This swimsuit is part of a collection of clothing donated to the Brighton Historical Society by Dr William and Helen Wells. It belonged to William's mother, Dorothy Wells (nee Marshall, 1910-2000). William's family has had a long association with Brighton, dating back to the town's earliest days in 1843 when his ancestors Robert and Eliza Hayball, who had emigrated to Melbourne two years prior, established a wattle-and-daub hut in what is now New Street, close to Tovell Street. Robert established a business as a timber merchant on the opposite side of New Street. His sons, Robert, William and Edwin took over the firm following his retirement, trading as the Hayball Bros. Hayball Court, which runs off New Street, is named after the family. Robert's son William (1855-1926) married Jessie Robertson and had four children. Their eldest, Winifred Grace Hayball (1886-1971), married Andrew Hollingsworth Marshall at the Black Street Congregational Church in 1907. They subsequently lived in Hill Street, Hawthorn, before moving into a house designed by Andrew and Winifred's brother Robert at 39 Bay Street, Brighton in 1915. Their daughter, Dorothy Marshall (1910-2000) married Robert George (Argie) Wells in 1937 at Wesley College Chapel. They lived in East Malvern until 1947, when they moved into a newly built home in Hawthorn Road, East Brighton, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Their son, William Wells (b. 1939) married Helen Pickering in 1968 and the couple have lived together in Brighton ever since.Blue knitted woollen women's one-piece swimsuit featuring a scooped back and braided crossover shoulder straps which thread through loops at the back. Small shorts cover the tops of the thighs, underneath a short modesty skirt.Designer's label near front hem, proper left: a narrow white triangular lance logo, bordered with black and featuring black text: "BLACK LANCE". Small label proper left inside seam: "BLACK LANCE / KNITTED WEAR / 38"wells family, dorothy marshall, dorothy wells, 1930s, swimwear, black lance, melbourne designers, peter o'sullivan, botany knitting mills

Manufactured by Botany Knitting Mills Pty LtdOne piece ladies swimsuit with boy style leg and plunging backline. Thin shoulder straps. Built in black woollen knickers. The advert pictured is from the Adelaide Register News, 28 Nov 1930Seagull Flex-o-knit

This swimsuit belonged to Jessie Aldred (nee Dell, 1903-1995). Jessie was a dressmaker who married Frederick Ashley Aldred (1902-1974) in 1928. They lived at 34 Thomas Street, Sandringham from the late 1920s until at least the late 1970s. BHS also has a photo of Jessie on Hampton Beach in the 1920s. Seagull swimsuits were designed by Peter O'Sullivan (who also designed Black Lance swimwear) and manufactured by Botany Knitting Mills Pty Ltd in Melbourne.One piece black wool lastex swimsuit with mini-shorts and a modesty skirt to cover the tops of the thighs. White straps and white lacing down centre bodice. Seagull logo on left thigh. Low back; straps fasten with buttons at back waist. Hidden drawstring at back waist.Label: "This Seagull Swimsuit is protected by the patent and designs reg. nos. 22340/35, 13277, 16028/34".jessie aldred, jessie dell, swimwear, seagull, 1930s, melbourne designers