This brown wool felt hat with a broad brim was, by its style, used by a adolescent child for church services. This was worn in a period where church services on Sunday was an important weekly ritual by the whole family. Special (church only) dresses and hats were worn not only to show respect to the church but also part of expected community mores relating to religious beliefs. This behavioural pattern was more entrench in the rural communities than within larger cities. The closeness of smaller rural communities is the main factor regarding social norms. The visible standing within the community was uppermost. The period pre 2000 was a more coheasive family environment ( due to greater intra family activities) which provided better communication and family activities.This "church styled" hat is very significant to the rural lifestyle and its mores. It clearly demonstrates the coheasive force that religion has on the Valley population. The closeness that the semi isolation (at this time) brought about by the Valley's physical land formation and the poor roads within the valley brought families closer together. Not turning up for important social functionsw was duely noted by all (and frowned upon). Mrs E. Fisher lived at Mongan's Bridge in the Kiewa Valley.Brown child's all felt hat size 6 1/4. A broad brim with a lighter brown velvet ribbon head band. Head band has a crossover to the left front with 100 mm extension flowing over the brim. The top of the inside of the head pocket is lined with a soft silk fabric.6 and one quarter (size tag). Unreadable crest / monogramchildren's head wear, social head dress, church hats

'Inspired by the iconic character of the Cowardly Lion in the story 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' and his contemplation of what it means to possess the courage to be yourself, no matter who you are.''Courage' honours the contribution, culture and diversity of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (GLBTIQ) community, and is dedicated to the legacy of Ralph McLean (1957–2010), Australia’s first openly gay elected official (City of Fitzroy, 1982) and Mayor (1984), an advocate for gay rights and social justice, and a champion of the arts.Bronze statue of a male figure half dressed in a lion costume holding a medal of bravery with a lions head/mask resting on his foot. Accompanying plaquelgtbqia+, wizard oz, ralph mclean, eicholtz