This dress is of uncertain provenance. BHS records indicate that it was owned by Marion Jane Ellen Devlin, nee Stokes (1845-1936), who married Oliver Devlin on 2 April 1877 in Victoria. The dress is believed to have been worn on the Bendigo goldfields circa 1878. It may have been worn as a wedding dress. However, additional documentation discovered in August 2019 suggest that the dress belonged to Margaret Cocking, nee Carr (1850-1936), who married Gustavus Cocking in Bendigo in 1877.A grey-green circa 1878 dress comprising a matching jacket and skirt. The jacket (.1) features a standing collar that gathers to a low point at the throat. This point is concealed behind a bow with raw edges which may not be original. The centre front of the jacket has been secured with nineteen concealed metal hook and button holes. The centre front features fifteen sets of single fabric covered glass buttons secured in a diagonal pattern and appearing as double headed buttons. From the shoulder through the body the jacket is shaped with decorative panels with grey silk detail. Beside these panels shaping into the waist and under the arm are a further two pleats. On the left side waist is a small pocket with decorative flap, grey silk trim and button. The base line of the jacket features a decorative horizontal panel that wraps around the jacket. The sleeve head is small and sits on the natural shoulder line with a slim fitting, curved, full length sleeve. At the base of the sleeve, there is a decorative panel reminiscent of a formal cuff, with a decorative turn back and two buttons. Secured underneath this turn back is a bow like decoration. From the back the jacket features a V shaped decoration, an extension of the front two decorative panels. From the shoulders the jacket is shaped by four panels curving tight into the waist and flaring out again to fullness of the bustle. These seams are also finished with decorative binding. This peplum-like shape features two decorative flaps and six covered buttons. The skirt (.2) is shaped to the waist with pleats and secures on the front left hand side, the original waistband and fastenings have been replaced. The skirt front features a large decorative panel of the same fabric that curves from the front at approximately shin length, upwards towards the back securing underneath the bustle decoration. A second panel, plus a pleated panel finish the hem of the skirt continuing around to the back. At the back the skirt features two deep pleats with a large decorative bow that would sit out over the bustle. The skirt is long featuring a small train at the back. The dress is lined in a brown waxed cotton.wedding dress, 1870s fashion, marion jane ellen stokes, oliver devlin, margaret carr, gustavus cocking, bendigo

Students Name on back 6975-15 Stawell State School 502 Grade 3A March 19th 1965 Teacher Mr Neumann Top Row, Gilbert Whelan, Ian Cameron. James Bell, Mark Lever, Steven Stewart, Norman Mummery. Colin ?, Robert Scott, Second Row, Mr Neumann, Helen Heffernan, Susan Sinclair, Debbie Oliver, Kerryn Way, Janet Matfin, Carol Smith, Margaret Mortan, Lynn Roder, Joyce Matfin, Third Row, Peter Tangey, Peter Whitehead, Steven Whitehead, Craig Dawson, Peter Johnston, Craig Robson, Gary Honeyman, Geoff Coward, Greg Dryburgh, Bill Scurry, Fourth Row, Julie Devlin, Michelle Gross, Leanne Rickard, Wendy ?, Denise Gross, Betty Mitchell, Janine Ralph, Lynette Hallam, Jennifer Guy. Stawell State School Students and Teacher at Back Left. Mr NeumannStawell State School March 10 Grade 3A education

Students Names on back. 6975-16 Stawell State School 502 Grade 5 11 April 1967 Teacher Mr Brian Campbell Top Row. Stephen Cameron, Alan Hall, Wayne Hunt, David Fry, Ronald Blackmore, Peter Walker, Steven Stewart, Dennis Ralph, Robert Scott, Trevor Waterfield. Second Row. Mr Campbell, Maree Stoddard, Susan McKenzie, Gillian Beecroft, Diane Clifford, Sandra McKellar, Susan Sinclair. Debbie Oliver, Helen Marshall, Allison Phillips. Third Row. Leslie Brown, Geoff Coward, Rodney Fielding, Mark Jones, Bill Scurrie, Gary Honeyman, Craig Robson, Stephen Whitehead, Peter Whitehead, Mark Lewis, Fourth Row. Barbara Wilson, Barbara Coward, Helen Gray, Joyce Matfin, Janine Turner, Jennifer Guy, Helen Hefferman, Betty Mitchell. Ruth Ellett. Fifth Row. Gilbert Whealan, Julie Devlin, Russell Pickering. Students and Teacher in front of building wall Class Photo Stawell State School 502 - 1967Stawell State School 11 April Grade 5 1967education

Names on back 6975-17 Stawell State School 502 Grade 6B 1968 Teacher Mrs Pearce Top Row. Ronald Cameron, Morris Seamons. Kenny Killeen, David O’Donald, Greg Dryburgh, Mark Lewis, Allan Hall, Steven Cameron, Terry Rickard, Mrs Pearce Second Row. Mark Lever, Peter Tangey, Stephen Stewart, Kerryn Bibby, Susan McKenzie, Susan Walker, Marita Kriewaldt. Judy Kennedy, Julie Devlin, Ian Cameron, Trevor Waterfield, Gilbert Whealan, Third Row. Ruth Ellett. Katy Collins, Helen Marshall, Barbara Wilson, Betty Mitchell, Leanne Rickard, Debbie Oliver, Lynn Roder, Jeni Guy. Janine, Ralph, Gillian Beecroft, Susan Sinclair. Students Standing and sitting in front of building with windows open in backgroundStawell State school SS 502 Grade 6b1968education

This photo is reproduced in the book on Oliver Gilpin's life by his granddaughter Muriel Perry, titled 'Just a pocket for the money', 1995, p.84. The staff names have been labeled as 'Kath? (M), E.Myles, M.Haly, D. Walker, V.Bond, I.Christensen, L.Mattinson, D.Shipsides, J. Miles, '(Coal Creek Historical Village per I. Devlin) Note : (M) Abbreviaton for Manager.Photograph of nine female staff standing in front of O. Gilpins Dimboola store, circa 1935on back of frame: Dimboola, 1935? Names on back of photograph.