The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Mills was located near the Barwon river on Pakington Street, Geelong, where its building still stands. The mill was established in October 1922 with capital acquired from War Gratuity Bonds. The mill produced fine grade woollen products with its speciality being ‘Retsol’ travelling rugs. The mill first began to run into financial troubles with the ‘Credit Squeeze’ or the ‘Holt Jolt’ of the early 1960s. This saw import restrictions lifted which triggered the start of a minor recession and a rise in unemployment. Included in these troubles was the RS&S Mill which saw the number of employees gradually decrease and business declining with cheaper imports beginning to grab an expanding part of the market share. The mill was eventually purchased by Godfrey Hirst in 1973 who tried to continue operations without success and in June 1975 textile production at the site ceased. Outside of financial considerations contributing to the closure of Woollen Mills in this period was the declining need for heavier fabrics as in-home heating and insulation improved. This need had been replaced for a demand for ever softer, finer and lighter worsted fabrics for more casual clothing. Modern day textile production requires fewer steps in the processing of materials for this use. This meant large factory complexes such as early woollen mills like the RS&S mills were no longer required. Compared to modern textile production which can spin a fine yarn out of synthetic fibre or imported cotton easily, spinning fine yarn from medium quality wool at a textile factory was cumbersome and no longer financially viable to suit new consumer demands. This rug provides context to this statement. It was gifted to Shirley and Gordon Green as a wedding present in November 1963 by one of Gordon's colleagues in the wool industry. Living in areas such as Neutral Bay, the Hornsby area and later in life retiring to the Central Coast, the blanket was too heavy for use in these weather conditions and hence it stayed in its original box for nearly 60 years. Top and bottom of rug has frilled edges. Pattern is titled the 'Clan Cameron' and is repeated in a 7x7 grid. Front of rug has a red background with 4 vertical and horizontal lines. All is surrounded by a yellow boarder. Label is stitched into the bottom right corner. Reverse of rug also has a repeating 7x7 grid. Blue background with thick green horizontal stripe. Yellow and red boarder to the grid with 4 red vertical and horizontal lines making up the interior. Rug measure 1550 x 2040mm, approximately the same size as a queen size mattress.Wording, Bottom right corner. THE GEELONG R.S&S. WOOLEN MILLS/ PURE/ WOOL/ AUSTRALIA/ The John Monash Rug (cursive)/ The Clan Cameron (cursive)rs&s mills, textile manufacture, rug, clan cameron, sydney greasy wool exchange

Worn by Jessie Allan for her marriage to William Thomas Kenny on 13 May 1945 at St Stephens Church, Richmond. They lived in 19 Baldwin Road, Blackburn from 1965. Jessie deceased 1.4.2010. Funeral at St Alfred's Anglican Church, Blackburn South.1945 Cream satin wedding dress with a rouched bodice to a centre panel, high neckline and pointed collar. Bead work on centre panel and edge of bodice, long sleeves to a pointed wrist and beading. Thirty covered buttons down centre back. Skirt cut on cross and three metre train at back.|.2|Champagne coloured Wedding Veil - (approx 6ft in length) - complete with orange blossom 3 1/4' headdress. Headdress is handmade, attached to a wire frame|.3|Cream satin slipper. Machine stitched half in rows. Bow with satin loop and spray of wax orange blossom attached.|.4|Horse shoe shaped wedding item to hang over bride's arm. Rouched satin with ornamental - artificial (wax) orange blossom and buds with 2 mm ribbon to hang over arm. Cream coloured to match wedding dress.|.5|Satin horse shoe, rouched, with satin ribbon handle.|.6|Cream braided horse shoe with gilded wishbone and wax orange spray attached. A bow with long loop to hang on the arm.|.7|Satin Horseshoe Good Luck charm with 'petal' flowers surrounding it, made of cut material - ribbon bow with pearls in centre.|.8|Doll in taxi - Rosy-cheeked, dark hair, blue eyes, dressed in bridal dress with veil, with pearls and 'flowers' decorating the doll. The doll stood across the back seat, under the window. Lavender in base of stand.|.9|Bridal Ring Box - 'Good Luck' horseshoe charm box - in the shape of a prayer book. Cream box with silver motifs printed on.|.10|Groom's Buttonhole of spray of wax orange blossom - 4 flowers and 3 leaves. Cream flowers with yellow stamens - green leaves. 10 Items in total..7 'Wishing you all The Best' 'Good Luckcostume, female ceremonial

Wedding ceremony on 14th October 1950 at Congregational Church Kew1950's Magnolia satin, vee neckline with collar, button and loops to vee shaped waist. Long sleeves buttoned at wrist, coming to points. Skirt is ankle length at front. Back falls to a train.costume, female

Formally Miss Sharlene Barry now Mrs Ron Drager, the great grand daughter of the girl for whom the dress was originally made in England. The wedding was in Ceylon, and later the dress travelled with the happy couple to Australia. In total the dress has been worn four times. It missed one generation and then was sent to Adelaide for the wartime wedding of Sharlene's aunt, Mrs Hubbard. It returned to Melbourne for the wedding of Sharlene's mother Mrs Barry. The elaborately rouched dress with tight bodice and slight bustle effect was altered for the 1941 wedding.Used in 1950's for fourth wedding. Dress altered from the original dress made in 1886. Lace taken from draped overskirt and remade to square neck and long sleeve. Bodice pointed front and 22 satin covered buttons on back. Satin skirt and train edged with lace. Lace and cotton overskirt stiffened and draped and caught to the left side. Brussels lace mounted on satin.costume, female ceremonial

A wedding bodice made for Mary Jane Schroder for her marriage to Ralph Pardy Rudd on 24th Nov 1886 in Ceylon1886 satin bodice, boned and paneled to fit 24 ins waist. Closed at front with 18 pearl buttons. Long sleeves, beaded and embroidered cuffs also lace trimmed. Pocket on left side for watch. Peplum at back to sit on bustle of skirt. Beaded collar to fit over bodice neckline. See also Fan NA3582, shoes NA3578 and bridal headdress NA3489.costume accessories, clothes accessories

Dress first worn at wedding of Miss Margery Rudd and then in 1973 for the wedding of Miss Sharlene Barry (now Draeger)1950's claret crushed velvet floor length dress with cream lace around the high square neckline and around cuffs on long sleeves. 25 velvet covered buttons down back. Waist comes to a point at back with inverted pleat falling from point at back waist line. Sash is separated with press stud fastening and a bow effect.costume, female ceremonial

Made for and worn by Jeanette Margaret Bennett at her wedding at Uniting Church, Riversdale Road, Wattle ParkWhite chiffon 1978 round neck line dress with high waist, long sleeves; with cuff and six covered buttons. Hem line and neck trimmed with satin. Dress lined with satin underskirt. See also 3597., Wedding Veilcostume, female ceremonial

Made for and worn by Jeanette Margaret Bennett for her wedding at Uniting Church, Riversdale Road, Wattle ParkWide, white 1978 headband padded and covered with nylon net, and decorated with satin flowers. Veil trimmed with 4 cm wide satin ribbon|NA3596 wedding dresscostume, female headwear, female ceremonial

The dress was made by Mrs Alloway of Coburg. The dress was made from two dresses which appeared in 'The Bride' magazine; the top from one photo and the skirt from another. Joan Lorraine McGahey wore this dress when she married Francis William Kerry on 28/03/1959.1959 Full length white lace and net over white taffeta slip. Long sleeves are lace to wrist and has light covered buttons. Front has square neckline with lace appliqued to bodice which falls to dropped waistline. Front panel is lace onto net flounce measuring 30 cm. Back has three net flounces falling from waist to form a train which is attached with lace bow. Back of neck has 8 buttons and loops.costume, female ceremonial

Purchased in 1968 by Phyl Johnson at Myers. Worn twice by her and then, in 1990, by her mother, Mrs M. Gray at her grand daughter's wedding at Box Hill, St Andrews Presbyterian Church1968 Pale pink pure wool, short sleeved dress. Round neck with zip from neckline to waist. Fully lined in pink polyester fabric. Detail stitching from bustline to waist and continuing across waist line at back. Fitted pink jacket has waist length long sleeve, trimmed with a collar of faux fur. Fastened with three buttons and loops, and has two pockets with detailed stitching. Jacket is fully lined with pink polyester.Merco Dabroncostume, female

Dress worn by Bette Jones sister. Petticoat probably made 60's to 80's as zip dates from this eraCream machine lace long sleeved wedding dress with faggotted collar from 1930s. Thirty eight covered buttons down front from collar to thigh. Three covered buttons on each wrist. Front buttoned opening and wrists bound in georgette. Short train. Petticoat probably made between 60's and 80's judging by zip at back. Straps over shoulders. (see NP2502)costume, female ceremonial

Bought to wear to donor's son's wedding and then didn't use the garment for the occasion. Wore it only two or three times since.1982 Three piece Jade ensemble in acetate and polyamide fabric. Summer weight French Spangaro label. Top has scalloped edging on neck and cap sleeves. Long sleeved jacket has clear buttons.costume, female

Skirt of wedding dress worn by Jesse de Frayne Talbese at her marriage to Herbert Bishop on 14th April 1903 at Box Hill. Jesse was born August 1876 in East Melbourne and died 23/04/1955 in Box Hill.Full length cream silk skirt. Panel of tucks down each side of front with lace and tucks around bottom third of skirt. Waistband has a hook & eye.costume, female ceremonial

Gown was worn by Janice Purcell nee Ralston who lived in Mitcham until her marriage to Dr Michael Purcell. She trained as a Nurse at St Vincents Hospital. She attended St Johns Primary School and the Loreto Convent.The style and colour was worn during the 1980's, usually at special occasions such as balls, weddings and formal dances.c 1980 Long claret coloured evening gown. Bodice is heart shaped cross over, rouching forming cap and sleeves. Skirt is gathered at waist and falls to very full folds.Victorian Fantasy Melbournecostume, female

Donated by grand daughter of Edith and Ron Palmer. Bride Ellen Lidgerwood married Ron Mathers on 4 September 1937.The Best Man was the brother of the Groom, George Mathers. The bridesmaid was the sister of the groom, Miss Mathers and the flower girl was the niece of the bride, June Lidgerwood. For full family history and photos of both weddings see Supplementary File NA3817 & NA3818. Dress worn by Ellen at her wedding and Veil worn by both sisters Edith and Ellen Lidgerwood at their wedding ceremonies, Edith in 1936 (see NA3817) and Ellen in 1937Prominent Box Hill families1937 cream seersucker dress featuring a cowl neck and long sleeve, slit at shoulder to create cowl effect. Slim at lower arm to a point over the hand and fastened at seam with press stud. Bodice cut on the cross under the bust. Cut on the cross figure fitting skirt to the floor, complete with long train. On the back is a slit opening fastened with hook and eye and glass clear buttons. Below the slit are eight glass buttons with false rouleau button loops. The train is made of an added detachable piece. Veil worn at both sisters weddings but with different headdresses. Headdress has small circle of flowers and berries. See sister's wedding dress NA3817.costume, female ceremonial

These gloves were worn by a Bridesmaid at the wedding of Dorothy James & Frank Merrett. Bridesmaid wore a different coloured outfit.One pair mauve lace fingerless gloves to elbow, worn by a bridesmaid. Mauve bridesmaid's dress NA4231 and mauve Bridesmaid's hat NA4138 and Bride's dress and accessories NA3985.Artificial Silk. Made in England.costume accessories, glove accessories

George Harold Merrett married Dorothy Lorna James at Christ Church, Horsham 14/08/1954. wedding gown and accessories were donated by family members. Photo of wedding couple.Cream lace dress and train overlaying pink satin with attached cream taffeta half slip trimmed with 4 cm cream lace inserted with blue ribbon. Design is scalloped sweetheart neck, dropped waist line and 34 pink satin covered buttons down centre back of the bodice. Sleeves are crossover cap sleeves and 180 cm train from centre back waist line. Pair of elbow length cream kid gloves, three pearl buttons at wrist and cream net horseshoe with apple blossom and pink rayon horse shoe. Full length cream veil attached to pearl and blossom headdress. See also NA4231 Mauve Bridesmaid's dress, NA4138 Mauve hat for bridesmaid's dress and NA3949 Mauve fingerless gloves for bridesmaid's dress.costume, female ceremonial

Gloves worn with wedding outfit, 1963. Donor married in Scots College, HawthornCream satin nylon gloves, size 7.5Nylon Simplexcostume accessories, female

Gloves were worn by donor's mother, Jean Margaret Mathie, in 1929 at her wedding. In 1954 her daughter, Margaret Eleanor Wells wore her late mother's outfit, including the glovesCream gloves of nylon and stiffened net, embroidered at wrist with cream cotton.|See also NA3484.1+2 - Headdress & veil; NA3483 - Wedding dress; NA3488 - Framed photo of Bride; NA3487 - Photo of Daughter in in bridal dress (1954 wedding)costume accessories, female

The bridal headdress was made in England and worn in Ceylon in 1886 by Mary Jane Schroder for her marriage to Ralph Pardy Rudd on 24th Nov 1886.1886 Pearl encrusted bridal tiara. Net covered wire circlet - pearls sewn around front half with four pearl covered half circles attached. See also wedding bodice NA3580, fan NA3582 and shoes NA3578.costume, female headwear

Worn by donor at son's wedding.|Jacquard, a complex and intricate weaving process on a power loom invented bt Joseph Jacquard in 1801. It refers to fabrics or textiles woven by this process of punch cards, using damask, twill, silk or plain weave,wool. The design being woven into the material.1960 Apple green dress and matching coat. There is a silver thread through the weave of the material (Jacquard Design - see History). Dress also trimmed with silver braid. Stand up collar. Back zip and self covered buttons.|Matching coat has round neck - two sets of three self covered buttons and loops.costume, female

Worn for wedding of donor's mother on 26 September 1936. Eric Edward Pearce to Jean Isabelle Mansell at Presbyterian Church, Shepparton, Vic.1936 Cream satin dress with a V neck with pintucking featuring a diamond shape in centre front, also pintucked. Full length full sleeves with cuffs with two buttons and loops. Belt from diamond shaping to centre back panel. Panel opens out to train.|Marriage of Eric Edward Pearce to Jean Isabell Mansell. 26 September 1936 NO3222 Certificate|Wedding photo NP2391|Cake Photo NP2392costume, female ceremonial

'Going Away' jacket and skirt worn by Catherine Grant - nee Marden after her wedding at Holy Trinity St Kilda on 22 June 1873. Catherine Jane Marden was born in Bacchus Marsh in May 1849 and died in June 1925. William Fraser Grant was born in Aberdeen on October 17, 1845 and died in April 1916. See Love letter ND3737 and Marriage Certificate ND1667Going Away Dress. Faded grey skirt and jacket. Material- shot silk . Lace trim on neckline. Cuffed jacket sleeves with 3 buttons. 13 covered material button trim, with hook and eye fastening. Bustle effect skirt. Same material on long train.costume, female

Wedding dress donated by local resident, Mrs Dorothy Williams. Worn by her on her wedding day in 1958 and the dress worn again by her daughter 07/05/1983 as per photographs.1958 Cream embroidered Nylon wedding dress. Fitted long sleeves to a point at waist, fastened with thirteen self covered buttons. Boat neckline trimmed with frill. Long waisted to a point at centre back. Full gathered skirt to a long train. Bodice lined to waist over a cream satin underskirt. Wedding shoes NA4122costume, female

Corselet was worn on wedding day in 1958 by Dorothy WilliamsWhite embossed nylon Merry Widow Corselet. Hooks & eyes down the back. Four detachable suspenders. Small blue rosebud at centre of bra.Merry Widow a Warner original. Merry Widow by Warner's Le Gantcostume, female underwear

For the wedding of Dorothy Williams in 1958Lawn panties, cream colour with lace on leg area, threaded through with pale blue ribbon (bloomer type)costume, female underwear

For the wedding of Dorothy Williams in 1958'Schiaparelli' stockings in red box with pink tissue paper around inside the box. Style 'Magnifique', Colour 'Blossom'. Size 10 1/2Schiaparelli 'Magnifique', 'Blossom'. 10 1/2costume accessories, footwear accessories

Worn at the wedding of Dorothy Williams in 1957Pink polyester cummerbund with 'strings' at each end for tying around the waist. Worn by bridesmaid at the wedding of Dorothy Williams.costume accessories, female

Tie worn by Vernard G. Williams on his marriage to Dorothy Cunnington on 27/09/1958. See suit NA4152Plain grey tie worn at a Wedding with suit NA4152 and pink cummerbund NA4129'Austico'costume, male ceremonial