Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.A sepia photograph showing a group of women and two children seated on the grass with picnic baskets open. Two wicker prams are behind the group. The three women named are Mrs W. Wright, Mrs C. Cane and Mrs W.G. WrightFront face of photograph written in white - "Snaps.", Auch.1R.R.10, R34; in pen - 0, X and a crossed 0. On the back - Printed - New Zealand Post Card; Hand written - Mrs W.Wright (Marked with a X) snapped during a 6 months holiday in New Zealand 1910. Mrs C. Cane marked with a 0, Mrs W.G. Wright (jn) marked with a crossed 0frank wright, mrs w wright, cane, pram, picnic, new zealand

Alexander Wright was born on 25 August, 1898 in Smeaton He was the brother of musician Frank Wright. Alex Wright was killed whilst performing at the Birmingham Empire as the result of a German air Attack in October 1940. The theatre had a direct hit. According to Frank Wright Alex was a great impersonator with a unique range Bass - tenor with many accents (not unlike Peter Dawson) "AUSTRALIAN CARUSO Smeaton Boy's Fame Andre Navarre, who left Australia about three years ago to study opera in Europe, bids fair to take a place among the world's great tenors. A few months ago Navarre sang for Melba for the first time, and she immediately acclaimed him to be a finished artist, describing his voice as the nearest approach to the immortal Caruso she had ever heard, writes the Ballarat "Courier." Andre Navarre is, however, only a stage name adopted by Alexander Wright, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William. Wright, of Armstrong street North, Ballarat, and brother of Mr. Frank Wright and Mrs. William Ritchie, of that city. Born at smeaton 31 years ago, in what may be termed a musical atmosphere; Alex. Wright showed a definite desire to sing at a very early age, and in his boyhood figured as soloist at school concerts, etc. His youth was spent around Smeaton, working at home and at various farms in the district until he was about 19 years of age, when he secured a position at the Dunlop rubber works, Melbourne. Up to this period Wright had no vocal training whatever, but being the possessor of a good resonant baritone voice, was persuaded by some of his friends to "have a go at the stage.'' Securing a position in the chorus of "Maid of the Mountains," which was at that time showing at the Theatre Royal, he soon made his voice heard to advantage, and also commenced to take lessons from Signor Robottaro. It was about this time that Wright was invited by a fellow musician to a musical evening at which a member of Rigo's grand opera company, then performing at " The Playhouse," was also present. Hearing Wright sing, the musician immediately said : ' You're a fool to waste your time in a chorus with that voice. Rigo is looking for a singer like you for the role of 'Figaro' in 'Barber of Seville'." Alex, however, did not take the remark seriously, and it was only after the numerous persuasions of friends who obviously knew the real value of his voice that the modest young man was eventually induced to meet Rigo. The Italian maestro was so delighted with the voice that without hesitation he was given the principle role of "The Barber" to study. Many singers having previously been tried and rejected for the part, Wright was astonished at his success in being chosen, and awakened suddenly to the fact by the maestro that a world voice, if properly trained, would surely develop in the young artist, Alex at once settled down to study, and all day long in his boarding house at St. Kilda could be heard rehearsing his new role. In less than a month he had completely mastered the part, and on the opening night, in the exacting role of "The Barber," he was an outstanding success. Later, he toured Australia with many leading artists, including Elsa Stralia and Harry Lauder, and spent his last two years in Sydney, where he was engaged as soloist in the biggest picture house. Realising that a training in Italy and on the Continent was essential for a successful operatic singer, the young artist decided to go overseas to continue his studies. He did not leave Australia, however, before he gratuitously gave a concert in his little home town to the obvious delight of all his old friends, who flocked from all parts of the district to hear him. The hall was packed to overflowing , and so pleased was Alex with the tumultuous reception he received that he sang fewer than 20 songs. Once in Italy, he lost no time in placing himself under the tuition of Cottone, and it was at the studio of this maestro that he met Toti dal Monte, a former protege of the same master. Two years were spent in Italy, when "Navarre" learned to speak the Italian language fluently, and acquired a wide knowledge of the operas. He sang in Milan about a year ago, and was paid some glowing tributes by the Italian Press critics, who likened his voice to that of Caruso. From Italy he went to Paris, where he met John Brownlee and many other famous singers. The critics on the Continent are unanimous that Andre Navarre-the unassuming Smeaton boy, whom his schoolmates still affectionately call "Hock"--is destined to become one of the luminaries in music history. It is interesting to recall some facts concerning the remarkable family from which this artist springs. Four other members have won championship honors in the musical world. Mr. Frank Wright has the Australasian cornet championship to his credit ; Mr. Norman Wright, of Sydney, has won a tenor championship of New Zealand, and has recorded for the Columbia Gramophone Company ; Mrs. Wm. Ritchie ( formerly Miss Laura Wright) won the A.N.A. contralto championship in Melbourne; whilst the oldest member, Lydia (Mrs. C. Cane, now in N.Z.) won the violin championship at South Street when 17 years of age. Last year Mrs. and Mr. Wright celebrated their golden wedding. Both of the old folk are intensely musical, and it has been said that the voice of the mother, although entirely untrained, showed in her earlier days glimpses of the beautiful quality which made Melba famous. Andre Navarre does not propose leaving the Continent for some time. Recently he was offered a 12 months' contract to sing in London for £2500 but on the advice of Melba and his coach, it was refused on the grounds that yet another 12 months' French study was necessary to ensure absolute perfection. That "Alex " has lost none of his school-boy wit is evinced by his own jocular remark that he has "a top C sharp that will crack every window in the Sydney Town Hall!" (Horsham Times, 20 February 1931) "AUSTRALIAN KILLED An Australian, Alexander Wright, radio variety star, who toured Europe and Australia under the pseudonym of Navarre, was killed during a recent air raid in a Midland . town. His broth-er, Frank Wright, is musical director for the London County council."(Border Morning Mail, 22 Oct 1940) Black and white image of Smeaton born Alexander Wright whose professional name was Navarre "Prince of Mimics". alexander wright, alec wright, navarre

Supporters of the Mission often made their homes and gardens available as venue for Christmas Boxing day and Cup day events or picnics. On Boxing Day 1920 around 100 men were welcomed by Mr and Mrs Duckett on the grounds of the home Riversdale. They went there on a river excursion.A record of just one group of international sailors a long way from their home an country attending a Mission event. Black and white photograph of a trio of sailors in dress uniform – 2 seated on cane garden chairs one with piano-accordion being played. The standing sailor holds a cameraPencil inscription on verso in pencil handwritten :" Boxing day 1920 / Group of Swedes" ; at right angles a number "893"camera, uniforms, accordeon, accordion, picnic, seamen, swedish, 1920, boxing day, riversdale, edward duckett

This album containing 50 photographs depicts a year at the Mission in 1928: Wedding of the Dora Walker with Harry Simpson on 14 February. Picnic at Riversdale Hawthorn, 1 January 1928 Ships in Port Melbourne in November: HMAS Australia, HMAS Brisbane, and destroyers Anzac, Success, Swordsman Wharfs, Victoria Dock, Stevedores Picnic in Finhaven, Kew, the Buchan's Property for Cup Day (6 November) Views of Port Melbourne from 1888 building Monday 29 October: return of Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Harrington Lees), who had spent a 10-month holiday in England with his wife. Arrival on the RMS Maloja Two photographs are missing.Pre Great Depression, 1928 was a difficult year in Melbourne and also for the Mission. Ships were rare on the wharfs meaning seamen were also rare in the missions. However they started the fundraising for the extension of the 1888 Port Melbourne building which was becoming too small. At the end of the year, Reverend Weller announced he was appointed assistant in London. He and his wife Alexina left in January 1929 after five years. They sailed on the Osterley on the 22 January 1929.Embossed yellow font on cover reads: ALBUMfan, strikes, police, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), alexina weller (nee caley), freda oxley, hmas australia, hmas brisbane, great depression, unemployment, port melbourne, station pier, sugar cane, queensland, dora simpson nee walker, weddings, cup day, finhaven, kew, the ducketts, mrs john buchan, flinders street extension, gasworks, wharfs, victoria dock, motorboat, southern cross, success, destroyers, football, sports, rms maloja, lhlg, fan album, anzac, swordsman, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934

Wilhelmena, born 1856 on the ship "Wilhelmena" en route to Australia. Parents Robert and Margaret Anderson. Glen Isla was built in 1868 (added to in 1887-88) to become a Boarding House, run by Wilhelmena. Married James Young, became first Sewing Mistress at the Phillip Island School. died 20/09/1938.Wilhelmena Young seated in cane chair, covered with shawl. Home Glen Isla in background, shortly before her death.local history, photography, photographs, slides, film, wilhelmena young nee anderson, black & white photograph, mrs emma anderson jacobs

Sepia studio photo. Woman wearing academic regalia, pincenez, ring on 4th. L.H. finger. Figure holds sheet music in both hands. Cane table at figure's right. Studio view in background. Printed in script 'Stewart and Co. Printed in capitals '284 - 286 Bourke Street, Melbourne'at bottom left. Writtyen back"Mr and Mrs Dowsey. With fond love from Auntie May. 19.11.06Stewart and Co., Bourke Street, melbourneperson, individual, female - academic

MRS. FLO TREMBATH, NEE FLO PERRY. MUSIC TEACHER AND MEMBER OF CHOIR.ORIGINAL SEPIA PHOTOGRAPH OF MISS FLO PERRY - LATER MRS. FLO TREMBATH, STANDING BY CANE FRAME BESIDE VASE OF ROSES.PARIS PANELlocal history, photography, photographs, trembath, perry

Knobkerrie are clubs used as weapons mainly in South and East Africa. The club end can be used to throw at an animal or to club an enemy's head in. Usually these would be carved from a protruding tree branch. The name is Afrikaans and comes from 'Knop', meaning knot or ball and 'Kierie', meaning cane.Accessioned into the museum collection in 1913 and donated by a Mrs Newcome, there is not much other information on its provenance. However, the museum collection holds several artefacts from this region of South Africa and much of it was collected during the Boer Wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902.A wooden club type object. It has a narrow cylindrical handle with a large wooden sphere at the top. The wood is shiny and smooth with a polished effect. The handle is 31.5cm long with a 2cm diameter and the head or knob has a height of 9.5cm and a circumference of 27cm.This would have been hand carved from a protruding tree branch. Towards the end of the handle is a 13.9cm section of zig-zag patterning. Further down towards the 'knob' there looks to be carved into the wood 'Jud'.knobkerrie, boer war, zulu, south africa, ethnography, weapon

Wedding Portrait. Mr. & Mrs. Jim Raitt. Mother and Father of Don Raitt.Sepia studio wedding photograph of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Raitt. Bride is standing carrying a bouquet & gloves with flowers in her hair and veil. Bride groom is seated, with cane, hat & gloves on his lap. Yeomans Co. Bourke St., East. Melbourne. The name Mr. Mrs. Jim Raitt is hand written on top of photograph.stawell

The photograph of the baby in the cane pram is Thelma Phillips nee Raitt. The donor of the photograph was her daughter Mrs. Beverley Biggs.Sepia photograph of a baby seated in an elaborate cane and seagrass pram. The pram has metal wheels. The baby is dressed in a fluffy overcoat and bonnet with a broach pinned to the bib. c1900Stawell Photographic Co., Main Street Close Railway C. Hewitt, Manager printed on the front. On the back is hand written Mrs. Biggs mother Mrs. Thelma Phillips nee Raitt, Nana. Also the stamp of the Stawell photographic Co.stawell portrait

Fan belonged to the donor's mother, Mrs. Evelyn Osborne.Black fan - top half silk with white flowers and blue leaves and a silver edge to fan. Lower half of fan is black cane perforated with a design.costume accessories, female

Alice Sedgman (nee Percy) – 1873-1945 Alice was born in Maldon in 1873, one of 9 children of William Henry Percy and his wife Unice King. Alice married Francis Sedgman, occupation painter, in 1896 and they went on to have 8 children, all born in Kew or Hawthorn before the family came to Surrey Hills. The electoral roll for 1903 shows the family living in Liddiard Street in Hawthorn and Alice’s occupation is given as home duties. It is the same in 1909 when they are living at 65 Croydon Road, Surrey Hills and continues to be thus listed in all electoral rolls until the 1943 edition, just before her death. However Mrs Sedgman was also an active nurse and midwife who often worked with Dr James Blakie, who had arrived in Surrey Hills in 1905, initially practicing from 171 Union Road and then in 1913 moving across the road to the purpose-built home and practice at 174 Union Road, now Surrey Hills Medical Centre. At this period most babies were born at home. Sometime after 1931 Alice and Francis Sedgman moved from 65 Croydon Road into 10 Grovedale Road and lived with their son Francis William Sedgman and his family for the remainder of their lives. The photo shows Mrs Alice Sedgman in early 1930s with grand-daughter Joy in the garden of her son. Behind her can be seen the fenced 'quarry' which is now parkland. Alice died in 1945 and Francis in 1951. They are buried in Boroondara Cemetery along with an infant son Clarence and daughter Marjorie. Alice Sedgman was one of the area's early midwives when women for the main part delivered their children at home.A black and white photograph of a lady sitting in a cane chair holding a young girl on her knee.mr francis william sedgman, mr francis sedgman, mrs alice sedgman, miss alice percy, miss joy sedgman, mrs joy scanlon, grovedale road park, grovedale road quarry, croydon road, grovedale road, midwife, nurse

Alice Sedgman (nee Percy) – 1873-1945 Alice was born in Maldon in 1873, one of 9 children of William Henry Percy and his wife Unice King. Alice married Francis Sedgman, occupation painter, in 1896 and they went on to have 8 children, all born in Kew or Hawthorn before the family came to Surrey Hills. The electoral roll for 1903 shows the family living in Liddiard Street in Hawthorn and Alice’s occupation is given as home duties. It is the same in 1909 when they are living at 65 Croydon Road, Surrey Hills and continues to be thus listed in all electoral rolls until the 1943 edition, just before her death. However Mrs Sedgman was also an active nurse and midwife who often worked with Dr James Blakie, who had arrived in Surrey Hills in 1905, initially practicing from 171 Union Road and then in 1913 moving across the road to the purpose-built home and practice at 174 Union Road, now Surrey Hills Medical Centre. At this period most babies were born at home. Sometime after 1931 Alice and Francis Sedgman moved from 65 Croydon Road into 10 Grovedale Road and lived with their son Francis William Sedgman and his family for the remainder of their lives. Alice died in 1945 and Francis in 1951. They are buried in Boroondara Cemetery along with an infant son Clarence and daughter Marjorie. The donor is her granddaughter, daughter of son William Francis Sedgman. A black and white photograph of a lady sitting in a cane chair holding a baby on her knee.mr francis william sedgman, mr francis sedgman, mrs alice sedgman, miss alice percy, croydon road, midwife, nurse

The photo was taken in 1928 and the young child is definately Jocelyn Francesca Cerini, elder daughter of Natale Cerini and his wife Ethel (MS: Swan). The Cerini family lived at 215 Union Road. Most likely that the photo was taken in the back garden of 215 Union Road which backs onto 11 and 13 Barton Street. Thus the houses in the background are the two houses occupied by Barton family members - No 11 and 13 Barton Street, Surrey Hills. The photo card index compiled by Jocelyn Hall (nee Cerini) identifies the elderly lady as Miss Annie Barton, sister of Rev John Barton, second minister of Wyclif Congregational Church. She was a nurse. However the age of Jocelyn (born 1922) makes it more likely that this is Mrs Annie Eliza Barton (nee Duncan), wife of the Rev John Barton and mother of James Duncan Barton, John Saxon Barton, Ida Grace Barton, Albert Edward Barton, Annie Barton and Harold Arthur Barton. Annie Eliza (Duncan) Barton was born in 1845 and died on 16 Jan 1933, which is consistent with the age of the lady pictured. By the time this photo was taken her husband, the Rev John Barton (1844-1919) had died. He was minister of the Wyclif Church in 1896 and continued in that role until 1907. After a further appointment John Barton retired and continued to worship at Wyclif, residing at 13 Barton Street. On Federation in 1901 the street name changed - it was originally Kent Street. John Barton was born in 1845 in Ainsdale, Lancashire, son of James Barton and Ann Rimmer and grew up in Formby - the name later given to No 13 Barton Street. His family appear to have remained in the UK. He married Ann Eliza Duncan in 1872 in Queensland. Of the 2 daughters who were nurses: Ida Grace Barton (b 1877) did not marry. She trained at the Homeopathic Hospital (later Prince Henry's Hospital), graduating in 1909. Annie Barton (b 1883, Geelong) trained at the Melbourne Hospital. She was Matron AANS during WW1 in charge of the Base Hospital (Military) in St Kilda Road. She married Dr John Hodgson Nattrass. She died in 1965 at Caulfield. John and Ann Eliza Barton are buried in Box Hill Cemetery - C0044.A black & white photo of an elderly lady seated in a cane chair in an outdoor setting. To one side is a young girl also seated in a chair and holding a doll; to the other side is a doll's pram containing another doll. The background is indistinct but appear to be houses.clothing and dress, 1928, miss jocelyn francesca cerini, mrs jocelyn hall, annie eliza duncan, annie eliza barton, box hill cemetery, rev john barton, jocelyn cerini, dolls, 215 union road

John Wilson shows his Member of the Order of Australia medal to R.J. Stacey (name on the cane that the woman is holding).B/W image of John Wilson showing to his medal to an elderly womanjohn wilson, association for the blind, awards

Sir Rupert Hamer, who proclaimed October 15 as White Cane Day for the State of Victoria, holding a white cane and standing between two blind ladies. The one on the right is possibly Mrs Alice McClelland.1 B/W photographwhite cane day, sir rupert hamer

Mrs Walker and Mrs Mealing using their white canes as they walk along a sloping footpath.B/W photograph of two women with white canesMobility - historicalroyal blind society of nsw, white cane day, mrs mealing, mrs walker

This was the home of 3 generations of the Coop family: 1. Josephine and George Frank Coop (noted in Box Hill Rate Books for 1947-1954). 2. George Burton Coop (1906-1960) and his family. He was Assistant Chief Architect of Victoria in the Public Works Department (P.W.D.) George Burton Coop was born in c1906 in Williamstown, the son of Josephine Vistarini and George Frank Coop. He married Winifred Alice Trewartha in 1936 and they are listed in the electoral rolls at 688 Whitehorse Road in 1937. George died 3/4/1960, aged 54 years at Mont Albert. 3. George Burton and Alice Coop had 2 children: George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 Alison - born c1945. The donor George Lister Coop informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. The California bungalow style of housing was the dominant style of housing built in the interwar period through the northern parts of Surrey Hills and Mont Albert as formerly semi-rural land was subdivided for new housing. It was relatively inexpensive and affordable. In Australia the Californian bungalow drew upon elements that were popular across the United States from around 1910 to 1939. In Australia the style became popular from 1913. In Melbourne both timber and red brick were used as the main building material. Typically they are one or one and a half story houses and feature sloping roofs and eaves with unenclosed rafters and often a feature a dormer window (or an attic vent designed to look like one) over the main portion of the house. Decorative elements include wood shingles, part stucco rendered exteriors, brick, stone, rendered or a combination of these treatments to exterior chimneys and front porches supported by heavy timber, brick or stucco columns.A sepia photo taken at an angle from the street corner of the property. It is of a Californian bungalow with a driveway that extends through a carport, attached and roofed as part of the house, to the rear of the property. The veranda is accessed from under this covered area. The veranda and carport are supported by brick pillars and the veranda balustrades between are plain with an occasional wider feature panel. The front door is in shadow. There are rolled up striped canvas blinds on the veranda and at least 2 cane chairs. The main structure of the house is weatherboard with a terracotta tiled roof. There is a flower bed across the front of the house with an elevated brick flower box under the main window. There are no chimneys visible.californian bungalow, whitehorse road, george frank coop, (miss) josephine vistarini, (mrs) josephine coop, george burton coop, (miss) winifred trewartha, (mrs) winifred coop, george lister coop, alison coop

The photo was taken at 688 Whitehorse Road, Mont Albert. It is of Winifred Alice Coop (nee Trewartha), known as Alice, and her daughter Alison, b1945. This was the home of 3 generations of the Coop family: 1. Josephine and George Frank Coop (noted in Box Hill Rate Books for 1947-1954). 2. George Burton Coop (1906-1960) and his family. He was Assistant Chief Architect of Victoria in the Public Works Department (P.W.D.) George Burton Coop was born in c1906 in Williamstown, the son of Josephine Vistarini and George Frank Coop. He married Winifred Alice Trewartha in 1936 and they are listed in the electoral rolls at 688 Whitehorse Road in 1937. George died 3/4/1960, aged 54 years at Mont Albert; Alice died in 1980. 3. George Burton and Alice Coop had 2 children: George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 Alison - born c1945. The donor George Lister Coop informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. Alison being younger did not go to Chatham Primary. A black & white photo of a woman seated in a cane chair with her daughter standing adjacent to her and standing on a small child's chair. The woman's sun hat is lying beside her on the grass. Both faces are partly shaded by an adjacent bush.alison coop, (mrs) winifred alice coop, whitehorse road, surrey hills, children, clothing and dress, george lister coop

The Marion Boothby Ward in the 'MDNS After Care Home' opened in 1930 and was named in honour of Mrs Noel (Marion) Boothby, Life Governor and generous supporter of the Melbourne District Nursing Society who passed away in 1929. The photograph portrays a Trained nurse (Sister) holding a young child viewing the newly completed mural by Miss Jessie Traill. Two young children in a cane wicker trolley look on.Miss Jessie Traill 29/7/1881 - 15/5/1967 is today considered one of Australia's most remarkable printmakers. She studied painting and drawing at the National Gallery of Victoria. She spent over 3 years as a VAD nurse based in Rouen, France during World War 1. https://nga.gov.au/Traill/Chronology2.cfm The Melbourne District Nursing The Society (MDNS) were pioneers in recognizing the need for premises where patients too ill to be in their own home, but not ill enough to go to hospital, was needed. The MDNS had purchased its first premises, 'Floriston' at 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood in 1914 and were able to purchase land next to No. 39, where the Society built the After-Care Home, it became No. 45 Victoria Parade, for these patients, and for patients from Hospitals. It was opened in July 1926 and the name of the Society then became ‘Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Home’ (‘Hospital’ from 1934), Many children were nursed there, some long term during the Polio epidemic and two School Teachers were employed. The Society now ran two divisions, the After-Care with its own Sisters and nurses, and the District division which only employed Sisters. Black and white digital image of a Trained nurse (Sister) and 3 children in the Marion Boothby Ward in the Melbourne District Nursing Society After Care Home. The photograph portrays a Sister in her white uniform and white veil over her short curled hair. She is holding a young boy who has short dark hair, in her arms. He has a blanket around him. They are viewing the newly completed mural on the wall by Miss Jessie Traill. Two young girls, one with dark straight hair and the other with lighter coloured curled hair are sitting up together in a cane wicker trolley look up at the mural. The mural depicts flowers and children.melbourne district nursing society, after-care home, mdns, mrs noel (marion) boothby, miss jessie traill

The handmade basket has a variety of pieces of vintage sewing items as listed in the detailed Description. These would have been used in the home for repairs as well as pieces sewn. Mrs Pratt owned the sewing basket and it's contents - she lived in Beenak Road, Wandin, Victoria.An open rectangular shaped cane woven sewing basket with three bands of green and tan raffia woven around the sides. It had a lid which is missing but there is one twisted wire loop where the lid would have been attached. Inside are various pieces of vintage sewing items including; large and small cotton reels with cotton thread, very small cotton cardboard reels with thread, plastic container of pins, a handmade wooden darning mushroom, a brightly coloured tin of pins and needles, two short zips, a piece of embroidery material stamped with a pansy pattern to sew, a Birch brand packet of sewing needles, a Delyta brand "Nu-Bras" Brassiere Repair Set, two "Mendex" Cuff Savers for Men's Trousers, a Happy Home Needle Book with a few needles, and a paper pattern for Cross Stitch. See above for the brands and details of the sewing items included in the basket.containers, sewing, baskets, sewing equipment