Purchased from an opportunity shop, this dress is a stage costume bearing the label of Bonn & Mackenzie, a prominent UK costume designer from the 1950s to the 1970s. The dress appears to have been worn by June Bronhill (1929-2005), a prominent Australian opera singer and actress, whose name is handwritten on the label. Born June Mary Gough, she began using the stage name of Bronhill in 1952 in honour of her NSW home town of Broken Hill as a form of thanks to the local community who had helped raise money to send her overseas for professional training as a singer. Bronhill trained in London and gained early exposure with the English National Opera. She went on to star in many theatrical productions in Australia and the UK. She moved back to Australia permanently in 1976, and in 1980 was cast in her first television role as Mrs Crawford in the Australian version of 'Are You Being Served?'.Full-length short-sleeved dress of white cotton, lace and nylon, featuring elaborately ruffled sleeves and vertical stripes of lace on the skirt and bodice. The dress is open at the back, fastening with hooks and cotton ties to facilitate quick costume changes.Label, white cotton with red text: "BONN & MACKENZIE LTD. / TEMPLE BAR 1393". Handwritten underneath in black pen: "JUNE BRONHILL".june bronhill, bonn & mackenzie, theatre costume

A newspaper article The Age on 6 July 1960 about the opera star June Bronhill visiting Legacy House. June Bronhill was starring in 'The Merry Widow' and proceeds from the first performance at the Tivoli Theatre on 18 July was being donated to Legacy. The legacy girls were, from left, Gail Horton 8, Claire Ryan 8, June Bronhill, Diane Riseley 12, and Gail Jubb 12 years old. There were other articles in the scrap book about The Merry Widow, and the performance raised £2,000 for Legacy. The article was cut from the newspaper and pasted into a scrap book of press clippings. For many years Legacy kept scrap books of press clippings that related to their work and publicity.A record of publicity photos taken in 1960 for promoting Legacy during Legacy week.Newspaper article of Opera Star June Bronhill visiting Legacy girls classes in 1960 pasted to brown page of a scrap book .girls classes, gala performance

Album of press clippings the relate to Melbourne Legacy in 1960. The items were cut from the newspaper and pasted into a scrap book with brown pages. For many years Legacy kept scrap books of press clippings that related to their work and publicity. Includes Junior legatee outings such as operation float, and looking after widows in operation firewood. Plus a guest speaker Sir Macfarlane Burnet visited Legacy. Actress and opera singer June Bronhill visited Legacy girls classes when proceeds from the premiere of The Merry Widow was donated to Legacy. Also the Governor of Victoria at the Government House Christmas party 1960 Not all pages have been scanned but some are listed from 02077 to 02088.A record of the articles that were published in the press in 1960.Brown cardboard album with brown pages with newspaper articles pasted on them.Handwritten in black texta on cover '21' as part of an old archive numbering system.christmas, operation float, annual demonstration, junior legatee outings, speakers, operation firewood, gala performance, governor of victoria