Showing 56 items
matching baby jackets
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Mont De Lancey
Clothing - Baby jacket
... Baby jacket...baby jackets...One cream woollen herringbone stitched baby matinee jacket...-and-dandenong-ranges baby clothing baby jackets One cream woollen ...One cream woollen herringbone stitched baby matinee jacket, with a plastic button at the neck and a cotton thread loop to do it up.baby clothing, baby jackets -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons Knitting Book no. 463
... and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for baby jackets.... Babies' Jackets / P&B / WOOLS / 1'9... and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for baby jackets ...One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. Book produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for baby jackets.No. 463 / Patons / KNITTING / BOOK / No. 463 / PATONS / BABY WOOL / BEEHIVE 3-PLY / BEEHIVE 4-PLY / PATONYLE / 10 Babies' Jackets / P&B / WOOLS / 1'9handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Baby's Jacket
... White cotton baby jacket. Finely knitted... Mitcham melbourne costume infants' White cotton baby jacket ...White cotton baby jacket. Finely knitted and with drawstring at neck.costume, infants' -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, baby's jacket / cape, c1900
... This baby's cream silk jacket / cape with lace trim...A baby’s cream, silk, jacket / cape with lace trim... This baby's cream silk jacket / cape with lace trim is an example ...This baby's cream silk jacket / cape with lace trim is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these familiesA baby’s cream, silk, jacket / cape with lace trimclothing, craftwork, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, early settlers -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Baby's Jacket, 1911
... White cotton finely knitted baby's jacket with drawstring.... The jacket was given to Maria McClive in 1970 for her baby. costume ...Made for Siegfried Wachtel known also as Tom Walton by his grandmother in 1911. Her name was Mimi Walton (Watchel). They were German Jews from Hamburg. Arrived in Australia. The jacket was given to Maria McClive in 1970 for her baby.White cotton finely knitted baby's jacket with drawstring at neck and ties in front.Wcostume, infants' -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Babies' knitted jacket
... - Cream woollen babies' jacket - Four buttons on yoke... clothes - Cream woollen babies' jacket - Four buttons on yoke ...Knitting was for shows. Part of the Heather & Isobel McNamara collection.- Cream woollen babies' jacket - Four buttons on yoke - Fine pattern on sleeves and around hem and front wool, handknitted, mcnamara collection, baby clothes -
Stawell Historical Society Inc
Clothing - Costume and Accessories
... Crocheted Baby’s Jacket. Ribbons through wrists, neck... grampians Stawell Clothing Material Crocheted Baby’s Jacket. Ribbons ...Crocheted Baby’s Jacket. Ribbons through wrists, neck, waist -linen buttons. Two silk Tassels. Brame Family.stawell clothing material -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Matinee Jacket, 1920
... Baby matinee jacket crochet edges, tied at neck edge... Harris the donors mother. costume children's Baby matinee jacket ...Matinee jacket was worn in 1920 and made by Mrs Harris the donors mother.Cream silkBaby matinee jacket crochet edges, tied at neck edge with cream silk ribboncostume, children's -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons Knitting Book no. 649
... Babies' Jackets - Birth to 3 Years - 16 to 23 Inches / BABY... (australia) ltd handicrafts - history knitting Babies' Jackets ...One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Patons and Baldwins and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.Babies' Jackets - Birth to 3 Years - 16 to 23 Inches / BABY WOOL . AZALEA . PEARL KNIT . ORLON . PATONYLE 3 and 4 Ply / PATONS BOOK / No. 649 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. 649 / 2'3handicrafts - history knitting, patons and baldwins (australia) ltd, handicrafts - history, knitting -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY'S JACKET
... Cream coloured cotton baby's jacket. Cut in one piece... COSTUME Children's baby's jacket Cream coloured cotton baby's ...Cream coloured cotton baby's jacket. Cut in one piece. No seams. Round neck. Front opening. Continuous hand crocheted trim around all edges. 14cm X 1cm ribbon ties attached on either side of front opening.costume, children's, baby's jacket -
Clunes Museum
Clothing - GARMENTS
... BABY JACKET, 3 BUTTONS .3 1 PAIR GLOVES, DOUBLE WOVEN COTTON... AND SHOULDER, EMBROIDERED BIRD, FRONT AND BACK .2 KNITTED BABY JACKET ....1 SILK NIGHTOWN, CREAM COLOUR, ROUND NECK, CROCHET EDGING ON NECKLINE AND SHOULDER, EMBROIDERED BIRD, FRONT AND BACK .2 KNITTED BABY JACKET, 3 BUTTONS .3 1 PAIR GLOVES, DOUBLE WOVEN COTTON, MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY KAYSER .3 MADE IN WEST GERMANY BY KAYSERnightdress, gloves, knitted jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, early 1940s
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Cream coloured crocheted woollen baby jacket. Yolk... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Cream coloured crocheted woollen ...Cream coloured crocheted woollen baby jacket. Yolk with fold down collar- stitched down. Long sleeves. Front opening. Fastened at neck with twisted woollen rope tie.This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, 1940s
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Cream coloured hand knitted baby jacket. Stocking stitch... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Cream coloured hand knitted baby ...Cream coloured hand knitted baby jacket. Stocking stitch yolk with patterned body and sleeves. Front opening with two pearl buttons at yolk. Long sleeves with raglan insert.This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, 1948 s
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Hand knitted baby jacket cream coloured. Front opening... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Hand knitted baby jacket cream ...Hand knitted baby jacket cream coloured. Front opening. Embroidered silk thread trim on cuffs, collar and hem. Ribbon tie at neck , foldover collar. Rib pattern. This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, 1940s
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Cream coloured hand crocheted woollen baby jacket. All over... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Cream coloured hand crocheted ...Cream coloured hand crocheted woollen baby jacket. All over fan pattern. Front opening with cream coloured satin ribbon at neck. Long sleeves with satin ribbon ties at cuff. Crocheted shell pattern edging.This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, 1940s
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Cream coloured hand knitted woollen baby jacket. Front... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Cream coloured hand knitted woollen ...Cream coloured hand knitted woollen baby jacket. Front opening with two buttons. Foldover collar and fold back cuffs. Yolk and sleeves with open pattern. Front and back feather and fan pattern with garter stitch edging.This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET, Early 1940's
... BABY CLOTHES COLLECTION: BABY JACKET...baby jacket...Cream coloured hand knitted baby jacket with long sleeves... COSTUME Children's baby jacket Cream coloured hand knitted baby ...Cream coloured hand knitted baby jacket with long sleeves. Fold back collar in zig zag pattern. Body of jacket with vertical zig zag pattern. Sleeves with zig zag pattern. Front opening. Collar, cuffs and hem have crocheted edges in silk thread. Cream satin ribbon tie at neck.This collection of knitted and sewn garments were made in the early 1940s and were intended for a baby that was stillborn.costume, children's, baby jacket -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - AILEEN AND JOHN ELLISON COLLECTION: HAND KNITTED, LONG SLEEVED BABY'S JACKET, 1950's
... Long sleeved, round neck, lacey patterned baby's jacket... COSTUME Children's hand knitted long sleeved baby's jacket Long ...Long sleeved, round neck, lacey patterned baby's jacket. Yoke and sleeves are knitted in stocking stitch, while "skirt" is knitted in a lacey pattern, giving a scalloped effect at the hemline. A 1 cm wide nylon ribbon passes through eyelets in the yoke, and fastens with a bow at the front. Three plastic-pearl buttons fasten the yoke, from the neckline. Pattern at top of raglan sleeves 1 cm wide. Matches baby's dress 11400.660.costume, children's, hand knitted long sleeved baby's jacket -
Whitehorse Historical Society Inc.
Clothing - Baby matinee jacket and bonnet
... Baby matinee jacket and bonnet...Cream silk baby matinee jacket edged with cream lace. Cream... Embroidery Cream silk baby matinee jacket edged with cream lace ...Part of McNamara collectionCream silk baby matinee jacket edged with cream lace. Cream ribbon ties around neckline and wrists. Embroidered basket of flowers on each side. Cream silk bonnet with lace edging.baby clothes, lace, embroidery -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons Knitting Book No. R.26
... PATONS / FAVOURITE DESIGNS FOR / BABIES REPRINTED / No. R... / BABIES' JUMPERS, JACKETS, CARDIGANS / COATS, DRESSES, TWIN SETS ...This knitting pattern book was published by Coats Patons and contains reprints of knitting patterns for baby clothes.PATONS / FAVOURITE DESIGNS FOR / BABIES REPRINTED / No. R.26 / Patons / KNITTING BOOK / No. R.26 / BABIES' JUMPERS, JACKETS, CARDIGANS / COATS, DRESSES, TWIN SETS, UNDERWEAR / 2'3knitting handicrafts - history, coats patons (australia) limited, knitting, handicrafts - history -
City of Moorabbin Historical Society (Operating the Box Cottage Museum)
Clothing - Clothing, baby's singlet and over-jacket, c1900
... This baby’s lawn, singlet over-jacket is an example... This baby’s lawn, singlet over-jacket is an example of the dressmaking ...This baby’s lawn, singlet over-jacket is an example of the dressmaking skills of the women of the pioneer settlers families in Moorabbin Shire c1900Early settlers and market gardeners established their families in Moorabbin Shire and this item shows the skill and craftsmanship of the women of these families The Peck family were early settlers in Moorabbin ShireA baby’s, white lawn, singlet over-jacketclothing, brighton, moorabbin, pioneers, dressmaking, market gardeners, early settlers, craftwork, mr peck -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Woolworths no. 18 Economy Knit Book
... / BED JACKETS / BABY WEAR / DESIGN No. 2461 / Instructions... and contains knitting patterns baby clothes and for womens bed jackets ...This book was produced by Woolworths and contains knitting patterns baby clothes and for womens bed jackets, under clothes etc.WOOLWORTHS' / "Economy" / KNIT BOOK / No. 18 / UNDERWEAR / BED JACKETS / BABY WEAR / DESIGN No. 2461 / Instructions on Page 3 / 7D / NEW DESIGNS, ECONOMICAL AND EASY TO KNITknitting handicrafts - history, woolworths ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Woolworths no. 22 Economy Knit Book
... , / BED JACKETS, / BABY & / CHILDREN'S / WEAR / DESIGN No. 2962... and contains knitting patterns for baby and children's clothes ...This book was produced by Woolworths and contains knitting patterns for baby and children's clothes and for womens bed jackets, under clothes etc.WOOLWORTHS' / KNIT BOOK / "Economy" / Number 22 / UNDERWEAR, / BED JACKETS, / BABY & / CHILDREN'S / WEAR / DESIGN No. 2962 / Instructions on Page 5 / 7d. / NEW DESIGNS, ECONOMICAL AND EASY TO KNITknitting handicrafts - history, woolworths ltd, knitting, handicrafts - history -
National Wool Museum
Book - Pattern Book, Patons Knitting Book, No. R.12, Patons and Baldwins, 1950s
... of a baby wearing a knitted jacket.... of a baby wearing a knitted jacket. Book Pattern Book, Patons ...Fifty two page knitting pattern book featuring black and white text and images. The cover is in three tones, pink, white and black, and shows three items of baby knitwear and an image of a baby wearing a knitted jacket.front: [printed] Patons / KNITTING BOOK / NO. R.12 / P&B / WOOLS / Page 4 / Page 24 / Page 22 / Specially Requested / Reprints 1'9d.fashion, design, knitwear, home made, wool, pattern book, patons -
National Wool Museum
Book, Knitting, Patons Knitting Book no. 709
... Patons / KNITTING / BOOK No. 709 / JUST FOR BABIES / 8... FOR BABIES / 8 different jackets - / a hug-me-tight / A dainty lace ...One of a collection of 56 knitting pattern books donated by Mrs Hilma Carruthers. These books had been used by Mrs Carruthers, her mother and her two daughters. This book was produced by Coats Patons and contains knitting patterns for baby clothes.Patons / KNITTING / BOOK No. 709 / JUST FOR BABIES / 8 different jackets - / a hug-me-tight / A dainty lace dress / Knit them in Patons Baby Wool, / Patons Baby Wool with Nylon, / Patonyle 3-ply, or / Patons Orlon / 2'6 / 25 CENTShandicrafts - history knitting, coats patons (australia) limited, handicrafts - history, knitting -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BABY PORTRAIT
... with tissue cover. Baby wearing lacy bonnet, jacket and dress, bare... PERSON Individual baby portrait Julie Ruth black and white photo ...black and white photo. Mounted on board, covered with tissue cover. Baby wearing lacy bonnet, jacket and dress, bare feet. Written across bottom R. corner. ' Julie Ruth' Hand written in ink on back Christine Bridget' aged 9 months, 2 weeks.'Julie Ruthperson, individual, baby portrait -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Work on paper (item) - Magazine, New Idea, October 18, 1961, October 18, 1961
... a baby-sac, bonnet, jackets and babycot, advertising, letters... Mrs L.M. Fullerton. (page 15) This was the "Special Baby ...Florence Ada Zull, known as Ada was an illustrator for the 'New Idea for Women" magazine. In 1961 she lived in Brunswick. From 1963 she and her husband Robert built a Alistair Knox designed house at Lot 8. Metery Road, Eltham "... Mum .. worked too during the week.. from the bungalow in Brunswick. The New Idea, a woman's magazine would send her the galley for the week's short story and she would illustrate an appropriate picture." - Sue Bennett (nee Zull), Eltham District Historical Society Newsletter, No 250 February 2020. In this issue Ada Zull has a full page illustration for part one of a story by Georgette Heyer. (page 12 and 13). Ada's son and daughter Susan model jumpers that were knitting competition prize winners at the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria's Royal Show including Mrs L.M. Fullerton. (page 15) This was the "Special Baby Issue". It includes articles on women in the Armed forces and marriage, Mrs Mary Jane Virtue a pilot, Egg dish recipes and a number of pages relating to baby care. Patterns for making a baby-sac, bonnet, jackets and babycot, advertising, letters, beauty column, patterns and other features. women's royal army corp, women's royal australian navy service, women's auxiliary australian air force, wrans, wrac, wraaf, marriage, mary jane virtue, ada zull, georgette heyer, royal agricultural society of victoria, royal melbourne show, l.m. fullerton, egg dishes, handcrafts, baby-care, magazine, women, 1961, susan zull, susan bennett -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Len Parker's Bedford truck at the Tosch home in Panton Hill, c.1952
Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker, panton hill, tosch property -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Len Parker's Bedford truck, c.1962
Len Parker's Bedford truck is featured in one of the public art mosaics in Were Street, Montmorency. The little girl is Grace de Visser's sister. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker -
Eltham District Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Len Parker with his restored Bedford truck, 1999
Len's Bedford truk is featured in one of the Montmorency Were Street shopping precinct mosaics. Mr Parker by Grace de Visser (EDHS Newsletter No. 249, December 2019) Len Parker was a regular sight around the district for almost 40 years, selling fruit and veggies from the back of his truck to his regular customers between 1939 and 1978, first in a 1927 Chevy then a 1949 Bedford truck. Len’s connection to the Eltham district started long before he was born. His father Fred first came through the district in the early 1900s. With horse and cart buying and selling what was available at the markets using his mothers’ home in North Melbourne as his base. Fred settled and developed a market garden in the rich soil along the creek at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills in 1903. Ada Watson was almost five years old and one of eight siblings aged two to sixteen, when her Grandfather and Father both named Christopher Watson brought the Eltham Hotel and they moved from Richmond. Ada’s mother was formerly Emily Silk whose parents Martha and John Silk had been farming in Eltham around 1858 and much later a dairy farmer in Fitzroy. In 1917 at St Margaret’s Church Eltham, Fred aged 44 married Ada aged 35 who was still living and working at the Eltham Hotel. Six years later Ada died from cancer leaving Fred with two small children, Rose five and Len three. Len as a young boy, like his father before him worked the land with horses, growing vegetables, mainly potatoes, cabbages, pumpkins, beans, and tomatoes, selling the excess at the market. Len took over from his ageing father Fred, who had established similar rounds selling door to door with a horse and cart. Len preferred mechanical horsepower to the real kind! In 1939 at the age of eighteen Len brought an old 1927 Chevy Truck. He was taught how to drive it and two weeks later got his driver’s Licence. The Chevy truck had an old wagon on the back with no doors, only hessian bags to keep the wind out! Len had paid 75 pounds for it, kept it for ten years and sold it for the same price! Len’s blue 1949 Bedford was brought new in 1950 for 900 pounds with only a tray back on it. Straight away Len had a wooden frame covered with canvas added, with a roll up front and back. In later years, more solid sides replaced the canvas. Benches were added to hold the boxes of fruit and vegetables, with room to move in the middle, a fruit shop on wheels. Len had large scales attached to a box for weighing the fruit and veggies and many a district baby was also weighed on them. Len would stop at customer’s homes, take their orders and with his big cane basket on his arm deliver their order to their door. On his rounds he always wore a big soft back leather apron and a black or navy beret. If it was cold, he wore a ‘bluey’ jacket on his tall slender frame. Len would go to the markets early Thursday morning, only buying what was not grown at home or brought from his brother in law’s orchard. On his way home Len would start his ‘rounds’ in Lower Plenty and then Montmorency and parts of Eltham. Friday’s regulars were in Research, Kangaroo Ground and Panton Hill. Saturdays were Panton Hill and Christmas Hills. When Len retired in 1978, due to changing social times, women were working more and supermarkets starting to take over; his ageing truck was retired too. In 1999 his son Jim had the Bedford restored, Len was very happy to see ‘Beddy’ all shiny and new once again with just a tray back, like when it was new. Jim still drives the ‘Beddy’ to Heritage Truck shows twenty years on. Len married, had five children and lived most of his life, (except during World War 2 when he served in New Guinea), at Watsons Creek, Christmas Hills dying there in 2006 and is buried at the Kangaroo Ground cemetery with his wife of 64 years, Stella nee Tosch 1917 - 2007. Grace de Visser, the author of this article, is the daughter of Len Parker and a descendant of the two former owners of the Eltham Hotel, both named Christopher Watson. bedford truck, len parker