The Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) was an Australian part-time volunteer military force of World War II modelled on the British Home Guard. The VDC was established in July 1940 by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and was initially composed of ex-servicemen who had served in World War 1. The government took over control of the VDC in May 1941 and gave the organisation the role of training for guerrilla warfare, collecting local intelligence and providing static defence of each unit's home area. General Harry Chauvel, who had retired in 1930, was recalled to duty in 1940 and appointed Inspector-General of the VDC. Chauvel held this position until his death in March 1945. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, the Government expanded the VDC in February 1942. Membership was open to men aged between 18 and 60, including those working in reserved occupations. As a result, the VDC reached a peak strength of almost 100,000 in units across Australia. As the perceived threat to Australia declined, the VDC's role changed from static defence to operating anti-aircraft artillery, coastal artillery and searchlights. Members of inland VDC units were freed from having to attend regular training in May 1944 and the VDC was officially disbanded on 24 August 1945Hat Khaki Fur Felt with green cloth single band puggaree which has cotton Volunteer Defence Corps badge sewn on, brass rising sun badge on brimMaker's label on head band -RG & RI Stebbins, 14 Willow Court, Donald , Vic 3480

Hat Khaki Fur Felt with 7 fold puggaree with one maroon fold. Broken chin strap, no badgeGovernment arrow and "T S"

Photographic copy of a photograph of a house in Station Street with four men in front. All wear shirts and hats, three wear jackets, two of these have ties, the other a scarf. The coatless man appears to have a corncob pipe in his mouth. These men are related to the Smith family, one of them being the house owner who is married to a Smith girl. Large tree visible on left, and a tree behind the distinctive picket fence. Date is unknown; probably 1800s.Photo has been mounted, velcoo's and marked in felt pen 'copy of photo belonging to Margaret Couch, Princes Street'.built environment - domestic, families, margaret smith couch

This laser print is a copy of a photo which has been in the Congues/McKenzie family collection since early this century. Mrs Marie Vernon of Doncaster showed the photo to her cousin, Elva Mason, also of Doncaster but formerly of 35 Cruikshank Street. Elva had the copy done and passed it on to Barbara Gardiner. Mrs Vernon was unable to give us much information but could tell us that her mother, Mrs Mary Jane Congues (known as Ruby) was a tailoress who started her apprecticeship at age 13 and later established the shop which was next to Earl's hardware shop. We think that she was born in the 1880s. The Congues family lived at 36 Cruikshank Street, and their landlord in later years was Mr Sullivan, who supplied horse and drays for rubbish collection for the Council. Simon McKenzie was the loca policeman who patrolled up and down Bay Street and became interested in Ruby. She later visited a fortune teller who told her she would marry a man with numbers on his hat. They married and lived in Brunswick East, Carrum Downs and later Calligee (near Traralgon). LIfe was tough but Mrs Vernon remembers that her talented mother was able to teransform garments and hats so that her daughters always felt that they had a new dress for each special occasion. Mrs Vernon also remembers when a member of the famly needed dental care, they wee put on the train to stay with Grandma at Port Melbourne, who took them to Frost the Dentist (on the corner of Graham and Bay Strees), who pulled teeth for one shilling each. Miss Gongues is the lady in skirt and blouse on the right; other people unknown.Laserprint of four women in entrance to Miss Congue's Costumier shop in Bay Streetbusiness and traders - tailors and clothing, mary jane (ruby) congues, mary jane (ruby) mckenzie, simon mckenzie, mr sullivan, frost the dentist

Belonged to Rudi Kuhnle who used to live in Tatura post war. Worn by Rudi on festive occasions in Europe.Traditional hunting hat of German or Australian mountain regions. Worn on festive occasions also. Tall crown, narrow brim, rope belt around. Feather on side. Badge of belt. Dark and light green felt.bade with "Garmisch" inscribed. "Perschfest" trade mark is a picture of a deer.german hunting hat, rudi kuhnie, german hat wear

Pieces from the uniform and personal effects of W. Culkin (Army WW2)15 Items from Estate of William Culkin, relating to his war service (WW2). Personal effects displayed in a clear topped box.|1x photo (sepia) of W. Culkin|Stripes|Colours (felt)|Colours (metal)|1x rising sun hat badge|1x prayer book (R.C.)|2x metal "Australia"s for shoulder straps|2x ID tags|1x summary of conditions of awards|1x description of ribbon awarded|2x compliments from Minister of State for the ArmyVarioustatura, ww2, uniform, uniforms, army