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

An album of pictures, memories and a report in honour of Merle Reid, a teacher at the RVIB Burwood School who passed away unexpectedly on March 25, 1985. Originally stored in a brown photograph album, this book contained tributes to the late teacher and a plan for an outdoor space redesigned to become an activity area, including elements she had promoted during her teaching career.Approx. 25 pages of textrvib burwood school, merle reid

In 1924, the Methodist Church opened at the corner of River Ave and Yan Yean Road, Plenty. It was a simple weatherboard gabled building. The church developed a strong community life with celebrations as well as worships, Sundays Schools and social events. It closed in 1979. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p113 In 1924, the Methodist Church, (which closed in 1976), opened at the corner of River Avenue and Yan Yean Road. Church members including George Starling and Ernest Osmond, built the simple weatherboard gabled building.3 The church developed a strong community life, with celebrations as well as worship through Sunday School anniversaries, picnics, harvest festivals and youth groups. Many volunteers worked hard for the church - teaching Sunday School and ferrying young people to events, sometimes in the backs of trucks and furniture vans. Children from the Sutherland Homes were brought to church by their Matron – a ‘grim martinet’! Members included the Ashton, Reid, Harris, McLachlan, Hopkin, Rose and Stuchbery families. The first wedding was for Vida McLachlan and Ray Stuchbery.4This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, methodist church, plenty