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

This lanyard attaches under the right shoulder epoulette of a jacket issued as a Royal Australian Engineers uniform item post WWII until the late 1980s. It was also used parade dress until its replacement of a newly designed uniform made of polyester. This particular sample belonged to CPL K. Howe 3144504 whist in the Army Reserves 1982 to 2005The khaki battledress was a standard uniform issued post world war two and used until the introduction of the polyester uniform in the late 1980s. This lanyard is a component of a uniform belonging to CPL K. Howe, the donor provided good provenance, in conjunction with other items of militaria donated by the Howe family. The Uniform can tell a story of multi generations of military service of the Howe familyA length of thick, navy blue, cylindrically shaped fabric. Knotted in two locations to create two loops at either end. One loop is 270mm long when outstretched and the other is 82mm long when outstretched.royal engineers, battledress jacket, battledress jacket khaki, lanyard, royal australian engineers

A copy of a letter to be sent to donors to ask for their donations in 1966. It mentions Legacy was helping over 90,000 widows and children throughout Australia. Was part of a folio of proforma stationery from the 1960s. A similar set of proformas are at 00338.A record of forms and items used in Legacy's business practices in the 1960s.White Melbourne Legacy letterhead with navy image of widow and two children and black type sent to donors signed by President Ron Isherwood, pasted on brown paper from a folio of forms and brochures from the 1960s.proformas, stationery, forms, mailout

Navy blue book with a blue dust jacket, published about the history of Legacy, including photographs of activities and early members. Incudes a newspaper article stuck on the rear flyleafs about singer Dame Gracie Fields.non-fictionhistory, mark lyons, 50th anniversary

In a black frame, seven hat bands from various units of Royal Australian Navy who served in Vietnam. The first is R.A.N. Band Vietnam and the last is R.A.N. Staff Office HQ Australian Force Vietnamran, cerberus collection, naval hat band, navy unit, ran units

Francis Metternick - served in Merchant Navy WW2 - British or Australian ??1. Gauze bandage - white cotton, Dark Blue Paper wrap. 2. Pressure bandage - cotton twill - cream. 3. Container for Iodine - black plastic, brown screw top glass tube - attached to brown screw top. 4. Glass bottle with brown stopper containing liquid. 5. Glass syringes and i measurement pipette & 4 solid tapered glass tubes. 6. Dressings - 2 cotton, pink in blue labelled paper wrap,3.B Hax Iodine, Tincture British Pharmacopoeia Hack, 72 Red Lion Street, London, WC1. 4. Ammoniated Tincture/Quinine. Prepared in Accordance with the British Pharmacopoeia. Dose from half to one teaspoonful in a wine glass & water, Boots, Nottingham. 6. Boric Lint, Antiseptic dressing for surgical purposes. Australian Herbal stores, 10 Bath Street, Jersey C1. medical equipment, bandages, syringes

The Royal Australian Navy 1939 - 1945 /Australians in the “Pacific War”Cardboard soft cover, white and gold print on the front and spine. Black glossy background with B & W print of “HMAS Australia” , rear has a print of a crew member “HMAS Arunta”, 112 pages, B & W photos and illustrations and one coloured map, back and front fly leaf with illustrations, B & W and sepia tone photos.royal australian navy, pacific war, book

World war 2 navy jacket Able seamen, Medic Black naval jacket with red rank and service patches, 4 black buttons, Red service chevron, Red able seaman rank patch, Medic colour patch

Refer to the service of “John Magnus Cohn" Navy - PM 8291.1. Canvas stretcher, Khaki. It has separate steel bars inside the side pockets. It has a flap on each end approx 32cm at foot end and 59cm at head end. One side has two cotton webbing straps with brass buckles. 2. - 4. Legs - (one leg is missing) The legs are 'W' shaped with a couple of rubber guides made out of steel.Written in white paint - “PM 8291 J.M. Cohn”ww2, sleeping equipment, john magnus cohn

Wooden shield with plaque painted onto haut relief carved badgeOn Shield: USS FIFE DD-991 SUCCESSUM MERERE CONEMUR On Presentation Plate: PRESENTED TO NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE CHAPTER FROM COMMANDING OFFICER USS FIFE (DD–991)

A collage of Photograph (coloured and black and white) in a black frame of the history of RAN 1962 - 1972. In the top left hand corner is the signature by peter CosgrovePhotograhy is a means of recording forever the things one sees for a moment - Aaron Sussman A unique photographic history of the Royal Australian Navy 1962 - 1972. Photograph by Australian Veterans of the Vietnam conflictphotograph, r.a.n., general cosgrove, cerberus collection

The wording " graving " refers to the ship being put into dry dock to clean and coat the bottom of the ship. The artist Roy Cecil Hodgkinson #VX93432 attained the rank of Captain. Saw action abroad during 1939 and 1945 and was repatriated .His occupation was a cartoonist illustrator. In 1942 Roy was appointed as an Official War Artist by the Australian War Memorial. During his appointment he served in Northern Australia, New Guinea, Ceylon , India and Burma.Framed work on paper depicting HMAS Napier in graving dock. Coloured crayons with water colour heightened with white on paper.Inscription below picture " HMAS Napier one of the five ' N' class fleet destroyers transferred on loan from the Royal Navy between 1940 and 1945, is eased into the Colombo graving dock" .

Air Force Uniform owned by Bob Hodges.Uniform consists of one coat, pair of trousers, two shirts. 1. Dress coat - navy blue colour, wool/polyester fabric with sateen lining. Gold colour plastic butons emblazoned with crown and eagle in flight, shoulder insignia "Australia". Makers label. 2. Trousers - Navy blue colour wool/polyester fabric. Makers label. 3. & 4. Shirts - long sleeve, light blue cotton/polyester fabric. Shoulder Insignia - RAAF, Wings and "AIR FORCE". Makers label.Makers labels - black print on white label. 1. "ADA"/VICTORIA 2004/NSW 61929/NAME:/ SERVICE NO." "DRY CLEAN ONLY" 2. "ADA"/VICTORIA 2004/NSW 61929/NAME:/ SERVICE NO." with "LAUNDRY INSTRUCTIONS"' 3. & 4. "ADA/4500297929/NSW 8405 66 148 2384/SIZE 42/89/NAME/ SERVICE NO/ 65% POLYESTER/ 35% COTTON.raaf, uniform

Belonged to Kathleen Marjorie Dunn (nee McKenzie)Evening coat, full length, dark navy plush, lined with navy cloth (nylon?). Narrow shaped waist, slightly gathered at centre back. It has long sleeves, the fullness reduced in four box pleats on the forearm and in five rows of shirring at the shoulder. The collar is in a deep-pointed shirt style. The coat fastens with three sets of press studs and two sets of hooks and eyes. One set of press studs does not align. There are two hidden pockets in the front lining above the waist. The coat is home made.Nonecostume, george evans collection

Made for ex service organisations as a souvenir of service in the Royal Australian Navy.None government issue, blue felt pennant with screen printed naval badge, Kings Crown and letters R A N.

Built Williamstown 1938, taken over by Navy 1942, renamed 'Stella'?Black and white photograph showing fishing boat Warreen, CSIRO research ship. Lifeboat across stern, six or seven men onboard. Dark coloured hull, white cabin. Lakes Entrance Victoriafishing industry, boats and boating

.1) This is an American Button.1) Button, large, round, metal, front has a eagle clutching an anchor, brass coloured. .2) Badge, metal, blue and gold coloured. crown on top with anchor under, scroll at bottom with "Royal Aus Navy". buttons, badgs, u.s, ran, accessory

This cummerbund is part of a winter mess dress uniform belonging to Bernard Farley during service with the Australian Airforce. Worn in 1978, this cummerbund style was first developed in the 1950s and continues to be worn as mess uniform in the present day.This item has aesthetic significance and is a representative example of uniform design from the 1950s to present day. This item has clear provenance, having been donated by RSL member and Secretary (2019), Bernard Farley after its use during Bernard’s service in the Airforce. As a former member of the Australian Airforce and member of the Warrnambool ex-service community, Bernard’s uniform has great social significance, telling a broader story of life after service.Dark navy blue broad waist sash which forms part of a dress uniform. Elasticised woven fabric in a rectangular shape fastened with two strips of velcro. A label is attached to the interior along the seam attaching the velcro. Label reads: “A.G.C.F../VIC. 1983/(broad arrow)/SIZE. 34/8440.S6.035.3816/NO./NAME”dress uniform, airforce, commonwealth government clothing factory, uniform, cummerbund, belt, sash

This is the 2nd edition. In the Gippsland Times newspaper on June 1 1936 there is a report of a meeting of the Greater Gippsland League at which the production of this book was mentioned as"a method of marking the Gippsland Centenary. TOURIST BOOK-LET. The work of -Messrs A. Gilchrist and A. B. Cooper in connection with the preparation of a tourist booklet was warmly commended and a minute of appreciation placed on record." This group seems to have been a group of Gippsland citizens interested in the progress of Gippsland and any government action in the area. This meeting was held at Maffra. This tourist guide is a contemporary record of tourism promotion in Gippsland.A thin 48 pp booklet with a grey cover. The title, "GIPPSLAND FOR TOURISTS" is inside two blue, black bordered, bands. The print is navy. ath efoot of the page is "Issued by Authority of the Greater Gippsland League". At the top is "Gratis". at top of front cover - "Orbost Historical Society" stampedgippsland-tourism greater-gippsland-league

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Tuesday, April 27, 2004. Family connection: Bendigo's Edith Cockfield's late husband Perc was a soldier, as were her two brothers. Her step father was in the navy.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Black and white postcard - Airship (Astra Torres) titled 'The Astra Torres Airship (Front View)' showing tethered airship on field with personnel, mainly in white uniform, possibly navy personnel. 'Our Aerial Defence Series'John Drew, Aldershot and Farnboroughmilitary, aviation, airship 'astra torres'

Box set of six minted medallions re 50th anniversary of Vietnam War. Each medallion features a coloured photo replica of Navy, Air Force, Armour, Artillary, Signals. Certificate of authenticity included. No. 00248 of 2000Courage, service, mateship. 50 1962-2012vietnam medallions, 50th anniversary

Three Pair Nylon Gloves. One pair of soft apricot (fancy). One pair Navy Fancy nylon. One pair black fancy nylon gloves finished with a frill. McClure family (Dalkin). Midway shop.stawell clothing material

This award was presented to the Russian Welfare Society on 10 December 2003This Award is recognition of the service the Society has provided to the Victorian community.This award is a compilation of a certificate (Item no. 00006A) and a medal (Item no. 00006B). The award has a gold coloured decorative frame with a navy blue background. The medal is bronze with a small descriptive plaque beneath it. It is mounted on a blue velvet background.Certificate (00006A): "Victoria's Аward for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs - Award for Meritorious Service in the Community awarded to St John of Kronstadt Russian Welfare Society Inc" It is signed by the Hon. Steve Bracks MP, Premier of Victoria and George Lekakis, Chairman of the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Medal: "Government of Victoria Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs - Meritorious Service Award" Plaque: "Awarded to St John of Kronstadt Russian Welfare Society December 10, 2003"russian community, multicultural affairs, victoria