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

The box was used for storing long gloves post W.W.II. The box was possibly later used as a pencil case. A long rectangular pale yellow plastic glove box with faux wood grain and a piano hinge. Engraved on the top in navy blue cursive script is the word 'Gloves', with extensive flourishes. 'Gloves'glove boxes, gloves, boxes, clothing storage containers

Edward Maxwell Vosti. 5885 Royal Australian Navy. Information is limited. He was born in 1902. His enlistment in the Navy appears to be from 25.10.1916 to 27.4.1920.Medals, court mounted, set of (2) re E.M Vosti. 1 War Medal 1914-1919. 2 Victory Medal, replica not engraved.1. "5885 E.M.VOSTI BOY - 1 R.A.N."medals, history, navy

John William HARKIN. No. 170317, Enlisted 27.06.44, Age 18. Discharged 6.12.48. Rank of LAC in 381 (B)SQD.1. Dress coat - navy blue colour wool fabric, black colour, cotton lining with beige colour cotton lining to sleeves. Buttons - black colour bakelite with metal shank, emblazoned with the King's Crown and a Wedgetailed eagle in flight WW2. On sleeves - Australia shoulder patch with wings and a propeller patch. Right sleeve - gold, blue and red colour "British Commonwealth Forces" patch. Makers label back below collar. 2, Trousers - navy blue colour wool fabric, owners label inside back, 5 button fly. 3. Trousers - navy blue colour wool fabric, makers size label inside back, 4 button fly.1. Maker's label - red embroidery on cotton fabric "M TX/ Size 18". Handwritten black ink "HARKIN'. 2. Owner's label - black ink on cotton "HARKIN/JW/ R.A.A.F." 3. Maker's label - blue ink print on cotton "N384/1942/ SIZE 24". Maker's label on back of trousers - dark blue print on paper - "AIRMEN'S/ TROUSERS'/ 18oz/ Size 24/ Waist 37../ Height 5'9"to 5'10". Black ink stamp "I/ E.C."uniforms, raaf, ww2

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. No interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid peak/visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Donated to Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum. Formerly worn by Ansett Airlines pilot. Frank McClelland.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Pilot's peaked cap. White vinyl crown. Black cotton exterior band supported by rigid internal rafia band. Acrylic interior lining. Has perforated leather sweat band. Rigid visor made of green vinyl, covered by navy blue cotton fabric. Insignia features a golden bird in flight, with a depiction of Australia, in red, as background, beneath a golden royal crown, and surrounded by a golden wreath of feathers. Navy blue mounting.No inscriptions. No markings.

Worn by male & female flight attendants 1999 - 2001Navy-blue wool-felt wide-brimmed hostess hat. Navy grosgrain ribbon trim bordered with yellow piping. Decorative tuck on front of trim & twist detail on back. Dent in crown. Black grosgrain sweatband. White maker's label with black print - "Weiss Australia". Faded blue biro with owner's initials (possibly SAR?or SPR?). 15mm round white label under sweatband with black upper-case lettering "SEP".White maker's label with black print "Weiss Australia". Faded blue biro with owner's initials (possibly SAR? or SPR?). 15mm round white sticker under sweatband with black upper-case lettering "SEP"flight attendants, stewardess / steward, navy blue fedora, yellow piping, 1999 - 2001, wool felt, weiss australia

1. B & W postcard shows scene of foredeck taken from the bridge. One twin gun turret can be observed. The ship is tied up at a wharf. 2. Side view of HMAS AUSTRALIA. The photo shows one gun turret, two funnels and wireless mast.1. On front bottom is handwritten "View from bridge of HMAS AUSTRALIA". 2. On front bottom is written "HMAS AUSTRALIA during Navy days in the 1920's" .photographs, ran, hmas australia

Royal Australian Navy above the central RAN general badge with 1911 to its left and 2011 to its right with one dollar below the badge. (Two copies)

A red round coin with text "CR Thompson 64535 RC" tight with a small robe"CR Thompson 64535 RC" Identity Disc Royal Australian Navy c1968 An asbestos identity disc or 'dog tag', of the type issued only to Navy personnel who worked in such hot spaces as the ship's engine room, to prevent burning which could occur with metal dog tags. Donated by Christopher R Thompson HMAS Vampire (1966) and HMAS Parramatta (1968)ran, dog tags, hmas vampire, hmas parramatta

WWII khaki slouch hat with khaki pugaree. Faded improvised navy blue and red colour patch on pugaree, opposite to upturned brim. Brass rising sun badge on upturned brim.uniforms-army, numismatics-badges-military, slouch hat

Coloured poster listing all units - Navy Army & Air Force in BCOF period - Japan 1946. Mounted on purple backing, white metal frame, glass front, masonite backing.BCOF 50th Reunion - Dubbo NSW March 1996 On back in black texta: Donated by: Maurie Smith. Seymour Vicdocuments - posters, frame accessories

Double-Breasted lined jacket with 'wing' lapels. Left and Right pockets with cover flaps. Colour; Dark Navy. Petty Officer Badge (slightly faded) near shoulder of left sleeve.All Buttons Metal. Buttons Reverse; Stokes and Sons Melb. 6 Buttons on front; 23mm diameter. 2 Buttons on each sleeve cuff; 15mm diameter. All buttons show Crown and Anchor with 'Australia' beneath. Inside; 1 pocket on right side. 2 pockets on left side (i pocket small 'coin' or 'pocket watch' size). Inside neck; original fabric tag covered by 'Band-Aid ' sticker with the words 'G' or 'E' Cole per 13 Heeds'.

Part of hostess/stewardess uniform of 1950's era.Complements the collection of air flight crew attire.Navy blue hostess side cap. Crown is folded, creating a pleat. Has an upturned brim with a peak each side. Wool gabardine material outside. Gray fabric interior lining.wool, navy blue, hostess, stewardess, flight attendant, uniform, headwear, 1950's, side cap

Cardboard box with contents of Kentish's Miners Light Quick Cleanser, paper label, green with red & navy blue lettering, showing a depictions of a miner with light, directions printed on one side.Manufactured by W.M.Kentish & Son Bendigogold mining, mining equipment, miners' lamp cleaner, bendigo-business-mining-kentish

Made by Bob Stewart to place prominently at Reception in order to advertise the availability and smartness of this item of the uniform. As an optional item of uniform, it was popular with students who found the woolen jumper uncomfortable next their skin.Because of its size and portability it has become somewhat of a mascot in school displaysMiniature version of the dark navy fully lined woolen blazer which forms part of the School uniform, including the embroidered logo next to the left lapel. The display includes a wooden stand.The Donvale Christian College logo is embroidered on the front,next to the left lapel. On inside of the right front of the blazer is sewn a "Bob Stewart's Kew" printed Name tag which has room for the owner's name and phone number to be writtenblazer, jacket, donvale christian college

Navy blue cap commemorating 50th anniversary of Vietnam. Embroidered emblem on front featuring Long Tan Cross, clapsed hands with Australian and Vietnam flags and words "Vietnam Australia 2016".On the back - Vieterans Day 2016.anniversary cap, veteran's day 2016

2 VN Navy river patrol boat. US & VN crew providing Audio, CDT3 members with cover while setting up detonator charges on river barricade. HOP AN 1971river patrol

A black coloured paper book telling the story of Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diver Barry Sandlant as told to Paul Millar In the middle of the book there is a gold watch face with the time at 3o'clockbook, ran, barry sandlant, cerberus collection

In a gold frame, with camouflage print background. Four coloured photographs of Navy personnel in camouflage uniform in groups at the Museum. Two cloth badges in the centre and a gold medallion under bottom photograph. Two plaques: Technical Training Facility "Strive for Success" presented to National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Phillip island from HMAS Cerberus 2018photograph, hmas cerberus