Modesty was designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database. The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble statue, Modesty standing with right arm folded over chest, robed and with veil over face.Modestymodesty

Modesty front to be worn as a filler with a low cut blouse or dress.Lace modesty front. Bobbin lace motifs appliqued onto machine made net.

Black lined blouse front/lousette or modesty vest with jet beadingcostume, female

Part of Mcnamara collection- Crochet in ecru cotton - false front to be worn under ladies' suit for modestyNilhandmade accessories, crochet, clothing

Sepia photo on cream paper on grey card. Modesty House, the Nurses' Home at the Bendigo Hospital. Eight men posed in group, St Bernard type dog, Nurse in uniform in 'Modesty' doorway. Two storey brick building with ornate Iron Lace trimming and Balustrades, lawn and pathways. Hand written under photo 'Nurses Home 'Modesty''. On reverse 'Royal Historical Society of Victoria/Bendigo Branch' stamp. See Research Field for further information.See reabuildings, hospital, modesty house, bendigo hospital. modesty house. nursing. vahland & getzschmann.

This nightgown is believed to have belonged to Mrs Thomas Anne Ward Cole, an early Brighton resident and wife of George Ward Cole. The item appears to have been made or altered to accommodate a pregnant belly, however purpose made maternity clothing was not common at this time. Mrs Ward-Cole’s six pregnancies took place in 1843, 1844, 1845, 1847, 1849 and 1851. The style of this garment in particular the shape of the sleeves would indicate that it is most likely to have been constructed in circa 1860, so whilst it appears to be a maternity item, and historically has been referred to as thus, this purpose cannot be confirmed. George Ward Cole was an early member of the Victorian Parliament and the family featured prominently in Melbourne Society in their time. They established a substantial home known as “St Ninians” at 10 Miller Street in 1841. The family reportedly entertained Melbourne’s first Royal visitor The Duke Of Edinburgh, Queen Victoria’s second son, at St Ninians in 1867. In later years St Ninians was subsequently subdivided and later demolishedA hand sewn ivory cotton muslin nightgown, c. 1842–1850. The bodice is made of delicately embroidered muslin in a floral design. The open flat collar features a scalloped lace frill underneath. The bodice fastens with thirteen mother of pearl buttons down the centre front. After the fourth button, the remaining buttons are concealed beneath a full gathered modesty skirt, which falls from just below the bust line. The modesty panel is secured horizontally across the bodice by six mother of pearl buttons. The sleeves finish over the back and palm of the hand in two flattened peaks. The front of the gown consisting of the modesty front is full length. The modesty gown at both sides joins two panels that are an integrated part of the bodice. At the centre back there is a very full gathered panel with lace trim that falls to create a train. It is semi-attached to the bodice with a top section secured with mother of pearl buttons and small ties. The purpose of this design feature is unknown. st ninians, george ward cole, brighton, night gown, thomas anne ward cole

This swimsuit is part of a collection of clothing donated to the Brighton Historical Society by Dr William and Helen Wells. It belonged to William's mother, Dorothy Wells (nee Marshall, 1910-2000). William's family has had a long association with Brighton, dating back to the town's earliest days in 1843 when his ancestors Robert and Eliza Hayball, who had emigrated to Melbourne two years prior, established a wattle-and-daub hut in what is now New Street, close to Tovell Street. Robert established a business as a timber merchant on the opposite side of New Street. His sons, Robert, William and Edwin took over the firm following his retirement, trading as the Hayball Bros. Hayball Court, which runs off New Street, is named after the family. Robert's son William (1855-1926) married Jessie Robertson and had four children. Their eldest, Winifred Grace Hayball (1886-1971), married Andrew Hollingsworth Marshall at the Black Street Congregational Church in 1907. They subsequently lived in Hill Street, Hawthorn, before moving into a house designed by Andrew and Winifred's brother Robert at 39 Bay Street, Brighton in 1915. Their daughter, Dorothy Marshall (1910-2000) married Robert George (Argie) Wells in 1937 at Wesley College Chapel. They lived in East Malvern until 1947, when they moved into a newly built home in Hawthorn Road, East Brighton, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Their son, William Wells (b. 1939) married Helen Pickering in 1968 and the couple have lived together in Brighton ever since.Blue knitted woollen women's one-piece swimsuit featuring a scooped back and braided crossover shoulder straps which thread through loops at the back. Small shorts cover the tops of the thighs, underneath a short modesty skirt.Designer's label near front hem, proper left: a narrow white triangular lance logo, bordered with black and featuring black text: "BLACK LANCE". Small label proper left inside seam: "BLACK LANCE / KNITTED WEAR / 38"wells family, dorothy marshall, dorothy wells, 1930s, swimwear, black lance, melbourne designers, peter o'sullivan, botany knitting mills

Under-bodices were first made of silk, though cotton was the fabric of most underwear from the second half of the century. These bodices were worn to protect against wear and soiling but more often for modesty. Undergarments such as this item were seen as essential to wear under blouses. This item is an example of a handcrafted item and reflects the needlework skills of women in the early 20th centuryA hand made white cotton woman's undergarment (chemisette) - an underbodice. It is of fine cotton with lace insertions at back and front. It has four buttons for the front opening. The bottom is gathered.women's-undergarments chemise bodice

Yields information about Ballarat's electric tramcars at the time of the opening of the service, uniforms and crews.Black and White photograph of Ballarat Horse tram with three white horses on it and many male passengers at the intersection of Sturt and Lydiard St with the Town Hall and other buildings in the background. Has the Vine Hotel modesty board advertisement. Also shows the horse harnesses and the dress of the men at the time. On rear in ink, "18)" in top left hand corner, "Ballarat horse tramways / pic copied from Max Harris collection." and in the bottom right hand corner a "William F Scott label"trams, tramways, horse trams, sturt st, lydiard st

This swimsuit belonged to Jessie Aldred (nee Dell, 1903-1995). Jessie was a dressmaker who married Frederick Ashley Aldred (1902-1974) in 1928. They lived at 34 Thomas Street, Sandringham from the late 1920s until at least the late 1970s. BHS also has a photo of Jessie on Hampton Beach in the 1920s. Seagull swimsuits were designed by Peter O'Sullivan (who also designed Black Lance swimwear) and manufactured by Botany Knitting Mills Pty Ltd in Melbourne.One piece black wool lastex swimsuit with mini-shorts and a modesty skirt to cover the tops of the thighs. White straps and white lacing down centre bodice. Seagull logo on left thigh. Low back; straps fasten with buttons at back waist. Hidden drawstring at back waist.Label: "This Seagull Swimsuit is protected by the patent and designs reg. nos. 22340/35, 13277, 16028/34".jessie aldred, jessie dell, swimwear, seagull, 1930s, melbourne designers

Photo of Horse trams No. 1 and 12 in the Gardens Area of Lake Wendouree. Photo shows both trams with many passengers, some sitting on the handrails and people standing in the street. Taken c1900? The modesty panel or the advertisement panel on the top of tram 1, has been changed in the photograph to blank out the advertisement and to draw in the handrails.Yields information about Ballarat 's horse trams No. 11 and another and its appearance in the gardens. The Modesty board has been modified to remove an advertisement.Black and white photograph with notes on rear. Has on rear, markings for use in a publication, location etc "Photo page 9 bottom Reduce to 5 1/2" x 3 1/2", in top right hand corner on three lines "4c", "1.13." and ".14." and in bottom right hand corner "KMcC" 3rd copy has "Neg 14,060, 1 and 12 at Ballarat" in ink on rear.trams, tramways, ballarat, horse trams, wendouree parade, gardens , tram 1, tram 12

Dress belonged to donor's mother.1960s blue velvet dress with V neckline decorated with flowers of embossed matching velvet Braide, diamantes, beads & sequins, matching curved velvet belt. Dress is waisted with 2 pleats either side of centre. Metal zipper down back & metal hook & eye. Lined with shot Taffeta in pink and grey shades. In lining at base of front V is an enclosed weight for modesty. Sleeves are elbow length with gathering at elbow.

This item is part of the Di Reidie collection. Diane Reidie was a much loved volunteer and President of Brighton Historical Society from 1999 until 2016. Originally from New Zealand, Di and her family lived in Male Street, Brighton for many years. A vibrant and energetic person with a zest for life and a gift for bringing people together, Di was a friend to many in the Bayside community and active in local community organisations. Her tireless work as President of BHS saw her named Bayside Citizen of the Year in 2008. As a seller and collector of vintage clothing, she was passionate about fashion history; one of her many enduring contributions to BHS was her extensive work in preserving, developing and promoting the Society's costume collection. In 2018-19, Di donated more than one hundred items from her personal vintage clothing collection to the Society. The collection, which includes clothing, hats, handbags and shoes from local and international designers, is representative of Di's wide-ranging interests, colourful personality, creativity, humour and love of fashion and travel. Di purchased this in 2012 at an auction of vintage clothing from the private collection of prominent Sydney fashion designer Lisa Ho, part of a wider sale of assets after Ho's business fell into deep debt. Ho began collecting vintage clothing and fabrics at the age of fifteen and her collection featured significant clothing items collected from around the world. For many years she drew on it as a source of design inspiration, particularly for print, in her highly successful fashion business. Di later wished she had purchased more at the auction!A full length slim fitting gown of gold metal thread and black thread self wave design fabric. The dress features a shawl collar, vertical pleat bodice, three panel, peaked front skirt. The dress secures with press studs at the centre front for modesty with a full left side opening secured by press studs. The sleeve features a front and back seam creating a squared shoulder head with fullness that is pleated in centre on the arm. the sleeve length is above the elbow. lisa ho, lisa ho collection, di reidie, vintage clothing, 1930s

Yields information about the pattern tramcar, built by Duncan & Fraser in Adelaide with a view of the factory and the location behind. Shows the tramcar prior to the fitting of modesty panels.Black and White copy photograph of a State Library of South Australia SLSA B37169, of the Ballaarat Tramway Co horse tram pattern tramcar outside the factory or carriage works of Duncan and Fraser Adelaide. Has the Adelaide Town Hall in the background. Tram has the destination board (under the upper deck) "Ballaarat & Lake Wendouree". Modesty boards not fitted. Photo taken on building date - 1887. Collected by Alan Bradley from the State Library of South Australia early 1980's. Used in The Golden City and its Tramways - page 15.tramways, trams, horse tram, duncan fraser, adelaide

Yields information about the early use of the Ballarat horse trams and condition of the roadway - lots of rocks on the road surface. Also shows an all male loading of passengers.Black and White copy photograph of a State Library of South Australia SLSA B34585 of an well loaded, only male passengers on a Ballaarat Horse Tram - Grenville and Sturt St. Two horse with many men, Wilson's Bucks Head Hotel in background. Condition of the road surface very rough - can't see the rails. Photo taken in early days, as no modesty boards on upper deck - say 1887. Possibly a trial trip. Collected by Alan Bradley from the State Library of South Australia early 1980's. Used in The Golden City and its Tramways - page 28.tramways, trams, sturt st, grenville st, bucks head hotel, horse tram

This stethoscope , or auriscope, came from the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital in 1958 when the maternity unit was transferred to the new City Hospital. Dr Walker in his correspondence states: "The foetal auriscope is from the days of modesty, came from the Royal Devon & Exter Hospital in 1958, when its maternity ward transferred to the new City Hospital and storage for memorabilia was unavailable." This item is similar to Stoke's stethoscope, or Barclay's stethoscope, as illustrated in Tiemann's catalogue of 1899. The stem of this stethoscope is, however, much longer than either of these. The stethoscope came with a letter written to Dr Walker's maternal grandfather by Dr. James Young Simpson. This letter was transferred to the RANZCOG Archives following conservation treatment by the Conservation Centre.A lightweight wooden stethoscope with long stem and a black ebony bell on one end. The bell is almost flat. 37.5 cms in length.infant care

Yields information about the working of trams with three horses up the Sturt St hill, with the Town Hall in the background and the dress of the passengers and the advertising carried - the Vine Hotel.Black and white photograph of Ballaarat Tramway Company horse tram in Lydiard St. North with Town Hall in background. Horse tram has three horses in harness, with about 30 men and boys, passengers, standing around or on the horse tram. Vine Hotel advertisement on the modesty panel of the tramcar. Both copies of the print have been laminated for display purposes. Copy 3 - unlaminated, added 29/5/2007 from Alan Bradley collection of photographs, to the depot 5/2007. See Reg Item 5109 for a framed photo of this print. copy negative scanned 18/5/2020 and image replaced.trams, tramways, town hall, horse trams, lydiard st. north, ballaarat tramway company , tram horse tram

The bed jacket, a woman's garment, is a waist-length robe worn to cover the chest, shoulders and arms while sitting up in bed. Its short length and cape-like cut allowed it to be put on (or removed) while in bed. Often made of sheer or lacy fabrics and displaying very feminine trimmings and details, it was often used more for seduction, rather than warmth or modesty. It was popularized in 1930s Hollywood films featuring glamorous settings and glamorous stars lounging languorously in their silken bedrooms. Ostrich feather tips, swan’s down, pleated tulle and shirred lace were just a few examples of the extravagant materials that could be used in creating these confections. These garments are currently very popular with people who have been hospitalized or recommended bed rest. (Source: http://www.wikipedia.com) Pale lemon coloured ladies silk bed jacket with silk lace edging. Figured silk bow tie at front neck.home, lace, female, ladies, silk, bed, jacket, bow, made

James Russell Thompson (1818-1886) a successful mining investor and stockbroker of the Ballarat Stock Exchange, gifted the pavilion and the statues within, as a 10,000 pound bequest to the City in his will. The pavilion, designed by architect T.E. Molloy on an octagonal plan with a convex curved roof, was constructed in 1887, and houses the statues Flight from Pompeii, Rebekah, Susannah, Modesty and Ruth. The pavilion is a major feature of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and unique in Victoria. It is a favourite subject for photographers, and Mrs Strange has captured it surrounded by massed small begonias. Mrs Bon Strange and her husband Bert were well known Ballarat residents. When Mrs Strange died some years ago, her extensive slide collection was sorted through and those relevant to Ballarat were gifted to the Ballarat Library. botanical gardens, lake wendouree, james russell thompson, statuary pavilion, weighing machine

Black and White scan or Bromide copy of a photograph of Ballaarat Tramway Company horse tram No. 5 outside the Vine Hotel in Macarthur St, Ballarat on the corner with Creswick Road. Has A. Ronald's Vine Hotel in the background with a Vine Hotel advertisement on the modesty board of the tramcar. Has a number of passengers, including ladies on the top deck and around the tramcar and hotel. Original of photograph from Harris House of Photography. Collected by Alan Bradley from the State Library of South Australia early 1980's. Used in The Golden City and its Tramways - page 29. 3792.1 - black and white photograph print of above - added 29/7/2007, ex Alan Bradley collection of photographs 5/2007.tramways, trams, horse trams, vine hotel, macarthur st, advertisements, tram 5

Ruth was designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers, one of five white marble statues housed in the Statuary Pavilion, Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database. the artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of BallaratWhite marble statue, Ruth is in a seated position with a loosely draped dress.Ruthruth

Susannah designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers and accompanies four statues in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Pavilion and its statues were unveiled in 1888 by Premier Duncan Gillies, a former colleague of James Russell Thompson whose bequest to the City enabled the purchase, in Italy, of the statues. The Flight from Pompeii and the four accompanying statues are housed in the Statuary Pavilion in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. The Flight from Pompeii, in the centre, was designed by Professor Carlo Benzoni and carved by Charles Francis Summers while the four accompanying statues were all designed and carved by Charles Francis Summers. The octagonal Pavilion was specially designed by T.E. Molloy in 1887 to house the statuary. The five statues and Pavilion are believed to be unique in Australia. The Flight from Pompeii, Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah are aesthetically significant as they are a group of statues, which are a fine example of the design of Professor G.M. Benzoni [Flight from Pompeii] and the design and carving of Charles Francis Summers. The carving of the Flight from Pompeii is both sensitive and finely done and both the design and carving of Modesty, Rebekah, Ruth and Susannah is sensitive and delicate with great attention to detail. The group is historically important as it epitomises the 'beautification' of the city in the 1880s by men who made their money from gold and who wished to give to the city money for projects such the statuary Pavilion and its contents. The Flight from Pompeii group is located in the Botanical Gardens, which were then also being developed in the Victorian style. This also illustrates the social feeling of the time in which the wealthy had made their money and were wanting to develop in a most substantial way, as well as to 'beautify' the city in which they lived. The Pavilion, designed by the major Ballarat architect T.E. Molloy, is unusual for its top-lit central lantern and curved roofs. The statues are seen to their best advantage because of the provision of all-round and top natural lighting. Classified: 03/03/2003 Victorian Heritage Database.The artwork is of historic and aesthetic significance to the people of Ballarat White marble statue, female seated with cloth draped over lower body.Susannahsusannah, summers

Following the death of Past Commodore John Crosbie in 1986, his long time friend from College days, Club member George Silley, was left a sum of money with which he was to handle John’s affairs. This George Silley was reluctant to accept, and in turn he offered half each to both R.M.Y.S. and R.B.Y.C. for the purchase of suitable Perpetual Trophies. The conditions agreed upon at R.M.Y.S were:- 1. The trophy to be named ‘Commodore John W. Crosbie Perpetual Trophy’. 2. To be awarded annually for: ‘The Club member of the year for his contribution to the Squadron’s Activities’. 3. Recipients of the Trophy must be nominated and seconded by Members of the Squadron. Selection criteria to be determined by the Committee, Flag Officers and General Committee. On receipt of the Trophy, April 1987, the Squadron then had it suitably engraved to George Silley’s liking by the Squadron’s engraver. In his modesty, for personal reasons, George Silley did not wish to be recognized as the donor. This agreement was not strictly adhered to, as evidenced in Annual Reports for the years 1990 and 1991, both of which rightfully credit G.A. Silley as being the donor. In 1988, for reasons unknown, and contrary to the donor’s conditions agreed upon, a further and as it turned out, erroneous inscription not to George Silley’s liking was added to the Trophy, as above. The first recipient of the Award was Les Williams in season 1986/1987. The award is by nomination from a Proposer and Seconder. General Committee then reviews the nominations received.Deep sectioned silver bowl standing 230mm high to flared lip edge, on thick sectioned stem with annular ring about mid-section, flaring out to shaped, stepped footing. Has large shaped handles, top attachment in form of seahorse heads. Mounted on 85mm high round black base, flaring out to stepped, shaped footing. Silver winners’ inscription band around diameter.Inscription on one side 1987 COMMODORE JOHN W. CROSBIE PERPETUAL TROPHY AWARDED TO THE CLUB MEMBER OF THE YEAR Erroneously added 1988 PRESENTED BY JOHN W. CROSBIE MEMBER ROYAL MELBOURNE YACHT SQUADRON 1934-86 COMMODORE 1970 -72 HONORARY LIFE MEMBERjohn w crosbie, memorial cup, trophy, perpetual

This nightgown is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. This nightgown is machine sewn by Eliza Towns and she has added a detailed design of pintucks and broderie anglaise lace to the front yoke and cuffs as a decorative element. The 1800's bought a shift in attitude towards modesty as the Victorian era progressed and by the mid to late 1800's it had become more acceptable ladies to wear simple, modest nightgowns. They tended to have a very loose fit and were usually made of linen, cotton or flannel, which had the advantage of providing warmth and also being easy to wash - a necessity for a garment worn next to the skin. Although the basic design of the nightgown was fairly simple, the wearer was free to add various types of trim e.g. lace, crochet, pintucks, embroidery etc.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery to personalise and embellish a practical item of clothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulties that women of this era faced with regard to the washing of clothes and household linens.Lady's long, white, cotton nightgown with a V shaped bodice decorated with bands of nine pintucks alternating with strips of broderie anglaise lined with pink ribbon. The opening front placket and neckline are bordered with a simpler broderie anglaise lace. The long sleeves are gathered into cuffs with a matching V shape, pintuck and broderie anglaise design. The front placket fastens with three cream buttons although one is missing. The back of the nightgown has gathered fabric on a plain, narrow V shape yoke. A narrow gusset has been added to the both sides at the bottom of the nightgown.Noneflagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, victorian era clothing, victorian era nightgown, nightgown, nightdress, eliza towns, nhill, wimmera, textiles, clothing, machine sewing, hand sewing, pintucks, broderie anglaise, sewing

This corset cover is one of several linen and clothing items that were made and belonged to Mrs. Eliza Towns and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village. Eliza was born Eliza Gould in 1857 in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill) and in 1879 married Charles Towns. In the early 1880's they moved to Nhill in western Victoria and remained there for the rest of their married life. Charles was a jeweller and later became an accountant and for many years was involved with the Shire Council, the local show committee (A & P Society), the Hospital Committee and the Board of the local newspaper (the Nhill Free Press). They had three children and lived a life that would be regarded as comfortably "middle class". Eliza probably had a treadle sewing machine and would have made many of her own clothes as well as clothes for her children - adding her own handmade embroidered or crocheted decorative trim. This corset cover is an excellent example of an everyday clothing item with the decorative trim favoured by women in the late Victorian era. Eliza Towns has added pintucks, embroidered feather stitch and a highly decorative hand crocheted lace trim to the neckline, sleeves and front of the bodice. Corset covers (sometimes called camisoles) began to appear in women's fashion around 1840 and continued through the late Victorian decades into the Edwardian era. The long chemise was considered too bulky to cover the corset and so the corset cover was developed to be short and light and was worn over the corset and under the bodice of the outer garment. A woman would dress into her chemise and drawers first, followed by her corset and finally her corset cover as a final layer under her dress. Corset covers served several purposes. They provided protection against sweat (and the need to regularly wash the corset), helped smooth the lines of the corset and increased a woman's modesty.This item is an example of the needlework skills of women in the late 19th century - combining machine stitching with hand embroidery and crochet to embellish an item of personal underclothing. It is also significant as an example of a practical solution to the difficulty of hand washing a corset in the Victorian era.A short (waist length) corset cover of fine cotton. Short sleeves fall from a square neckline and are gathered into a wide crocheted lace trim with a band of embroidered feather stitch. The same crocheted lace design and feather stitching are also on the square neckline which is finished with a drawstring ribbon. The bodice has a front opening with five buttons and is bordered on each side with four pintucks. It has a drawstring ribbon at the waist and an extra layer of fine cotton lining has been added to strengthen the corset cover under the arms. The back has two bands of three pintucks running vertically from the neckline to the waist.flagstaff hill, flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, nhill, wimmera, eliza towns, underclothing, corset cover, camisole, machine sewing, hand sewing, crocheted lace, pintucks, feather stitch, embroidery, underwear, victorian era underclothing, victorian era corset cover

The sculptor of the Shakespeare sculpture was Andor Meszaros of Kew, Melbourne. The unveiling was undertaken by Mayor Arthur W. Nicholson. The statue was presented by L.F. North, general Manager of the Fidelity Trustee Company Limited, representing the late H.P. Stevens as one of the benefactors whose generosity enabled the Statue to be erected. The "portrait statue" shows how people saw Shakespeare as he wanted to be seen; as author-actor bowing to the applause. His position implies modesty, the knowledge of his own worth; majesty. his movement is at once humble and royal. The statue was positioned so people approaching or leaving Ballarat Civic Hall will see the statue full face, and the bowing attitude enables them to continue to study the face even from a few feet distant. The base in in the form of an Elizabethan stage, and is designed so that its sides correspond to the existing angles of its position. The proposal to erect a Statue of Shakespeare in Ballarat stemmed from a movement in 1889, when a committee was formed and a meeting held to inaugurate the proposal. At the initial meeting 258 pounds was contributed to the fund, which was later built on by further donations. In 1935 the fund stood at 945 pounds. In 1939 a bequest of 100 pounds was received from the estate of the late Frank Gale. In October 1952, the Fidelity trustee Company Limited notified of an extract of the will of Harry Person Stevens, in which be bequeathed the sum of 2,000 pounds to the fund for the erection of a Statue of William Shakespeare. In 1957 it was felt the fund had accumulated to an amount sufficient to carry out the intentions of the fund. at that stage the money in hand was approximately 4,000 pounds.A small committee was appointed to further the proposal. In May 1959 a panel of adjudicators met to determine the winner of a limited competition amongst sculptors. The committee comprised Cr G.L. Scott, Cr K.C. Webb, Cr W.E. Roff, J.H. Heinz representing the Fidelity Trustee Company Limited, and R.P. Evans of the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery. Norma Redpath, the nominee of the Victorian Sculptors' Society was present in the capacity of an adviser. Four page leaflet printed for the City of Ballarat Ceremony of handing over, accepting and unveiling the Shakespeare State at the Ballarat Civic Hall. The Shakespeare sculpture is cast in bronze and sits on a Stawell stone base. stevens, fidelity trustee company, gale, ballarat civic hall, shakespeare, north, nicholson, stawell stone, andor meszaros, sculpture