. Marlene, who was living with her parents in Brighton at the time, took leave from her job as a stenographer to work as a driver at the Olympics. She drove officials and dignitaries from a variety of nations (including Thailand, Italy, Cuba and Sweden) to and from events, collecting a number of souvenirs, including a Venezuelan pennant and a pair of earrings gifted by the Thai delegation. Marlene's family have lived in Brighton since 1941, when her parents moved into a house at 15 Moffat Street. The house remained in the family for more than 75 years, before it was sold in 2018.Green wool beret featuring an oval-shaped white patch embroidered with the five Olympic rings. Grey lining.Label in lining, cream with yellow text: "COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT CLOTHING FACTORY / MELBOURNE" Stamped on top of this text in black: "7⅛"marlene pearl austin, marlene pearl trenberth, 1950s, 1956 olympic games, olympic games, beret

These earrings were given to Marlene Austin, nee Trenberth by members of the Thai Olympic delegation when she drove them around Melbourne during the 1956 Olympic Games. Marlene, who was living with her parents in Brighton at the time, took leave from her job as a stenographer to work as an official driver at the Olympics. She drove officials and dignitaries from a variety of nations (including Thailand, Italy, Cuba and Sweden) to and from events, collecting a number of souvenirs. Marlene's family have lived in Brighton since 1941, when her parents moved into a house at 15 Moffat Street. The house remained in the family for more than 75 years, before it was sold in 2018.Six-sided bell-shaped silver screw-back earrings for non-pierced ears. Each of the six sides features a vine pattern with black inlays. Each earring has a hollow interior containing a small metal bead dangling on a chain, causing the earrings to jingle when the wearer moves.marlene pearl austin, marlene pearl trenberth, 1950s, 1956 olympic games, olympic games, earrings, jewellery

This Venezuelan 1956 Olympic pennant was souvenired by Marlene Austin, nee Trenberth in 1956 when she was working as an official driver for the Melbourne Olympic Games. Marlene, who was living with her parents in Brighton at the time, took leave from her job as a stenographer to work as a driver at the Olympics. She drove officials and dignitaries from a variety of nations (including Thailand, Italy, Cuba and Sweden) to and from events, collecting a number of souvenirs. Marlene's family have lived in Brighton since 1941, when her parents moved into a house at 15 Moffat Street. The house remained in the family for more than 75 years, before it was sold in 2018.White triangular pennant with a blue border. The pennant features the image of the Olympic rings, with the central ring replaced by the image of the Olympic flame burning in a cauldron atop a Grecian pillar. Inside each of the four remaining rings are images of athletes competing in sporting events: a hurdler, a shooter, two boxers and a cyclist.Above the Olympic flame, the word "MELBOURNE" is printed in black. To the right of the image, printed in yellow, red and blue, is the text "VENEZUELA A LOS / XVI / JUEGOS OLIMPICOS" At the far right is the year "1956" in yellow text on a black background.marlene pearl austin, marlene pearl trenberth, 1950s, 1956 olympic games, olympic games, pennant, venezuela

This velvet opera cape was worn by Agnes Emmeline "Dot" McCowan (nee Iredell, 1887-1969) to a reception for English aviatrix Amy Johnson in her North Road home in the early 1930s. Amy Johnson achieved worldwide fame in 1930 when she became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Dot was the fourth child, and only surviving daughter, of Dr Charles Lesingham Maynard Iredell and Frances Keziah Iredell (née Hill), both formerly of Regents Park, London. Her parents had arrived in Australia in 1885 after Charles, a medical specialist, lost his money and house in the financial crash of 1880. In Melbourne, Charles established a reputation as an ear, nose and throat specialist and counted Dame Nellie Melba among his patients. Dot was schooled at Fairlight College in St Kilda. After falling from a tree at the age of twelve, she developed curvature of the spine. While recuperating, she took a correspondence course in theory and harmony of music with the Royal College of Music, London. She continued to pursue music after her recovery, ultimately winning an international scholarship to study piano and singing in Leipzig, Germany, but did not take up the offer due to her father's objections. She instead remained in Melbourne, where she put her skills to use as a music teacher. After her first fiancé disappeared at sea, Dot found happiness again with George Drummond. George owned a substantial property in Manjimup, Western Australia, and the couple planned to settle there after the wedding. It was not to be. Like many Australian men, George was killed in action on the Western Front during the First World War. It had become customary in George's wealthy family to give each son's bride a gift of one thousand pounds. Though Dot and George were never able to marry, the family nevertheless honoured the custom, and between their generous financial gift and her own teaching income, Dot was able to buy a well-appointed home at 9 North Road, Brighton for herself and her parents. The house remained in the family for many decades. In 1923, at the age of thirty-six, Dot met and fell in love with Alexander James McCowan. They were married on 28 February 1924; the reception was held in the North Road house.Salmon pink velvet opera cape with a padded collar and long fringe. Fastens at collar with a pair of circular metal clasps engraved with floral designs and accentuated with purple enamel. Silk lining.agnes emmeline iredell, agnes emmeline mccowan, opera cape, 1920s, 1930s, amy johnson

This bag belonged to by Mrs Alice "May" Moss CBE (1869-1948), Australian suffragist, social welfare campaigner and longtime resident of 59 North Road, Brighton. Born Alice Frances Mabel Wilson in Ballarat, in 1887 May married Isidore Moss, the son of Norwood's builder Mark Moss. While her children were young, she began to campaign for the rights of women and served as vice-president of the Australian Women's National League in 1906-14, during which time she actively campaigned in Victoria for women's suffrage. She was an Australian delegate at the League of Nations Assembly at Geneva in 1927, where she was the first woman to sit on a finance committee. She attended the International Council of Women in Geneva in the same year and in 1928 was elected as vice president of the ICW, a position she held until her death. She was the first president of the National Council of Women of Australia, serving from 1931 to 1936. May was active in many other community organisations and causes, including the Royal Women's Hospital, the Collingwood Crèche and the Free Kindergarten movement. She served on the board of management of the City Newsboys' Society in 1906-48 and was the first woman lay-member of the National Health and Medical Research Council in 1936-45. She was also member of the International and Lyceum clubs, with an interest in the theatre, painting and woodcarving.French petit point tapestry bag featuring seven people in a bucolic scene, with trees and buildings in the background. Black border. Gold metal hinged opening with ornamental clasp and gold chain.may moss, petit point, 1930s

Australia converted to decimal currency on 14 February 1966. This coin purse is printed with a simple conversion table to help the user navigate the switch from pounds, shillings and pence to the new dollars and cents.Cream vinyl coin purse with conversion table for pre-decimal and decimal currency printed in black on each side. Hinged silver metal opening and kiss clasp. Unlined.coin purse, decimal currency, 1960s

This hat is part of the former Brighton Technical School girls' uniform. Brighton Technical School was officially opened in Berwick Street, Brighton on 28 July 1922, following a ten-year campaign to establish a local public secondary school. A separate girls' campus was opened two years later at Cora Lynn, a Victorian-era Italianate villa in 45 Cochrane Street. Generations of Brighton students went through the school until it was closed by the Victorian Department of Education in 1991.Navy blue fur felt hat with rounded crown and slighty upturned brim. Navy blue grosgrain hat band with narrow red, gold and brown stripes.Interior label: "CREATED BY / VARDEN / MELB. / 'AKUBRA' FINEST FUR FELT". On the reverse side, the name "Eleanor Clark" is written in blue pen.brighton technical school, school uniform, school hat

This dress belonged to Nola Jennings, a long-time Brighton resident. Bindi of Melbourne was the youth label of Australian commercial fashion house Len Vogue.Long-sleeved crimplene dress (.1) with white bodice and short purple skirt. High collar, cuffs and waist have a purple and yellow checkerboard-patterned trim. Four self-covered buttons down the centre front of skirt. Zip at back. Long purple tunic vest (.2) worn over the top.Label in both dress and vest, white with black text: "Fashioned for / Bindi / of MELBOURNE" Two smaller labels at bottom: "SIZE 10 / TO FIT / BUST 32" / HIP 34"" and "CRIMP TERY. / C 145 4".nola jennings, 1960s, bindi of melbourne, len vogue

This child's shoe was found underneath the floorboards of the historic Brighton house St Ninian's, 10 Miller Street, during its demolition in September 1974. One of Brighton's earliest buildings, St Ninian's was built around 1841 for merchant, politician and former British naval officer George Ward Cole (1783-1879) and his family. Ward Cole was a prominent member of Victorian society in the mid-to-late nineteenth century. He served in the Victorian Parliament from 1853-55 and 1859-79. His seaside home in Brighton was a fashionable rendezvous for many important identities who shaped Melbourne’s history. Victoria’s first royal visitor, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, was a guest there in 1867. It is possible the shoe belonged to one of the Ward Cole children. During the demolition of St Ninian's in September 1974 the Brighton Historical Society's then-secretary, Rosalind Landells, snuck onto the work site in the hope of saving some part of the building and its history. She found this shoe under the partially-demolished floor of the house.Brown leather child's shoe with an ankle strap, fastening with a mother-of-pearl button. Heavily deteriorated.Handwritten in pencil on the sole of the shoe: "Found under floor at St Ninians 1974 Sept during demolition".st ninians, george ward cole, children's clothing, 19th century

This Shirley College school badge belonged to Gladys Elvira Linton, nee Richardson (b. 1891). Shirley College was a private girls' school situated in a large single-storey house in Seymour Grove, Brighton from around 1898 until 1912. The school was first run by the Misses Bird and later by Miss Elizabeth Stewart. Gladys married First World War veteran and Brighton local Richard Vivers Linton in 1919. She looked back fondly on her days at Shirley College and helped to organise school reunions well into the 1930s, long after the school itself was gone.Metal Shirley College school badge in the shape of a hollow crest containing the interlocking letters "S" and "C". The back has a hook rather than a proper clasp; possibly it was originally attached to a school hat.Motto engraved around border: "NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA" (Latin, "without God, [it is] in vain").shirley college, schools, school uniform, 1900s, gladys elvira linton, gladys elvira richardson

Bags such as this one were used by bookmakers to collect and securely hold punters' bets at racing events. This bag belonged to Charlie Cox, a second-generation Australian bookmaker. His father, George Gordon Cox, ran bookmaking operations primarily during the 1920s and 1930s. After serving in the Air Force during the Second World War, Charlie entered the business during the 1940s, initially fielding at greyhound, trots and gallop meetings. In the early 1960s he moved to Melbourne, where he got his first big financial break when he was offered an interstate license to operate on the rails at all city tracks. He was a leading Melbourne bookmaker on the interstate rails racing circuit from the 1960s to the 1990s, from which period this bag originated.White painted leather bag with metal fastening mechanism. A short painted leather handle is joined to the bag by metal fastening clips.Painted on one side of the bag in black letters: "C.C. COX / INTERSTATE RAILS".bookmakers, horse racing, charlie cox, c. c. cox, interstate rails

Bags such as this one were used by bookmakers to collect and securely hold punters' bets at racing events. This bag belonged to Charlie Cox, a second-generation Australian bookmaker. His father, George Gordon Cox, ran bookmaking operations primarily during the 1920s and 1930s. After serving in the Air Force during the Second World War, Charlie entered the business during the 1940s, initially fielding at greyhound, trots and gallop meetings. In the early 1960s he moved to Melbourne, where he got his first big financial break when he was offered an interstate license to operate on the rails at all city tracks. He was a leading Melbourne bookmaker on the interstate rails racing circuit from the 1960s to the 1990s, from which period this bag originated.White painted leather bag with metal fastening mechanism. A short painted leather handle is joined to the bag by metal fastening clips. A long painted leather strap is joined to the bag by metal fastening clips.Painted on one side of the bag in black letters: "C.C. COX / INTERSTATE RAILS". "C.C. COX" is also painted in black at either end of the shoulder strap.bookmakers, horse racing, charlie cox, c. c. cox, interstate rails

This wedding dress was worn by two Brighton brides, sisters Floss and Vera McMinn, during the Second World War. The McMinn family moved to Brighton from Castlemaine around 1924, when the sisters were still children. Their father, Horace Henry McMinn, was a fruiterer and greengrocer who ran the Fruit Palace at 123 Church Street. Florence May "Floss" McMinn (1912-2007) married William Thomas Vivian on 3 February 1940 at the Brighton Church of Christ. Her sister Vera was her bridesmaid. Vera Olive McMinn (1918-2006) wore the same dress two years later when she married Geoffrey Walter Holmes on 15 August 1942 at Scotch College Chapel.Cream silk wedding dress with a long train. High neck and long sleeves. Yoke with horizontal pintucks and self-covered buttons. Side zip.wedding dress, 1940s, wartime bride, florence may mcminn, florence may vivian, vera olive mcminn, vera olive holmes

This table runner was made by Corporal Herbert Burdekin during the First World War around 1916 while he was recovering from a bullet wound. Herbert joined the 8th (Reserve) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles) in November 1914 and was deployed to France in April 1915. In July 1916 he received a gunshot wound to the arm and was sent home to England to recover, during which time he crocheted this table runner. He returned to France in early 1917 and was wounded a second time by a gas shell on 23 July 1917. Herbert likely never fully recovered from his exposure to gas during the war. He received a medical discharge in November 1918 due to "debility caused by war service" and died only a few years later in 1922, aged 26. His widow Mary and young daughter Hilda moved to Australia and settled in Brighton, with Mary living at 4 Collins Street until her death in 1966.Hand crocheted table runner featuring an interlocking diamond pattern in cream, pale purple and pale yellow. Bordered by pale yellow fringe.first world war, world war i, herbert burdekin, crochet, table runner, army

This ladies suit belonged to an elderly neighbour of the donor, Margot Miller, who lived in Black Street, Brighton in the 1970s. The neighbour had offered Margot a selection of her old clothing, dating from the early 20th century, as she wanted somebody to hold onto and care for the items after she died. Before Margot could take the items the neighbour was moved into a nursing home and, while cleaning out the house, the woman's son took the clothing to the tip with a load of rubbish. Margot happened to see him leave and was able to follow him and retrieve the clothes. They remained in the Miller family for many years; some were worn by Margot's daughters and some were ultimately passed on to others. Based on our research, we believe that the suit's original owner may have been Julia Richards (nee O'Keefe, c. 1882-1976), who lived at 59 Black Street during this time. Born in Ireland, Julia emigrated to Queensland in 1900. She married William Alfred Richards in 1911 and lived with him in Ayr, near Townsville, where they ran a hotel. It is unclear what became of William, but by the mid-1920s Julia and her two children were living in Brighton, where she remained until her death in 1976, aged 94.Cream wool ladies suit consisting of a jacket and skirt. Jacket is partially lined with silk, quilted around shoulders. Fastens with four self-covered buttons, one attached to a belt. Two box pleats at front and back, each featuring four decorative self-covered buttons at the waist. Upturned cuffs, each with two buttons. The skirt features a fabric belt and triangular pockets in each side with decorative self-covered buttons. Hook fastenings at side.1910s, women's suit, julia richards

This dress was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length blue jersey evening dress with round neckline and long sleeves. Cuffs edged with blue-grey ostrich feathers. Zip at back.Label: "Van Roth / REGD". Labels on side of inner zip: "100% POLYESTER" / SIZE 14 / TO FIT / BUST 90cm / WAIST 70cm / HIP 95cm".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, van roth, melbourne designers, flinders lane, 1970s

This cape was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length bright pink rayon jersey cape with pink ostrich feathers around the collar.pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s

This dress belonged to Brighton local Paula Folks, who wore it to her niece's wedding at St John's, Toorak in 1970. It also bears a second connection to Brighton through the label, Elegance, a Flinders Lane fashion house co-owned by Rudy Brill and Brighton resident Robert Salter. Paula was a longtime manager and owner of Pearl's Boutique, a well-known local fashion boutique established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Cream terylene chiffon dress with all-over daisy appliqués. High band collar with v-shaped scoop at back. Sheer long sleeves with gathered cuffs.Label: "miss Elegance / TERYLENE".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s, flinders lane, melbourne designers, robert salter, rudy brill, miss elegance, elegance

Items such as this cushion covers were purchased by Australian men and women serving during the First World War as souvenirs of their travels and gifts for their loved ones at home. The allies established a base at Thessaloniki in 1915. BHS records indicate that this cushion cover was among a collection of items received from the Harkaway studio of Brighton-born artist Jessie Traill following her death in 1967. During the First World War, Jessie served for three and a half years in hospitals in England and France with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. As she did not serve in Thessaloniki, where this item was made, it is unlikely she purchased it herself, but may have received it as a gift.Black velvet cushion cover featuring the embroidered image of a white and yellow dove bearing red, white and blue ribbons along with red and pink flowers. Embroidered in pale yellow are the words "Souvenir de Salonigue / 1916".cushion cover, 1910s, first world war, world war i, thessaloniki, jessie traill

Items such as this cushion covers were purchased by Australian men and women serving during the First World War as souvenirs of their travels and gifts for their loved ones at home. The allies established a base at Thessaloniki in 1915. BHS records indicate that this cushion cover was among a collection of items received from the Harkaway studio of Brighton-born artist Jessie Traill following her death in 1967. During the First World War, Jessie served for three and a half years in hospitals in England and France with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. As she did not serve in Thessaloniki, where this item was made, it is unlikely she purchased it herself, but may have received it as a gift.Black velvet cushion cover featuring the embroidered image of a white and yellow dove bearing a draped French flag, alongside a spray of red and pink flowers. Embroidered in pale yellow are the words "Souvenir de Salonigue / 1916".cushion cover, 1910s, first world war, world war i, thessaloniki, jessie traill