Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Red children's wool jumper with green and white geometric tartan/plaid pattern on front. Has long sleeves with ribbed cuffs and ribbed crew neck and closes with four red plastic buttons at back neck. Coloured pattern is worked in lines on top of finished fabric in surface crochet in pattern of green, white, green[white label at back neck with blue stitching] ALL WOOLknitwear, clothing, children's clothing, jumper, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting

A Wright & Ditson 'Pim' model tennis racquet with composite convex throat. Rounded flat top head with cloth tape reinforcements around shoulders. Model name printed across throat on obverse. Manufacturer's trademark/logo features across throat on reverse. Fine-grooved octagonal handle, trace remains of leather end wra. Remains of butt cap printed with racquet care instructions, and manufacturer's name and location. On right side of shaft, manufacturer name and country of manufacture are printed. Red buffers lodged under string loops on sides of throat. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Nylon, Cloth tapetennis

This hat belonged to Mrs Moyra Rasmussen, who lived at 389 St Kilda Street, Brighton for over 50 years with her husband Rae Rasmussen, a bank manager with the State Bank of Victoria. The Mooney sisters, Nell and Ida, were situated beside the Regent Theatre in Collins Street, Melbourne and were well respected milliners and dressmakers. The hat's style is typical of the 1960s. Woven turquoise silk taffeta turban style ladies hat with half bow, circa 1960s. White mesh interior with teal grosgrain binding, thin black elastic band.Label, woven black on white: MISSES MOONEY / OF MELBOURNEhat, turban, rae rasmussen, brighton, misses mooney, millinery, melbourne designers, moyra rasmussen

A wooden,flat-top racquet with a laminated convex throat, and white cloth tape shoulder reinforcing. Decal monogram across throat on obverse: B.G.I. Inscription along right side of stem: BRIDGEPORT ATHLETIC MFG CO./WRIGHT & DITSON SUCCESSORS. Hand carved initials along right side of stem: A.P.R.. Decal inscription across crown on obverse is illegible. Inscription along left side of stem: PATENTED,/JAN. 3. '05. Decal of manufacturer's trademark on throat on reverse: MAKERS/.../B.A.M. CO./.../B.G.I. TENNIS. Materials: Wood, Gut, Leather, Metal, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Cloth tapetennis

Small silk scarves ranging 50x50cm squares to thin twilly strips—are perfect for tying in your hair, styling around your neck, or accessorizing a handbag. A small square beige silk scarf with machine stitched edges. it has a small white cotton tag attached with '100% PURE SILK'.A small white cotton tag attached '100% PURE SILK'scarves, clothing, clothing accessories

A Spalding 'Union Club' flat-top tennis racquet, featuring: solid concave throat; bevelled head; and fine-grooved, slender octagonal handle. Model name, and Spalding logo within ball trademark impressed across throat on obverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Guttennis

A wooden racquet with a rippled throat, red whipping with parchment supports, and cork-inlaid handle. Inscription across the throat and stem of the obverse: BUSSEY/DEMON/DRIVER/1/EXTRA/LIGHT/GGB/BUSSEY'S/TENSIVE/GRIP. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Glue, Lacquer, String, Parchment, Corktennis

A wooden racquet with concave throat, plastic whipping, and leather handle grip. Decal across throat on both sides features the inscription: JC HIGGINS/WHIZ. Incorporated into the logo is a speeding tennis ball design. Materials: Wood, Gut, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Leather, Plastic, Ink, Painttennis

A wooden, late transitional flat-top racquet with a laminated convex throat. Inscription across throat on obverse: HENLEY. Inscription across right side of stem: THE BRIDGEPORT GUN IMPLEMENT CO./NEW YORK, U.S.A. Materials: Wood, Gut, String, Leather, Metal, Ink, Glue, Lacquertennis

A wooden tennis racquet, apparently manufactured by Feltham, with extreme tilt-top head; solid convex throat; gold ribbon collar (now missing); and fine-grooved rounded handle. Impressed across throat on obverse: HENRY V. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Gut, Glue, Ribbontennis

A wooden tennis racquet with solid convex throat fixed with one metal bolt. Head shape is oval though top slightly flattened. Rounded handle with 'Fish head' end. Trace remains of silver decal on throat (indecipherable). Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Gut, Inktennis

A wooden racquet with a convex throat and grooved handle. The throat on obverse features the inscription: TETHER. Below inscription is the Horsman 'centaur' trademark in black and gold. Across the right side of the stem, is the etched inscription: P.G. CURCIO. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Paint, Leathertennis

A wooden racquet with a convex throat, and latticed handle. Around crown on obverse is the inscription, in blue: *LENOX*. Throat on obverse features a decal of two crossed racquets with a ball below. Inscription: E. KENT/R./PAWT./I. Materials: Wood, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Gut, Ink, Leathertennis

A Davis Hipoint tennis racquet, with whipping around the shoulders, and diagonally strung head. Partially obscured model name features along throat, on obverse. TAD trademark, within diamond device, features on throat on reverse. Materials: Wood, Gut, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, String, Leathertennis

60893 Private Jim BURNS, 5th Battalion, Heathcote, Victoria. Reinforced 5th Battalion in England then went to Belgium. War ceased whilst at sea. Arrived England 14.11.1918. Discharged 25.9.1919.Black & white photo of a group of Soldiers attached to dark grey heavy cardboard.In front of group in handwritten white paint: "9th RFTS, C S GROUP"photographs, framed, 5th

A Wright & Ditson 'The Hub' model tennis racquet with composite convex throat. Model name printed across crown on obverse. Name of manufacturer and place of origin (Boston, Mass. USA) printed across throat on obverse. Manufacturer's trademark/logo features across throat on reverse. Octagonal handle with makeshift leather end wrap attached with nails. Inscription on side of shaft: PATENTED JAN. 3, 05. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Guttennis

A Wright and Ditson 'Champion' tennis racquet, with: laminated convex throat; cloth tape reinforcements around shoulders; and, fine-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal inscription across throat on obverse: CHAMPION. Wright & Ditson Championship logo, with tennis player on ball trademark feature on throat on reverse. Patent details (JAN. 3 '05) featured along left side of shaft. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Paint, Ink, Leather, Gut, Cloth tapetennis

A Spalding 'Gold Medal BW' tennis racquet, featuring: concave throat; bevelled crown; whipping around shoulders; a wide, flat shaft; and, mid-grooved, thick octagonal handle. SPALDING/BW features across throat on obverse. Decal of model name and wreathed medallions emblem features across throat on reverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark is impressed on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, Stringtennis

A Spalding 'Gold Medal' tennis racquet, featuring: laminated convex throat; bevelled head; and, fine-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal of model name and wreathed medallions emblem features across throat on obverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark features on throat on reverse, and is impressed on butt cover. Handwritten inscriptiona cross butt cover: WATERS/"D" CO. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, Stringtennis

A Spalding 'International Model S' tennis racquet, featuring: laminated convex throat; bevelled crown; hide strips along underside of shoulders; whipping around shoulders; and, deep-grooved, thick octagonal handle. Decal of model name, with wreathed medallions emblem, feature across throat on obverse. 'A.G. Spalding & Bros. Made in U.S.A.' logo encircling ball trademark features on throat on reverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Glue, Metal, Ink, Gut, Leather, String, Paint, Hidetennis

A Spalding Kro-Bat model tennis racquet, featuring whipping around shoulders, an concave laminated throat, fine-grooved handle and leather end wrap & butt cloth. Model & manufacter name feature across throat on obverse. Manufacturer signature features along throat on reverse. On side of shaft is printed: 'PAT. OCT. 03,, 1923'. Manufacturer's logo printed on butt cloth. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Leather, Vinyl, Ink, String, Painttennis

A Spalding 'Lakeside' model tennis racquet, featuring concave throat & striped plastic whipping around shuolders. Handle wrapped in perforated leather. Has leather butt cloth. Model name and manufacturer name printed on throat. 'SPALDING' also printed on butt cloth. Adhesive tape along crown and around base of throat. Name 'JAMIE' written on shaft with black marker. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Vinyl, Ink, String, Leather, Paint, Adhesive tape, Plastictennis

A Spalding 'Lakeside no.5' model tennis racquet, featuring concave throat & fine-grooved octagonal wooden handle. Has string whipping and plastic reinforcements around shoulders. Plastic reinforcement around shaft too. Also has a leather end wrap and leather butt cloth. Model name printed on throat on obverse, and manufacturer logo printed on throat on reverse. Logo also printed on butt cloth. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Gut, Ink, String, Leather, Plastictennis

A wooden racquet with enamel-painted shoulders, throat, and stem, and leather handle grip with trefoil perforations. Amongst a blue and green background are a number of decals advertising Slazenger, the quality of the racquet, and the retailer. Decals across base of head and throat on obverse: SLAZENGERS/BEAUFORT/CUSTOM STRUNG/DAWSON'S/SPORTING GOODS/SAN FRANCISCO. Decal on throat on reverse: SLAZENGERS/CHOICE OF/THE CHAMPIONS. Materials: Wood, Nylon, Leather, Ribbon, Adhesive tape, Ink, Paint, String, Glue, Lacquertennis

A wooden racquet with laminated concave throat, cloth tape shoulder reinforcements, with whipping, and deep grooved handle grip. Inscription across and along throat on obverse: DRIVA/WILLIAMS & CO. PARIS. Inscription across butt cover, in French: WILLIAMS & CO/1. RUE CAUMARTIN/PARIS/A GARDER SOUS PRESSE. Across throat on reverse is name and outlets of Swiss retailer, Och Freres. Materials: Wood, Gut, Cloth tape, Ink, Glue, Lacquer, Leather, Metal, Nylontennis

A 'Riley Hexagon' tennis racquet with concave laminated throat and oval head. Cloth tape and string whipping reinforcements on shoulders. Hexagonal handle with thin grooves on obverse and reverse panels. Leather end wrap. leter: MN scratched into handle/shaft. Ink & impressed model label across throat on obverse: RILEY/HEXAGON. Retailer decal across throat on reverse: THE/PIONEER/SPORTS/LIMITED. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Gut, Ink, Cloth tape, String, Leathertennis

A 'Wonder' wooden tennis racquet with solid concave throat and octagonal handle with fine grooves. Plastic reinforcecments on shoulders, leather end wrap and butt cloth. Model name printed across throat on obverse: WONDER. Retailer details printed across throat on reverse: R.H. MACY & CO. INC./NEW YORK. Letters BEHR carve into handle on reverse. Letters EL burned into handle on obverse. Materials: Wood, Lacquer, Metal, Glue, Ink, Gut, Leather, Plastic, Clothtennis

A wooden racquet with a concave throat. Inscription across throat on obverse: DRIVER. Red and yellow Reach 'baseball' trademark features on throat on reverse. Manufacturing details feature across right side of stem: A.J. REACH COMPANY/MAKERS/PHILADELPHIA, PA., U.S.A. Handwritten inscription along stem on obverse: J.B. FERGUSON. Initials across right side of handle: J B F. Materials: Wood, Gut, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Paint, Leather, Stringtennis

A wooden racquet with a concave throat, and bulbous handle butt. The throat on obverse features the decal inscription: PRINCESS. The throat on reverse features the decal logo, in gold, red and black, of a dog above a diamond device. Inscription within and below device: D & M/.../SPORTING GOODS/MADE IN/U.S.A. Inscription along left side of stem: MADE BY THE DRAPER-MAYNARD COMPANY/PLYMOUTH, N.H. Materials: Wood, Glue, Lacquer, Metal, Ink, Gut, String, Plastic, Painttennis

A Wright & Ditson 'Columbia' tennis racquet, with: concave throat; bevelled crown; whipping around shoulders; transparent red plastic collar; and, mid-grooved handle. Model name features across throat on obverse. Manufacturer details feature along right side of shaft. Wright & Ditson Championship 'tennis player on ball' trademark features across throat on reverse, and on butt cover. Materials: Wood, Metal, Lacquer, Glue, Ink, Leather, Gut, String, Paint, Plastictennis