Staff photograph of female workers at Collins Bros Mill, c.1920s.Staff photograph of female workers at Collins Bros Mill.J.G. Bird / 1 Pitman St / Newcomb /pH 483462textile mills staff, woollen mills history, textile industry history, collins bros mill pty ltd, photographs, textile mills - staff, woollen mills - history, textile industry - history

Women production workers at Queensland Industrial Institute for the Blind. 1 - Daphne Lawson, Eileen Henry, Barbara Harding and Rosemary Davis at their respective workstations making toilet brushes or caning chair. 2 - Another view of the room. Barbara Harding and Rosemary Davis sit making toilet brushes, whilst Daphne Lawson and Eileen Henry stand to make cane chairs.2 x B/W photographs of four women in workshopC2-6330, C2-6329queensland industrial institute for the blind, daphne lawson, eileen henry, barbara harding, rosemary davis, employment

Aunde / Norwellan Textiles North Western Woollen Mills became Norwellan Textiles then AUNDEColour landscape photo: Female worker loading yarn into /onto winding machine - wheeled crateswindingindustry, aunde

Bendigo Advertiser "The way we were" from Thursday, February 10, 2005. Hard at work: female workers get the job done at the Bedigo Ordnance Factory.newspaper, bendigo advertiser, the way we were

Depicts female workers from the Godfrey Hirst mill, c.1920s.textile mills staff, godfrey hirst and co. pty ltd excelsior woollen and worsted mills, photographs, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty, her sister and other female workers at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty, her sister and other female workers at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty, her sister and other female workers at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty or her sister or another female worker at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty or her sister or another female worker at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty or her sister or another female worker at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty or her sister or another female worker at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty or her sister or another female worker at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Photograph depicts Alice Kittelty, her sister and other female workers at the Federal Mill, c.1900-15.textile mills staff, federal woollen mills ltd, kittelty, ms alice, textile mills - staff

Black and white photocopy of newspaper photograph. Mezzanine floor with balustrade around open area to lower floor. Small rooms along each side. Open metal curved beams under translucent roof. Two females facing camera, one female in doorway. Inscriptions: Printed under image 'two office girls take a break from work on the mezzanine floor of Allan's Arcade, a noteworthy Victorian era'. At top of plate 'page 52 - Supplement to the Bendigo Advertiser, Wednesday, September 24, 1986'.Bendigo Advertiser photographer?place, arcade, allan's arcade, bendigo, business, supplement, office, individual, female, person, workers, clothing, costume, clothes, fashion

Black and white photograph : 2 female workers in front of long rows of cotton reeels, which are probably spinning, worked by pistons underneath. Physical description: loose black and white photo. Inscriptions / markings: Herald Sun photograph. Supplied by Feature Service Herald & Weekly Times. Melbourne. Bradford Spinning Mill.Herald & Weekly Timesorganization, business, bradford mills, copyright not for reproduction. herald sun photograph supplied by feature service, the herald & weekly times, melbourne, australia.

The badge (on the right) is a Female Relatives Badge from the Second World War and the stars represent the number of serving individuals related to the holder of the badge. A number of the back appears in a register that records the name of the holder. .2) Three stars denotes 3 members of the family in the army in 1939 - 1945..1) Badge, brassround with 2 lugs on rear. Front has "War Worker Australia". Centre is coat of arms. On rear is "Navies & Labourers". Stamped numbered badge. .2) Female relative badge. Metal, silver colour, round shape with crown. wreath arrangement with map of Australia centre. Rear has pin attached. Attached by two small chains is a clasp with 3 small bronze stars. Rear of badge is stamped..1) :"Issued by the department of defence, 618. .2) Front "To the Women of Australia" Rear "Issued by the C/Weath Govt. A6800badages, medallions, female, relative, war workers

a. Ethel Pattison Certificate of Service from Ordnance Factory between 16 / 6 / 1955 - 21 / 2 / 1958. Described as Female Process Worker, very good, with fair ability. Retrenched. .b O H M S envelope which contained Certificate of Service.ethel pattison, ordnance factory, reference

Fashions of 1960s and 1970s - Male and Female Written by Jennifer Ruby Printed by B. T. Batsford Ltd of London.Hard-Back Fashion Book Costume In Content The 1960s And 1970s Various Fashion Statements - Male and Female Costumes worn by workers

Black & white photograph of the Bendigo Butter Factory in Mundy St., mounted on cardboard. It appears to have been part of a display, with explanatory notes attached to each photograph. See 11011.10. On the reverse of the Title photograph is the date 1950-1955 and a blue registration stamp with the words 'Pure creamery, Australia, Victoria regd'. An interior photograph in the series shows a calendar with the date March 1957. This photograph shows one female and two male workers at a machine cutting and wrapping blocks of butter. The workers are identified on the reverse of the photograph from left - Rose McDonald, Harold Speechly and Ken Melling.bendigo, industry, bendigo butter factory, rose mcdonald, harold speechly, ken melling

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.White short-sleeved jumper with all-over pattern of aqua blue diamonds. Blue floated threads slightly show through white on main body, leading to an overall pale blue effect on body, with white collar and cuffs. Closes with three pearlescent plastic buttons at back neck. .2 is a retail tag marked with the style code, and includes generic information on care for garments of different material composition..1) [label stitched into back neck of garment] KATHRYN REGD CREATED BY ROBERT BLAKE .2) [retail tag, intended to be folded in three, printed on both sides] [OBVERSE] KATHRYN Children’s Knitwear STYLE: [blue pen] S/35B SIZE: PRICE: / KATHRYN Garments are… • PRE-SHRUNK • STANDARD MEASUREMENTS • FIT EXACTLY • LAUNDER PERFECTLY / NOW .. KATHRYN GOES TO . . SCHOOL Ask your retailer for SCHOOL PULLOVERS by KATHRYN [REVERSE] WASHING INSTRUCTIONS WOOL Wash frequently to AVOID HEAVY SOILING Wash garment BY HAND, in lukewarm Velvet Soap suds. ON NO ACCOUNT RUB SOAP ON GARMENT. Squeeze suds gently through garment but DO NOT RUB. Rubbing will cause garment to thicken. RINSE AT LEAST TWICE IN CLEAN WATER TO REMOVE ALL SOAP. TO dry, roll garment in a towel to remove excess moisture, turn garment inside out and pull it lengthwise, DRY IN SHADE… AVOID SUNLIGHT. When dry, place brown paper or pressing cloth over garment and press with iron at correct heat. ORLON Wash as wool Lay flat to dry but DO NOT IRON. To keep brushed suits like new, brush frequently with nylon brush supplied. COTTON Wash by hand for preference in Velvet Soap suds. Rinse thoroughly in cold water and remove all excess water before drying on line. Please do not use any harsh detergent or bleach. Designed and manufactured by ROBERT BLAKE Pty. Ltd., MELB. (handwritten in pencil) S35 (untintelligible)/5 / NOW KATHRYN GOES TO SCHOOL Ask your retailer for SCHOOL PULLOVERS by KATHRYNknitwear, children's knitwear, clothing, children's clothing, jumper, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, colourwork

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Measuring instrument with five circular white layers and one long transparent plastic ruler on top. Transparent layer is now yellowed, was likely originally clear. All of the layers connected with a metal rivet at the centre, allowing the discs and line indicator to move in relation to each other. Discs are labelled (inside – outside) Cost per Thousand Overall Unit Hour U/S [units] produced in 1000s No. of persons Bonus Percentage 9017.2 Black leather case with white block letter printing [9017.3 - 9017.5] Inside case are three notes (one printed, two handwritten) that provide instructions for using the calculator[label on obverse of case] THE AUSTRAL UNIT CALCULATOR ISSUED BY INDUSTRIAL CONSULTANTS, MELB MADE BY MELB >W&G< AUST.business, business history, manufacturing history, calculator, textile fibres textile history

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Strip of knitted fabric samples showing the nine wool colour options for the boys line of Robert Blake/Kathryn knitwear in the winter season of 1980. Label printed in pale blue paper lists season and colour names and is attached to sample strip with two metal staplesBOYS WOOL WINTER 1980 COLOR SWATCH RED BURGUNDY BROWN RYE PEBBLE OYSTER NAVY BLUE SHADOW DENIM GRANITE GREYfabric sample, textile sample, fabric swatch, textile swatch, fashion textile production, textile manufacturing

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Strip of knitted fabric samples showing the nine wool colour options for Kathryn knitwear for the winter season of 1980. Label printed in pale blue paper lists season and colour names and is attached to sample strip with two metal staplesKATHRYN WOOL WINTER 1980 COLOUR SWATCH RED BROWN RUST DEEP RED GREEN NAVY BLUE SHADOW SKY BLUE MAGNOLIAfabric sample, textile sample, fabric swatch, textile swatch, fashion textile production, textile manufacturing

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Strip of knitted fabric samples showing the 14 wool colour options for the ladies' line of Kathryn knitwear for the winter season of 1980. Label printed in pale blue paper lists season and colour names and is attached to sample strip with two metal staplesLADIES WOOL COLOR SWATCH WINTER 1980 RED BLACK MAGNOLIA OYSTER SILVER BLUE SHADOW NAVY TEAL GREEN BRACKEN RYE BROWN BURGUNDY DEEP REDfabric sample, textile sample, fabric swatch, textile swatch, fashion textile production, textile manufacturing

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history. The ‘Embassy’ brand was a house brand of Coles stores from 1929-1994, and manufactured a wide variety of household goods. The manufacture of this specific style of notebook can be dated to between 1947 and 1953.Notebook with handwritten instructions, formulas and sketches detailing patterns for samples. ‘Embassy’ exercise book cover is printed with a blue checked pattern on a background that was originally likely white, but appears cream due to discolouration. The centre of the front cover has a trapezoidal label that provides space for handwritten labels, and features a map of Australia inside a red circle, as well as the manufacturers branding. The 64 internal pages are printed with blue lines as a writing guide.[Obverse] Embassy EXERCISE BOOK NAME [handwritten] Mrs Maley GRADE [handwritten] Sample Book SCHOOL 64 PAGES BEST QUALITY PAPER BLUE RULED – 26 LINES TO PAGE [sample of internal pages] [left page] Notes: 34” = 3 garments out of 40” Length 32” = 3 “ “ “ 38 “ “ 30” = 28” = Cut together (26” = 4 garments “ “ 33” “ (24 = 4 garments “ “ 33” length Blue 36” Red 36 ½“ Green 36” Royal 35 ½” [right page] Design Esquire (Width 35 ½ - 36) Size 34” Width Yardage Size 32” Width Yardage Sample cotton 90 ribs for 28” Size 28” (sample size) Width cut to 20 ½ (double) Yardage 34 ½“ for 2 garm. Size 26” Width Yardage Size 24” Width Yardagebusiness, business history, manufacturing, knitting machine, fashion textile production, business archives, manufacturing documents, embassy brand, coles

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.Notebook with handwritten tables and figures recording data about production and sales of Kathryn Knitwear from 1962-1963. ‘VANA’ exercise book cover is printed with a white square check on the diagonal, on a red background. Large blue block letters spelling VANA appear in a white rectangle down the lefthand side. A White rectangle blue lettering provides space for handwritten labels, handwritten inside it is P/L on the top line.The internal pages are printed with blue lines as a writing guide, and contain handwritten notes and tables in red and blue ink.[Obverse] VANA EXERCISE BOOK BLUE 9M/M RULING NAME [handwritten] P/L GRADE SCHOOL SUBJECT DATE APPROVED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTbusiness, business history, manufacturing, knitting machine, fashion textile production, business archives, manufacturing documents, vana

Kathryn Knitwear, founded by Robert Blake, manufactured high quality children’s knitwear in Melbourne from the 1940s – 1980s. Robert Blake began manufacturing children’s knitwear in his bedroom in Strathmore using a hand powered machine in the late 1940s. The operation moved to Ascot Vale and Essendon, before eventually establishing a factory in Moonee Ponds in the early 1950s. The business continued to expand, necessitating a move to a new factory in Broadmeadows. By 1962, the Broadmeadows factory was producing an average of 20,000 garments per month, which increased to 24,000 by 1964. Robert Blake’s Son, Brendan recalls that “The Kathryn brand was famous around Australia, anywhere children needed to keep warm and dress smartly. It also won a number of wool fashion awards”, including the 1969 Wool Awards, which was held by the Australian Wool Bureau and published in Women’s Weekly. The Kathryn range was designed for durability, comfort and care, without sacrificing style. They used patterning techniques that increase stretchiness, comfort and fit, as well as integrating decorative elements into the fabric to prevent them from being bulky, uncomfortable or tight. Making longevity of style a priority, Brendan Blake remembers that “there was one particular garment that was in the range for at least thirty years”. He also recalls “In the past, when women have found out that I was associated with Kathryn Knitwear, they would often relate to me the story of a garment they had purchased or received as a gift and, when their child had grown out of it, they would hand it on to another child. Several ladies have told me of purchasing garments for their daughters’ glory box, or saving a particular garment after their daughter had grown out of it. Brendan Blake: “At the peak of their operation they employed approximately two hundred people, mainly women and girls. A family would often seek to send their daughter to work in this company because they knew they would be looked after and safe. One lady wrote to me telling me that working at the Moonee Ponds Factory prior to getting married was the happiest time of her life.” In 1963, workers at the Kathryn factory earned £13 per week, which was 8 shillings and 8 pence higher than the minimum weekly wage for female workers in the textile manufacturing industry (£12 11s 4d). By 1970, the Kathryn Knitwear brand expanded from children’s knitwear into womenswear under the brand name ‘Lady Kathryn’, and for boys and men under ‘Robert Blake’. Continuing to diversify their distribution, they also began exporting ‘Kathryn’ garments to New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and Japan. ‘Kathryn Knitwear’ was well-known for their early adoption of modern materials and techniques that had broad appeal to their customer base. This is shown in their early use of the acrylic fibre ‘Orlon’ in the 50s and 60s and ‘Superwash’ wool in the 1970s. Many of Kathryn Knitwear’s styles, particularly those that were long running staples of the brand, were available in both wool and Orlon to suit the consumer’s preference. Far from the humble origins of one man in his bedroom with a hand-cranked machine; at its closure in 1980, the Broadmeadows factory of ‘Kathryn’ housed more than 100 machines, including 53 sewing machines and 45 knitting machines. Robert Blake was “a passionate advocate for wool and Australian Made” throughout his whole life. A strong thread that ties through the lifespan of Robert Blake and Kathryn Knitwear is a balance between adopting new innovations without sacrificing the core values of durability, comfort, care and style that had made the brand so well known. Their legacy forms an integral part of both Australian social and manufacturing history.8 page booklet containing price list for winter 1972. Hand-drawn illustration on front of booklet depicts two young boys in striped jumpers in shades of blue and brown. Internal pages of booklet contain a table in landscape orientation printed in black ink containing Style number, description, pricing for given sizes, and available colours. It has “Mr Robert” handwritten in blue ink in the top right corner and is annotated in red ink.[Obverse] PRICE LIST KATHRYN ROBERT BLAKE (DISTRIBUTORS) PTY. LTD business, business history, manufacturing, knitting machine, fashion textile production, business archives, manufacturing documents, children's knitwear, children's clothing