Owned by Wilma Harris nee. Bowering resident of Merino Victoria.Clutch purse, brown plastic closure, cream, black and floral tapestry print. Nonewomens history, ros harris, merino

Owned by Wilma Harris nee. Bowering resident of Merino Victoria.Clutch purse, Gold metal closure, cream, with floral tapestry print. Tag in the inside lining.MADE BY Simpsons Gloves P/L VICTORIAwomens history, ros harris, merino

Owned by Wilma Harris nee. Bowering resident of Merino Victoria.Clutch purse, dark brown plastic kiss lock closure, tapesty floral pattern of red, black and brown.Tag located on the inner line along the top. 'SORINA' womens history, ros harris, merino

In the words of Donor, Betty Stone, "Owned by my aunt Mrs Elsie Mary (nee Dale) Towers, born 24 December 1895, daughter of Ellis and Ann Dale, of Latrigg, Wangoom, Warrnambool. This beaded bag was a personal gift from Miss Lake to Elsie Dale sometime in the early 1930s. Miss Lake was a member of a leading Warrnambool family whose property Lyndoch was situated by the banks of the Hopkins River. After completing her nursing course at Warrnambool Hospital and working there for a time, Elsie Dale was appointed Sister-in-Charge of the newly formed Baby Health Centre, which initially operated in temporary accommodation at or near the Council Chambers. In 1928 the Centre moved into new brick premises on Liebig Street. The building comprised of five rooms, a back yard and a front veranda where mothers parked their prams. The Warrnambool Standard reported in February 1928. The purpose of the Clinic is to the saving of infant's life. Many mothers attended the Clinic in the former location. They were able to acquire valuable knowledge from Sister Dale who is in charge of the Clinic and also have their infants weighed and measured each week. During the early days of the Centre Miss Lake, as a patron, took a keen interest in all aspects of the Centre and co-operated very closely with Sister Dale. Miss Lake would often call in at the centre while her uniformed chauffeur would wait beside her limousine parked in the street outside the Baby Heath Centre. I also recall my aunt driving to Lyndoch to discuss matters concerning the Centre with Miss Lake. Miss Lake purchased this evening bag in England, and upon her return from her overseas tour in the early 1930s, presented it to Sister Dale as a token of appreciation. Dedicated to her vocation, Sister Dale gave unstintingly of her effort, time and resources to create an attractive venue for mothers to visit. Her contribution to the welfare of all mothers and babies in the Warrnambool area, particularly during the Depression years, was considerable. Sister Dale, who drove a Dodge Tourer car, visited mothers in their homes when necessary and regularly visited the indigenous settlement at Framlingham. Amongst my early childhood memories are those of accompanying my aunt when she drove to the Nestles factory at Dennington to purchase large tins of dried milk baby food which she then delivered to the mothers who lived at the Framlingham settlement. Sister Elsie Dale retired in 1949 and moved to Mooroopna after her marriage to Solomon Towers. (Died aged 75 years 27 July 1971) (Note: For additional information please refer to Betty Stone’s book “Pioneers and Places - A History of three Warrnambool Pioneering Families” ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Families)This item is associated with the families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and the Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch. Elsie Dale was the first Sister to work in the newly established Baby Health Centre in Warrnambool.Beaded evening bag or clutch purse. The bag was a gift to Elsie Dale from friend Miss Lake, purchased in England early 1930's. The fabric is covered in tiny white beads and features a floral design in browns and greens. The bag has two bead-covered handles and the lining includes a small pocket. Part of the 'Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection'.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, elsie dale, miss lake, lyndoch, handbag, purse, evening bag, beaded handbag, beaded purse, ladies' accessory, clutch purse, warrnambool baby health centre, infant welfare centre

Cloth ladies handbag with tapestry finish. Beaded outlines of flowers on the tapestry. Chain metal handle. Metal surrounds the bag's hinged opening. Interior: light grey satin clothhandbag, purse, tapestry, clutch, beaded

Pat Ryan, born 1919, was a daughter of Jim Ryan, hairdresser and tobacconist. She moved to Linton as a child in 1926 when her father bought the former Bennett/Todd shop in 1926. Katherine Veronica Cunningham was born at Cape Clear in 1907. Pat Ryan and Kath Cunningham were members of the Linton Amateur Dramatic Society in the 1930s and 1940s. (See programmes in LDHS for Amateur Dramatic Society productions.) Kath Cunningham worked at the Railway Hotel. She was on the committee which organised Linton's centenary celebrations in 1939.Enlarged black and white copy of original photograph, which shows two young women dressed stylishly, wearing hats and dress shoes. The woman on the left has a purse or small clutch bag in her hand, and the woman on the right has a handbag tucked under her arm. The photograph was taken in an outdoor setting, possibly near Linton Reservoir. See also Registration no. 2019-276 - group photo which includes Pat Ryan and Kath Cunningham, and was probably taken on the same day.pat (patricia) ryan, kath (kathleen) cunningham