Elizabeth Maitland Anderson was born c1887, daughter of William Anderson and Elizabeth MacKay. After she retired she lived at the Loyal Orange Lodge in Station Street, Box Hill South. She died on 14 May 1974 at Box Hill. She was cremated and ashes interred at Springvale Cemetery – Banksia, Wall H, Niche 302. Elizabeth Anderson opened Mosgiel Prvate Hospital in 1923 and was the Matron there from 1923-1950. She had been Matron of the Queen Victoria Hospital for four years. She lived next to the hospital at 297 Mont Albert Road from 1923-1930s. 'Mosgiel' was very highly regarded by medical practitioners and patients alike. After her retirement in 1950, along with with Doctors Roberta and Agnes Donaldson, she opened the Elgar Private Nursing Home in Elgar Road. Elizabeth Anderson was particularly involved with Moral Re-Armament and supported activities that took place in the Melbourne Home and Centre for Moral Re-Armament.A black and white photograph of an older lady wearing a hat and a coat.mosgiel private hospital, queen victoria hospital, elgar private nursing home, elgar road, mont albert road, nurses, nursing homes, health professionals, melbourne home and centre for moral re-armament, miss elizabeth maitland anderson, dr roberta donaldson, dr amelia roberta donaldson, dr agnes donaldson

Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white photograph of a lady, wearing a long dark coloured dress. She has short fair hair. There is a table beside her and a picture hanging on the wall behind her.nurses, scouts, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1918, writer, loch street, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick, assoc prof william (bill) bonwick, mr john bonwick, walter hugh bonwick

Daughter of Herman Strom, a Swedish sea captain and Mary Edington Rule Pyatt with 2 siblings: Eric Strom and Elsa Rule Strom. Born 1892 in Ascot Vale; died 1984. Christine trained as a nurse at the Royal Women’s Hospital for 4 years and enlisted on 24/5/1917 as an Army Staff nurse. Enlistment papers give her religion as Unitarian. Her letters written to her family (“Letters from Salonika”) and her WW1 diary are held at the Australian War Memorial. After marriage she lived at 12 Lock Street from 1923-1981. Married Walter Hugh Bonwick and had 2 sons William James (Bill) and John Edwin. Pastimes: Joined the Scout Movement and became ‘Akela’ to the cubs of Yooralla, Balwyn; wrote prose and poetry and had a book of verse published; entitled “We came in a Freighter”. A black and white studio photo of a lady in nurse's uniform with a cape and a veil on her head.mr walter bonwick, loch street, mont albert, surrey hills, world war, 1914-1919, nurses, miss christine erica strom, mrs christine erica bonwick

Bibliog., 101 p. 23cm and 1 booklet (18p) This book covers specifically the problems encountered in small museum collections, including a lift-out supplement listing possible chemical and equipment suppliers in various Australian States.Front page: stamp of : Dr. W. R. C. Bennett / Director of Radiology / another stamp: RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT /PRESTON & NORTHCOTE COMMUNITY HOSPITALmuseum conservation methods, suppliers-chemical and equipment

Marjorie Joyce Haeffner informed that she was born at Mosgiel Hospital in Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills in 1924, soon after it opened. According to electoral rolls, her parents Henry Norman Neil and Mabel Haeffner were living at 22 Wharton Street, Surrey Hills at this time. Henry's parents Henry Thomas Haeffner (1858-1935) and Eliza Jane (ms Chesney - 1868-1940) were farmers in the Tallangatta area. Their farm was called 'Ferndale'. Another farm in the area - 'Spring Creek' - was the address of Marj's parents in 1922 before they moved to Melbourne. Some time after 1926 and by 1931 Marj's parents had moved back to Tallangatta to help out on his parents' farm. This was lost during the Depression. Marj's family moved back to Melbourne; her grandparents stayed in the North Albury area until they died. Electoral roll entries show that there was considerable movement of extended family members between town and country. Marj's parents moved back to Surrey Hills; the electoral roll lists them at 33 Clyde Street in 1936 but Chatham Primary School's list of students records that Marj was there from 1932-1937. She had siblings Jack (enrolled in 1933) and Donald (enrolled in 1934). In 2019 this Edwardian timber home still stands. Marj was an enthusiastic member of a women's cricket club in the 1940s and 1950s. According to Jocelyn Hall's photo register, this photo was taken at the Haeffner home in Clyde Street. After she married Marj did not moved far from her childhood home in Clyde Street. She and her husband Brian Lindsay (known as Lindsay) Higgins bought 31 Langford Street, Surrey Hills, a Californian bungalow on a wide block, and between 1961 and 1970 Marj's children Margaret, Wendy, Deborah, Robyn, Adam and Christopher Higgins were also enrolled at Chatham. Marj's home in Langford Street was sold in April 2019 for $2.08M.A black and white photograph of a lady dressed in white cricket gear standing in front of a house.cricket, women's cricket, (miss) marjorie haeffner, (mrs) marjorie higgins, clyde street

The mansion was built in 1888. The first occupant was Charles Brook Longbottom (independent means). In c1910 he moved to 92 Union Road. Anthony G Connell followed and then Dr John Box J P. (1863-1934); he was a surgeon at Williamstown Hospital and honorary surgeon at the Eye and Ear Hospital. John and his first wife Jessie Powell Mitchell (1872-1913) had a daughter who died in infancy, then 4 sons. Henry Powell Box became a solicitor; John Eric Mitchell Box became a chemist; Noel Edward Hamilton Box became a surgeon and and William Mitchell Box also became a doctor. John Box married Eleanor Beatrice Grist in 1917. Montalto was sold after her death, demolished and the land subdivided as Sythney Court.Black and white photo of a 2 storey Italianate mansion with arched verandas on 2 sides. There is palm tree on the near side of the driveway and outhouses in the background.SH519 in pencil on the rear.montalto, italianate style, dr john box, jessie powell box, jessie powell mitchell, eleanor beatric grist, eleanor beatric box, william mitchell box, henry powell box, noel edward hamilton box, john eric mitchell box

The 3 front blocks facing Union Road were subdivided off in circa 1967, so this building now faces Barton Street. Since 1984 it has been a private residence. It was originally built in c1890 and from 1896 it was used as facilities for Surrey College, a private boys' boarding school. Dr F Darling was Principal. From 1935-1960s it became Nethercourt Private Hospital. This had previously operated from 1921 in Wilson Street. Later it was known as St Jude's Hospital; this closed in 1983.Black and white photo of Nethercourt Private Hospital taken from Union Road. It shows a 3 storey brick rendered building painted in a light colour. It is fronted by a paling fence and with a vacant area in the foreground, on which there is a bare-leafed mature tree to the right and an evergreen tree to the left. The fence appears to be new suggesting that the photo was taken at the time of subdivision of the land.The original has the following inscriptions: Top: In black biro "D Hall our collection / hall / family" in Jocelyn Hall's writing. Below in lead pencil "Old entrance of / St Judes" - unknown hand; presumed to be Duncan Hall's. In black biro in Jocelyn Hall's hand: "Taken c. 1976." nethercourt private hospital, the surrey college, norwich hall, st judes hospital, barton street, medical services, education, dr f darling

Notes from a previous collection coordinator indicate that Miss Lucy Musselwhite (Lillywhite) opened the hospital in 1914 and Matron Eliza Tank took it over in 1921 and named it Nethercourt Private Hospital. However recent research suggests that Miss Musselwhite (name confirmed) moved from Tooronga to Wilson Street some time between 1903 and 1909. She and her mother Elizabeth are listed in the 1909 electoral rolls in Wilson Street and Lucy's occupation is given as nurse. (It is of course possible that the property was a residence only at this time and later opened as a private hospital.) The name Nethercourt was used prior to Matron Eliza Tank taking over. Her daughter Irene was also a nurse at Nethercourt. Lucy Musselwhite was born in 1873 in Hampshire. She married Henry James Dore in later life and lived in Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. She died in 1955. In 1930 / 1935 Matron Tank transferred the hospital to 219-223 Union Road. Later it was known as Norwich Hall / St Jude's. Mosgiel Hospital in Mont Albert Road also opened in 1924. After this time home births became less common. Nethercourt Hospital closed in the 1960s.Small hospitals such as this one were primarily used for midwifery, preceding the development of larger centralised general hospitals. Black and white photo of Nethercourt Private Hospital at 11 Wilson Street in c 1924 taken from the street in winter. The building is Victorian in style; block-fronted with lacework detail to the verandah and has 2 chimneys. It is set behind a wooden picket fence behind which is a well-manicured hedge which appears to have been grown across the front entrance gate.nethercourt private hospital, midwifery, hospitals, matron eliza tank, miss lucy musselwhite, miss irene tank, mrs irene anderson

Date is approximate. Donor's connection with Armitstead's Woodyard was that Frank Foley was a long term employee. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and on 24 May 1906 a group of Surrey Hills residents pledged to make Empire Day a success. From 1932-1938 large Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills and business and commercial vehicles were decorated to take part in large processions held in May each year. These attracted large crowds from all over Melbourne. The truck is parked outside Nethercourt Hospital at 15 Barton Street. The Armitstead family had a business in Union Road which supplied wood in winter and ice in summer. Photos such as this one are evidence of the importance once attached to celebrating Empire Day, which was held on 24 May (Queen Victoria’s birthday). From 1905, a range of patriotic activities across Australia were performed on this day. There was a focus on schoolchildren, who were given a half-holiday, and the occasion was often highlighted with bonfires and fireworks in the evening - in this area at Beckett Park. The parade down Union Road was famous throughout Melbourne and attracted large crowds. Floats in the parade were often decked with British flags. The pro-Empire sentiment in the Surrey Hills area in part reflected the background and strong ties of many families.Black and white photo of a delivery truck with bunting and ferns over the cabin and back. The wheels have straws around the rims and more foliage is on the cabin roof and bonnet. The back of the tray is up and boxes, foliage and possibly a lion's head decorate the tray. Behind is a 2 storey (?) rendered building with an external timber staircase broken in 2 by a landing. The house sits behind a simple picket fence.On the cabin door of the truck: "S ARMITS ....[remainder in shadow] / Surrey Hills / phone 10X1816 / [undecipherable]" On back of the original in pencil in top centre left "446a" in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting; centre on a piece of paper stuck on with tape "Mrs D Foley / 39 Sunbury Cres., / Surrey Hills / Phone 8301163".empire day, festival and celebrations, woodyard, parades, processions, hospitals, nethercourt hospital, stephen godfrey armitstead, frank foley, mrs d foley, barton street

Quamby was built in 1898. From 1900/1903-1924 it was the home of Andrew Sherar and family. From 1924-1960s it operated as Mosgiel Hospital under the direction of Matron Elizabeth Anderson. Until Box Hill Hospital opened most Surrey Hills children were born at Mosgiel or at Nethercourt Hospital in Wilson Street or later in Union Road when Matron Tank moved her hospital here. Mosgiel Hospital was demolished c 1975 after it was sold by Box Hill Hospital. It was replaced by units. Andrew Sherar was conductor of the Wyclif Church choir for many years and was a member of the Melbourne Liedertafel. Isie Sherar was organist at Wyclif Church and also taught piano in Union Road. Connie Sherar was in the Wyclif choir and married Ernest Swan, an elocutionist and orator. Dorothy Sherar was a pianist and accompanist. Elsie Sherar was also in the Wyclif choir and was a soloist; she later moved to Templestowe. Ken Sherar was a boy soprano at St Paul's Cathedral; he later moved to Queensland.Black and white photo looking south down Vincent Street from 'Quamby', located at 293 Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills. In the centre foreground is a timber house with 2 chimneys and a tiled hip roof. It has a return veranda and is fenced on 2 sides by paling fences and picket fences on the other two. In the background are many more houses. A road lined with power poles runs from the right foreground to the middle distance.quamby, vincent street, edwardian style, topography, andrew sherar, isie sherar, connie sherar, dorothy sherar, ken sherar, elsie wappet

Eleanor (Lena) and Sylvia were 2 of the 11 children of Alice Eleanor (1868-1924) and George James Jackson (1868-1950). Another was George Hall Jackson - AIF no 4660. The Jacksons were both jewellers and married in 1890, migrating from England. Lena was born 16 December 1911; d. 30 May 1984. She married Walter John Rea Dawson. Sylvia was born 20 July 1914 at Nurse Talbot's Hospital in Surrey Hills; d 2008.A black and white photograph of three young girls outside 7-9 Russell Street, Surrey Hills. The two taller girls are identified as Sylvia and Lena Jackson, whilst the small girl is unidentified.russell street, surrey hills, 1911, jewellers, clothing and dress, (miss) lena jackson, (miss) sylvia jackson, (miss) eleanor jackson, (mr) george jackson, (mrs) alice jackson, nurse talbot's hospital, mr walter dawson

At the edge of the church roof and on the horizon is 'The Knoll' on the corner of Union Road and Wandsworth Road. To the left of this is 297 Mont Albert Road, home of the Michael Parer family and further left is "Quamby", home of the Sherar family. This is easily recognised by the square viewing tower located on the west wing of the house. The Sherar family owned 'Quamby' from 1900 until 1925, when it became Mosgiel Private Hospital. Norman Carter took many photos of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert in the 1920s; many associated with events and activities of the Church of England. Black and white photo of taken from the steeple of Holy Trinity Church, during its construction, across Union Road to the north-west. In the foreground immature street trees can be seen and an original telephone pole with white insulators. The street has formed paths and bluestone kerb and channelling. holy trinity anglican church, union road, the knoll, quamby, street trees, telegraph and light poles, mosgiel hospital

The date is approximate. Tavistock was built c1890. The side windows on the front room are a later addition in a different style from the original windows. In 1897 it was the home of the Walker family; Joyce Walker later became matron of Mosgiel Hospital. In 1902 it became the first site of Milverton Girls School. From 1930s to 1960s it was home to Miss Marjorie Vahland, a locally well-known nursing sister. See History Walks No 5, p 11 and p32 Surrey Hills In Celebration of its Centennial 1883-1983Colour photo of the north side of Tavistock at 192 Union Road, Surrey Hills revealed when this side of the property was partially without a fence; taken while re-fencing. The house is Victorian in style, of red brick construction with a patterned slate tile roof and decorative chimneys.tavistock, milverton girls school, victorian style, houses, joyce walker, miss marjorie vahland, nurses

See History Walks No 5, p 11 and p32 Surrey Hills In Celebration of its Centennial 1883-1983 The date is approximate. Tavistock was built c1890. In 1897 it was the home of the Walker family; Joyce Walker later became matron of Mosgiel Hospital. In 1902 it became the first site of Milverton Girls School. From 1930s to 1960s it was home to Miss Marjorie Vahland, a locally well-known nursing sister.Colour photo of the roof and chimneys of 'Tavistock' at 192 Union Road, Surrey Hills. The house is Victorian in style, of red brick construction with a patterned slate tile roof and decorative chimneys.tavistock, milverton girls school, victorian style, houses, matron joyce walker, miss marjorie vahland

See History Walks No 5, p 11 and p32 Surrey Hills In Celebration of its Centennial 1883-1983. Tavistock was built c1890. In 1897 it was the home of the Walker family; Joyce Walker later became matron of Mosgiel Hospital. In 1902 it became the first site of Milverton Girls School. From 1930s to 1960s it was home to Miss Marjorie Vahland, a locally well-known nursing sister.Colour photo of the front of Tavistock at 192 Union Road, Surrey Hills before restoration during 1978-1982. The house is Victorian in style, of red brick construction with a patterned slate tile roof and decorative chimneys. This photo of the windows at the front of the house is prior to stripping of the white paint from the decorative tiles.tavistock, milverton girls school, victorian style, houses, joyce walker, marjorie vahland

Alice Louisa (Louise) Jackson was one of 12 children of George James Jackson and his wife Alice Eleanor (nee Taylor); both of whom were jewellers. One of her brothers, George Hall Jackson, served in WW1. The family lived at 'Handsworth', 7 Russell Street, Surrey Hills. Alice was born 25/9/1892 and died 25/8/1983. She was buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-2010. REF: Personal communication (email) Ruth Theodoridis, her niece, 30/5/2018: Alice trained at the Austin Hospital prior to WW2. She worked there after graduating and became the charge sister of the ward for terminally ill patients, many of whom were TB patients. After she retired from the Austin she nursed elderly and dying people in the Surrey Hills area. She had had a tricycle made especially for her as she could not ride a bicycle. She would always ride in the centre of the road in case the trike tipped over. She left her estate to the hospital. A black and white photograph of a young lady, identified as Alice Eleanor Jackson, seated between an older couple in front of a house.jeweller, watchmaker, russell street, surrey hills, clothing and dress, nurse, george james jackson, mrs alice eleanor jackson, miss alice louisa jackson

A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.surrey hills, railways, land use, migrants, spanish communities, transport, houses, wattle park, festivals and celebrations, churches, education, water supply, fire stations, hospitals, (mr) george klepper, ainger family, (mr) john woodhead, (mr) h. breedon, medical services, real estate agents, businesses, musical events and activities, entertainment, parks and reserves, scouts, guides

A pictorial history of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert based on information collected by the history group at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes information about early rural properties and dairies, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, doctors, schools, churches, parks and recreation facilities.A pictorial history of Surrey Hills based on information collected and based at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre. It includes early rural properties and diaries, the coming of the railway, land sub-division and early homes, schools, parks and recreation.1992surrey hills, railways, land use, migrants, spanish communities, transport, houses, wattle park, festivals and celebrations, churches, education, water supply, fire stations, hospitals, (mr) george klepper, ainger family, (mr) john woodhead, (mr) h. breedon, medical services, real estate agents, businesses, musical events and activities, entertainment, parks and reserves, scouts, guides

St. George's Hospital, Kew was founded in 1912 by the Church of England. In 1925 a maternity wing was added and the hospital was registered as a Midwifery Training School. After WWII the Church of England decided to sell it. The book deals with its development up until 1980.St. George's Hospital, Kew was founded in 1912 by the Church of England. In 1925 a maternity wing was added and the hospital was registered as a Midwifery Training School. After WWII the Church of England decided to sell it. The book deals with its development up until 1980.st. george's hospital, kew, 1912, hospitals, medical services, nurses, health establishments, ellerslie, church of england, midwifery training school, world war, 1939-1945, health professionals

Gouache painting depicting a male torso with striped pajamas, hand with needle and table with glass of water. Signed (L.l) 'Clifton 7/10/77'.clifton pugh, painting, gouache, hospital, needle

Gouache painting depicting a male arm with intravenous drip and hospital table. Dated (L.l) '10.10.1977'.clifton pugh, painting, gouache, hospital, drip, hand

Gouache painting depicting a pair of female hands injecting a needle into a male arm and table with red and white flowers. Dated (L.r) '8.10.77'clifton pugh, painting, gouache, hospital, arm, needle, flower

Painting depicting a male leg and foot with patterned pajamas and wires attached with hospital table and bouquet of white flowers. Signed (L.r) 'Clifton 6.10.77'.clifton pugh, painting, gouache, hospital, foot, flower

Portrait of a old man with glasses and thermometer seated in a hospital bed with Labels 'Fluid Balance', '15 Mr C Pugh, Dr. Kay/Ley 29.7.1977' and two bouquets of red and white flowers. Not signed. On reverse: 'Archibald Prize 1977/Something Happened (Self Portrait)/ Clifton Pugh/ Dunmoochin Hurstbridge Vic 3099/ Phone 7148230'.clifton pugh, painting, hospital suite, self portrait, archibald prize

Items such as this cushion covers were purchased by Australian men and women serving during the First World War as souvenirs of their travels and gifts for their loved ones at home. The allies established a base at Thessaloniki in 1915. BHS records indicate that this cushion cover was among a collection of items received from the Harkaway studio of Brighton-born artist Jessie Traill following her death in 1967. During the First World War, Jessie served for three and a half years in hospitals in England and France with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. As she did not serve in Thessaloniki, where this item was made, it is unlikely she purchased it herself, but may have received it as a gift.Black velvet cushion cover featuring the embroidered image of a white and yellow dove bearing red, white and blue ribbons along with red and pink flowers. Embroidered in pale yellow are the words "Souvenir de Salonigue / 1916".cushion cover, 1910s, first world war, world war i, thessaloniki, jessie traill

Items such as this cushion covers were purchased by Australian men and women serving during the First World War as souvenirs of their travels and gifts for their loved ones at home. The allies established a base at Thessaloniki in 1915. BHS records indicate that this cushion cover was among a collection of items received from the Harkaway studio of Brighton-born artist Jessie Traill following her death in 1967. During the First World War, Jessie served for three and a half years in hospitals in England and France with the Voluntary Aid Detachment. As she did not serve in Thessaloniki, where this item was made, it is unlikely she purchased it herself, but may have received it as a gift.Black velvet cushion cover featuring the embroidered image of a white and yellow dove bearing a draped French flag, alongside a spray of red and pink flowers. Embroidered in pale yellow are the words "Souvenir de Salonigue / 1916".cushion cover, 1910s, first world war, world war i, thessaloniki, jessie traill

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. Red ribbed skirt with elastic waistband.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community

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. Red wide ribbed pleated skirt with a plain yoke, navy blue band at bottom edge and elasticated waistband. A purple x is located inside to mark centre back of skirt.knitwear, clothing, italy, migrants, brighton, knitting machine, linking machine, garments, business, family, community