The Salvation Army was founded in England in 1865 and bonnets were introduced in the 1880s for women officers. These bonnets were worn until the 1960s. The Salvation Army came to Warrnambool in 1887 and was initially based in Raglan Parade before opening a citadel in Lava Street in 1905. In the mid 1960s they purchased the old Congregational Church and Manse at the corner of Lava and Henna Streets.This bonnet is a fine example of the bonnets worn by Salvation Army Officers as part of their uniform. The bonnet is made of black raffia with a brim. It has black and maroon grosgrain ribbbons around the front, sides and back. The maroon ribbon has THE SALVATION ARMY machine printed in gold letters. A grosgrain black strap is attached to the head band to enable the bonnet to be worn securely. The bonnet is lined with black cotton. THE SALVATION ARMYsalvation army, bonnets, warrnambool salvation army

Photograph on mounted card taken at the official opening of Citadel Main Street Stawell. In the background a private dwelling with corrugated iron roof and weatherboard walls. At right brick building. Bands people and civilians standing around a flagpole. To the right of the flagpole. Mrs. Maxwell (standing on the brickwork), Mr. W. Freeland (Major). Commissioner Maxwell. Mr. W. Sharpley (Town Clerk) Major Wilkinson.Black & white photo on a mounted card with a boarder. The photo is of a group of people some with musical instruments beside a flagpole. In the background is a weather board house with a corrugated iron roof. To the right a brick building. W. J. Chapman Photo Artist Stawell. Reeve (in pencil).stawell religion