This item of underclothing, called a "combination" is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. Combination undergarments combined the chemise and drawers into one garment. The combination is divided, or bifurcated, from the waist to the crutch for easier urinating. This one-piece type of underwear was worn by females from the 1860s and into the early 1900s. The 19th Century garments had front button closures like this one, and those made in the 1900s more often had back closures. Combination underwear was popular because the all-in-one design had far fewer gathers and bulk, making the other clothing look much smoother. Their primary use was to protect clothing from perspiration and because they were made with cotton or linen, were easy to wash. Although they were worn under the corset, next to the skin (and therefore not meant to be seen), they were often decorated with lace and embroidery. Although these combinations are made with a plain cotton fabric, Eliza Towns has incorporated pin tucks, hand embroidery and crocheted lace to embellish her garment. The collection of women’s late-19th-century undergarments is an example of clothing that women would include in their wardrobes. The garments add to the study of the evolution of women's fashions and practicality for the early Australian settlers. The careful needlework in these handmade garments and hand-worked lace trims reflect the maker’s dedication to making even serviceable garments beautiful to look at and wear.Women’s white cotton and lace all-In-one combination undergarment. The handmade underwear is a combined chemise and bloomers. It has three buttons in the front and a handmade drawstring cord around the square neckline. It is trimmed with crocheted lace (with a floral design) on the neckline, sleeves and pants. It had pintucks and feather stitching on the bodice and the left and right sides are divided from the waist to the crutch. The back of the garment is plain with a gathered section at the lower back.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, victorian era, combination undergarment, all-in-one underwear, combination, ‘combinations’, one-piece underwear, one-piece undergarment, chemise and bloomers, combination chemise and bloomers, divided, bifurcated, split, chemise and drawers, women’s underwear, ladies’ underwear, undergarment, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, lingerie, 19th-century undergarment, handmade clothing, handmade lace, crocheted lace, towns family, nhill, eliza towns

Rev. Edward Selwyn Chase (1864-1950), son of Canon Chase was Curate at St John's Anglican Church, Healesville 1895-1902. He then transferred to Yarraville Anglican Church 1902-1904.. In 1907 he became Vicar for the parish comprising the Anglican churches St Matthew, Panton Hill, Queenstown, Hurstbridge and Kinglake where he serrved for 18 years. This is a copy of the valedictory address given on the eve of his departure from the parish, 21 November 1925 and was signed on behalf of the parishioners by the secretaries and treasurers of each district. A copy of the address was reproduced in the Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 1925, p4 THE ADDRESS. (1925, December 4). Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), p. 4 (AFTERNOON). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56659141Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939), Friday 4 December 1925, page 4 ________________________________________ THE ADDRESS. The following is a copy of the address : REV. EDWARD SELWYN CHASE. On the eve of your departure after 18 years of faithful service as Vicar of this parish, comprising the Anglican churches St. Matthew, Panton Hill, Queenstown Hurstbridge, and Kinglake, we, your parishioners and friends, united in one body, desire to express our heartfelt appreciation of your good works, both spiritual and social, during your long sojourn in this parish. Your generous aid and spiritual ad-i ministration have always been at the service of those in want or lying on beds of sickness. By relieving their necessities and soothing their afflictions you have earned our heartfelt gratitude. "That best portion of a good man's life, that little, nameless unremembered act of kindness and of love." --Wordsworth. You have always taken a practical interest in foreign and home missions, and your labor of love amongst our black brethren in Northern Australia, until your health was undermined, is typical of your sincerity in things that are "more excellent." "When we consider the deep interest you have taken in the welfare bf. our children, striving by precept and example to mould the characters of our future citizens, particularly may we mention the boy scouts, and religious instruction in our schools, we feel that we are greatly indebted to you. May we also be permitted to link with your name that of your worthy wife, Mrs Chase, whose earnest work as superintendent of the Sunday school and Ladies' Guild has learned our warmest approval. "As ye sow so shall ye reap." During your many years of Divine ministration you have shown your great love of God, King, and Empire, and as a citizen you have been exemplary in the discharge of your civil duties, and have always taken a keen interest in the progress of our district. We feel, therefore, that it is good for you to. know that your work among us has found appreciation throughout the parish, and even beyond, and we all join in wishing both you and Mrs Chase God speed and success in the work God has allotted you. May you enjoy good health and long be spared to labor in the Master's vineyard, for we have found you a workman approved by the Great Architect, that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. "I know thy works and charity and service and faith, and thy patience and thy works, and the last be more than the first." On behalf of the combined churches of -the parish, and friends of the district, .we hereto affix our signatures. The address was signed on behalf of the parishioners by the secretaries and treasurers of each district.hurstbridge, kinglake, panton hil, queenstown, reverend edward selwyn chase, st andrews, st matthew's church