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.Typewritten letter in black ink on cream paper, with a hole punched in the upper left hand corner. Letter has initially been printed as a form with dotted lines, that have later been printed over.MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF TEXTILES 35.1288 23-35 Cumberland Road, PASCOE VALE, W.8. 20TH March, 1964 Messrs. Robert Blake Pty. Ltd., 6 Hall Street, MOONEE PONDS. Dear Sir Re: …. THOMSON N. …. The abovenames student, a member of your organization, has been absent from the following classes: Thursday / 19/3/64 / Certificate Course We are very keen for these classes to be a success, and would be obliged if you to see that he attends regularly in future. Yours faithfully, MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF TEXTILES. [SIGNATURE] O. C. RIEGULHUTH, ACTING PRINCIPAL.business, business history, manufacturing, knitting machine, fashion textile production, business archives, manufacturing documents, textile education, melbourne school of textiles, vocational training, training, education, school

Neck tie, part of the outfit for the "Sheep to suit" record attempt, Melbourne School of Textiles,1982.Part of the 'Sheep to Suit' event outfit.Gary David/ highest quality/MADE IN AUSTRALIAtextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing

Suit pants, cream, natural, wool. Part of the three piece suit which set the "Sheep to suit" record by Melbourne College of Textiles in 1982Part of the 'Sheep to Suit' event outfit.A product of the Clothing School, MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF TEXTILES/ PURE WOOLtextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing

Suit jacket, cream, natural, wool and cream silk lining. Part of the three piece suit which set the "Sheep to suit" record by Melbourne College of Textiles in 1982Part of the 'Sheep to Suit' event outfit.A product of the Clothing School, MELBOURNE COLLEGE OF TEXTILES/ PURE WOOLtextile production fashion shearing weaving sewing, melbourne college of textiles australian wool corporation sunbeam corporation limited, spinning, highlights of the national wool museum: from sheep to suit - exhibition (22/09/2001 - 02/12/2001), textile production, fashion, shearing, weaving, sewing

Embroidery thread is useful for craft and sewing projects. Semco was a Melbourne firm which in 1923 opened a factory in Cheltenham Road, Black Rock. It moved to George Street, Sandringham, and amalgamated with Coats Paton in 1983. There are no donation details with this Semco wheel, but it was in the same package as some Ric Rac trims and garters which date from around the 1950s to 1960s.Embroidery and sewing skills have been traditionally valued for women and these were often taught to girls in schools.Small cardboard Semco Rayon Crochet wheel wound with gold embroidery threadOn front: 'Semco / RAYON CROCHET / (50 YARDS) / GUARANTEED / FAST / COLOURS'sewing, craft, 1950s-1960s, semco

Awarded to Donald Neil Symons for excellence in Scripture during his final year at Ballarat College. Neil was educated at Ballarat College (Dux 1933) and Ormond College, Melbourne University. He became a Clothing industry leader and was Fletcher Jones' distinguished successor as chief executive of the FJ organisation, and a prominent advocate for the Australian textile and clothing industries, decentralised industry and government support of employee share ownership schemes. Small, maroon leather-bound book with gold title and detailing on spine and gold school crest on front cover; plain endpapers; bookplate inside front cover.Book plate inside front covers: school crest / Ballarat College / Sixth Form / Scripture Prize / (Gift of Mrs T R Cairns) / Awarded to / D N Symons / A Richardson, BA / December 1930 Principaldonald-neil-symons, fletcher-jones, cairns

Awarded to Donald Neil Symons for excellence in Scripture during 1926 at Ballarat College. Neil was educated at Ballarat College (Dux 1933) and Ormond College, Melbourne University. He became a Clothing industry leader and was Fletcher Jones' distinguished successor as chief executive of the FJ organisation, and a prominent advocate for the Australian textile and clothing industries, decentralised industry and government support of employee share ownership schemes.Thick, maroon leather-bound book with gold lettering on spine, black wording and detail and gold school crest on front cover; bookplate inside front coverBookplate inside front cover:School crest / Ballarat College / IVA Form / Scripture Prize / (The gift of Mrs Cairns) / Awarded to / Neil Symons / A Richardson BA / December 1926 Principaldonald-neil-symons, cairns, scripture, book prize

Awarded to Donald Neil Symons for excellence in Scripture during 1926 at Ballarat College. Neil was educated at Ballarat College (Dux 1933) and Ormond College, Melbourne University. He became a Clothing industry leader and was Fletcher Jones' distinguished successor as chief executive of the FJ organisation, and a prominent advocate for the Australian textile and clothing industries, decentralised industry and government support of employee share ownership schemes.Medium-sized, maroon, leather-bound book with gold-lettering and decoration on spine and gold school crest on front cover; bookplate inside front coverBookplate inside front cover: School crest / Ballarat College / Sixth-Lower Form / Dux Prize / Awarded to / D N Symons / A Richardson BA / December 1930 Principaldonald-neil-symons, dux, 1930s, fletcher jones

Awarded to Donald Neil Symons for excellence in Scripture during 1926 at Ballarat College. Neil was educated at Ballarat College (Dux 1933) and Ormond College, Melbourne University. He became a Clothing industry leader and was Fletcher Jones' distinguished successor as chief executive of the FJ organisation, and a prominent advocate for the Australian textile and clothing industries, decentralised industry and government support of employee share ownership schemes.Small, maroon, leather-bound book with gold lettering and detail on spine and gold crest on front cover; book plate inside front coverBook plate inside front cover: School crest / Ballarat College / Third Prize / (Lower division) / Awarded to / N Symons / A Richardson BA / December 1927 Principaldonald-neil-symons, fletcher jones, 1920s, book prize

St Andrews Primary School was one of thirteen primary schools and one high school to participate in the banner project. A picture of the St Andrews Primary School banner was included in page 10 of The banner habits of the Eltham tribes : Eltham Shire "as we are" Community Banner Project report /​ by Jacky Talbot. The 'As We Are' Community Banner Project was the first major Community Arts project initiated and co-ordinated through the resources of the Shire of Eltham. It was originally conceived and inspired by a local textile artist, Tracey Naughton, who, together with the Community Services Manager of this local government council, made the idea a very concrete and flourishing reality. The project grew from the original fourteen or so intending participant groups to fifty-seven banners; expressions of those diverse groups' interests and identities. As a first major project it was rightly felt by Tracey Naughton, who became the Shire's first Community Arts Officer in March 1985, that it should be fully documented, so that an appraisal of the extensive growth of this community arts development process could be assessed. Given the time and money available to do this, Jacky Talbot, and her advisors, decided it was appropriate to select fifteen or twenty banners for detailed analysis. This was done by taping interviews with members of the chosen groups. The groups were chosen to cover all ages participating, from the toddlers in the Playhouse to our grand elder citizens in their Nursing Horne, and to cover a wide range of different types of groups - schools, scouts, churches, youth issue based, and the numerous women's groups of various combinations, localities and concerns. ·. Some groups who presented their banners for the culminating highlight of this project - the Exhibition, held at the Eltham Community Centre on October 9th, 1986, had no contact with the Shire or project co-ordinator, but heard about the project through the local news' networks or other participants. The extent of community participation was enormous. It involved hundreds and hundreds of people. It changed some people's lives, enlivened others. As a first step on a new road its success is notable. The 'As We Are' Community Banner Project took place in the Shire of Eltham and neighbouring environs for approximately 12 months, from October 1985.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Cardbanners, st andrews primary school, banner project, community, emblems, flags, shire of eltham

Colour Photographrts, ringwood tech

The origin of this pennant is unknown. It is the only one of its kind in the heritage collection. A past student has suggested that it was possibly issued to students in the 1960s as a fundraiser.Navy blue triangular felt pennant with the school logo (yellow and white) and the word 'Strathmore' painted (possibly stencilled) on the front in yellow paint.

The origin of this pennant is unknown. It is in excellent condition and is the only one of its kind in the heritage collection. Navy blue triangular felt pennant with a sewn on yellow fabric and tabs along the left edge. The school logo (yellow and white) and the words 'Williamstown Grammar' are stencilled in yellow on the front. strathmore grammar, school emblem

Possibly brought from Scotland by donor's grandmother Ellen Richardson who had a school at Taradale, Victoria. Later married Ferdinand Rosan and settled at Torrumburry.Decorative edging for a shelf. Blue tent stitch background with design in black, grey, white and silver beads in a floral design.beading, canvas work, furnishings, mid 19th century, scotland

2 patterns (iron-on, designed by Royal School of Needlework for Queen Elizabeth II coronation. 1. Cushion cover 2. Sampler, directions for working includedpatterns, royal school, sampler, coronation

Embroidered by Lesley Uren for an exhibition at The Meat Market Craft Centre in 1998The Princess Theatre was built in 1854 and rebuilt in 1886 to a design by noted Melbourne architect William Pitt. The Princess Theatre is the oldest surviving entertainment venue on mainland Australia. The theatre is built in an elaborate Second Empire style, reflecting the opulence of the "Marvellous Melbourne" boom period. Lesley Uren is an important exponent of metal thread embroidery (Goldwork) and a founding member of the Embroiderers Guild Victoria and was awarded an OAM in 2013. Lesley is a prolific embroiderer with many of her works hanging in exhibitions, museums, schools and churches across Australia.Embroidered picture of the front of The Princess Theatre, Melbourne: worked in gold metal threads on grey silk fabricPrincess Theatrearchitecture, building, melbourne

A registration seal of the Custom and Excise No. 41 is on the back of the piece. Designed and worked by Mrs E. John, made at Doncast School of Arts, England.A rug canvas is used with a variety of threads which include 'Thrums' wool. The design of fruit and vegetables has a great variety of canvas stitches.embroidery, panels, 1940-60, england, canvas work

Worked by a student of Miss K. Whyte at the Glasgow School of Art, ScotlandGreen and yellow square of linen. Nine squares woven in shades of green and yellow. Each square featuring a circle embroidered with variety of stitches and designs and blue, yellow and green threads.embroidery, sampler, 1940-60, scotland, surface stitchery

Worked by a student of Miss K. Whyte at the Glasgow School of Art, ScotlandSurface stichery sampler. Green and yellow squared linen. Three squares have variety of stitches in green, fawn and cream.embroidery, samplers, 1940-60, scotland, surface stitchery

Designed and worked by Edith M. John (English embroiderer), Doncaster School of Art, England. Design was inspired by fountain near school.Machine embroidery on grey wool fabric in pink and brown with brown velvet trim. Design depicts stylised fountains.embroidery, machine embroidery, stoles, 1960-80, england

The Polish born artist, designer and filmmaker, Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski (1922-1944), who arrived in Melbourne in 1949 on the 'Fairsea', a ship carrying displaced persons from Europe and the Baltic States. He sought employment in architectural and design practices, and also enrolled in classes at the National Gallery School. From 1952 until 1953 Ostoja-Kotkowski had a brief, but productive, period working as a designer in the Prestige Fabric Design Studio in Melbourne. Ann Carew, 2017The textile design has aesthetic significance as an example of the early Australian work of noted emigre artist, designer and filmmaker, Stanislaus Ostoja-Kotkowski, and it has historical significance for its association with the Prestige's Textile Design Studio, and the studio's art director, Gerhard Herbst. Small sample of pale green rayon fabric with a bold, repeating geometric pattern printed in black and white.emigre, polish, design, textile design, rmit design archives

Cash's first began manufacturing name tags, woven badges and woven labels in Australia in 1913, and since then countless Cash's labels have been sewn onto school and club jumpers. The Boy Scouts commissioned this point paper design featuring a boy, puma and snake. It is inspired by imagery from Kipling’s Jungle Book.Point paper design featuring boy, puma and snake. Corresponding clothing label attachedtextile design, design

Cash's first began manufacturing name tags, woven badges and woven labels in Australia in 1913, and since then countless Cash's labels have been sewn onto school and club jumpers. Point paper design featuring map and flag. Corresponding clothing label attachedtextile design, rmit design archives

Michael O’Connell (1898-1976) arrived in Melbourne in 1920 with no professional training apart from that of a soldier on the Western Front. During the 1920s however he discovered a talent for design and, returning from a visit home to England via France and Italy in 1929, focussed on textile design with his wife Ella. This fragment of a wall hanging shows clear indebtedness to the School of Paris, Matisse in particular, and other designs from the early 1930s indicate that O’Connell was familiar with the work of Raoul Dufy who had created some successful and popular fabric designs for Paul Poiret.Textile piece featuring women and geometric patterntextile design, rmit design archives, mid-century modern

Rectangular blue coarse cotton banner with yellow and white lettering. It bears a book and a cross and yellow fringing along the bottom edge. There are five banner supports in the form of loops along the top edge."RINGWOOD METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL'ringwood methodist sunday school, banners, methodist sunday schools