Showing 12 items matching "duchess of timor"
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Ballarat Heritage Services
Photograph, Grand Duke Mine, Timor, Victoria, 04/05/2025
... Duchess of Timor... known as Duchess of Timor, Duke, and Grand Duke. On 03 May 1869... known as Duchess of Timor, Duke, and Grand Duke. On 03 May 1869 ...Running through this reserve was one of Victoria's richest gold deep leads. From 1869 to 1896 this mine produced 216,000 ounces of gold, valued at over £885,000. The Timor area was mainly mined by the Duke and Timor Gold Mining Company, later known as Duchess of Timor, Duke, and Grand Duke. On 03 May 1869, at a traditional afternoon ceremony, the machinery was started and launched by the old process of 'giving it a name'. A baptismal ceremony was performed, with a Miss Eliza Watson dashing a bottle of champagne over the fly wheel on its first revolution and proclaiming its name to be 'The Galatea'. The mine here was renowned for the massive pumping engine it boasted. Imported from England, the massive Cornish pump was an improvement that was added in 1874. It had a 30 ton iron beam. The mine was the economic centre of this area, employing hundreds of men over its 27 years. At the height of its operation the company's proprietors boasted that nearly all the inhabitants of the nearby towns of Timor and Bowenvale depended on the mine for support. There were some tumultuous times at the mine, with periods of financial strife as well as accidents. When the pumps broke down in 1879 the mine flooded and remained out of action for two years. Mining was a dangerous occupation and a tragic accident in December 1883 claimed the lives of four men. As the ground here was so wet, pumping water out of the mine was crucial to safely reach the gold. It was this pumping engine, reported to be the largest of its kind in Australia, and comparable in size to just two others in the world, that was the key to the success of the Grand Duke mine. Many other smaller nearby mines also had their water pumped out. During the last seven years of the mine's operation it pumped out 2,000 gallons of water every minute, making this the longest and most continuous wet mine in the state. As well as the pump house and engine, there were four main shafts, 12 Cornish flue boilers, eight iron puddling machines and one battery of 20 heads. A massive pumping engine The arch before you is all that remains of the pump house that served to remove water from this mine. When mining started at Timor in the late 1860s the ground here was very wet. If miners were to have any success in reaching the gold they had to remove the water from the ground. To deal with this challenge the company imported a massive Cornish pumping engine from England to pump water out of the mine. It was reputed to be one of the best pumping engines in the world at the time. The engine generated 270 horsepower and its iron beam, weighing 30 tons, was the largest in Victoria. The beam of the large pumping engine see-sawed on this pump house wall to move the plunger or bucket in the pump up and down. The vertical cylinder was 80 inches in diameter with a stroke of 10 feet. The piston itself was eight inches in diameter and 17 feet high and the piston pump had a diameter of 22 inches. For such large engines a massive wall to support the beam was necessary. The piston operated on the downstroke and consequently the cylinder had to be anchored to a considerable foundation to overcome the weight of the pump rods in the shaft. The whole apparatus had to be contained in a tall building because of its vertical configuration. The pumping engine's building has beam walls six feet wide and over 26 feet long which rest on foundations 16 feet deep. The granite used to construct the arch was quarried at Mt Hooghly, some eight or nine kilometres away.Colour photographs of the Grand Duke Mine at Timor near Maryborough, Victoria.grand duke mine, timor, maryborough, mining, duke and timor gold mining company, duchess of timor -
Warrnambool and District Historical Society Inc.
Album, Parliament House opening
This is an album used as a scrapbook to insert memorabilia of the 1927 opening of Parliament House in Canberra. The compiler of the scrapbook is unknown. The scrapbook includes small sepia-coloured photographs, a stamp, copies of photographs of the Duke and Duchess of York and a printed program of the 1927 Dedication of the Houses of Parliament. The photographs include the opening of Parliament House in 1927, the N.S.W. Mounted Police, notable military men of the time, the Melbourne escort for the Duke and Duchess of York procession and some views of Canberra. The states of Australia were created in 1901 with the establishment of Federation and the Australian Parliament met at Melbourne from 1901 to 1927 when the Australian Capital Territory was created and the first Australian Parliament House was built. This album is of minor significance as the material concerns mostly the opening of Canberra’s Parliament House in 1927, a national event. One photograph, that of C.A. Rogers, has local significance. He was a Warrnambool man who was part of the Melbourne mounted escort for the processional car of the Duke and Duchess of York in 1927 in MelbourneThis is a 12 page photograph album with a brown cardboard cover with the pages tied with brown cord. Front Cover: ‘Portraiture’canberra establishment, opening of parliament house in canberra 1927, warrnambool -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Domestic object - Fork
... were first used at the time of Infanta Beatrice, Duchess... were first used at the time of Infanta Beatrice, Duchess ...Naturally, we tend to take commonplace objects for granted, because they have always been there. Yet how many of you actually have thought “hey, where do forks come from?” Well, it takes one trip to China and a 3-year-old laughing at your face because of your desperate attempt to eat with chopsticks to finally appreciate something so ordinary such as a fork. So, where do forks come from? The early history of the fork is obscure. As a kitchen and dining utensil, it is believed to have originated in the Roman Empire, as proved by archaeological evidence. The personal table fork most likely originated in the Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire. Its use spread to what is now the Middle East during the first millennium AD and then spread into Southern Europe during the second millennium. It did not become common in northern Europe until the 18th century and was not common in North America until the 19th century. Carving fork from 1640. Source: Wikipedia/Public Domain Carving Fork from 1640. Source: Wikipedia/Public Domain Some of the earliest known uses of forks with food occurred in Ancient Egypt, where large forks were used as cooking utensils. Bone forks had been found on the burial site of the Bronze Age Qijia culture (2400–1900 BC) as well as later Chinese dynasties’ tombs.The Ancient Greeks used the fork as a serving utensil. Read also: Steven Spielberg to Remake the Classic Musical ‘West Side Story’ In the Roman Empire, bronze and silver forks were used. The use varied according to local customs, social class and the nature of food, but forks of the earlier periods were mostly used as cooking and serving utensils. The personal table fork was most likely invented in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, where they were in everyday use by the 4th century (its origin may even go back to Ancient Greece, before the Roman period). Records show that by the 9th century a similar utensil known as a barjyn was in limited use in Persia within some elite circles. By the 10th century, the table fork was in common use throughout the Middle East. Bronze forks made in Persia during the 8th or 9th century.Source: Wikipedia/Public Domain Bronze forks made in Persia during the 8th or 9th century.Source: Wikipedia/Public Domain The first recorded introduction of the fork to Western Europe, as recorded by the theologian and Cardinal Peter Damian, was by Theophano Sklereina the Byzantine wife of Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, who nonchalantly wielded one at an Imperial banquet in 972, astonishing her Western hosts.By the 11th century, the table fork had become increasingly prevalent in the Italian peninsula. It gained a following in Italy before any other Western European region because of historical ties with Byzantium and continued to get popularity due to the increasing presence of pasta in the Italian diet. At first, pasta was consumed using a long wooden spike, but this eventually evolved into three spikes, design better suited to gathering the noodles. In Italy, it became commonplace by the 14th century and was almost universally used by the merchant and upper classes by 1600. It was proper for a guest to arrive with his fork and spoon enclosed in a box called a cadena; this usage was introduced to the French court with Catherine de’ Medici’s entourage. In Portugal, forks were first used at the time of Infanta Beatrice, Duchess of Viseu, King Manuel I of Portugal’s mother around 1450. However, forks were not commonly used in Western Europe until the 16th century when they became part of Italian etiquette. The utensil had also gained some currency in Spain by this time, and its use gradually spread to France. Nevertheless, most of Europe did not adopt the use of the fork until the 18th century. Read also: The 8 Most Famous ‘Functioning Alcoholics’ in History Long after the personal table fork had become commonplace in France, at the supper celebrating the marriage of the Duc de Chartres to Louis XIV’s natural daughter in 1692, the seating was described in the court memoirs of Saint-Simon: “King James having his Queen on his right hand and the King on his left, and each with their cadenas.” In Perrault’s contemporaneous fairy tale of La Belle au bois dormant (1697), each of the fairies invited for the christening is presented with a splendid “fork holder”. The fork’s adoption in northern Europe was slower. Its use was first described in English by Thomas Coryat in a volume of writings on his Italian travels (1611), but for many years it was viewed as an unmanly Italian affectation. Some writers of the Roman Catholic Church expressly disapproved of its use, St. Peter Damian seeing it as “excessive delicacy.” It was not until the 18th century that the fork became commonly used in Great Britain, although some sources say that forks were common in France, England, and Sweden already by the early 17th century. Spaghetti fork By Lady alys - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6414948 Spaghetti Fork By Lady alys – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, The fork did not become popular in North America until near the time of the American Revolution. The curved fork used in most parts of the world today was developed in Germany in the mid 18th century while the standard four-tine design became current in the early 19th century. The fork was important in Germany because they believed that eating with the fingers was rude and disrespectful. The fork led to family dinners and sit-down meals, which are important features of German culture. https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/08/31/priority-fork-came-italy-european-country-pasta/?chrome=1Serving fork, two prongs, with a shaped wooden handle. Badly rusted.None.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, food, meat, carving -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Royal visit, arrival of Duke and Duchess of York on HMS Renown, Arthur MacDonald, 27 Apr 1927
Nine photos of arrival of Duke and Duchess of York on HMS Renown in 1927All photos marked on back with time, date etc.royal visits and occasions, piers and wharves - station pier, ps weeroona, ss rosny, hms renown, hmas sydney, ps hygeia -
St Kilda Historical Society
Memorabilia - Booklet, The Royal Visit Celebrations at the Opening of the First Parliament Commonwealth of Australia Melbourne May 1901, 1901
Booklet contains photographs of: THH the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York; Earl of Hopetoun, Governor General, and Countess; Commonwealth Ministry; The Royal Party at Government House Melbourne; TRH the Duke and Duchess Landing at St Kilda Pier; The Mayor of Melbourne Welcoming His Royal Highness at the entrance to the City; Procession Passing down Bourke Street; Presentation of War Medals to Victorian Soldiers; The Duke of York and his Staff; St Kilda and Prahran Arch; City Arch; Procession passing Princes Bridge; Opening Ceremony at First Federal Parliament; Citizens' Arch; Queen Victoria Arch; Royal Yacht Ophir; Warships Gromoboi (Russian) and Brooklyn (USA); German Arch; Chinese Arch; State School Fete at Exhibition Building; The University Commencement; Group of Fijian Constabulary; Laying Foundation Stone, Soldiers' Memorial Ballarat; Visit to South Star Gold Mine, Ballarat; Illuminations at Princes Bridge and Flinders Street Station; Illuminations at Parliament House and Treasury; Illuminations at Town Hall and City ArchGold coloured paper cover embossed and tied with gold thread. Contains 16 pages of cream coloured paper printed in black, some with blue decorative margins.Handwritten inscription on title page: 'For the Boy from Grandfather in memory of a very happy time we spent together May 1901'duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits, 1901, opening of parliament, federation arch, st kilda and prahran arch, city arch, german arch, chinese arch -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Document - Invitation To Meet their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York, His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia, 1901
The commemorative booklet 'Our Invited Guests for the Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia : An open directory of the guests invited to Melbourne, May 9th 1901' lists invitees from each Australian State. The Misses Dowling are not on this list, however the booklet does list The Hon Thomas Dowling MLC, and his "lady" from Camperdown as well as Edwin Percy Dowling esq, Shire Secretary of Camperdown. Perhaps the Misses Dowling were part of this family. While not invited to the opening of Parliament on the 9th, the guest list for later events may have been extended on other occasions.The document design has artistic and aesthetic merit. While it is not rare, it is representative of the kinds of formal designs used for the Australian Commonwealth celebrations at the time of Federation, and is in excellent condition. Such items as this invitation have local, state and national historic significance as mementoes of a key moment in Australia's history. An invitation on card to the Misses Dowling to attend an evening reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on 9 May 1901, to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall as part of the celebrations of the opening of the first Federal Parliament. A figure of Britannia, in red dress and mailed vest holding a shield like the Union Jack, is on the left of the invitation; she reaches out her hand towards a younger female figure, representing Australia, who is dressed in blue and holds a shield which is white with a blue cross decorated with stars. The writing is on a scroll in the centre of the certificate, and there is a border of vines and vine leaves. The royal crest is at the base of the certificate.Printed on a banner across the top: 'IN CELEBRATION / OF THE / OPENING / PARLIAMENT of the COMMONWEALTH / OF AUSTRALIA' Printed below the banner: 'To meet Their Royal Highness / the DUKE and DUCHESS of CORNWALL & / YORK / His Majesty's / MINISTERS OF STATE FOR AUSTRALIA / have the honor to invite / [handwritten] The Misses Dowling / to an Evening Reception at the / Exhibition Building MELBOURNE, / on the 9th of May 1901, at 8 o'clock'.federation events - victoria, australian federation 1901, misses dowling - kew, royal visits, federation events - victoria, australain federation 1901, misses dowling, royal visits, melbourne exhibition building -
Vision Australia
Administrative record - Text, Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind annual report 1964-1965, 1964-1965
Articles in annual report include: list of office bearers of the institute and officers of the institute, Introduction and summary, Residence nursery and school for blind children, Programme in rehabilitation, Blind welfare - Mr W Casey retired as welfare officer in December 1964 after a 40 year association, Institute busy factory - faced by serious competition from overseas the basket shop closed, No sugar packaging done since 1963, Employment of blind people, Splendid support from auxiliary, The future, Income and expenditure, Where there's a will there's a way. Events that occurred in 1964 : HRH Duchess of Gloucester visited residential nursery and school, four hundred members of auxiliary lined driveway to greet her, helped by nationwide drive of the Apex clubs this year more blind people are reading talking books, this year a specific department staffed full time was set to demonstrate aids and equipment for blind people.1 volume of text and illustrationsannual reports, royal victorian institute for the blind -
City of Greater Bendigo - Civic Collection
Souvenir - Pamphlet commemorating the 1946 visit of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Bendigo, City of Greater Bendigo, c 1946
Paper pamphlet printed by the COGB and signed by Mayor David W Streader to thank the children who participated in the welcoming tableau for the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Bendigo, Thursday, 14th November, 1946. Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, KG, KT, KP, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, PC (Henry William Frederick Albert; 31 March 1900 – 10 June 1974) was the third son and fourth child of King George V and Queen Mary. He served as Governor-General of Australia from 1945 to 1947, the only member of the British royal family to hold the post. Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, GCB, CI, GCVO, GBE (born Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott; 25 December 1901 – 29 October 2004) was the wife of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, the third son of King George V and Queen Mary. She was the mother of Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester. The daughter of the 7th Duke of Buccleuch, Scotland's largest landowner, she became by marriage a princess of the United Kingdom, and a sister-in-law to Edward VIII and George VI. She was thus an aunt by marriage to Elizabeth II. Princess Alice was extremely well travelled, both before and after her marriage. At the time of her death at 102, she was the oldest living member of the British royal family. David W. Streader (1887 - 1978) was Mayor of Bendigo from 1946 - 47. He was a JP and belonged to the Loyal Sandhurst Lodge. Paper pamphlet printed in blue, purple and red ink by the COGB and signed by Mayor David W Streader to thank the children who participated in the welcoming tableau for the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Bendigo, Thursday, 14th November, 1946. Souvenir / City of Bendigo / To the Children who participated in the TABLEAU / welcoming THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES, / THE DUKE and THE DUCHESS of CLOUCESTER / BENDIGO, Thursday, 14th November, 1946 / [ decorative line break] / After following with rapt attention the various phases / of the TABLEAU of WELCOME in THEIR honour, HIS ROYAL / HIGHNESS, THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, on behalf of the / DUCHESS and HIMSELF, said :- / [italics] "I am deeply moved by this magnificent spectacle. / Will you kindly convey my grateful thanks to all / concerned in the presentation of this beautiful / tableau ?" / in conveying this message to you, may I , as Mayor of / the City, add my personal congratulations and thanks to/ those of THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES for such a delightful / effort. / [signed] David. W. Streader / Mayor duke and duchess of gloucester, governor-general, city of greater bendigo royal visits, city of greater bendigo tourism, mayor d.w. streader, mayoress streader -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - High Street Wodonga, Rose Series, Rose Series, c1930-1940
This photograph, enlarged from a post card from the Rose Series, is representative of many images representing High Street, Wodonga as it developed over time. The Rose Series of postcards is a series of postcards of scenes from around Australia and some international ones as well. They were produced by the Rose Stereograph Company, which was the business of Victorian photographer George Rose (1861-1942). In 1880, George, aged 19, founded his business in Victoria, and soon became famous for producing stereographs, or stereo views. His early images included the landing at Anzac Cove, Ned and Dan Kelly’s Armour (taken at trial in 1880), The Duke & Duchess of York and their daughter Princess Elizabeth and Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup. When stereographs lost popularity during the 1920s, Rose switched to the production of postcards and decorative cards. He and his team of photographers took thousands of photos of scenery around Victoria and beyond, and the postcards became iconic images of Australian life. The Rose Stereograph Company Collection comprising more than 100,000 items was auctioned by Lloyds in June 2021.This is an image from an important collection of postcards which were representative of towns in Victoria taken c1920 - 1940sThis is an enlarged black and white photo of a postcard of High Street Wodonga from the Rose Series Across bottom of photo "THE ROSE SERIES P.1760 HIGH STREET, WATER TOWER, WODONGA, VIC."rose series p.1760, wodonga post cards, high street wodonga -
Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Photograph - High Street Wodonga in the 1950s
This image shows High Street, Wodonga in the late 1950s to early 1960s. The view is taken looking southwards towards the Water Tower at the end of the street. Businesses visible in the image include Currans Shoe Store, Greens Shoe Repair, a barber store, Pat's Ladies Hairdresser and Beauty Parlour, Albury Drycleaners, Jim Costello's, Bye's Butchery, Cafe, Astor Electrical goods and Victorian Producers. It is an enlargement of a Rose Series postcard. This photograph is representative of many images representing High Street, Wodonga as it developed over time. The Rose Series of postcards is a series of postcards of scenes from around Australia and some international ones as well. They were produced by the Rose Stereograph Company, which was the business of Victorian photographer George Rose (1861-1942). In 1880, George, aged 19, founded his business in Victoria, and soon became famous for producing stereographs, or stereo views. His early images included the landing at Anzac Cove, Ned and Dan Kelly’s Armour (taken at trial in 1880), The Duke & Duchess of York and their daughter Princess Elizabeth and Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup. When stereographs lost popularity during the 1920s, Rose switched to the production of postcards and decorative cards. He and his team of photographers took thousands of photos of scenery around Victoria and beyond, and the postcards became iconic images of Australian life. The Rose Stereograph Company Collection comprising more than 100,000 items was auctioned by Lloyds in June 2021. This image shows the main street of Wodonga and allows us to trace its development over time.A large photo printed on canvas. It shows High Street Wodonga in the late 1950s, looking southwards towards the water tower.high street wodonga, wodonga businesses, wodonga 1950s -
Linton and District Historical Society Inc
Medal, Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Medal, Opening of First Australian Federal Parliament, 1901, 1901
Presented to Australian school children on the opening of the First Federal Parliament in May 1901. The opening of Parliament was attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York. The Australian states became a Federation during the reign of Queen Victoria, however by the time Parliament opened, Edward VII had ascended the throne.Gilt bronze medal, in shape of shield, with crown at top. Obverse of medal has portraits of Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, and wording "Aust. Commonwealth Est 1 Jan 1901 / 63D. of Victoria, R. I. / First Parliament Opened May 1901-1st of Edward V11". Reverse of medal has portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, and wording "Opening of the First Federal Parliament / TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cornwell and York / Melbourne, May 1901".medals, australian federation 1901, parliament of australia -
Narre Warren and District Family History Group
Book, Sheila Scotter, Sheila Scotter : snaps, secrets and stories from my life, 1998
There is no other store like David Jones... and there is no other consultant like Sheila Scotter! Known variously as the Kangaroo editor (by Diana Vreeland), the black and white lady from Albert Park, and the Silver Duchess, this is the autobiography, scrapbook-style, of one of Australia's doyennes of style. For Sheila Scotter's seventeenth birthday her parents put on a 'coming out ball' in the United Services Club in Calcutta, where they lived at the time. The teenager wore a pale turquoise silk taffeta ball gown. Sheila no longer remembers what happened to that dress, but she does know that it is responsible for the black-and-white wardrobe that has been her hallmark ever since, with the exception of one occasion and one occasion only. For her seventieth birthday party, close friend John Truscott conned her into wearing red, insisting that the theme for the event was all red. And what did the guests all wear? Black and white! This anecdote lite, stylish, idiosyncratic is typical of the many that make up Sheila Scotter's autobiographical assortment. Most Australian women know Sheila Scotter through her Women's Weekly column 'Sheila Scotter Suggests' which ran between 1975 and 1980 and totalled some 235 instalments. The fact that this column is still vividly remembered 17 years later attests to the sacred place it held in every Australian household. A feminist before the word was invented, Sheila has had a formidable career. Two chapters are devoted to her career in fashion, including her time as the editor-in-chief of Vogue and founding editor of Vogue Living. The art of fundraising is also treated in some depth. In snippets, we hear of her love of cricket (which she once played); we find out how she came to live in Australia in the first place and why she has made Melbourne her home. Not surprisingly, the book reflects the personal contradictoriness of its author/subject on the one hand an aristocrat, on the other a rogue who does not respect rank; blithely mixing innate feminism with blatant coquettishness; outrageous yet scrupulously stylish; in the know yet discrete; courting notoriety while at the same time needing solitude a Like all celebrity autobiographers Sheila reserves her right to privacy while basking in the limelight. But she has used this book to set the record straight on a number of issues, including why she left Vogue, her many romantic involvements, her much-publicised spat with socialite Lillian Frank, and what was wrong with David Jones, to whom she consulted during 1994-95. The book contains the expected wining, dining and partying, as well as the inside story on some recent scandals. Sheila Scotter is glamorous and alluring, a forthright mover and shaker who inspires fear in some, awe and respect in others, and admiration and loyalty in most. No matter what you think of her, you simply cannot ignore her. Friends and enemies alike are awaiting this book with bated breath for one reason: when Sheila Scotter speaks, people listen. Contents Foreword (by Ruth Cracknell, a personal friend) Before I Begin a (explaining the rationale for the book) 1 Thursday's Child (birthdays) 2 Christmases to Remember 3 In Fashion (career in fashion) 4 A Matter of Style (Vogue Living and its influence) 5 Marriage and Other Liaisons 6 A Mixed Salad of Letters (letters, personal and business, from prominent people) 7 Fundraising: Are Committees Really Necessary? 8 Loved Ones Departed (or Why I Envy the Angels) 9 Disappointments and Other Disasters (scandals and inside stories) 10 London, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne (the places she has lived) 11 Not the Last Instalment (a look ahead) Postscript (a tribute to some special men read between the lines) Source: Publisher253 p.; 25 cmnon-fictionThere is no other store like David Jones... and there is no other consultant like Sheila Scotter! Known variously as the Kangaroo editor (by Diana Vreeland), the black and white lady from Albert Park, and the Silver Duchess, this is the autobiography, scrapbook-style, of one of Australia's doyennes of style. For Sheila Scotter's seventeenth birthday her parents put on a 'coming out ball' in the United Services Club in Calcutta, where they lived at the time. The teenager wore a pale turquoise silk taffeta ball gown. Sheila no longer remembers what happened to that dress, but she does know that it is responsible for the black-and-white wardrobe that has been her hallmark ever since, with the exception of one occasion and one occasion only. For her seventieth birthday party, close friend John Truscott conned her into wearing red, insisting that the theme for the event was all red. And what did the guests all wear? Black and white! This anecdote lite, stylish, idiosyncratic is typical of the many that make up Sheila Scotter's autobiographical assortment. Most Australian women know Sheila Scotter through her Women's Weekly column 'Sheila Scotter Suggests' which ran between 1975 and 1980 and totalled some 235 instalments. The fact that this column is still vividly remembered 17 years later attests to the sacred place it held in every Australian household. A feminist before the word was invented, Sheila has had a formidable career. Two chapters are devoted to her career in fashion, including her time as the editor-in-chief of Vogue and founding editor of Vogue Living. The art of fundraising is also treated in some depth. In snippets, we hear of her love of cricket (which she once played); we find out how she came to live in Australia in the first place and why she has made Melbourne her home. Not surprisingly, the book reflects the personal contradictoriness of its author/subject on the one hand an aristocrat, on the other a rogue who does not respect rank; blithely mixing innate feminism with blatant coquettishness; outrageous yet scrupulously stylish; in the know yet discrete; courting notoriety while at the same time needing solitude a Like all celebrity autobiographers Sheila reserves her right to privacy while basking in the limelight. But she has used this book to set the record straight on a number of issues, including why she left Vogue, her many romantic involvements, her much-publicised spat with socialite Lillian Frank, and what was wrong with David Jones, to whom she consulted during 1994-95. The book contains the expected wining, dining and partying, as well as the inside story on some recent scandals. Sheila Scotter is glamorous and alluring, a forthright mover and shaker who inspires fear in some, awe and respect in others, and admiration and loyalty in most. No matter what you think of her, you simply cannot ignore her. Friends and enemies alike are awaiting this book with bated breath for one reason: when Sheila Scotter speaks, people listen. Contents Foreword (by Ruth Cracknell, a personal friend) Before I Begin a (explaining the rationale for the book) 1 Thursday's Child (birthdays) 2 Christmases to Remember 3 In Fashion (career in fashion) 4 A Matter of Style (Vogue Living and its influence) 5 Marriage and Other Liaisons 6 A Mixed Salad of Letters (letters, personal and business, from prominent people) 7 Fundraising: Are Committees Really Necessary? 8 Loved Ones Departed (or Why I Envy the Angels) 9 Disappointments and Other Disasters (scandals and inside stories) 10 London, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne (the places she has lived) 11 Not the Last Instalment (a look ahead) Postscript (a tribute to some special men read between the lines) Source: Publishersheila scotter, fashion