The Matron and Sisters in this photograph worked in the Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home, (later called Hospital) full time and administered nursing care to patients who ranged in age from babes to adults. The Society also had a District Nursing division and these Sisters only worked in the community giving nursing care to patients in their homes.The Melbourne District Nursing Society were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed, and the Society built, then opened, the After-Care Home in 1926, (from 1934 called After-Care Hospital), for these patients, and patients from Hospitals. Many children were nursed there, some long term during the Polio epidemic and the Society employed two School Teachers. The Society now ran two divisions, the After-Care with its own Sisters and nurses, and the District division. The Society were the first in Melbourne, in early 1928, to recognize some patients leaving the After-Care, and many at home, needed further social care and they set up ‘Almoners’ from their committee to visit these patients and be intermediaries in getting them social assistance. It was late the following year before the first training of Almoners took place in Melbourne. In 1930 the Society employed a full time kindergarten teacher to visit poor children in their homes. That year the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the After-Care, setting a high standard with equipment, keeping records, and providing leaflets with instructions in how to keep healthy during pregnancy, what complications to look for and what to do when labour commenced. In 1934 the Society were pioneers again when they opened the first Women’s Welfare Clinic in Melbourne giving advice on birth-control, at first attended by their own patients, but then accepting patients from public hospitals until their own clinics were opened. A trained Almoner was employed by the Society in 1934, doing a great deal of work with Midwifery patients, but she resigned after twelve months due to the amount of work. Due to a lack of trained Almoners, the Society employed a Social Service Officer at the After-Care who successfully gained better housing from the Housing Commission for families living under unsuitable conditions.A black and white photograph of Matron and twelve Trained nurses (Sisters) standing at the front entrance of the Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home, In the front of the portico is the Matron and four Sisters. Matron is dressed in a white long uniform dress and white veil over her short dark hair, and is wearing white stockings and white shores. To her right are four Sisters. Behind them are five Sisters, one standing between the left pair of round columns of the portico and the others to her right finishing just before the second set of columns. Two Sisters are to the left of the left hand column in front of the brick wall of the building. A short brick wall runs from the column to the building and hides the lower half of these Sisters. All the Sisters are dressed with white long aprons with white belts, which are covering their uniforms, only their dark grey sleeves and white collars can be seen. They are wearing white veils covering most of their short dark hair, grey stockings and black shoes. At the top of the portico can be seen the words 'District Nursing Society'. Part of the two story brick building can be seen behind the group; two long windows are visible on the upper and lower sections. To the right of the building some shrubs and a tree can be seen.nurses, after care hospital, uniforms, after-care home, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, rdns, royal district nursing service

The equipment items in this photograph are loaned out to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) patient's to use in their homes. They are returned to RDNS and sterilized, or cleaned with disinfectant, whichever is appropriate, once they are no longer required. The material items are given to patient's as required. Many of these items are made and donated by RDNS Auxiliary members. From its inception in 1885, the two Trained nurses (Nurses) of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) worked in the now CBD, ie from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bags containing lotion, ointments, powders, liniment, bandages, dressings, a case of spirits, and the Nurse's own clean apron, soap and small towel. They supplied equipment on loan, such as earthenware hot water bottles, splints, urinals, bed pans, bed cradles, feeding mugs, and air-cushions as well as providing blankets and clean bed linen, and nightdresses and clothes as necessary. The Society was at the forefront of health care and continued to liaise with Doctors as the Society expanded. The Nurses provided high quality nursing care to a range of people, often in destitute situations, some lying on rags on the floor as they had no bed, others with just a bed and maybe a thin blanket, a chair and nothing else. Their ages ranged from babes, children, adults to the elderly. The Nurses gave medications as ordered, dressed wounds e.g. to the injured, and surgical cases, and to those with leg ulcers; attended to patients with ‘surgical ailments’ such as ‘hip disease’; gave care to those with acute illnesses such as bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, measles, and scarlet fever, as well as those with chronic illnesses such as consumption (tuberculosis), heart disease, arthritis, cancer, debility, neuritis and paralysis. They educated their patients, and their Carers, in the curing and prevention of disease; Over the years items were given and equipment was loaned and demonstrated to patients, and if appropriate, to their family members to enable them to care for their loved ones in their homes. The Trained nurses had the rehabilitation of their patients in the forefront of their minds to ensure they were able to live as independently as possible in their own homes. As the years passed the Trained nurses changed from being called 'Nurse' to 'Sister' and the Society changed its name. In the 1970s, now with Royal patronage, and known as Royal District Nursing Service ( RDNS), they contracted a Private and then employed, a Physiotherapist who taught RDNS Sisters the correct transferring techniques, including the use of a hoist when this became available. RDNS Sisters taught and used these techniques in patient’s homes to undertake safe transfer of the patient and to reduce physical strain on RDNS nursing staff and family members. Each RDNS Centre had a room or shed where equipment for loan was kept, and Headquarters also kept additional equipment which could be transported to Centres as required. This black and white photograph shows some of the equipment loaned, along with some to be given, to Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) patients as required. Rear L-R - a white long nightdress with dark embroidery and buttons on the front and embroidery on the edge of the short sleeves. Next are two wooden bath seats; a square metal commode with lid and with its round legs extended to form handles on the left and right sides. A folded dark and white striped crocheted rug hangs over one of the handles. In the centre L-R, is a metal bed cradle, a metal 4 prong walking stick, bed pans, male urinal, stack of nappies with a white child's knitted jumper hanging over them, and a doona. In the front, L-R is a grey blanket, dark coloured bed socks, a sheepskin with a white smocked baby dress sitting on it, and a white babies nightgown on a clear plastic covered white bundle. A black mat sits under these items and a cream brick wall is in the background. Barry Sutton LS 47royal district nursing service, rdns, rdns equipment, rdns auxiliaries

Donated by Lewe who is a local member of Beechworth RSL.The social significance is that it represents Lewe’s service and is shared by donating his jacket.Jacket service dress blue grey with insignia rank for leading aircraftsman on the upper sleeves of both arms.Shoulder flashes with the word,Australia , on both shoulders.8 gold buttons in parallel columns of 4.2 buttons one on each breast pockets.Gold airforce eagle on both upper lapels.Label on outside of inside right breast pocketCloth label 75mm wide by 80mm long. Faint grey no,s - “12 “at top left corner”,8051” at right corner and “12” on bottom left corner. Ink wording as follows: “KENTISH CLOTHES “ on top first line of label,”S.A./1972/Gov,t or Defence arrow sign/8405-66-037- 4802/size 39 REGULAR/MATCHING TROUSERS/35 WAIST/SERVICE NO” with dotted line for wearer to write on.This is blank. “NAME” with dotted line also blank.” DRY CLEAN ONLY/REPRESS WITH DAMP CLOTH/DO NOT SIRO-SET” on bottom of wording.jacket, service, dress

The garment was a sealed sample 26 feb 1962. It is unknown when the dress was replaced. It is a representative example of this type of uniform in the period.The dress is in excellent condition.Light green,short sleeves.410mm shoulder to shoulder.1018mm top of collar to bottom of dress.320 mm wide waist.25mm sleeve from shoulder top to sleeve end. Sleeve cuff 4 cm wide.Two pockets on front, each set 12 cmm below waist and 9 mm from edge of centre opening.bottom of pocket is 10 cm from edge of centre opening.The dress opens at front with 8 button holes (24mm) openings,with a neck button loop(2cm). Two epaulettes 5cmm x 11 cm(long). The pockets have a sewn flap 2cm long from pocket top and 5 cm (at apex) from top of pocket.Two loops (5cm high) at each side of dress.A loop for hanging dress is inside collar at rear.Three press studs at front to fasten dress.Attached certificate in plastic seal. “Department of Army - inspection service/ SFC 8.3.13. (June 1958). Sealed sample/ sealed pattern no class 8415 article/CLO 1489 DRESS WOMEN’S indoor uniform,short/sleeves.RAANC,S55./ the supply is not to differ from this sale sample except in such/ respects as may shown on back thereof./Approved 26.2.1962/ for Director of inspection” On reverse of sealed tag is: “ measurements shall be as specified.Buttons/RAANC Line 30 (fronts) . Buttons RAANC LINE 26/(SHOULDER STRAPS).”dress, women’s, raanc, short sleeve, uniform

This flying suit would have been worn by a pilot of the Royal Australian Air Force. It is a drill suit and most likely was not used in active service. This flying suit dates to 1988. It is no longer manufactured and is an historically significant article of military clothing. It is also in good condition.Olive drab coloured overalls. Full length sleeves and full length legs. Two pockets on the front of each leg. One zip at the front of each leg with extra fabric in the interior for fabric width enhancement. One access zip on each hip. Two diagonal breast pockets, either side of chest. One small pocket on each arm. All pockets are fastened with metallic brass colour zips. Another pocket on the left upper arm with stitched sections for storing pens. A silver coloured metallic pen holder is clipped and stitched into this section. One epaulet on each shoulder, each fastened with a brass coloured metallic stud. Regular shirt collar. One long zip at the front from the groin to the collar. This has two zip handles, each with a thin piece of leather attached to aid zipping. A patch with inscriptions machine stitched to nape of neck interior. Three brass coloured metallic studs, with a small piece of size adjustment fabric (and the clipping stud attached to this) on each sleeve. Three brass coloured metallic studs, with a small piece of size adjustment fabric (and the clipping stud attached to this) on each side of the waist. One rectangular leather clip attached to the upper right leg pocket. Patch stitched to nape of neck interior has the following inscriptions: A.G.C.F. VIC 1988 (symbol of broad arrow) SIZE.3 8415.66.013.1557 NO NAMEflying suit, royal australian air force

Unknown donor, this item was typically worn by Army personnel for day to day duties at Base and workshops etcA day to day typical item of clothing worn by some Army personnel for their duties.Green cotton overalls. 410 mm shoulder width, 1143.5 mm length, 53 mm arm length-top of shoulder to arm end.,48mm waist width, 73.5mm leg length,62mm zip front from collar to waist., 39.5 mm collar with 75mm width.5mm sleeve cuff width., 45mm width for leg cuff. 16 mm zip length for all 4 pockets. Two pockets vertical from waist line-22.5 mm from middle of waist. Top two pockets with zip sloping from shoulder down towards centre of chest.Top of zip 11.5mm from shoulder with bottom of zip 23.5mm from shoulder. The pocket finishes at waist line-15mm from waist to lower zip position. Cloth hanger 7 by 25mm sewn on inside neck. Four pleats at lower back of coveralls.Green tag on neck: “A.G.C.F. VICTORIA 1985 ARROW SIGN SIZE 85-90SH 8405.66.060.4199 SERVICE NO . NAME............................ “ One other tag below first tag. The second tag is a tear off tag (7mm long ,8.5mm wide)made of light canvass off white colour with the following inscription within a 6.5mm width by 5.5mm deep 2mm black border “ THIS TAG IS FOR IDENTIFICATION ONLY PLEASE REMOVE BEFORE WEARING Docket No 44784/1 Order No 295024 34 Size. 85-90 SH Garment No 20273 Remarks. R 34 “ “ 29” At bottom right hand corner of white tag. army, geen

Centrepiece, including flags with the perspex Long Tan Cross plaque, form the DViets focus point at meetings; the Centrepiece also forms DViets focus point at ceremonies,If there is a single most revered DViet asset...this is it. It is towards this Centrepiece that we direct our attentions as we remember those who died in Service and those who have since passed on.Six pieces consisting of: VVAA (Vic) flag, national flag, 2 flag poles at 8ft c/w pike and join sleeve, flag stand (made from 105mm brass canister), and stainless steel frame, an illuminated perspex Long Tan Cross affixed and hard wired to Nui Dat Room wall.Diamond Valley Vietnam Veteransdiamond valley vietnam veterans sub branch, vietnam war

'N. Batten' name tag on the inside of the back opening.A long white cotton and lace child's nightgown with lace trimmed sleeves. It has long cotton ties at the waist, an open placket at the back with a cotton tie.'N. Batten' name tag on the inside of the back opening.nightdresses, nightwear

A long white cotton and lace child's nightgown with sleeves with lace trim. It has long cotton ties at the waist and an open placket at the back with cotton ties.nightdresses, nightwear

Slide photographs of the exterior of Stanhope on a sunny day with children sitting on the lawn. Believed to be from from the 1950s. Stanhope was a residence run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were deceased servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for further education. It was at 1245 Burke Road Kew (corner of Cotham Rd). It was purchased by Red Cross in 1945 who refurbished it and leased it back to Legacy for as long as it was required as a residence for junior legatees. It was handed back to Red Cross in 1981. Stanhope generally looked after girls over 14 either studying or working. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of the outside of Stanhope.Colour slide x 2 of the exterior of Stanhope with children sitting on the lawn, in a cardboard mount.Imprinted with slide numbers, 14 and 16. Handwritten on front 'Stanhope' in black pen.stanhope, residences

Slide photograph of the exterior of Stanhope on a cloudy day. Believed to be from from the 1950s, very similar to 02511 and could be from the same film. Stanhope was a residence run by Melbourne Legacy to take care of children whose fathers were deceased servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself, or they needed to stay in Melbourne for further education. It was at 1245 Burke Road Kew (corner of Cotham Rd). It was purchased by Red Cross in 1945 who refurbished it and leased it back to Legacy for as long as it was required as a residence for junior legatees. It was handed back to Red Cross in 1981. The slides have been photographed to make digital images and moved to archive quality sleeves. In many cases the original images were not well focussed and the digital image is the best available.A record of the outside of Stanhope.Colour slide of the exterior of Stanhope sitting on the lawn, in a cardboard mount.Imprinted with slide number 12. Handwritten on front 'Stanhope' in black pen.stanhope, residences

Worn by family of late Mrs. W.J. SebireWhite infant's long Christening gown - eyelet linen with tucked panels. Puffed sleeves. Cotton Batiste.christening clothing, baby clothing

It is a woolen khaki green great coat, with inter shoulder lining of khaki green canvas. There are back belt loop holes in the interior, lined by the same canvas. The pockets are made of the same canvas and are not sew to the interior of the coat at the bottom. The insides of the sleeves are lined with a more beige khaki green material. There is a split flap that is 500mm long in the middle at the bottom of the coat, which is fixed shut with two brown plastic buttons and a metal hook and eye at the bottom. The construction of the jacket is four panels and has been taken in at the waist for form above both pockets. The jacket has a back pleat from below the triangle stitching below the nape of the neck. The back belt has three metal insignia buttons, and the backside is lined with canvas. On both shoulders, there are epaulettes which have one metal insignia button each. On the front, there are three metal buttons on each on flap, and when the jacket is done up, the left flap goes on top. It has three button holes on the left flap and one button hole on the right flap for a large brown button on the inside of the left flap. There are two outer pockets on either side of the jacket. Beneath the jacket lapels, on either side there are metal buttons, and there are button holes for them in the middle of the bottom lapel. Where the upper and lower lapels are split, there is a hook and eye. There is a brown plastic button on the underside of both the upper lapels, which is where the extra flap of fabric on the inside of the left jacket flap, can be fixed as a face protector. The tag on the inside reads; DAVID KLEIN PTY. LTD. Victoria 1967 An arrow (Department of defence symbol) SIZE 6 CLASS 8405 66.012.0494 REGIMENTAL NO................... NAME......................... The regimantal number section had a number filled in but then scribbled out and another number written above, which is 359282. The name section was filled in with B.R.MIER. The name and regimental numbers were done in black marker pen. All the metal buttons are decorated with the medical corps symbol, which is a serpent-entwined rod (Rod of Asclepius) surrounded by a laurel wreath and above the rod is a crown (St Edward’s Crown). On the outside of the upper sleeves, just below the shoulder, there is two patches that signifies the rank of Staff Sergeant. The top patch is an embroided St Edward’s Crown and represents the staff rank. It is 47mm wide and 45mm. Below this there is a patch depicting the three stripes/ chevorns of the sergeant rank. The chevorn’s points face down, and the sides measure 66mm, while the depth down to the point is 86mm. The bottom lengths is 100mm on both sides and the top lengths are 9mm. coat, trench coat, great coat, medical corps, staff sergeant, b.p. mier, 359282, david klein pty. ltd., 1967

White cotton night gown, long, with crochet trim on sleeves and around square neckline. Sleeves short (above elbow).No visible markingscostume, female, nightgown, clothing, white, crochet, cotton

BHS CollectionHanro Advertising Brochure for Night ware Summer 1979. 8 page brochure on a white back ground with a coloured photo of two models wearing nightwear, pyjamas and dressing gowns. The front page is of two models, on the left the model is wearing a long sleeveless night dress with thin straps and gathered across the chest, the night dress has a thin belt at the waist. The long nightie on the right has three quarter sleeves with a peter pan collar, yoke gathered top and a tie front, she is also wearing slippers with matching material. Both night gowns have a white background with red and yellow flowers with green leaves. The gown is trimmed with green, red and white stripes on the collar and bottom of the garments. Both ladies are leaning against a white cement wall. At bottom left is the number 3676/68468 Fr. 129.-. Bottom right the number is 3676/68488 Fr. 169.-. Bottom right in black print is 'Hanro of Switzerland. At the top of each page is writing in Swedish. Each page shows different styles and colours of the garments together with their item number and Hanro of Switzerland at the bottom of each page. Box 116AHanro AG, CH-4410 Liestal, Schweiz - Printed in Switzerland 79/1hanro, clothing, women's apparel

This glass plate photograph shows good detail of members of the Warrnambool Garrison posing for their photograph in front of a young township. There are other well-dressed citizens behind them. The three men with frogging on their sleeves were commanders were likely to be commanders. The men are facing north with Cannon Hill and the fortification area in the background. It dates from the 1860s. The firearms held appear to be 1853 pattern Lee Enfield muskets used by the British army in Crimea at this time and in Australia, rather than the later Martini Henry cartridge rifles. The uniforms match other photos of the Warrnambool Garrison Militia and Band in our Collection, taken up until the 1880s. The three storey building in the photograph is likely to be the Manifold & Bostock flour mill, built in 1854 near the ‘cutting’ in Merri Street, which was one of the main streets at the time; if one faced the building’s front from a vantage point and looked south to south-east, the hills around Flagstaff Hill and Cannon Hill would be behind that mill, and the Harbour behind the hills. This is the area of the Fortifications. The glass plate method of photography was widely used during the mid-19th to early-20th century. The donor and maker of the photograph are unknown. Around this time the citizens of Victoria were prospering from the gold rush but felt isolated and uneasy about their security in the colony. In 1854 the Volunteer Act was passed to provide some military defence. In 1858 the Warrnambool Volunteer Rifle Corps was established, disbanded in 1863, then a new Warrnambool Detachment was formed in September 1866. Legislation was passed in 1884 that replaced the volunteers’ corps with a partly paid, permanent Militia Defence Force. The batteries manning the coastal forts of Victoria were termed Garrison Artillery Companies. When the Army was federated in 1901 there were eight Militia Companies in Victoria. Warrnambool and Port Fairy together were known as 8 Coy AGA (Australian Garrison Artillery). Changes to formation and name continued into the 20th century.This photograph is a record of the very early local defence force, circa 1866. The photograph signifies the connection of the colony in Victoria to the growing need for security due to the unrest in Europe at that time. The photograph is also locally significant to the industry of the young township of Warrnambool, showing what is likely to be one of the first flour mills in the town. The photograph is also the only example of the early methods of glass plate photography in our collection. Photograph, rectangular glass plate, positive sepia image. Photograph has brass framed edges that fold over to the back, with mitred corners. The front edges are pressed with a decorative floral pattern. The photograph shows a group of thirty military men, standing or kneeling, in dark uniforms with pillbox forage caps, round-collared jackets with light buttons, light sashes worn from top left shoulder to bottom right side of waist belt, and long, straight-legged trousers. Three of these men have light braid around the buttons on the front of their jackets, light frogging on their sleeve cuffs and stripes on the outside seams of their trousers. The other twenty-seven men have plain uniforms and are holding firearms in their right hands, steadied with their left hands. Other figures are standing behind this group of soldiers, including three or four men wearing top hats, jackets and ties. In the background is a row of buildings. The central building is three stories high. Bare hills are in the far background. The foreground is uneven ground with patches of short grass. Photographer looking towards the south east and Cannon Hill, with the Warrnambool Garrison facing north, ca.1860s.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, glass plate, photography 19th century, colonial forces, military defence, volunteer act 1854, volunteer rifle, garrison artillery, volunteer corps, militia, militia garrison band, pillbox forage caps, helpmann, manifold and bostock, 1853 lee enfield musket, tintype, warrnambool garrison, 1860s, cannon hill, manifold & bostock, flour mill, 3-storey building

BHS CollectionImage shows full length female adult long light coloured gown, with pin tucking, sash at waist. Frill to edge of sleeve. Fine chain necklace. Bar brooch left side of bodice, floral wreath in hair, elbow length gloves. ' Yours truly Daphne' bottom left hand corner. Some damage to signature.unknownperson, individual, female

Diana Jones (1939-2009) was President of the Association for the Blind from 1985 until 1992. In her 8 years as President a great deal was accomplished. New centres were opened or extended throughout Victoria and the Metropolitan area, volunteer services expanded and the Vision Resource Centre at Kooyong was built into which 3RPH radio was relocated. A Vision Information hotline, audiology services and the National Centre for Ageing and Sensory Loss were established, the Braille and Talking Book libraries was incorporated into the Association and the Charlie Bradley Cricket Pavilion opened at Kooyong. In 1990 Diana Jones became a member of the first Board of Directors of the newly incorporated Association for the Blind Ltd which ushered in a new era, requiring strict observance of financial and accounting methods in order to ensure continued Government funding. Mrs Jones was highly regarded by clients, volunteers and staff as a capable hard-working leader. Her services to the Association and over many years to the wider community, were recognised in her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours. In these images she is standing outside Brighton (?) wearing a pleated skirt, a white top with banding on the short sleeve edges, across the neckline and mid-chest with a zig zag pattern between the lines. She has on thick hoop earrings and a long chain with a pendant possibly shaped like a genie bottle.Portrait of Diana Jones in various sizesdiana jones, association for the blind

This outfit was sent home to A.E. Tranter's daughter Brenda Refer to Cat 7944. Item in the collection of "Arthur E. Tranter". V50166 - VX52843 2/29th BN P.O.W.1. Top - dark red colour cotton satin fabric with light gold cover piping to garment edges. Handmade. Top has a mandarin collar, side to front opening and no sleeves. Knots and loops are used to close garment. Decorative ribbon fabric flowers at collar and neckline. Colours - pale pink, dark pink and yellow. Garment has been hand and machine stitched. 2. Pants - fabric as above. long wide legs to pants. Hand and machine stitched. clothing, ww2, arthur e tranter

This corset cover is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. This corset cover is an excellent example of an everyday clothing item with the decorative trim favoured by women in the late Victorian era. Eliza Towns has added pintucks, embroidered feather stitch and a highly decorative hand crocheted lace trim to the neckline, sleeves and front of the bodice. Corset covers (sometimes called camisoles) began to appear in women's fashion around 1840 and continued through the late Victorian decades into the Edwardian era. The long chemise was considered too bulky to cover the corset and so the corset cover was developed to be short and light and was worn over the corset and under the bodice of the outer garment. A woman would dress into her chemise and drawers first, followed by her corset and finally her corset cover as a final layer under her dress. Corset covers served several purposes. They provided protection against sweat (and the need to regularly wash the corset), helped smooth the lines of the corset and increased a woman's modesty.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery and crochet to embellish an item of personal underclothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulty of hand washing a corset in the Victorian era.A short (waist length) corset cover of fine cotton. Short sleeves fall from a square neckline and are gathered into a wide crocheted lace trim with a band of embroidered feather stitch. The same crocheted lace design and feather stitching are also on the square neckline which is finished with a drawstring ribbon. The bodice has a front opening with five buttons and is bordered on each side with four pintucks. It has a drawstring ribbon at the waist and an extra layer of fine cotton lining has been added to strengthen the corset cover under the arms. The back has two bands of three pintucks running vertically from the neckline to the waist.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, nhill, wimmera, eliza towns, underclothing, corset cover, camisole, machine sewing, hand sewing, crocheted lace, pintucks, feather stitch, embroidery, underwear, victorian era underclothing, victorian era corset cover