This knitted layette including a bonnet, cardigan, and two booties was created by Mrs Lavinia Brown, a champion knitter who loved Churchill Island. Mrs Brown was born on 16 June 1913 in Regent, and she entered all of her knitting into the Royal Melbourne Show. Her daughter recalls that her knitting never won anything less than first prize, and was most often Champion. She remembers that once Mrs. Brown's work was disqualified as being 'machine knitted', and after an appeal in which she was required to knit a pattern in front of them, she was awarded the champion. Mrs Brown chose to use bicycle spokes with wax ends as she could not find needles small enough for use to make babies' clothing.Lavinia Brown loved Churchill Island, and this was donated by her daughter, A. Cattell. It represents a superb example of non-conventional hand knitting as well as being of the era for Churchill Island.Cream fine wool knitting sample on bicycle spoke needles with wax ends made for knitter by her husband. Ball of wool still attached knitting, lavinia josephine brown, churchill island, amess house

This knitted layette including a bonnet, cardigan, and two booties was created by Mrs Lavinia Brown, a champion knitter who loved Churchill Island. Mrs Brown was born on 16 June 1913 in Regent, and she entered all of her knitting into the Royal Melbourne Show. Her daughter recalls that her knitting never won anything less than first prize, and was most often Champion. She remembers that once Mrs. Brown's work was disqualified as being 'machine knitted', and after an appeal in which she was required to knit a pattern in front of them, she was awarded the champion. Mrs Brown chose to use bicycle spokes with wax ends as she could not find needles small enough for use to make babies' clothing.Lavinia Brown loved Churchill Island, and this was donated by her daughter, A. Cattell. It represents a superb example of non-conventional hand knitting as well as being of the era for Churchill Island.Cream fine wool knitted layette comprising of bonnet, cardigan, and two booties. layette, churchill island, lavinia brown

Women’s magazines just after WWII played a “reflecting role,” meaning they cooperated with government agendas while still including topics of readers’ interests Women’s employment rate had skyrocketed during WWII. However, even though the number of women working outside the home grew rapidly most of them were still engaged entirely in homemaking. Therefore women’s magazines centered mostly on the stresses and shortages of wartime. Articles as well as advertisements presented information on “product rationing, tips on keeping the family healthy, guidelines for thrifty shopping and advice on how to look good through it all.This is an example of an English women's magazine published post WW11.It gives practical advice on needlework / knitting and evidences the widespread interest in contemporary fashion. In doing so it shows what were the fashionable, but broadly affordable, women's and children's clothing styles of their day. These magazines also reflect women's interests.A 64 pp magazine, titled Woman and Home and Good Needlework Magazine. On the front cover is a coloured drawing of a fashionably dressed and made-up woman with red hair and holding a bunch of similarly coloured flowers (gerberas?) At the bottom left are knitted baby clothes - pattern inside - as well as a man and woman wearing fashionable clothing - suggesting patterns are inside the magazine. The magazine cost 1/6 and is dated October 1951.magazine-woman-and-home

Items were crocheted about 1950 by Minnie Grachan of Back Beach, Ventnor for Mrs Dot Coutts nee Jones. She had 3 daughters so the items were never used.HistoricalCream coloured, finely crocheted layette set of bonnet, bib and booties with cream satin ribbon and pink flowersN/Alayette, crochet, baby clothes, clothing, grachen family, jones family

These handmade baby clothes are a fine example of home crafts, showing attention to detail. The original owner and maker of these handmade silk baby clothes is unknown. They were previously owned by the mother of the donor. Her name was Mary Patricia (Pat) Mulready 21.4.1934 – 4.2.2007 who was born, died and died Warrnambool. The clothes were possibly purchased from an opportunity shop as clothing for her daughter Eileen Mulready, 3.10.1968 - Jan 1991.Baby clothes, hand crocheted fine, fawn coloured silk thread. Set comprises booties (2) with button and small floral embroidery, round bib and round cap with chin tie.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, handcraft, baby clothes, crocheted baby clothes, home crafts, pat mulready

This Christening gown belonged to William Edward Housden who was born in Castlemaine in 1890 and died in Warrnambool in 1972. He served in World War One and married Lucy Knowles in 1921. It was on occasions, and still is, a common practice to make a special dress for a baby's Christening or to use a gown that has been handed down over the generations. This is a fine example of a Christening gown made for a baby 130 years ago.This is a Christening gown made of cream cotton. It is high waisted with a gathered skirt and a pintucked bodice with hand embroidered leaves and fine drawn thread work. The draw string waist opens at the back. It has long sleeves with lace and embroidered cuffs. There is lace and draw string tape around the neck. The seams have been machined.william edward housden, christening gowns

This amber satin evening outfit was worn by Mrs. Isabella Mitchell (nee Russell, 1840 – 1929) at the wedding of her brother Alexander (c.1846–1938) and Eliza (nee Moore c.1854–1939). The jacket and skirt attach to each other at the waist by joining the metal rings that are around the base of the jacket and to the metal hooks that are on the waistband of the skirt. The outfit was donated with its own mannequin and fits it perfectly. In the colonial days, outer clothing was rarely, if ever, washed, due to the expense of fabrics and difficulty in careful laundering. Clever methods were employed to reduce the occurrence of soiling. The mannequin included with the donation would also help keep the outfit in good shape as well as being used for ensuring a flattering fit. FAMILIES’ HISTORY The families connected with this wedding for which this outfit was worn are from Warrnambool’s colonial days. Isabella and Alexander’s parents, Robert Russell and Elizabeth (nee Mitchell) were both born in 1808 and married about 1830. They were from farming families in Northern Ireland where they raised their seven children there before migrating to Australia in the early colonial days, around 1857. Their graves are in the Tower Hill cemetery. Alexander’s wife Eliza (nee Moore, born in 1854) was also from Northern Ireland and migrated to Australia in 1858 with her parents, Thomas and Nancy Moore, in the last voyage of the sailing ship “Chance”. Isabella (Bella) talked with her grand-daughter Ruby Akers about her memories of Alexander and Eliza’s wedding and other events in her life. Ruby recorded these memories in a letter. She says “They were married in the Warrnambool Congregational Church by a pioneer minister, the Reverend Uriah Coombs. The bride wore a pale blue silk wedding gown which was made by herself. Bella was Matron of Honora and Ian McCasker was best man. In those days the transport to the church was usually a carriage – similar to a cab – and a pair of white ponies. They would have the reception at home and then go for a drive afterwards and at night there would be a dance. They did all the catering themselves … Eliza carried on farming in the Dennington, Yarpturk and Purnim districts until they moved to Camperdown around 1905…” Ruby’s letter later mentions “[Isabella] could recall seeing a blackfellows’ corroboree being performed near where the Dennington Bridge now stands. It was rather a terrifying experience, they seemed in a warlike mood and one never knew what they would do next. One lubra came running to granny crying, Hide me, bad man kill me. She was bleeding from a wound in the head. Probably the result of a blow from a waddy. My mother [Margaret Jane McLaughlan nee Mitchell], coming home from school, often met blackfellows walking ahead with spears and boomerang, the two lubras – he usually had two – following in the rear, carrying the children or any burdens they had.“ Margaret would probably have been in primary school in the 1800s when she saw these things. Alexander and Eliza had ten children. One of their daughters, Margaret Jane, was born in Warrnambool in 1879. She married William McCullagh and they had eleven children. Margaret made headlines in the Warrnambool newspapers for celebrating her 100th birthday. She had lived in the district for 60 years before moving to Melbourne. Alexander passed away at the age of 92, and Eliza passed away six months later aged 85. Their graves are in the Colac cemetery. Isabella married Ralph Mitchell and their daughter Margaret Jane married John McLauchlan in 1891. Margaret and John’s daughter, Ruby Elizabeth, Jane married Fredrick Akers in 1938. Fredrick was born in England and was a Boer War veteran and served in the British Army. He migrated to Queensland, Australia, in 1913 and he joined the Australian Army to fight in World War I. In 1935 he moved to Warrnambool where he served in the Volunteer Defence Corps 1938-1945. Both Ruby and Fredrick are buried in the Tower Hill Cemetery.Together, the evening outfit and the mannequin are examples of female fashion of the mid to late 1900s. They are also significant for their association with the colonial pioneer families of Australia, Victoria and Warrnambool. The outfit and mannequin are significant for their connection with a wedding uniting two colonial families from Northern Ireland who immigrated to Australia in the mid-1850s. The families had a significant role in the history of Warrnambool and district. The evening outfit and its mannequin are significant for its connection with colonial families and their contact with the indigenous culture of the district and the contact between the native and European people. This ladies’ evening outfit is made from amber coloured satin fabric. It comprises a short-waisted, long-sleeved jacket and long skirt and it has its own neck-to-floor wooden mannequin on a pedestal. The outfit was worn by Mrs. Isabella Mitchell (nee Russell) as the Matron of Honour at the wedding of her brother Alexander Russell and his fiancé Eliza Moore in Warrnambool, 29th April 1874. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, evening outfit, wedding outfit, bridesmaid’ outfit, matron of honour outfit, clothing female, clothing late 19th century, clothing wedding late 19th century, clothing bridesmaid late 19th century, clothing antique, clothing ladies, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, alexander russell, eliza russell, eliza moore, isabella mitchell, bella mitchell, bella russell, isabella russell, ralph russell, ian mccusker, ruby akers, fredrick william akers, ruby mclauchlan, margaret jane mclaughlan nee mitchell, margaret jane mclaughlan centenarian, william mclaughlan, robert russell, elizabeth russell nee mitchell, irish immigrants, warrnambool volunteer defence corps 1938-1945, antique satin outfit, warrnambool wedding 1874, congregational church warrnambool, reverend uriah coombs, dennington farmer, yarpturk farmer, purnim district farmer, camperdown resident 1905, dennington bridge, indigenous corroboree in dennington, corroboree in warrnambool, 1880s corroboree in warrnambool, lubra and baby, indigenous corroboree in warrnambool

Displayed at History House.Cream crochet baby singlet, full body length. Satin (cream) ribbon threaded through neck of garment. No sleeves.birmingham collection, dolls clothes, toys, domestic, children, childhood

Due to relative long distance to haberdashery stores majority of children's garments were hand made by a local talented seamstress or mother/relative. This bonnet is very similar is style and fashion to other children's clothing in KVHS collection which indicates this was made during the early 1900's. This has good historical significance because it shows the fashions during the early 1900's which baby bonnets were made by women of the Kiewa Valley. This item also has good interpretive capacity as it adds to the other babies clothing in the KVHS collection and therefore increases the interpretive capacity for the children's clothesCream muslin with 1 cm wide lace around the face and neck. Pin tucks threaded with fine string and 2 tape ties 13 cm long. Also string used to gather the neck edge.baby. bonnet. christening. clothing. infant.

Three early to mid 20th century baby's nighties, purported to have been worn by Nesta Drew nee Cooper. The Cooper family lived in Tawonga for three generations.The nighties were hand-made in the 1920s when clothing was usually hand made especially in the Kiewa Valley where access to shops was limited. The Cooper family were farmers in Tawonga.Three Vyella (brushed cotton) baby's nighties. White vyella fabric with silk thread embroidery. Very well home-sewn items, with cotton lace trimming.1920s.Home-made so no marking or brandingbaby nighties, nesta drew, cooper family of tawonga

Included in the photograph are Mrs P. Nixon and her two children, Mary Gilbert, Margaret Irvine, Mrs A. Hossack, Annie Gilbert. they are watching a football match around 1920.This photograph is associated with Mary Gilbert, a well-known Orbost citizen. It is a pictorial record of a social activity of the first half 20th century. It also shows the clothing and transport of that time.A sepia photograph of some women and children sitting in cars. Two of the women are holding babies. Two older girls in school uniforms are seated in the back of the car on the right.cars-1920 gilbert-mary nixon-mrs p. hossack-mrs a. gilbert-annie irvine-margaret

this is a photograph taken at the original jetty at Tabbara on the Brodribb River used by Samuel Richardson who established his mill in 1882. There was a constant demand for timber to supply the growing townships of Orbost , Marlo and surrounds. It was at this mill that the original paddle steamer Curlip was built. More information in "Curlip" by May Leatch. Helena Warrem (1871-1962) was a self-taught photographer who became both the local press correspondent and a producer of humorous trompe l'oeil postcard images. Helena Warren was a thirty-two year old settler living on a small mixed farm with her husband, William, at Newmerella, near Orbost in Gippsland, Victoria, when she bought her first camera, an Austral Box quarter-plate. Her family says she was entirely self-taught, like many women photographers who started out with nothing but the instructions on the packets of film and chemicals. In over fifty years practice she graduated from the total novice, who opened all her first mail order plates in bright sunlight and ruined them, to a competent photographer who became both the local press correspondent and an inveterate producer of humorous trompe l’oeil postcard images. Helena Francis Warren (nee McKeown) was married to William John Warren and lived in Newmerella. She supplied the photos for the Back-To-Orbost celebration book in 1937 and also designed the Back-To-Orbost badge. She was known for her soft toy making. (by Ivy Rodwell in from Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District by Mary Gilbert).This photograph is a pictorial record of a typical family activity in the late 19th - early 20th century in the Orbost area, The clothing and manners are reflective of that time, This photograph also has significance in its association with Helen Frances Warren, a popular Orbost identity who was well known as an accomplished photographer and needleworker,A black / white photograph of a family group seated on a wooden jetty. There is a man on the right with a fishing rod. A man is standing next to woman holding a teapot and cup and saucer. On the left a woman is sitting and holding a baby on her knee. The rest are sitting or kneeling with a picnic cloth spread in front of them. There are bottles, jars, plates and cups on the cloth. on back - "The Warren Family Tabara Jetty"tabbara-jetty warren-family-orbost recreation-picnic

Christening gowns are traditional outfits made just for baby’s baptism. They are almost always white and can be very ornate, highly decorated garments. Usually, the christening gown is quite long – much longer than the baby being christened, particularly when it is worn by a young or very small baby. Many families keep a “family” christening gown that has been passed down through various family members and is used for the baptism ceremony. This christening robe was probably used by the Cameron family.The christening gown was a late 18th century innovation usually made of white lawn, muslin or net, longer than the baby and fancier than a day gown. The design was a more moderate version of contemporary adult fashion. Most 19th century christening gowns featured lace. All, until the end of the century, had low necklines and short sleeves. This gown reflects the style of christening robes in the early 20th century. A high waisted, short-sleeved long white broderie anglaise christening robe made of fine cotton. It is hand made edged with machine stitched cut work lace. The bodice is pin tucked.christening-robe clothing-childhood

This is a handmade item reflecting the style of baby wear in the early 20th century.A crocheted baby's cap. It is hand made in ecru cotton with a scalloped edge.headwear baby's-clothing bonnet