The wedding gown was worn by Lucy Kneeshaw Prout for her marriage to John Sommers on 29th November, 1871 at Trinity Church of England and Ireland, Williamstown, Victoria. Lucy was born in Woolwich, Kent, England in August 1850 and immigrated to Australia with her family in 1852 on the 'SS Coromandel'. She was the youngest of five children. Their parents were Edward and Elizabeth Prout (nee Hall). Lucy died in 1940 - 90 years of age. John E. Sommers was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1846 and emigrated to Australia with his family in June 1853 on the 'Tongataboo'. His marriage certificate shows that he was an engineer. He studied at the National Gallery's School of Design under both Clark and Campbell from 1872 to 1879. He drew a compressed charcoal and pencil portrait of Fred McCubbin in 1876. The portrait was displayed in the Golden Summers exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in 1985 and is shown on page 40 of the Golden Summers catalogue. Their grand-daughter, Mrs Marjorie Gibson (born 1910) said he was associated with the Heidelberg School and the Box Hill Artists Camp. He is also noted in the 'Book of Australian Artists'. He exhibited prolifically with the Victorian Artists Society until his resignation in 1898. In 1881 John Sommers took employment with the Education Department at Castlemaine (Ref. Golden Summer catalogue - pages 26 and 40). John died in 1930 aged 84 years. John and Lucy Sommers children John and Dora both studied at the National Gallery of Victoria, so senior was added to John E. Sommers Senior's works. There is a short biography on page 26 of Golden Summers. Researched by Valda and Ted Arrowsmith May 2006.One piece old gold Paper Taffeta wedding gown, stand up collar, piped in green taffeta. Forty covered buttons from neck to hemline. Shaped sleeve with 15cm cuff and three buttons. Two rows of seven cm appliqued green and gold shaped fans along hemline. Two rows of green and gold piping and 8cm deep gold fringe. Back of dress has central panel of pleats and six covered buttons and a square cut hem line for the train at back. Dress bodice is lined and has two 7cm bones in side seam.costume, female ceremonial

This book was used by Elvie Pratt then Jean Gray at Mitcham Primary School. The classes went to years 7 and 8 years oldSmall red soft cover book The Junior School Shakespeare - The Merchant of Venicebooks, school/educational

The coat was donated by Penguin Dry Cleaners Tunstall Square as it had not been collected for two yearsc1970 Full length imitation fur coat with tie belt. Coat is lined with brown rayon and has two pockets.costume, female

The donor Margaret was born in 1944 and grew up at 31 Drummond Street Blackburn. The doll was a gift at 5 years old.A walking doll A child's doll resembling a small child dressed in summer clothes and a straw hat, She has blonde hair plaited and tied with blue ribbons. The dress is floral cotton with white collar and two press studs in centre back. Floral pants match the dress. Cream net socks and cream plastic shoes.|The hat is straw with blue frill around the brim and five blue bows around the crown tied with blue ribbon. Eight items including the doll.Pedigree E#Englandtoys, dolls