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Glenelg Shire Council Cultural Collection
Negative - Glass Plate Negative - A early Edwardian home, 1890-1910
Glass plate negative. Showing an early Edwardian home - steeply sloped, wide eaves, front facing gable ends, square edged weatherboards, return L-shaped verandah, corrugated iron roofing. Also has iron lacework. -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph (Item) - Print, Elizabeth Simkin, Eltham and Montsalvat - Home To The Artist, 1988
Elizabeth Simkin 1988 Entrant No. 149 Ref: Series 34, Items 39, 111-113 SHIRE OF ELTHAM COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY Photography is an artform which many of us practice, sometimes purely for artistic pursuit, sometimes to record the people and events in our lives. In 1988, as part of a local Bicentennial project, the Shire of Eltham conducted the Eltham Community Photographic Survey. Up to 100 entries were to be selected by a panel of photographers for entry into the Eltham Photographic Survey Exhibition. Entries had to be submitted by May 13, 1988. Entrants whose images were selected for the exhibition were contacted and requested to further submit an entry form providing entrant’s name, area of residence, age, and proposed captions. These details were then used to produce labels for the exhibition mounts. Where negatives had not been supplied, these were requested to support the display of printed enlargements mounted on 10” x 8” cardboard. The mounted prints were made available post exhibition for sale at $8.50 each for colour prints and $7.00 for B&W prints. Residents in the Shire were invited to collect a free roll of film and take a photograph of what they either liked or did not like about the area. A total of 160 entrants submitted multiple entries for the exhibition. Of those selected for exhibition, entrants ranged in age from 9 to 70 years. All custom colour and black and white printing for the exhibition was completed by Wattle Studios of Eltham. The Eltham Photographic Survey was jointly auspiced by the Shire of Eltham and Wattle Studios, of 953 Main Road, Eltham. The project was greatly assisted by: • David McRitchie, Media Studies Lecturer Victoria College, Rusden Campus. • Ian and Annette Toohill of Wattle Studios • Tracy Naughton, Eltham Community Arts Officer • Neville Emerson Pty. Ltd. • Superior Press, Eltham • Kodak Australasia Pty. Ltd. • Agfa Gevaert Ltd. • Townsend Colourtech Pty. Ltd. • The Australian Bicentennial Authority • Eleanor Bowers, Secretary, Eltham Arts Council The exhibition was placed on display in the Woolworths Arcade, Eltham between Monday June 6th and Saturday June 11, 1988. It was also intended to hold the exhibition at a venue in the Shire’s North Riding from Monday, June 20 to Friday June 24. It was then displayed at the Were Street Theatre, Montmorency from Friday, June 24 to Thursday, July 7. Series 34: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 - Prints & Documentation Series consists of 117 photographs of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. Items I - 41 are larger photographs mounted on card, which were exhibited. Items 42 - 117 are unmounted copies, alternative takes and other entries. Corresponding negatives contained in Series 35: Eltham Community Photographic Survey 1988 – Negatives which consists of 267 colour and B&W negatives and one colour slide of Shire scenes taken by members of the community. The negatives are arranged by the entrant number of the photographer. The Eltham Community Photographic Survey collection is significant to the local community as it was curated by the local community - ordinary people of all ages - representing what they liked and did not like in the area where they lived. It represents an unfiltered representation of the Shire of Eltham as it was in 1988. It also represents one of many projects as part of the national programme of events and celebrations to commemorate the bicentenary. It is a time capsule of life in the 1980s of this urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north. Front: Entrant No. and name on printed label Rear: Entrant No., name and address on printed label; also 'Series 34' and the 'Item No.' in pencilshire of eltham archives, bicentennial project, eltham, eltham community photographic survey, eltham photographic survey exhibition, series 34, series 35, elizabeth simkin, film - kodak ga 100 5095, montsalvat, scan - 35mm negative -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Adult Deaf & Dumb Home, Blackburn, C.1970
... B/W photo of part of front of Adult & Deaf Home in Central... photo of part of front of Adult & Deaf Home in Central Road ...B/W photo of part of front of Adult & Deaf Home in Central Road, Blackburn. Demolished 1972.adult deaf & dumb home, blackburn -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Photograph, Adult Deaf & Dumb Home, Blackburn, C.1970
B/W photo of front entrance main building, Adult Deaf & Dumb Home , Central Road, Blackburn. Demolished 1972.adult deaf & dumb home, blackburn -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Doyle Family Photos with Indentifying names -- 7 Photos
Doyle Family Group photographs plus others. Think a mistake in photograph of soldier in WW1 uniform (photo 2) as more likely Peter Pagan Doyle as John born 1909. Photo 1. Portrait of "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909, only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 2. of soldier & portrait photo. "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909 only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 3. of wedding group "Origin unknown. At the right is Marion Galbraith, b1881 in Stawell, dau. of Peter Galbraith. The man to her right is thought to be John Pagan Doyle". Photo 4. of house. "Home of Peter Galbraith and family, possibly Patrick Street Stawell. with family members arrayed" Photo 5. family group "Galbraith family at Stawell. Mr. Peter Galbraith, his wife Margaret (Cameron), and 4 children -L-R Norman, Marion, Afton and (in front) Harold. Photo 6. of 8 men. "Source unknown, but possible connected with Stawell of Mines or may be part of Peter Galbraith's assay business. People second from left, back row and second from left, front row appears to be sons of Peter Galbraith". Photo 7. "Marion (Galbraith) Doyle and John Galbraith Doyle (b. Stawell 1909)". Marion only daughter of Peter & Margaret Galbraith nee Cameron born Stawell 1881. Marion married John Pagan Doyle who was Science Director of School of Mines, Stawell 1909. Eight black and white photographs of Galbraith Doyle and Pagan Doyle Family. Two photographs of a soldier in WW1 uniform. (Think a mistake as possible Peter Pagan Doyle). Third photo is of a group of 13 people at a wedding. Fourth photo of a weather board house with a veranda and garden and people on veranda and in garden. Fifth photo Family group. Sixth photo 8 men holding equipment associated with mining but formally dressed. Eight photo of a woman and child holding a cat. Note a mistake on 2 photos, the captions state John Galbraith Doyle was born 1909 at Stawell but he is shown in a WW1 uniform which cannot be him. The soldier must be his father John Pagan Doyle who enlisted 1915 at Stawell. Photo 1. of "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909, only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 2. of soldier & portrait photo. "John Galbraith Doyle born Stawell 1909 only child of Marion (Galbraith) and John Pagan Doyle". Photo 3. of wedding group "Origin unknown. At the right is Marion Galbraith, b1881 in Stawell, dau. of Peter Galbraith. The man to her right is thought to be John Pagan Doyle". Photo 4. of house. "Home of Peter Galbraith and family, possibly Patrick Street Stawell. with family members arrayed" Photo 5. family group "Galbraith family at Stawell. Mr. Peter Galbraith, his wife Margaret (Cameron), and 4 children -L-R Norman, Marion, Afton and (in front) Harold. Photo 6. of 8 men. "Source unknown, but possible connected with Stawell of Mines or may be part of Peter Galbraith's assay business. People second from left, back row and second from left, front row appears to be sons of Peter Galbraith". Photo 7. "Marion (Galbraith) Doyle and John Galbraith Doyle (b. Stawell 1909)".stawell -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Postcard, 1918
Postcard written by Private Frederick Corkish, service number 46656, who served in the 19th Kings Liverpool Regiment in the British Army during WWI He was from Ramsey, Isle of Man. He was taken Prisoner of War in Germany in 1918.German post card with handwritten note in English. No picture.Front: "Pte F Corkish / 46656 / 19th Kings Lpool Regt / Gefangenen Lager / Guben / Brandenburg / Germany ... Miss M Corkish / Heath Bank / Kersal / Manchester / England" Back: "Sept 1st 1918 / Dear sister. Just these few lines hoping they find you in the best of health the same as it leaves me at present. I wrote too cards and a letter to mother so I expect she has told you how I am getting on. Well may I expect yourself and Annie are still to-gether if so tell her I was asking for her. Have you been home for a sight since I have been a prisoner of war. I bet things are quiet over in Ramsey now. Dear sister I think this is all I hae got to say this time so I will now close with best of love from your brother Fred / xxxxx"corkish, isle of man, prisoner of war, pow, brandenburg -
Dandenong/Cranbourne RSL Sub Branch
Postcard - Embroidered Postcard, Refer also 0179
WWI souvenir postcard from Egypt.Rectangular postcard with embroidery on front. Embroidered floral detail in each corner, yellow/red crown in centre, white sphinx at bottom. In the centre there is a cut out of a photo of a man's head.Front: "THE KING'S / LIVERPOOL REGT" "EGYPT" Back: "with best love / from Jim to all at / home / xxx" (pencil)postcard, embroidered postcard, egypt, souvenir, wwi -
J. Ward Museum Complex
Book - Ephraim MacDowel Cosgrave M.D., CH.M., F.R.C.P.I. (1916), Hints and Helps for Home Nursing and Hygiene
A handbook for all who have to do with sickness. It is written in a hope that it may be of assistance to all who have to nurse the sick. The book is arranged according to the Syllabus of the Second (or Nursing) Course of Lectures and to be used as a book of reference.The text is a dark tan leather back hardcover book. The book was written by E. MacDowel Cosgrave, MD, and published by the St. John Ambulance Association (London) in 1916. It contains a clean firm interior. The print is clear and readable. Contains a few illustrations - a little dulled at the top closed-edge of pages. Front and back covers have faint shelf wear marks. Good in its appearance considering its age. Some tearing away of pages from the spine but mostly tightly bound. 177 pages. non-fictionA handbook for all who have to do with sickness. It is written in a hope that it may be of assistance to all who have to nurse the sick. The book is arranged according to the Syllabus of the Second (or Nursing) Course of Lectures and to be used as a book of reference.#nursing, homenursing, medical, #stjohnsambulance -
J. Ward Museum Complex
Book - The Strand Magazine, H. G. Wells, Conan Doyle, Lewis Carroll And Others
The Strand Magazine was a monthly British magazine founded by George Newnes, composed of short fiction and general interest articles. It was published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950, running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890. The Magazine contains articles and fiction by various authors including; chapters VI to XXI of The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells illustrated by Claude A. Shepperson; My Life on Devil's Island by Captain Alfred Dreyfus; Strange Stories from Life: three stories by Conan Doyle, An interview with Conan Doyle, and A Visit to Tennyson by Lewis Carroll and others. With illustrations throughout, many by notable illustrators of the time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strand_MagazineThis edition has blue cloth binding with black and gold lettering and decoration with the busy Strand street scene on the front board. The magazine's cover, an illustration looking eastwards down London's Strand towards St Mary-le-Strand, with the title suspended on telegraph wires, was the work of Victorian artist and designer George Charles Haité. The initial cover featured a corner plaque showing the name of Burleigh Street, home to the magazine's original offices. The lettering on the plaque in Haité's design was later changed when Newnes moved to the adjacent address of Southampton Street. Six issues bound in one volume. Complete with half-title and title page with an index of contents. Yellow endpapers, slight foxing, and some tears on pages. Text and illustrating are clean and readable. Inside, the inner hinges are firm with no splits at the endpapers making for a sound and solid binding. All complete and in good order. No jacket. fictionThe Strand Magazine was a monthly British magazine founded by George Newnes, composed of short fiction and general interest articles. It was published in the United Kingdom from January 1891 to March 1950, running to 711 issues, though the first issue was on sale well before Christmas 1890. The Magazine contains articles and fiction by various authors including; chapters VI to XXI of The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells illustrated by Claude A. Shepperson; My Life on Devil's Island by Captain Alfred Dreyfus; Strange Stories from Life: three stories by Conan Doyle, An interview with Conan Doyle, and A Visit to Tennyson by Lewis Carroll and others. With illustrations throughout, many by notable illustrators of the time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strand_Magazine#fiction, magazine -
Bendigo Military Museum
Photograph - Cartographic Squadron, Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo, c1985
This is believed to be a photograph of Cartographic Squadron, one of the Army Survey Regiment’s squadrons at Fortuna, Bendigo. It was probably taken on Corps Day in July 1985 as its members appear in winter dress. Cartographic technician tasks undertaken by Cartographic Squadron at that time were scribing, compiling, retouching, masking, type setting, type stickup, terrain embossing, correcting and proving quality control. This is a photograph of Cartographic Squadron taken at the Army Survey Regiment, Fortuna, Bendigo. c1985. The black and white photograph was printed on photographic paper and is part of the Army Survey Regiment’s Collection. The photograph was scanned at 600 dpi. .1) - Photo, black & white, 1985, Cartographic Squadron, Army Survey Regiment. Back Row L to R: CPL Dave Cook, SPR John Keely, CPL Perry Burt, CPL Terry ‘TJ’ Wicker, CPL Roger Pearson, CPL Simon ‘Andy’ Capp, CPL Paul Richards, SPR Owen Jones, SPR Bjorn Sakariassen, CPL Graeme Priestley, SPR Roger Graf, SPR Robin Marshall, SGT Paul Hopes. Middle Row L to R: SPR Max Watson, CPL Doug Home, SGT Mick Flynn, SGT Alan Staley, CPL John Reid, SPR Denise (Muldoon) Marshall, CPL Mark Casey, SGT Greg Anderson, SPR Leah (Hoffman) Peppler, SPR Gayle Humphrey, CPL John ‘Stormy’ Tempest, SGT Paul Leskovec CSM, SGT Graeme Dowd, SPR Tracy (Parker) Ash. Front Row L to R: SGT John Zuringer, SSGT Adrian ‘Charlie’ Creedy, SSGT Dennis McCarthy, SSGT Ian ‘Rock’ Thistleton, SSGT Trevor Pearson, WO2 Russ Larsen, WO1 Doug Arman, MAJ Terry Edwards, WO1 Bill Griggs, WO1 Dick Manley, SSGT Tony Harder RE (UK Exchange), SSGT Doug Gay, SGT Tim Allanson, SGT Dennis Learmonth.No personnel are identified. royal australian survey corps, rasvy, army survey regiment, army svy regt, fortuna, carto, asr -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Laurie Levy, Elderly man with crocheted shawl and knitted cap
An unnamed man, wearing a crochet shawl and knitted cap, sits in a chair with his head low to the pillow in front of him.2 b/w photographs of unknown manassociation for the blind, elanora home (brighton) -
Bendigo Military Museum
Print - PRINT, FRAMED WW1, Reader's Digest (Australia) Pty Limited, 2015
From information book - "Reader's Digest/ Gallipoli/ 25th April 1915 - 9th January 1916/ Centenary Commemorative Prints". Collection of 20 prints. Refer Cat. No. 7300.Framed print. Print - colour print on paper. Copy of an oil painting on canvas. This painting depicts "several soldiers, in uniform and wearing tin helmets sitting in a dugout. "Holding a candle, one reads a precious letter from home". Frame - black plastic framing with glass front and MDF board backing with adhered black paper.Details below print - in black ink; "FRANK CROZIER (1883-1948) Diggers sitting in dugout 1918". FRANK CROZIER "enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force in 1915 and was trained in Egypt before serving at Gallipoli", 22nd Battalion. Appointed an official war artist in 1918.framed accessories, prints, ww1, gallipoli, centenary -
Brighton Historical Society
Clothing - Jodhpurs, late 1800s - early 1900s
This item is from the "Barone" Collection. "Barone" (also known as "Seaview") was a stately Brighton home built at 9 Moule Avenue prior to 1855 and demolished in 1986. The house's residents included Edward Elgin Browne (during 1859-72), a Melbourne tea merchant, and the family and descendants of retired Scottish Army captain Archibald Black (during the period 1880-1970). Its neighbors included “St Ninians” owned by the Ward- Cole family, “Seacombe” owned by the Moule family, and the home of James Grahame and his family. The items in the "Barone" collection were largely donated by two of the house's later owners, Mrs Doris Halkyard and Mrs Brian Brandt.A pair of black wool twill women's jodhpurs from late 1800s to early 1900s. The jodhpurs feature a flat flap-front that buttons on either hip with four buttons on either side. The cut of the leg is full tapering through shaped panels to a slim fit over the calf. At the centre front of the leg at the shin, the pant leg is laced closed and finished with brown binding. From the back, the pant hangs loose and full over the bottom, tapering to a slim fit over the calf. Note: These jodhpurs are not a matching piece of the riding habit T0002.1. However, it appears that the same person wore them together as an outfit.barone, riding habit, seaview, jodhpurs, brighton -
Mont De Lancey
Functional object - Wooden Sewing Box, Unknown
The domestic sewing box would have been used in the home.A brown varnished rectangular wooden lidded Sewing Box with a lift out top section which has 16 varying sized compartments for storing sewing accessories. There is a has a hollow area underneath the tray. The lid is attached with brass hinges and it has a brass lock and small key. There are several sewing items included - cotton reels and thread, assorted darning thread for hosiery, wool and nylon threads, a box of black pins, assorted sewing needles, thimbles, small decorative sewing scissors, black rolled tape, mixed buttons, hooks and eyes, nickel plated fittings for hats, vintage stocking hooks, a stick of white chalk, two (one green and one ivory) antique cotton thread winders and a medium sized vintage safety pin.a Variety of brands of items include - 'Rite Tone', 'Della Darn' 'C No Darn', 'Clark's Filosheen' hosiery thread, 'Barbour's Linen Wax Thread', 'The Flora MacDonald Best Steel Bodkins' 'National Hat Guard' nickel plated steel and brass fittings, 'Chadwick's Wool and Nylon' reinforcing mending thread, 'The Myrene Snap Studio' size 1 rustless press studs, 'The Pagoda Brand' rolled tape 5 yds, 'Cross Fox Brand' Best quality Steel Stems (long plastic headed pins), 'Toledo' brass thimble and a black box of 'F. Tayler & Co's Solid Headed Mixed Pins'. The brass lock has 'SECURE PATENT' stamped in to it on the inside of the edge of the front of the box. there is also a small VR with a tiny rounded pattern opposite the Patent sign. sewing equipment, sewing box, sewing, embroidery scissors, functional object -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, "Bangor"
G. Mitchell's - 31 Ligar St "Bangor"B/W Photograph: weatherboard house, Iron Roof with verandah with decorative lower edge. Tree. & wooden slat Fence in frontOn Reverse 31 Ligar St.stawell residence homes, bangor, mitchell -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, 25-27 Seaby Street John M Bennett Jnr's Home
Colour Photograph: Brick Home with Tile roof, Wood and wire Fence in front.On Reverse: 25 Seaby Streetseaby street, john m bennett -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, McCracken Family Home
Colour Photograph: 2 Story Brick Home, partially hidden by trees in front with lawnOn reverse: 17 Seaby Streetseaby street, mccracken -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, 9 Seaby Street Former Crothers Home Built 1869
Colour Photgraph: Brick house with red Iron roof,, with 4 chimneys 7 white iron frnce in front. road in foreground9 Seaby Street -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Photograph, 39 Main Street
39 Main Street: Mr Tom Healy did boot & shoe repairs from shop at front of house.Colour Photgraph. Brick home with brick fence. Small brick building opening onto footpathOn reverse: Shop where Tom Healy worked in Lower Main Streetbusiness, tom healy -
Bendigo Military Museum
Accessory - BROOCH, c.1945
Brooch sent home by Roy Hilton Taylor NX94268, enlisted 2.4.1942, age 29 years. On discharge from the 2nd AIF on 17.1.1946 he was a Gunner in 2/1st Field Regt. Blue heart shaped brooch with pin clasp. Island scene in black.On front of brooch in gold: Edna & below a shining sun On rear of brooch: Love from Roy On pin clasp: New Guinea 1945metalcraft, costume accessories - jewellery -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Phyllis Pickford, 1997
Elanora resident Phyllis Pickford sitting outside on a sunny day, with a pen and notepad in front of her.1 colour photograph and negative of Phyllis PickfordMrs Phyllis Pickford, resident Elanora & 'prize winning author' 1987association for the blind, elanora home (brighton), phyllis pickford -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Barry Farnsworth near the stage, 1989
Barry Farnsworth near a stage, possibly during a presentation. The podium and stairs handrail are visible in this image, as well as an audience member in a wheelchair and the foot of a suited man in the front row.1 coloured photograph of Barry Farnsworth association for the blind, elanora home (brighton), barry farnsworth -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Booklet, Duncan & Weller Pty Ltd, Old Kew Golf Links Estate, 1927
The booklet advertises the third sale within the Old Golf Links Estate which was a major subdivision of farmland in North Kew in the 1920sThe subdivision of the Kew Golf Links Estate was a major subdivision of farmland in Kew. The site was at one stage designated for industrial development and the building of a new Kodak factory. The decision by Council to oppose the redevelopment makes the beginning of the period when all industrial development was banned in Kew.6 page illustrated brochure advertising the third section of a major subdivision in Kew in 1927 including 75 charming home allotments and 7 valuable building sites. The brochure includes the subdivision plan. The front cover includes a colour illustration of the almost completed houses in Woolcock Avenue. Streets named include: Kilby Road, Kodak Avenue, Baker Avenue, Mathers Avenue, Coleman Avenue, White Avenue and Belford Road. Lots for sale are numbered. Existing buildings are designated with a square.subdivisions - kew (vic), kew golf links estate -
Vision Australia
Photograph - Image, Elanora resident Munie Clark, 1993
With his hat on his head, possibly ready to go out, Elanora resident Munie Clark sits in a front lounge with windows that face the driveway.1 colour photograph of Elanora resident Munie Clarkassociation for the blind, elanora home (brighton), munie clark -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Skirt, Tina Knitwear, 1980-2000
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. Maroon skirt with curved wrap detail with maroon and navy striped ribbing halfway around bottom. The skirt is shaped with darts, has an elastic waistband, and centre back opening with a zip and skirt hook. Maroon lining.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Skirt, Tina Knitwear, 1980-2000
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 -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Child's Pinafore, Tina Knitwear, 1980-2000
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 -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Skirt, Tina Knitwear, 1980-2000
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 -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Men's Coat, c1940s
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 -
National Wool Museum
Textile - Dress, Tina Knitwear, 1980-2000
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. Lilac glittery knitted ribbed dress, with elbow length sleeves and collar.front [label]: PURE / NEW WOOL back [label]: DRY CLEAN / ONLY / A (60) / 072829knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community