Maker unknown. This blanket was part of the standard army issue kit and belonged to Lois Denshams father, who served at Gallipoli during the first world war. Before donating the blanket to the Running stitch collection, it was kept by Lois' Aunty Nita. Lois remembers that it was kept in her fathers original kit bag and kept at her aunts place because of sad memories about the war which her mother found difficult. The humble army blanket had many uses during war times. Issued with two blankets, it was all a soldier had as a bed to keep warm or without a tent, all they had to provide shelter from the sun, rain or wind. (They were supplemented with a woollen army 'great coat', but soldiers still had to huddle together as keeping warm and dry was a desperate game.) The Lighthorsemen used them under their standard leather saddles for extra padding and in the hospitals they were sometimes the only bedding for the wounded. This blanket belonged to Lois Denshams' father who served in the Australian Army in the First World War, landing at Gallipoli. Since the war, army blankets have come to be regarded as the basic type of blanket -no frills. This blanket was used in the Densham family since that time for camping trips.Grey woollen army blanket with stripes near either ends.world war i, running stitch group, running stitch collection

Camera owned by Robert Gardiner in the 1950s. Purchased c 1954 at Michael's camera store, cnr Elizabeth and Bourke Street, Melbourne. Used during courtship with Barbara Hegarty Gardiner - Took sporting photos, family photos and Holiday trips.Twin Lens Reflex black camera in leather case - R (Flexo) with carrying strap. Strap holding a Weston light meter in zipped soft bag. Lens hood in leather case. Lens f 1.35 focal length 7.5cm. Film size 120|Cardboard Box. Hanimex - transparency mounts. A total of 9 items .Flexophotography, cameras, camera accessories

Used by Valda ArrowsmithSmall brown leather handbag. Short handle with round buckle on front. Square in shape with stitching around all edges. Lined in light fawn chamois.MC made in Italycostume accessories, female

In 1914, Mr and Mrs Arthur Hooke gave the name ‘Wandinong’ to their newly purchased property in Blackburn. The name was inspired by a recent cycling trip to Wandin in the foothills of the Dandenongs, as well as the title of a favourite book, Ethel Turner’s ‘The Camp at Wandinong’. Their property and the surrounding district had originally been owned by a series of property investors and speculators, and while some of it had been cleared for grazing, most of it was still covered in virgin bush; thickly covered with trees and undergrowth and rich in wild flowers and bird life. A small section of the Hooke’s property was cleared sufficiently to r\erect a house and some outbuildings, but the rest was left as n nature intended. Mar Arthur Hooke was a local property valuer but never owned a car, preferring to attend to business on his bicycle. He was still riding his bicycle in his eighties. Meanwhile, Mrs Hooke had developed a keen desire that the ‘Wandinong’ property remain intact; that it should ultimately be set aside as a place of refuge where like-minded people could go to enjoy peace and quiet amongst the native birds and bushland.|To this end, Mr and Mrs Hooke liaised with the Nunawading Council and an agreement was reached whereby the council would assume ownership of the property on their deaths. When Mr Hooke died in 1972, his wife transferred the land over to the council the following year. Mr and Mrs Arthur Hooke’s Grandson, William, and granddaughter, Christine, recently donated their grandmother’s bicycle to the Whitehorse Historical Society. They recall that their grandfather’s bicycle was given to a representative of the Nunawading Council for safekeeping some years ago. Ladies two wheel bicycle with tool bag attached & black leather seat. Two mud guards, a skirt guard & a reflector on the back mud guard. 'Kew Flyer' painted on front mud guard. Two rubber tyres & provision for a head light on the handle bars.'Kew Flyer'transport, bicycles

These carpentry items were owned and used by Archibald (Mick) Blackley, a local long-time resident of Numurkah. Born 1912 in Numurkah, Mick was the son of Archibald (Senior) and Grace Blackley, also residents of Numurkah. Archie Senior was a carter, horse-breaker, conducted a livery stable and worked at Brown Corke & Co for a number of years. Archie also served in the Veterinary Corps in WW1. Some of the tools donated belonged to Archie Senior eg wooden hand planes. Mick Blackley used his dad’s tools (and also added some of his own) when he worked in various carpentry jobs during the 1930’s and 1940’s. One particular carpentry job was during the depression when Mick relocated to the Wonthaggi State Coal Mines building stables for the horses, and also completing some building works inside the mines. Returning to Numurkah, Mick joined a Mr Murray as carpenter and painter to build and repair houses. He then joined another builder for 4 years (We think this was Jim Tuttle). Mick then went on to work at the Butter Factory (originally called Holdenson & Nielsen) where some of his carpentry skills were still used. Item list: • Wooden box for carpentry tools • 1 x steel pliers • 2 x wooden hand planes • 1 x tin snips • 1 x wooden spirit level in canvas bag • 1 x small wooden spirit level • 5 x wooden handled hand-saws • 1 x wooden handled right- angle square • 1 x wooden handled tenon-saw • 1 x steel plumbers wrench • 1 x wooden handled hedge-clippers • 1 x cloth & leather measuring tape • 1 x wooden mallet • 1 x narrow wooden plane • 1 x plastic handled hand-saw • 1 x plane blade sharpening stone • 1 x brace hand drill • 1 x compass for marking wood • 1 x cold chisel • 1 x set of various chisels and hand drill bits in a canvas bag • 1 x steel sike • Various other drill bits, chisels, files • 1 x wooden handled trowel • • 2 x steel garden secateurs • carpentry, building, wood, tools, planes, levels, chisels, hammers, saws, drills, drill bits

Ladies handbag, suede, taupe colour, gold metal hinge and round gold metal lock. strap handle made of taupe leather, Suede lining Inside bag: Reptilehandbag, ladies,

Tan with leather tagB Strangesecond world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, eequipment/gear, ballarat rsl, ballarat

A black briefcase embossed with Legacy. There are no details of when or where this case was used.This item is representative of a case that would have been used by staff/ board members/ legatees at one period in time.Crocodile imprint, black leather brief case with "LEGACY" painted in gold on the front of the flap. The flap is affixed shut via two metal clips. The clips can be locked with a key. (Key not located with case) The case has a three fold leather handle attached via two metal D rings. Internally the case is lined with a tan leather flap on each side. The internal front flap as a small sleeve attached. The lip of the top of the bag is scalloped and showing signs of wear. "LEGACY" painted in gold on front flap "CHENEY ENGLAND" embossed on front of metal clipslegacy promotion, souvenir

A book titled 'Newspaper Cuttings' in gold leaf with black leather binding and corners on blue cloth covered cardboard cover. Stiff paper pages inside numbered top right -hand corners 1-90 in printed black ink. Poor condition overall. Pages 37 - 44 missing. Page 45-46 pertaining to Violet Jolley separately bagged. Entries mostly pertain to Mr Howard Jolley , an aviation field inspector of the Life Insurance Company of Australia. First entry page 16 -17 contains photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to an air crash on Bendigo racecourse in May 1921. Jolley was involved in numerous air-crashes for the next ten years. Photographs and newspaper cuttings related to these, along with dinner invitations, etc, are pasted into the book. Entry's into the book finish shortly before his death as a result of an air crash in 1931.Enclosed in pocket: copies of newspaper articles relating to the death of Howard Jolley in aircraft accident; donation form from Janice van der Spek, copy of advertisement Howard Jolley, touring Australia on life insurance business.bendigo, history, aviation 1920s.

The D-shaped mess tin was designed for the British Army in 1916 for WW1 soldiers. The back metal loop was designed for attaching to the greycoat carrier harness. It is possible that this item was then reused as a crib tin in the mines. A semi- circular container with a lid in a canvas bag that has a two centimetre diameter ring attached and two three centimetre wide leather straps attached. The lid can be completely removed from the tin, both have handles attached inside.crib tin, food container

Multi-part object of 6 identical racquets (parts are numbered from 2008.986.1 to 2008.986.6). Each racquet is: a Dunlop 'Maxply Austral' model with yellow net strings and handle wrapped in Dunlop-branded plastic packaging. Racquet in white paper factory bag. Materials: Wood, Plastic, Adhesive tape, Paint, Leather, String, Nylon, Papertennis

A Dunlop 'Maxply Austral' model with clear Championship-branded net strings. Handle covered with Dunlop-branded clear plastic wrap. Racquet inside a plastic Dunlop-branded factory bag. Materials: Wood, String, Adhesive tape, Nylon, Leather, Paint, Plastictennis

Multi-part object of 6 identical racquets (parts are numbered from 2008.991.1 to 2008.991.6). Each racquet is: a Dunlop 'Californian' model with clear net strings. Racquet in clear plastic factory bag with Dunlop branding. Materials: Wood, Plastic, Adhesive tape, Paint, Leathertennis

Number 1491/2000 Millennium Limited Edition Wilson 'Jack Kramer Autograph' unstrung tennis racquet. The racquet features a Balmforth 'Fairway' leather handle grip, and a document strung into the netting area, providing Kramer's player statistics and racquet specifications. Racquet comes with: a plastic protective bag; a vinyl cover with strap; a packet of Wilson 'Sensation NXT 16' strings; a certificate of authenticity, with envelope; and a two piece box. Box features inscription on lid: THE JACK/KRAMER/AUTOGRAPH. Materials: Hyper Carbon, Graphite, Kevlar, Nylon, Paint, Plastic, Ink, Adhesive tape, Leather, Cardboard, Glue, Vinyl, Metal, Papertennis

Number 2227/2000 Millennium Limited Edition Wilson 'Jack Kramer Autograph' unstrung tennis racquet, in its original plastic protective bag. The racquet features a Balmforth 'Fairway' leather handle grip, and a document strung into the netting area, providing Kramer's player statistics and racquet specifications. Racquet comes with: a vinyl cover with strap; a packet of Wilson 'Sensation NXT 16' strings; a certificate of authenticity, with envelope; and a two piece box. Box features inscription on lid: THE JACK/KRAMER/AUTOGRAPH. Materials: Hyper Carbon, Graphite, Kevlar, Nylon, Paint, Plastic, Ink, Adhesive tape, Leather, Cardboard, Glue, Vinyl, Metal, Papertennis

An olive cloth carry bag, with black fabric lining, and a leather carry handle. Two buckles feature inside to hold racquet. Bag is secured by three blue leather strapped buckles on outside. Materials: Cloth, Leather, Metaltennis

This RAAF Kit Bag is one of a number of objects gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2015. A number of the items relate to F.C.M. McArdle, the donors' father. Others belonged to his relatives. Some of the items testify to the family's close connection with the Sacred Heart Church in Cotham Road, Kew.A kit bag made of khaki cloth with brown leather handle, trim and nameplate belonging to F.C.M. McArdle (no 94449) of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The address on the plaque is 3 Wills Street, Kew, Victoria, Australia. second world war 1939-1945, mcardle, kew, royal australian airforce, raaf

Woven cane oval bag (.1) with small spherical metal feet and leather handles. Hinges open at top. Inside there is a separate small brown leather coin purse (.2) with metal clasp.handbag, purse, 1880s, 1890s

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this bag from Tyabb Packing House Antiques in Tyabb, Victoria.Oval shaped bag made from armadillo leather with head and feet attached. Leather straps may be a recent addition. Metal clasp. Mirror on inside of lid. Interior lined with blue silk.handbag, armadillo, 1960s fashion, 1970s fashion, di reidie, vintage clothing

A set of laminated A3 sketchbook pages depicting designs for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Women's Village/Travel Uniform designed by Wendy Powitt. On the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games donor Doug Pleasance wrote- The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games saw an evolutionary change in designer selection. A Declaration of Interest Form was communicated to over forty potential designers. The task and especially tight timelines that were involved deterred many aspirants, however, there remained eight designers with the potential we were seeking. These eight designers were paid $3,000 per submission and the winning designer, Wendy Powitt, was paid $15,000. For the first time the judging panel included two athletes, one male swimmer and one female basketballer, their influence was pivotal. The village clothing was designed to be a highly visible garment meaning that it was easy to "Spot the Aussies" and helped to contribute to a good team spirit. Blocks of contrasting colours were a feature of the pure wool shirts. A newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.8118.1- A laminated A3 sketchbook page depicting a design for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic women's Village/Travel Wear Uniform. The main drawing shows the design for a pair of yellow shorts with a yellow and green printed, striped shirt, cinched at the waist by a brown woven belt. At the bottom of the page is a detailed drawing of the weave of the belt with an Australia shaped belt buckle. A small drawing to the right of the main image also details a small bag/pouch that attaches to the belt. 8118.2- A laminated A3 sketchbook page depicting a design for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic women's Village/Travel Wear Uniform. The main drawing shows the design for a pair of yellow shorts paired with a block colour shirt in green, red, white and yellow with a symbol in the shape of Australia on the right side of the shirt. There are small detail images of shorts and a skirt to the left of the main image and a detail drawing of a brown leather shoe to the right.1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, artwork, drawing, uniform

Uniforms for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games were designed by Wendy Powitt in conjunction with the AWC. Doug Pleasance, donor of these items, worked for the AWC and closely with Wendy Powitt, obtaining these uniform examples. About the Olympic Uniforms Doug wrote- 1. The Official Uniform which was used for travel and all official functions. This included: a tailored blazer and trouser/skirt (all water repellent) by Fletcher Jones, pure wool olive-green faille fabric by Foster Valley, cotton PE formal shirt by Pelaco, pure wool knitwear by Spangaro, printed wool tie by T D Noone, wool nylon socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 2. Opening Ceremony Uniform a lightweight wool fabric printed with floral designs that had been inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Preston. This included: Lightweight W/PE shorts by Fletcher Jones in Foster Valley Fabric, socks by Holeproof and footwear by Hush Puppy. 3. Village Clothing was designed to be highly visible garments to make it easy to spot the Aussie and helped to contribute to good team spirit. This included: A pure wool shirt featuring blocks of contrasting colours, and a newly developed stretch 50:50 wool/cotton fabric by Bradmill was made into shorts and jeans by Fletcher Jones.The bag is small, tanned leather with a panel on the front of the bag made from delicate, tanned barramundi skin. The handle is attached to the bag using a gold loop in the centre, top of the bag and one long adjustable strap, The main clasp of the bag features an image of the Australian emblem above the Olympic rings, the reverse of the bag is unadorned.Clasp on the front of the bag has the image of the Australian emblem over the Olympic rings. On the inside of the bag is a label- "Witney Green" "Made in Australia"1992 barcelona olympics, sport, athletes, fashion, design, uniform

These domestic kitchen bags were donated to the National Wool Museum by Lila Gore. Lila donated Children’s Clothing (RGE 8324) to the museum in 2022 and at her time of donating, inquired as to whether the museum would also be interested in these bags she had been collecting. Lila said there was no reason as to why she was saving the bags, other than she liked the art works and thought they were too good to end up in landfill. She had thought perhaps she would make something out of the bags, or perhaps give the bags to a friend to make something. When Lila was donating the Children’s Clothing to the museum, she thought that the National Wool Museum would be the perfect home for the bags. Domestic kitchen bags such as these date from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. They were used at home, usually by women, containing household items which would not spoil, such as flour, sugar, animal feed, seeds, and other commodities. In modern times a trip to the supermarket is a daily chore, in the past however, these trips happened far less often, with big sacks such as these a large reason why. In the rural US and Canada, Feed sack dresses and Flour sack dresses, were an iconic part of rural life from the 1920s through the Great Depression, World War II, and post-World War II years. Australia also reused these sacks, typically for making wagga style blankets, but re-use for clothing was not unusual.Calico oat bag with colour image and black text. Image shows a full length brown horse with bridle.Front: PARSONS FARM ANIMAL SERIES No.3 \ SUFFOLK \ The Suffolk, often known as the Suffolk Punch, originated in the County of Suffolk, England \ and is noted for its hardiness. From 15 to 16 hands in height. The Suffolk in general is smaller than \ the Clydesdale. The head is rather coarse, with the neck short. The body long deep and wide with \ a round full appearance. The croup is straight and legs short and free from leather. The invariable \ colour is chestnut, varying from light to dark.wagga, flour, oats, bag, calico, lila, gore, depression, war, kitchen

In 1963 near the town of Sallanches, France two manufacturing companies formed a partnership to create new high-performance skis. The partnership between Starflex skis, produced by Synthetic Plastics, and Dynamic resulted in the production of Dynastar skis. Available Dynastar products has steadily increased since that time to include a wide range of skis, bags, poles, skins and protective garments and equipment. This bag was used for many years, the last time being for a trip to Canada in 2016.This item is significant because it is representative of ski equipment developed to make travel easier for regular skiers at Falls Creek and throughout the world.A red, white and blue ski bag made from waterproof material with leather straps and metal buckles.Dynastar / Product of Francedynastar, ski bags

This photograph was taken just a few years after the District division of the 'Melbourne District Nursing Society and After Care Hospital' separated in 1957. The District Division then became known as 'Melbourne District Nursing Service'. They moved into their Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne which was used as the Nurses Home as well as for Administrative purposes. The Sisters left from there each day to do their rounds and returned to do their book work before retiring at the end of the day. This photograph depicts the winter uniform worn at this time; a grey felt beret which had a red Maltese cross attached in the centre; a grey cotton frock and red cardigan, and a grey woolen coat, some with a grey belt, worn over their uniform.In 1885, 50 years after Melbourne was founded, it was recognized that nursing care was needed for the sick poor in inner Melbourne. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), the first Society of its kind in Australia, was founded in February 1885 with one Trained nurse (Nurse), and a second employed six months later, working in the now CBD ie. from Spencer Street to Spring Street and from Victoria Parade to Flinders Street. From its inception the Society was at the forefront of health care. They provided high quality trained nursing care; educated their patients in the curing and prevention of disease; teaching the importance of cleanliness and good nutrition, both by verbal instruction and demonstration, even supplying soup and milk when needed. At that time they walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of inner Melbourne carrying their nursing bag containing lotion and dressings, and supplying equipment on loan, such as feeding mugs, bedpans, air-cushions, splints, bed cradles feeding mugs and providing clean bed linen and nightdresses as necessary. Trained midwives began home births in August 1893 taking midwifery bundles and providing clothes for the babe and mother as needed. The Society were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed, and the Society built, then opened, the After-Care Home, (later called After-Care Hospital), in 1926, for their patients, and patients from Hospitals. Many children were nursed there, some long term during the Polio epidemic; the Society employed two School Teachers. The Society now ran two divisions, the After-Care with its own Trained nurses (Sisters) and nurses and the District division. The Society were the first in Melbourne, in early 1928, to recognize some patients leaving the After-Care, and many at home, needed further social care and they set up ‘Almoners’ from their Committee to visit these patients and be intermediaries in getting them social assistance. It was late the following year before the first training of Almoners took place in Melbourne. In 1930 the Society employed a full time kindergarten teacher to visit poor children in their homes. That year the Society were pioneers in opening an Ante-Natal Clinic at the After-Care, setting a high standard with equipment, keeping records and providing leaflets with instructions in how to keep healthy during pregnancy, what complications to look for and what to do when labour commenced. In 1934 the Society were pioneers again when they opened the first Women’s Welfare Clinic in Melbourne giving advice on birth-control, at first attended by their own patients, but then accepting patients from public hospitals until their own clinics were opened. A Social Service Officer was employed at the After-Care who successfully gained better housing from the Housing Commission for families living under unsuitable conditions. In 1957 the Hospital and Charities Commission decided to take over the After-Care Hospital, so the 'Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Hospital' separated and the 'Melbourne District Nursing Service' was formed, setting up Headquarters at 452 St. Kilda Road. Royal patronage was granted in 1966, now becoming the Royal District Nursing Service, (RDNS). Liaison with public hospitals began with a District nurse attached to a hospital visiting patients before going home. Education continued to be at the forefront of District with research by RDNS Educators and programs being implemented. Initial visits not only assessed the specific nursing situation but the situation as a whole. Their patients ranged in age from babes, children, adults to the elderly and referrals were taken from Hospitals, General Practitioners and allied Health facilities. Some of the care the Sisters provided is as follows: – Post-Natal care given to mother and babe, Wound Care following various types of surgery, accidents, burns, cancer, leg ulcers etc. Supervising and teaching Diabetic Care, including teaching and supervising people with Diabetes to administer their own Insulin, and administering Insulin to those unable to give their own injections. Administering other injections and setting up weekly medication boxes. The Sisters performed Catheterizations on adults suffering from conditions such as Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Guillan-Barre Syndrome, and when required at school on children for e.g. those with Spina Bifida. The Sisters visited those requiring Cystic Fibrosis support and care; those requiring Haemo-Oncology care, including visiting children at school; those requiring Home Enteral Feeding care, and those requiring IV therapy at home and home Dialysis. Palliative Care was given including pain relief with the use of syringe drivers, personal care as needed, and advice and support to both patient and family. The Sisters provided Stoma management to those needing Urostomy, Ileostomy and Colostomy care and those requiring Continence care. HIV/AIDS nursing care was provided; visits to Homeless Persons were made. Personal care was given to patients ranging in age and with varying mobility problems, such as Amputees, those with MS, MND, Guillan-Barre Syndrome, Poliomyelitis, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Acquired Brain Injury, to those following a Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke), those with severe Arthritis and those with a form of Dementia. When necessary the elderly were assisted with personal care and advice given on safety factors with the use of hand rails, bath or shower seats, and hand showers. Rehabilitation with an aim towards independence remained at the forefront of the Sister’s minds and when possible using aids and instruction on safe techniques enabled the person to become fully independent. All care included giving advice and support to the patient and their Carers. The Sisters liaised with the persons Doctor, Hospital and allied Health personal when necessary.Black and White photograph of seven (some partly hidden) Melbourne District Nursing Service (MDNS) Sisters wearing full winter uniform of grey berets and grey long coats, with lapels, over their uniform which is partly seen on one Sister. Some are on a path, and others walking to the open metal gate; one Sister is between two tall, square, dark grey concrete columns. Looking at the photograph, two Sisters have turned left onto the footpath. These two Sisters are carrying oblong leather type bags in their left hand and the Sister between the columns is carrying a white soft material type bag. The Sisters seen have short dark hair under their berets. White plaques with the black numbers '452' are attached to the top 1/3 of each column and an arched grey concrete fence with brick top runs to the left. Behind this are two medium size leafless trees. A metal spiked fence runs from the column to the right of the photograph. Attached to this, near the column, is a white plaque with 'Melbourne District Nursing Service Headquarters' written in black. In the rear is a light grey two story Italian style building with a polygon shaped bay window to the left on the ground floor. It has a long window in the front and another on the side. To the right of this is a veranda with two concrete arches, separated by a roman column. A door can be seen behind the first arch. Above the bay window on the second story are three long arched windows, and to the right of that an arched opening with a roman column separating the partially seen next window. A concrete balustrade is seen at the front of the second story.melbourne district nursing service, headquarters, mdns, nurses, nurses uniforms, royal district nursing service, rdns

This photograph depicts the style of MDNS uniform worn at that time, which was a grey cotton dress and red cardigan, over which was a woolen grey coat. The beret was of grey felt and had a red Maltese cross attached to the centre. Sister Wilson is about to enter her MDNS car, which was one of the early cars in the MDNS fleet, to drive to a patient to give nursing care.Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) has had various modes of transport over the last 130 plus years. At first, from 1885 as Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS), their Trained nurses (Nurses) walked the streets and lane ways amid the slums of central Melbourne. As the Society expanded public transport was used, and bicycles were bought by the Society in 1903 and used in inner areas until 1945. During the Spanish flu epidemic, in 1919, MDNS appealed for assistance to procure Motor vehicles so the Nurses could visit an influx of cases. Through trusts, grants and donations four 'Ford T Model' cars were procured which enabled the Nurses to triple their visits. Through constant use the cars were in such a poor state they were sold in 1927. A Motor Auxiliary was formed in 1929 to take Sisters to patients, and some Sisters used their own cars; even a motorcycle was used by one Sister in 1933. All these forms of transport were intermingled and in the early 1950s, and now as Melbourne District Nursing Service, seven Ford Prefect cars were bought followed by twelve Ford Anglia cars 1955. Having received Royal patronage; the now Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) had its own fleet of Holden vehicles by the mid 1960s and the Motor Auxiliary ceased operating in 1971 as by then all staff employed were required to have a driving licence. Seat-belts had been introduced to Victoria in 1959 and District fitted them to their cars from 1962, even though they did not become compulsory until 1970. The Holden vehicles were replaced with grey Holden Torana vehicles. After several years the fleet was changed to white Toyota Corolla vehicles. The Melways Directory of maps was introduced in 1966, which was a boon to the Sisters though it was a few years before it went beyond Seville, so a large paper map was used by the Sisters visiting patients in the areas passed Seville. By 2009 there were 598 cars in the fleet and the Sisters travelled 9 million 200,000 kilometres – this is equivalent to 12 trips to the moon and back. Black and white photograph of Sister Jill Wilson of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) about to enter her work car. Sister Wilson is wearing her winter uniform, with a light grey beret over her short dark curled hair, and a long light grey coat which has lapels. She is standing side on, and to the left of the partially seen small white car. She is smiling and looking at the camera. Her right arm is extended with her hand on the handle of the partially opened car door and she is holding a white bag and cloth in her left hand. At her feet is her dark coloured, square shaped, nursing case which has a leather strap around the middle and two light coloured clasps each end, as well as a thick hard handle on the top. She is standing on the road and to her left, on the grass, are two lamp posts; small bushes can be seen as well as two trees in the distance. Two dark coloured buildings, one with a hip roof and one a flat roof, can be seen behind the car. rdns, motor vehicle, nurse, uniform, melbourne district nursing society, mdns, rdns transport, royal district nursing service, sister jill wilson

used to hold round water flask ca1910canvas canteen flask holder used during ca 1900round canvas water flask holder with leather strap and metal buckle and studsmilitary, civilian, flask bag

Pack saddle as was used in the days that Australia was being opened up by settlersAs manufactured by Holden and FrostBrown leather pack saddle, steel hooks on the top for adding accessories. On this saddle there is a steel water cannister on one side and attached to the other is a general carry bag made from leatherHolden and Frostequine, civilian, packsaddle

Used during WW2 canvas water proof carry bag for rifle. t As made and sold by General Motors HoldenArmy green canvas rifle bag with shoulder strap and three ammunition pouches. Pouches fastened by tan leather straps.rifle bag, military

Bone fan with hand painted violets. One pair of black leather wrist length gloves. One pair of grey suede gloves (made expressly for Peter's Glove Specialist, Melbourne.) One beige beaded hand held handbag. Original Schonanek. Made in Czechoslovakia. Two lace doileys with dogs on them and pink embroidery around the edges. Two linen embroidered pillowslips with covered buttons.folding fans, fans, evening bags, pillowcases, gloves, baby clothing, doilies, detachable collars

Utilised for fruit picking by Douglas Johansen , orchardist, Harcourt. An integral piece of orchard worker’s equipment. Two canvas bags with reinforced opening and leather shoulder straps used to pick apples into during the picking season. Bottom was unclipped to place apples into bins or casesFotheringham Pty Ltd, Launceston, Tasmania