This amber satin evening outfit was worn by Mrs Isabella Mitchell (nee Russell, 1840 – 1929) at the wedding of her brother Alexander (c.1846–1938) and Eliza (nee Moore, c.1854–1939). The jacket and skirt attach at the waist by joining the metal rings around the base of the jacket, and the metal hooks on the waistband of the skirt. The outfit was donated with its own mannequin and fits it perfectly. In the colonial days, outer clothing was rarely, if ever, washed, due to the expense of fabrics and the difficulty in careful laundering. Clever methods were employed to reduce the occurrence of soiling. The mannequin included with the donation would also help keep the outfit in good shape and ensure a flattering fit. FAMILIES’ HISTORY The families connected with this wedding, where the outfit was worn, are from Warrnambool’s colonial days. Isabella and Alexander’s parents, Robert Russell and Elizabeth (nee Mitchell), were born in 1808 and married about 1830. They were from farming families in Northern Ireland, where they raised their seven children before migrating to Australia in the early colonial days, around 1857. Their graves are in the Tower Hill Cemetery. Alexander’s wife, Eliza (nee Moore, born in 1854), was also from Northern Ireland and migrated to Australia in 1858 with her parents, Thomas and Nancy Moore, in the last voyage of the sailing ship “Chance”. Isabella (Bella) talked with her granddaughter Ruby Akers about her memories of Alexander and Eliza’s wedding and other events in her life. Ruby recorded these memories in a letter. She says, “They were married in the Warrnambool Congregational Church by a pioneer minister, the Reverend Uriah Coombs. The bride wore a pale blue silk wedding gown, which she made herself. Bella was Matron of Honora, and Ian McCasker was best man. In those days, the transport to the church was usually a carriage – similar to a cab – and a pair of white ponies. They would have the reception at home, go for a drive afterwards, and at night there would be a dance. They did all the catering themselves … Eliza carried on farming in the Dennington, Yarpturk and Purnim districts until they moved to Camperdown around 1905…” Ruby’s letter later mentions “[Isabella] could recall seeing a blackfellows’ corroboree being performed near where the Dennington Bridge now stands. It was rather a terrifying experience; they seemed to be in a warlike mood, and one never knew what they would do next. One lubra came running to Granny, crying, Hide me, bad man kill me. She was bleeding from a wound in the head: probably the result of a blow from a waddy. My mother [Margaret Jane McLaughlan nee Mitchell], coming home from school in the 1800s, often met blackfellows walking ahead with spears and boomerang, the two lubras – they usually had two – following in the rear, carrying the children or any burdens they had.“ Margaret was probably in primary school at the time she saw these things. Alexander and Eliza had ten children. One of their daughters, Margaret Jane, was born in Warrnambool in 1879. She married William McCullagh, and they had eleven children. Margaret made headlines in the Warrnambool newspapers for celebrating her 100th birthday. She had lived in the district for 60 years before moving to Melbourne. Alexander passed away at the age of 92, and Eliza passed away six months later, aged 85. Their graves are in the Colac cemetery. Isabella married Ralph Mitchell, and their daughter Margaret Jane married John McLauchlan in 1891. Margaret and John’s daughter, Ruby Elizabeth Jane, married Fredrick Akers in 1938. Fredrick, born in England, was a Boer War veteran and served in the British Army. He migrated to Queensland, Australia, in 1913, and joined the Australian Army to fight in World War I. In 1935, he moved to Warrnambool, where he served in the Volunteer Defence Corps from 1938 to 1945. Both Ruby and Fredrick are buried in the Tower Hill Cemetery.The evening outfit and its accompanying mannequin serve as notable examples of female fashion from the mid to late 1900s. These items reflect the styles and trends that were prevalent during this period, offering insight into the clothing choices and cultural influences that shaped women's attire. Beyond their representation of period fashion, the outfit and mannequin are significant due to their association with colonial pioneer families from Australia, specifically Victoria and Warrnambool. These families played an important role in the development and history of the region, and the items are linked to their legacy. The evening outfit and mannequin are also notable for their connection to a wedding that united two colonial families originating from Northern Ireland. These families immigrated to Australia in the mid-1850s and became influential figures within the Warrnambool district. The wedding marked a significant event, symbolising the merging of two prominent family lineages. Furthermore, the significance of the evening outfit and mannequin extends to their connection with the colonial families’ contact with the indigenous culture of the district. These items represent a period of interaction between the native and European peoples, highlighting the cultural exchanges that occurred within the region. This lady’s evening outfit is made from amber coloured satin fabric. It comprises a short-waisted, long-sleeved jacket and a long skirt, and it has its own neck-to-floor wooden mannequin on a pedestal. The outfit was worn by Mrs Isabella Mitchell (nee Russell) as the Matron of Honour at the wedding of her brother Alexander Russell and his fiancée Eliza Moore in Warrnambool, 29th April 1874.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, evening outfit, wedding outfit, bridesmaid’ outfit, matron of honour outfit, clothing female, clothing late 19th century, clothing wedding late 19th century, clothing bridesmaid late 19th century, clothing antique, clothing ladies, women’s clothing, women’s fashion, alexander russell, eliza russell, eliza moore, isabella mitchell, bella mitchell, bella russell, isabella russell, ralph russell, ian mccusker, ruby akers, fredrick william akers, ruby mclauchlan, margaret jane mclaughlan nee mitchell, margaret jane mclaughlan centenarian, william mclaughlan, robert russell, elizabeth russell nee mitchell, irish immigrants, warrnambool volunteer defence corps 1938-1945, antique satin outfit, warrnambool wedding 1874, congregational church warrnambool, reverend uriah coombs, dennington farmer, yarpturk farmer, purnim district farmer, camperdown resident 1905, dennington bridge, indigenous corroboree in dennington, corroboree in warrnambool, 1880s corroboree in warrnambool, lubra and baby, indigenous corroboree in warrnambool, mccullagh family

THE MANNEQUIN The included wooden mannequin made by J.A. Walker of Melbourne has been very well used, as can be seen from the pin marks and split and torn fabric in areas where pins would have been used many times. The painted wood of the bodice is wearing away. The top of the neck is very rough in the centre, indicating that it possibly had a knob, handle or even a head shape on top. The mannequin could have been used for storing and cleaning of the evening outfit and even in the process of making it. It is made to match the measurements of the outfit beautifully and would be close in measurement to Mrs. Isabella Mitchell. Isabella’s sister-in-law Eliza Russell made her own wedding dress and perhaps she or Isabella herself made the evening outfit using the mannequin for fittings. The mannequin is significant as its size gives an image of the shape of the evening outfit’s owner. It is also significant as an example of the process and skills to create garments of fashion during the period, with many people making their own garments. The mannequin is also an example of an item manufactured in Melbourne in colonial times. This wooden display mannequin is from neck to floor length. It has a round pedestal. The mannequin’s bodice has been painted black. It is padded then covered in black fabric. The maker of the mannequin was J.A. Walker of Melbourne. It dates to the mid-late 19th century.Mannequin maker’s fabric label “J.A. WALKER / MANUFACTURER / MELBOURNE”mannequin wooden, mannequin made in melbourne, dressmaker’s mannequin, 19th century mannequin, dress form, display mannequin, custom made mannequin, dressmaker’s dummy, andique mannequin, clothing display, j.a. walker manufacturer melbourne, j.a. walker mannequin manufacturer, evening outfit

These scrap books were put together by Tom Riggs, a past St. Albans Train Station Master, St. Albans Centenary Committee & Sunshine & District Historical Society member and they record a history of a wide range of subjects referring to the Sunshine & District. The following list is only a brief description of each scrapbook. 663.01 - People in official postions 1908|H.V. McKay Factory Gates|Part layout in vicinity of Sunshine Railway Station map 1910|Sunshine Station Signal Box|Harvester Museum|H.V. McKay|H.V. McKay Bulk Store|Sunshine's colorful history|Family of Nathaniel & Mary McKay family tree|Sunshine Smithy|Braybrook residents 1903 & 1906 Sands & McDougal listing|Nat & Joyce Wright|Sunshine Market Palce|Sunshine new police station|Sunshine new post office|S&DHS newspaper articles|Black Powder Mill|Deer Park St. John's Anglican Church|Robert Eric Parsons|Rubblish dumping issue|Bob & Cyril Parsons|Deer Park Bypass|Sunshine Leisure Centre|Sunshine Station Interchange|Dorothy Price|Sunshine Hospital expansion|Albert & Amy Russell|Wally O'Brien|Hospital pedestrain crossing|Our Lady's Primary School reunion|Mytle Baylis|Darling Albion Flour Mill|Pokie machines|Harricks Cottage|Jack Tighe|Cr Brooke Gujinovic New Brimank Mayor|Jack Collins|Isabella Williams Reserve|Cairnlea developement|Albert Holden|Old Sunsine Police Station Sun Crescent|Big bins|Phyllis Vance|Sunshine Pipe Band|Dick & Elsie Whiting|Historic house denmiolition|Boom gate deley|Brian & Doreen Duffy|Beth Argyle|Sunshine Railway Disaster|Les Hunter|Sunshine Pool closure protest|Clare Brennan|Mickey Vautier|Jack Sheridan|Balam Balam Reserve|Gwen Goedecke|Derrimut Hotel & licensee Wal Elms|Jimmy Gaylor|John & Leone Hawking|Centrelink move|Joan Carstairs|Hampshire Road roadworks|Lloyd McCallum postman retires|Mavis Kittelty & Sunshine Croquet Club closes|Frank O'Connor|Beth Argyle, Don Deeble, Shirley Wallace & Jack Sheridan|Sunshine Anglican Church & Father Stuart Soley|Ian Baker|Morris Street proposed flat development protest|Brimbank's rich cultural history|Church of Christ|Doreen Foster & Albion Tennis Club|Francis & Lillian Allen|Sunshine Wesleyan Methodist Churst|3LO-3AR radio transmitter|George & Gloria Hales|H.V. McKay Medal Trade Wing|Lorna Cameron|Noala Flynn|St. Ablans Baptist Church & Ralph Phillips|Apostolic Christian Church|Keilor Christian City Church|Sunshine City Band|Maidstone Our Ladys of Perpetual Church|Waterways|Ron & Margaret Craker 663.02 - Black Powder Mill|St. Albans Greek Orthodox Church of St. Paraskeve|Western Ring Road traffic|Joseph & Frances Testa|Sydneham Kimgdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses|Sydenham The Assemblies of God|Michael & Rosalia Skok|Werribee's State Rose Gardens|Tom & Maria Diele|Tom Rigg and the origin of the district's street names|Sunshine & St. Albans Baptist Church|ICI Estate protest|Sunshine Salvation Army Church|Macedonian Orthodox Church|Anita-Marie Neumann|Albanvale path of recongnition|Sunshine Pool action group|Minnie Gorsuch|State Election 2000|Jean Folry & Ilma Weir|Brimbank Uniting Church|Harvester Town book launch - Olwen Ford|Brooke Jujinovic|Keilor Cemetery grave stones|John Howard ignores Braybrook|Norman & Joan Wales|Clare Brennan Drive named after Clare Brennan|Fosseys Sunshine closure|Commonwealth Bank (CBA) Glengala Road closuer|James Frederick McKay|A history of Sunshine|H.V. McKay's Russell Street gates|Barry McMahon|Sunshine Swimming Pool Aquatic centre sale|Keith Buckley|Migrants' move to brave new world|Vasilos & Eugenia Karaoglandis|William Hyett|Darryl Myers|Kathleen Inkster|Sunshine RSL Kevin Keegan, Kevin Bryar & Fred Russell|Barney & Renee Cater|Mona Malouf|George Carter|Sunshine Pottery memorabilia & reunion|Des Johnson Duke Street Aborigine artifacts|Albert Drayton|Two pools planned|Sunshine Pool repairs approved|Olympic Tooch journey through Brimbank|Maurice & Kathleen Sanders|Paul & Suzanna Vicek|Deer Park By Pass Road|Bert & Noreen Craddock|St. Albans Legless Lizards under fire|Sunshine rare orchid scare|St. Albans Road black spot|Viet name for Burke street|Russell Street gates unveiling ceremony|Don & Val Byrnes|Emily Hall|Sunshine Swim centre|Water action plans|Melton Highway sugar gum tree removal by Vicroads|Sunshine Police Station Olympic Rings Brick|Emmaus Catholic School Sydenham opening|Black Powder Mill|Stevens Farm House fire|Yvonne Flack|Frank Gathercole|Commonwealth Bank closurer|Marion Martin|Deer Park State School|Tom & Flo Beagley|Call for railway land buffer|Clarrie Salvador|Braybrook Hotel|Sunshine Harvester Smithy|2000, A year to remember|Bus Re-route hits traders|Sunshine Swimming Pool end of life|Pam Chapman|Prune Goldrick - When the Whistle Blew|Wally O'Brien recalls Deer Park during his childhood|Western Highway / Ballarat Road traffic|Tom Rigg confusing St. Albans bus signs|Rubbish in Deer Park|Phyllis Frost|Basil Morcos|Allan "Titch" Williams|George Thoms|Clarrie Salvator|Tom Dile|Igor Balabin|John McArdie|Sam & Rita Attard|Jack & Dorothy Roberts|Joe De Gabriele|Beth Argyle|John Refshauge surgeon|Bill Fogarity|Brimbank Heritage Listing in peril|Museum of Victoria virtually tour of H.V. McHarvester Factory|Jock McLeod|John & lorna Stainer|Rita Shimmin|Smithy|Nettlefolds - Len Duxon, Betty Scott, Frank Richards, Thelma Burnett, Reg Ratcliffe & Frank Farrugia|Emma Broadhead|Bill Bunting|Gwen Goedecke|Ron Dorre|Sunshine Hospital Redevelopment|Braybrook Squash Centre|Megan Blair|Harvester Town book launch|Tom Rigg rail safty activist|Lloyd & Gislaine Simpson|Sunshine's past revealed|Legless Lizards site Jones Creek|Wetlands|St. Albans time capsule|Cainlea suburb name causing a stir|Agnes Clark|Norman de Pomeroy|Ern & Dot Nicholls|Anton & Maria Gerber|Peter & Margaret McManus|H.V. McKay Offices heritage listing|Cr. Chris Evans out|Two historial walks in Sunshine|Brink Back the H.V. McKay Smithy opening invite|Counicl destroys old files|Harricks Cottage|Special Exhibution Models of Sunshine made farn implements exhibition invite 663.03 - Wally O'Brien|Cr. Chris Evans|Sunshine pool debate|Black Powder Mill|Sydnenham / Hillside Primary School name changes|Say goodbye to Sydnenham, Watergardens|Spalding Reuion|Harry Unger|Gwen Goedecke|Frances Fitzgerald|Preerving Brimbank's significant landmarks|Bernard Reilly kindergarten train|Albert Holden|St. Peters Channel Catholic Church|Terry Muscat|Smithy|Norman & Geoff Pomeroy|Sunshine disaster recalled|Sydneham Railway Station|Sunshine Baseball Club|Albert Evans|Sunshine Pool anger|Albion car crash|Jackson School to loose portables|Black Powder Mill|John Kontek|Harvester basic wage case|Sushine Harvester & Offices complex|Deer Park Primary School|Sunshine underpass / subway shame|Albion Railway Station Rolando & Lilia Antonio|Furlong Road tragery|Anita Ciancio & baby Montana kidnapping|Harricks Cottage|Fence to keep out snakes|Shire of Braybrook Financial & Rate records donated to S&DHS|Bikini protest in Council Chambers|Talintyre Reserve name change from Tallintyre Reserve|Peter Somerville and the Blackbird|Keith Miller|Gerald Griggs|St. Albans Hume & Hovell cairn in the move|Iramoo Committee|Shopping bags ban|Harvester City, the making of Multicultural Sunshine book grant|Susan Jennison|Melchior Bajada|Ray Carlton book donation to Sunshine Library|Hampshire Road connection the Market Place with the Plaza|Girls should be girlsSunshine & Districtsunshine advocate, brimbank messenger, newspaper