Uniform issued to Keith Daniel RAN, refer Cat No 1468.9 for service details.1) Jacket wool black colour with “Australia” on upper sleeves, embroidered gold anchor and 3 gold stripes on left sleeve, right sleeve has crossed rifles with “QMG” .2) Shirt cotton white with insignia. .3) White shirt-no collar, navy trim white & blue bindas .4) Trousers cotton white .5) Black tie satin ribbon (in front left trouser pocket) .6) Navy bib-white & blue trim. .7) Navy Bib blue trim .7) White bib-navy trimQMG” Quarter Master Gunner”uniforms, ran

Part of the Collection for Flight Lieutenant Ian A. 'Joe' LYONS. See Catalogue No. 5374P for details of his service record.RAAF Officer's Mess Dress consisting of; 1. Navy coloured Jacket with Badges and Rank Insignia. 2. Black Bow Tie. 3. Pair of Navy coloured trousers. 4. Navy coloured Cumberbund. 5. White shirt with starched front similar to a "Dickey". 6. White starched waist coat/dickey. 5. On Manufacturer's label, "Made in England by AKCO for Nigel R. DAVEY, Sydney, Australia".raaf, mess dress, uniform, ian a. 'joe' lyons

These ties were made as merchandise for the University of Ballarat in the early 2000s..1) & .3) A cream box with University of Ballarat and the Emblem printed in red. Inside is a polyester black tie woven with a small diagonal band of three stripes (top is blue, middle is gold and bottom is red) and a small emblem of the University of Ballarat on the right side. It has a navy blue lining. .2) A cream box with University of Ballarat and the Emblem printed in red. Inside is a multi-striped silk and polyester red, blue, gold and black tie with heraldic device of the University of Ballarat on the right bottom corner. It has a black lining..2) woven - University of Ballaratuniversity of ballarat, ties, merchandise, costume, uniform, textiles

F/O POLKINHORN .T. M96. 3867. 12/7/45. Information has no correlation in Service Records.1. Dress coat - navy blue colour, cotton twill, navy blue cotton sateen lining with beige cotton fabric lining to sleeves. Full belt with bakelite and metal buckle. Buttons - black colour bakelite with metal shank. Emblazoned with the King's crown and a wedge tailed eagle in flight WW2. Set of RAAF wings above left top pocket. Rank Insignia on sleeve. 2. Trousers - navy blue colour cotton twill and button fly. 3. Tie - black colour rayon fabric.3. Makers label - black ink print on label - "David Jones/ FOR SERVICE/ SYDNEY" Black ink typewritten - "F/O POLKINHORN. T. /M96, 3867, 12/7/45" Blue ink handwritten - "Ball"uniforms, raaf, ww2

Belonged to Charles Edward Owen DFC No 409435 RAAF. Refer 1953P for service history..1 Cap peak, blue with RAAF insignia .2 Shirt, light blue cotton polyester .3 Tie satin black colour .4 Braces elastic, leather navy/white stripes .5 Pants wool serge navy blue colour .6 Jacket blue colour with “Australia” shoulder patches, RAAF “Wings” insignia, service ribbons, metal crown and eagle on lower sleeve.uniforms raaf, dfc

Framed portrait of John Moule who was President of the Vision Australia Foundation, from 1992-1999. It is part of a series of paintings commissioned by the VAF Board to commemorate the work of past presidents of the organisation. Mr Moule is standing with his arm on a dresser, and holds a pair of glasses. He is dressed in a navy blue suit, with a blue kercheif in his breast pocket,, a white collared shirt and a blue, white and black striped tie. On his lapel is a small gold badge. The plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr John A. Moule AM / President 1992-1999 / Vision Australia Foundation'. 1 art original in old gold frameThe plaque at the base of the painting reads 'Mr John A. Moule AM / President 1992-1999 / Vision Australia Foundation'.vision australia, john moule

The donor purchased this suit from a small town in the Adelaide Hill, to wear at a classic Car Rally and to go with his 1935 Buick. It was worn at the Adelaide, Noosa, Bribie Island, Tasmania and Victoria Classic Car Rallies.This outfit won The Best Dressed Male at the RACV Great Australian Rally 1999. The owner has since moved into a retirement village and sold his Buick.Navy blue pin stripe double breasted three piece suit. Trousers lined. Waistband has six buttons for braces. Four buttonhole fly front. Leg is 30cm wide with a turn up cuff 4cm. Matching waistcoat is lined and has 6 buttons. Coat fully lined, also has six buttons and a flower button hole. There are two inside pockets and two outside pockets. One white shirt. One white tie and one navy blue striped tie. One black velour trilby hat with white hat band.costume accessories, male

It is not sure if this is a real or a replica uniform.1) Jacket woollen, grey colour, left side collar has “SS” insignia, right side collar has 3 silver pips and 2 silver stripes, upper left sleeve has an eagle/NA21. .2) Trousers, wool grey colour. .3) Hat grey colour with black peak. .4) Cap, cotton, navy blue. .5) Tie polyester blackgerman, ss, uniform

This coloured photograph of the ketch Reginald M was taken when she was docked at Port Adelaide. The side of the vessel shows the letters "REGINALD M / H.M.C. No. 2 Pt ADEL" - (abbreviation H.M.C. meaning His/Her Majesty's Customs. HISTORY The Reginald M, a two-masted coastal ketch, was owned and built by Mr. Jack (John) Murch of Birkenhead, Port of Adelaide, South Australia to serve the coastal ports of South Australia. Its construction took approximately 6 months and it was launched at Largs Bay in 1922. Its purpose was to carry cargo cheaply and efficiently, and tradition has it that the keel was in fact hewn from two telegraph poles! Its builder frequented all the salvage yards for materials and fittings. The Reginald M had a very shallow draft and a flat bottom that enabled it to sit high and dry at low tide. The flat bottom was also to make the ship able to skim over reefs. Wagons were able to load and unload direct from her side. Her cargo included Guano, Barley, Wool, Horses, Cattle, Timber, Explosives, Potatoes, Shell Grit and Gypsum. In 1931 she weathered a large storm in St Vincents Gulf, SA. Her crew at the time were Owner Mr John H Murch, Wells St, Largs Bay, Skipper, John’s brother Mr R Murch, Murray, son of Mr R Murch and Seaman John Smith Reg Webb purchased Carribie Station, at Marion in the Warooka District, south of Adelaide, in 1921. He cleared the land and farmed sheep and grain. In 1923 he shipped his own wool and grain from Marion Bay, having first carted 300 bags of the barley grain, 12 bags at a time, along the unmade track to the jetty. A photograph dating about 1929 -1942 shows 2 men on the Reginald M, having just landed their fishing catch of a hammer shark. The photograph is stamped “GRENFELL STUDIO PORT LINCLON PRINT” and titled “hammer shark caught on Reginall Emm”. Reg Webb knew the Murch Brothers from Port Adelaide. The brothers had been using their ketch REGINALD M to ship Guano from the Islands, led by Captain Richard Murch. Reg approached them in 1934 about shipping grain from Marion Bay. The brothers visited the bay and thought it was an ideal place. They showed Reg where to stack his grain and they measured up the cliffs. When Reg was ready, they brought down and installed a ninety foot wooden chute. The bags of grain were then individually sent down the chute, landing in a waiting small boat then rowed to REGINALD M, 14 bags at a time. After 10 hours REGINALD M would be fully loaded with 1300 bags of grain and shipped to waiting ports. At one time a wild storm destroyed the chute but it was rebuilt and strengthened. REGINALD M was involved in shipping the grain from there until 1938. In 1940 Able Seaman Allan H Lucas served on Reginald M between September and December, being engaged and discharged from Port of Adelaide. His Certificate of Discharge was signed by ship’s Master W S Murch. It seems that at some stage Reginald M was used as a Customs vessel because a photograph in Flagstaff Hill’s collection shows the text “H.M.C. No. 3, Pt Adelaide” on the bow, the abbreviations standing for “His/Her Majesty’s Customs”. In 1969 the last freight left Marion Bay on the ketch REGINALD M carrying grain, wool and explosives. In late 1970 she was sold to the Mt. Lyell Copper Company, based in Queenstown, Tasmania, to carry explosives. In 1972 the Navy League of Strahan, Tasmania, purchased her for use by the Strahan Sea Cadet Unit and renamed her T.S. Macquarie. In 1974 Mr. Andrew Rennie, of East Brighton, Melbourne, bought her, paying $5,000 and donating a ‘Cadet of the Year” trophy to the Sea Cadets. He sailed her from Strahan to Melbourne, planning to use her for pleasure sailing. In 1975 Reginald M was sold to Melbourne Ferry Company at auction. In 1975 the Reginald M was bought by Flagstaff Maritime Museum for $20,000. She has been restored and is now one of the exhibits, tied up at the dock. Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village’s Collection holds several other artefacts associated with Reginald M. They include - Photographs of the Reginald M, including one photograph of her in Outer Harbour, S.A. dated 1947, with Skipper- R.F. Dale and Owner- John Murch. Another shows her docked at Port Adelaide, with the lettering H.M.C. No. 3 Pt ADEL (standing for His/Her Majesty’s Customs). There is a black and white photo of her at a wharf and another showing a person on board. - a lifebuoy, with Pt Adelaide on it. - a bullet found in pieces of timber when Reginald M was restored in 1979 (References: Flagstaff Hill Fact Sheet “Reginald M”, the book “The Reg Webb Story” compiled by the Warooka & District Museum. Reg Webb’s daughter Lily Ramsay (nee Webb) and her husband Howard, Lizzie Rennie (daughter of owner Andrew Rennie), brochure “Discover the Yorke Peninsula South Australia”, Ketch in Peril; Adelaide Chronicle 9 April 1931, K Gordon & Mary Filmer of Warooka; South Australian Maritime Museum) Thiis photograph is significant because of its connection to the history of the vessel REGINALD M is a coastal trading ketch from South Australia built in 1922. It is one of very few sailing coastal trading vessels still extant, and its flat bottom, single chine shape illustrates a very simple but robust method of construction, compared to other round bilged examples of trading vessels. She is now listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (ARHV Number: HV000562.)Photograph of Reginald M at Port Adelaide. The side of the vessel shows the letters "REGINALD M / H.M.C. No. 2 Pt ADEL" - (abbreviation H.M.C. meaning His/Her Majesty's Customs. Painted on the side of the vessel "REGINALD M / H.M.C. No. 2 Pt ADEL" - flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, reginald m, coastal trading ketch, trading vessel, john murch ship builder, port adelaide vessel reginald m, andrew rennie, macquarie training vessel, mt lyell copper company, queenstown navy league, ch murch, reg webb, carribie station, melbourne ferry company, grenfell studio port lincoln, vessel reginald m

Worn by Robert Lawson Promoted to Petty Officer Engineering (MTP) 1979This uniform was worn by Bob Lawson. Bob is a member of Lara RSL, and this uniform is representative of his service in the Royal Australian Navy.Black cotton tie. lara, rsl, military, war, australia, navy

Navy-black coloured peaked cap with red piping trim along peak. Red felt band encircles the band. Black patent leather chin strap is held in place with two gold buttons on either side, each depicting a crown above the map of Australia. Gold badge in centre depicts kangaroo in front of crossed rifles underneath a crown with oak leaves forming an arch eitehr side. Interior brim is green with black patent leather trim; brown leather sweatband with holes for air cirulation, tied at back with cream silk bow. Top of hat is covered with plastic layer, underneath which is the manufacturer’s label and a sticker for size.Sticker reads “6 7/8”, and manufacturer’s label reads “MELBOURNE 36 1218/EMERCO/REG TRADE MARK/THIS IS YOUR GUARANTEE FOR QUALITY/MADE IN AUSTRALIA”. Badge reads “DUTY FIRST/ROYAL AUSTRALIAN REGIMENT”.royal australian regiment, rar, army, uniform

From Jessie Smith's collection of Island Events & Landscapes. Submarine tied to JettySubmarine tied to jetty. Black & White close up with sailors at middle left in a group. Two masts on towerlocal history, photographs, navy, cowes jetty, naval vessel, black & white photograph, world war ii, submarine cowes pier, jessie smith collection, stan mcfee

Uniform issued to Lieutenant ANC (Australian Navy Cadets) "Patricia Ibbotson", No. 1005777. Commanding Officer of Training Ship Bendigo. Enlisted 26/2/2004 - Admin Officer, 2IC. Acting CO June 2012 Commanding Officer 16/10/2012. Retired 26/02/2016.1. Jacket - Black winter ceremonial, wool/polyester fabric, double breasted with 8 gold plastic buttons embossed with an anchor. Two wavy gold stripes just above sleeve hems, denotes rank of Lieutenant. One stripe has a loop. There are black shoulder flashes with the words "Australian Navy Cadets" embroidered in gold. 2. Trousers - Black wool/polyester fabric with side pockets. Fob pocket, back pocket and belt loops. Nylon and metal zipper fly, Black polyester pocket lining. 3. Shirt - long sleeved with cuff, white cotton/polyester fabric, collar, front breast pockets with button down flap. Shoulder epaulettes, plastic buttons. 4. Shirt - white, short sleeved with shoulder boards. Cotton/polyester fabric, collar shoulder epaulettes, two front pockets, white plastic buttons. Shoulder boards gold ribbon on black fabric with gold plastic embossed buttons. 6. Belt - black with gold buckle. 7. Hat - Tricorne for female officer - black and white colour fabric. Black brim, white crown with black polyester lining. On front is a cloth Officers badge featuring gold laurel wreath surrounding a silver anchor. On top of that is a gold crown with padded insert of red velvet. Around the base is embroidered dots of red, blue and green representing gems. Manufacturers label - black in print - illegible. Handwritten owner's, blue ink pen "IBBOTSON". Manufacturer's label - black ink print on white cotton fabric. 1. "ADI/ 1992/ SIZE 115s/ Bust - 115cm/ Waist 90 cm/ 8410-66-134-3810/ Wool/polyester/ Service No/ Name/DRY CLEAN ONLY." 2. ADA/ 2002/ ^/ NSN 8405 66 137 9251/ Wool/Polyester/ Size: 104L/ Waist:104/ Seat: 125/ NO/ NAME/ DRY CLEAN ONLY. 5. White print on black fabric "AUSTRALIAN TIE CO/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ 65% POLYESTER/ 35% VISCOSE/ MADE IN AUSTRALIA/ DRY CLEAN ONLY".uniform, anc, ts bendigo, patricia ibbotson

Items belonging to; DAVID DIXON RAN R112262. Refer Cat No 5215.5 for his service history.1. JACKET, BOMBER - WOOL/POLYESTER, BLACK. 2. TIE - POLYESTER, BLACK. 3. CAP or 'LID' - PLASTIC, WHITE, BLACK TALLY BAND, GOLD EMBROIDERY, BLACK CHIN STRAP. 3. HMAS KUTTABUL.uniform, navy, ran

David Dixon RAN R112262. Enlisted July 1972 as a Junior recruit age 15 years 9 months at HMAS Leeuwin. Passed out as Ordinary Seamen QMG and posted to HMAS Sydney 111 in Sept 1973. Jan 1974 - Feb 1981 with HMAS Derwent River Class Destroyer. Feb 1981 posted to HMAS Flinders Survey Ship. Sept 1981 promoted to Provisional Petty Officer QMG and then to HMAS Cerberus Gunnery School. Promoted to Petty Officer QMG then to HMAS Yarra 1984 then to HMAS Gladstone. Discharged from the RAN June 1987. Re Enlist 1996 and did a refresher course and posted to HMAS Success Fleet Tanker then HMAS Brisbane till 2001. Posted to HMAS Kuttabul with Recurring Back Injury and Discharged from the RAN May 2002. Total 21 years service with 17 off at Sea.1. Jacket - Black, Wool/Polyester, Insignias, yellow metal buttons. 2. Trousers - Black, Wool/Polyester. 3. Shirt - White, Polyester/Cotton. 4. Tie - Black, Polyester/Viscose. 5. Officers Peaked Cap - Plastic, White and Black, polyester, Elasticised band, Petty Officer Insignia.1. On Jacket - 3 stipes in gold braid. Petty Officer Insignia on Left Shoulder. Category Insignia on Right shoulder - Quartermaster Gunner.uniform, navy

E, HAYWARD OAM1. Jacket - Polyester, Blue, Yellow metal buttons. Service insignia, embroidered Coat of Arms on lower sleeves. 2. Trousers, polyester, Blue. 3. Shirt - polyester, light blue. 4. Tie - polyester, Navy blue. 5. Cap - Polyester, blue, black band, Badge - red crown over Eagle and Ferns."Australia" embroidered flash badge on upper shoulders. Coat of Arms on lower sleeves.uniform, hat

Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.RAAF issue mending kit. Rectangular, khaki, cotton drill material which can be rolled & secured with 2 white cotton ties. Inside the roll is a long white pouch divided into 3 sections. At the opposite end to the ties is a khaki pouch with a piece of grey flannel attached. Contents include 2 needles, 1 thimble, 3 silver metal buttons, 2 brown bakelite buttons, 2 hanks of navy wool, 1 hank of khaki wool, 1 hank of black, cream & green thread.Handwritten in black ink on outside near ties: 410533 RAAF.sewing, kit, military, accessory

Items worn by George Henry Fullerton to the 1990 ANZAC 75th Anniversary Commemoration. Refer Cat No’s 4069.2 for service details also 4070.Gallipoli Coat and Tie mounted in wooden frame with glass cover. Frame: Timber with decorative edge, brown coloured stain, glass front. Mount: Green cardboard with deep recessed between dark green and light green. Gallipoli Coat: dark green fabric with gold buttons and pocket patch with gold embroidery. Tie: Navy blue fabric with gold, green and red embroidery. Shirt: white business shirt.Embroidered on pocket patches - Rising Sun emblem "GALLIPOLI/1915 - 1990". Embroidered on tie - Rising Sun emblem "GALLIPOLI/1915 - 1990". White label on glass with black print - "COAT AND TIE/ Donated by/ A.J. Fullerton"uniforms - army, trades -carpentery, ww1

RAAF "All Seasons" 1972 uniform replaced the old dark navy blue Uniform belonged to Flight Sgt. D. Bending All Seasons Uniform .1) Jacket - Cotton, blue, 4 large gold metal buttons, 2 small gold metal buttons, metal crown and eagle badges on both collar lapel, service ribbons, rank insignia, "ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE", embroidered crown and 3 chevrons on upper sleeves. .2) Trousers - Cotton, blue .3) Shirt - Polyester, light blue, epaulettes with AUSTRALIA embroidered, crown and chevrons, service ribbons .4) Tie - Polyester, navy blue .5) Belt - Polyester, blackuniforms - military, airforce

Items relate to Cat No 2861.2.1) Navy Air Force jacket, 4 front pockets with belt, 4 button front, black nylon lining. Eagle & Crown badge & blue band on each sleeve. .2) Shirt, size 38, short sleeves, 2 pockets, blue cotton. .3) Tie, fellini, navy..1) "AG, Air Gunner Air Crew Badge, 1939 - 1945 Star" above left breast pocket. .2) "AGCF 1986 Size 38 cms & care instructions" on label sewn under back collar.uniforms - air force, ag, passchendaele barracks trust

Two Ford Falcons, registration number HPS-035 and HPS-038, at Benalla with police officer wearing hat, light blue shirt and navy tie, brown jodphurs and black boots, standing beside car. Circa 1962police vehicles; wireless patrol; motor transport branch; motor transport section; ford falcon car

Men's tie with a shell of fine navy and black striped fabric. "Self tipped" . The label forms the keeper loop.Label ''A Toreador Tie ''. Duralon. Finest 100% Polyester. Washable.costume accessories, male, navy and black tie

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of two Military Police on security and protection duty on board a Navy Supply vessel tied up at the wharf at Vung Tau Harbour react to some locals on the wharf acting suspiciously.photograph, vung tau, military police, hmas boonaroo, hmas jeparit, gibbons collection catalogue, vung tau harbour, denis gibbons

An ensign is a national flag used within a naval or military context. A naval ensign is usually required to be flown when entering and leaving harbour, when sailing through foreign waters, and when a ship is signalled to do so by a warship. They are also flown during battles and when the ensign is lowered, the ship is said to have surrendered. This Victorian Naval Ensign was used by the Victorian Naval Contingent in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900. The contingent was led by Captain Frederick Tickell who had commanded the Victorian Naval Forces since 1897. In around 1901, Captain Tickell presented the ensign to Frederick Thomas Sargood [1834-1903] who had been Minister of Defence and Education for the Colony of Victoria and was a Senator in Federal Parliament. In September 1986 the ensign was stolen from Parliament House. The suspect was described as a young man wearing 'a beret and bow tie' ("The Age" 26 September 1986). Fortunately the ensign was recovered a week later. Victorian Ensign wool flag with Union Jack, Southern Cross and crown emblem. Hand written ink inscription on white linen sleeve. Rope attached. Framed.Handwritten black ink on flag header: "This Victorian Ensign (the first on active service) was used by the Victorian Contingent during service in 1900 in China. It was presented to Senator Sir F.T. Sargood K.C.M.G. by Captain Tickell C.M.B. Lieut. Col."colony of victoria, boxer rebellion, victorian navy

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.Strip of knitted fabric samples showing the 14 wool colour options for the ladies' line of Kathryn knitwear for the winter season of 1980. Label printed in pale blue paper lists season and colour names and is attached to sample strip with two metal staplesLADIES WOOL COLOR SWATCH WINTER 1980 RED BLACK MAGNOLIA OYSTER SILVER BLUE SHADOW NAVY TEAL GREEN BRACKEN RYE BROWN BURGUNDY DEEP REDfabric sample, textile sample, fabric swatch, textile swatch, fashion textile production, textile manufacturing

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. Wool has been renowned for its excellent properties for thousands of years, by people from all over the world. Not only good for thick winter woollens, it can help keep you cool in summer, as well as being durable and resistant to water, fire, ultraviolet light, stains and odour. 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.Brown and Grey children’s jacket with brown accents at pockets and shoulder, centre front zip, curved pocket detail.Style B/117, Colourway Woodgrain/Pebble, Size 8 .2) Sample tags stapled together with manufacturing information, including sizes and colours available, as well as knit swatch samples for colourways Green/Silver, Burgundy/Denim, Navy/Denim, and Rust/Pebble.1) [white label at back neck with green and black printed writing] ROBERT BLAKE Size 8 / knitwear HEIGHT 130cm MADE IN AUSTRALIA .2 [blue sample label] STYLE B/117 Jacket. Zip. Birdseye. Wool. SIZES: 2 4 6 8 10 PRICE: $11.75 [amended to $12.80 in blue pen] $13.85 [amended to $15.05 in blue pen] SIZES: 12 14 PRICE: [printed] $14.95 [amended to $16.15 in blue pen] COLORS: Woodgrain/Pebble Green/Silver [drawn through in black pen] Burgundy/Denim, Navy/Denim, Rust/Pebble Dec on Del. [cream brand label] [OBVERSE] ROBERT BLAKE [REVERSE] ROBERT BLAKE KNITWEAR MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIAknitwear, clothing, children's clothing, jumper, manufacturing, fashion textile production, machine knitting, children's knitwear

Skirt in slate grey denim, hand sewn with a heavy (linen?) thread, waistband - coarse herringbone weave webbing, white with navy stripes, waist ties white cotton, hand-stitched to form tapes. Made in three pieces and roughly pleated into waist.Waistband front marked "F2" twice in red (paint) mark on wearer's left overstrikes "F5" in black (Ink)costume, sunbury asylum, george evans collection

navy equipment