The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories.This example of evening wear from 1980 is one of two pieces in the collection owned and worn by Kaye Cole.This dress was bought for and worn by Cr Kaye Cole, Mayor of Kew 1979/80, to a Mayoral Dinner on Friday 25 July 1980. An accompanying seating plan lists the attendees including the Governor of Victoria, the Victorian Premier, State and Federal parliamentary representatives and distinguished guests from neighbouring municipalities. The evening dress was donated to the Society by Kaye Cole on the occasion of an interview on 6 August 2018 relating to the period on which she served on Kew Council as a representative of North Ward (1973-6) and Prospect Ward (1978-85) and her achievements as mayor.Brown acetate evening gown, and floor-length evening coat retailed by Bianca, Sydney, and manufactured under licence to Henry Chavan, Lyon & Paris. The sheer fabric of the coat is decorated by the use of pile weave, forming a floral pattern of velvet outlined in gold thread.mayors of kew (vic), cr. kaye cole, international fashion - france - henry chavin, women's clothing, evening wear, fashion retailers - bianca - sydney, evening dresses, evening ensembles

This well-known Kew business, which would become known as The Model Dairy, was founded in 1863 by James Venn Morgan. Morgan sold the company in the 1890s to John Simonton who renamed the business The Model Dairy Co. Simonton had experience in the local dairying industry having previously leased the Willsmere Park Dairy. He moved the business to Belmont Avenue in c.1899. In 1924, following his retirement, the company expanded to become The Model Dairy Pty Ltd with Arnold Thompson Simonton and John Tanner as its owner/directors. With new techniques and processes such a pasteurisation, the Belmont Avenue site no longer met required standards for processing and bottling, so its operations moved to 191 Cotham Road. The company celebrated its centenary in 1963. A new factory, built in 1959 to a design by Bates, Smart & McCutcheon, was purchased by Bib Stillwell Motors after the dairy closed. The entire site has since been redeveloped.Digital copy of a business card advertising the Model Dairy in Belmont Avenue, Kew, managed by John Simonton. (The card was donated by John Harvey Simonton in 2021,)"Milk delivered fresh twice daily in / Kew, Hawthorn & Camberwell / All Milk guaranteed free from chemicals, used either to preserve or colour it / Our butter (Model Dairy Brand) / I Manufactured from Pure Cream by the most improved Machinery / [DRAWING] The Model Dairy Co Belmont Avenue Kew / Model Dairy Co / Belmont Avenue, Kew / John Simonton, Manager"model dairy -- kew (vic.), john simonton, belmont avenue -- kew (vic.), dairies -- kew (vic.)

The National Bank of Australasia was formed in 1857. It began commercial operations in Queen Street, Melbourne in 1858. The Bank’s first branch in Kew opened at 87 High Street in 1885. A second building, on the corner of Walpole and Brougham Streets, designed by Inskip & Robertson, replaced the first branch in 1888. The second building remains, albeit in a somewhat altered state. In 1977, the President of the Kew Historical Society received two historic ‘Signature Books’ from the Kew branch of the National Bank of Australia.Important and unique record of names, occupations, addresses and signatures of customers of the branch. A number of signatures belong to individuals of statewide significance. Other information such as customer occupations may be unique.Ledger containing information about customers of the National Bank of Australasia's Kew Branch for the years 1884-1894. The ledger (L8091) was purchased on 29/5/84 from Sands & McDougall, Manufacturing Stationers, 46&48 Collins Street West, Melbourne. The pages of the ledger have printed columns including: No. | Date | Name and Description (to be clearly written off by a member of the bank) | Signature | Initials of Bank Officer. As used, the pages are organised alphabetically by customer name. On each page, sequential numbering extends across the years 1884-1894. Additional pieces of advice from customers are clipped through the page over the customer's signature. Spine - "SIGNATURE BOOK" Inside front cover: Stationers labelnational bank of australasia -- kew (vic.), signature books, banks -- kew (vic.), gordon greer, mr bendixon, marshall slattery, manuscripts, financial records, bank records, national bank of australia

The National Bank of Australasia was formed in 1857. It began commercial operations in Queen Street, Melbourne in 1858. The Bank’s first branch in Kew opened at 87 High Street in 1885. A second building, on the corner of Walpole and Brougham Streets, designed by Inskip & Robertson, replaced the first branch in 1888. The second building remains, albeit in a somewhat altered state. In 1977, the President of the Kew Historical Society received two historic ‘Signature Books’ from the Kew branch of the National Bank of Australia.Important and unique record of names, occupations, addresses and signatures of customers of the branch. A number of signatures belong to individuals of statewide significance. Other information such as customer occupations may be unique.Ledger containing information about customers of the National Bank of Australasia's Kew Branch for the years 1894-1922. The ledger (N9457) was purchased on 9/12/85 from Sands & McDougall, Manufacturing Stationers, 46&48 Collins Street West, Melbourne. The front pages of the ledger have lines and lists of names and customer numbers. Subsequent sections are organised alphabetically by customer name. Columns on these pages include data arranged by: No. | Date | Name and Description (to be clearly written off by a member of the bank) | Signature | Initials of Bank Officer. On each page, sequential numbering extends across the years 1894-1922. Additional pieces of advice from customers are clipped through the page over the customer's signature. Spine - "SIGNATURE BOOK / N.B.OF A." Inside front cover: Stationers labelnational bank of australasia -- kew (vic.), signature books, banks -- kew (vic.), gordon greer, mr bendixon, marshall slattery, manuscripts, financial records, bank records, national bank of australia

Green cardboard packet with informational company and product text highlighted. Used for Rubber BandsNorman Bros. Pty. Ltd. / Manufacturing Stationers Printers and Importers / Pure Rubber Bands Save Time and Twine / 60-62 Elizabeth Street, Melbournenorman bros, stationers -- melbourne (vic)

Econasign kits were aimed at small businesses who could use the transparent stencils for the manufacturing of “showcards, price tickets, posters, labels, etc…..by a simple operation of printing by means of transparent stencils.Intact printing kit used in a notable Kew pharmaceutical business.A kit of printing equipment for commercial small display signage. Box and contents produced by the "Econasign" Co. Ltd. 137 Victoria Street, London S.W.1. The box includes a booklet, sample blank paper signs, a brush, and a book of plastic templates. The latter indicates that the kit was distributed by an Australian Agent - J. Raeburn Miller, 8 Bank of NSW Chamber, 280 Castlereagh St., SydneyTyped label on interior: "Donated by the descendants of Charles Gilbert Wood (1891-1948) Pharmacist of 235 High Street, Kew, Vic, / and / Donald Charles Wood (1920-1948) Pharmacist of 283 Doncaster Road, North Balwyn, Vic."econasign, pharmacy printing equipment, charles gilbert wood, donald charles wood

Female librarians at the Kew Municipal Library in the City of Kew (Vic) were in the past required to wear standard royal blue uniforms. This uniform, the earlier of two in the collection was manufactured by Neat & Trim Career Wear.Uniform that reflects the values of the period in the attempt to professionalize and homogenise the status of women workers.Royal blue Kew Library uniform, manufactured by Neat & Trim Career Wear made of 65% polyester and 35% rayon. The uniform is closed by a zip. uniforms - public libraries - kew (vic), women's clothing - uniforms, kew municipal library

Female librarians at the Kew Municipal Library in the City of Kew (Vic) were in the past required to wear standard royal blue uniforms. This uniform, the earlier of two in the collection was manufactured by Neat & Trim Career Wear.Uniform that reflects the values of the period in the attempt to professionalize and homogenise the status of women workers.Royal blue Kew Library uniform, manufactured by Neat & Trim Career Wear. The fabric is 65% polyester and 45% viscose. It is buttoned at the front. uniforms - public libraries - kew (vic), women's clothing - uniforms, kew municipal library