The donor, Rosemary Lade, was a member of the Q Theatre Guild for a short period in the 1970s when this photo of a performance of The Bartered Bride was taken. The Q Theatre Guild had previously evolved out of the Kew Light Opera Company that had been formed in 1953. The first performances of the Guild occurred in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. From 1960, the Guild performed at the new Kew Civic (later City) Hall. During the 1970s, the donor participated in performances of The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana, The Gypsy Baron by Johan Strauss II, and Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.Photograph of a performance of Smetana's Bartered Bride in the Kew City Hall in the 1970s. The performance was given by the "Q" Theatre Guild."The Bartered Bride" Smetana. Q Theatre Guild 1970s."q" theatre guild, smetana -- the bartered bride, performing arts -- kew (vic.), kew civic hall

The donor, Rosemary Lade, was a member of the Q Theatre Guild for a short period in the 1970s when this photo of a performance of The Bartered Bride was taken. The Q Theatre Guild had previously evolved out of the Kew Light Opera Company that had been formed in 1953. The first performances of the Guild occurred in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. From 1960, the Guild performed at the new Kew Civic (later City) Hall. During the 1970s, the donor participated in performances of The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana, The Gypsy Baron by Johan Strauss II, and Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.One of a set of four photographs of a performance of Smetana's Bartered Bride in the Kew City Hall in the 1970s. The performance was given by the "Q" Theatre Guild."The Bartered Bride" Smetana. Q Theatre Guild 1970s."q" theatre guild, the bartered bride, kew city hall, performing arts -- kew (vic.)

The donor, Rosemary Lade, was a member of the Q Theatre Guild for a short period in the 1970s when this photo of a performance of The Bartered Bride was taken. The Q Theatre Guild had previously evolved out of the Kew Light Opera Company that had been formed in 1953. The first performances of the Guild occurred in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. From 1960, the Guild performed at the new Kew Civic (later City) Hall. During the 1970s, the donor participated in performances of The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana, The Gypsy Baron by Johan Strauss II, and Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.Photograph of a performance of Smetana's Bartered Bride in the Kew City Hall in the 1970s. The performance was given by the Q Theatre Guild."The Bartered Bride" Smetana. Q Theatre Guild 1970s. Rosemary Lade (far right)"q" theatre guild, rosemary lade, kew civic hall, smetana -- the bartered bride, performing arts -- kew (vic.)

The donor, Rosemary Lade, was a member of the Q Theatre Guild for a short period in the 1970s when this photo of a performance of The Bartered Bride was taken. The Q Theatre Guild had previously evolved out of the Kew Light Opera Company that had been formed in 1953. The first performances of the Guild occurred in the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. From 1960, the Guild performed at the new Kew Civic (later City) Hall. During the 1970s, the donor participated in performances of The Bartered Bride by Bedřich Smetana, The Gypsy Baron by Johan Strauss II, and Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti.Photograph of a performance of Smetana's Bartered Bride in the Kew City Hall in the 1970s. The performance was given by the "Q" Theatre Guild."The Bartered Bride" Smetana. Q Theatre Guild 1970s.Left Rear - Molly Stillwell (seated) Rosemary Lademolly stilwell, rosemary lade, "q" theatre guild, kew civic hall, performing arts -- kew (vic.), smetana -- the bartered bride

This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr. R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 percent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 percent reference and 40 percent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items has become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850’s to the late 1950’s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr. R. Pattison. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, and to reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. As with many Mechanics' Institutes in Australia, the one which operated in Warrnambool was established and overseen for many years by key individuals associated with the development of the city itself. The WMI publication collection is historically significant because of its association with local people, places and the key historical themes in the development of Warrnambool of rural development, industry, farming, education, and community. The collection documents and illustrates the changing interests, focus and tastes of Victorians, especially those in regional cities. Generally the individual items in the collection are not particularly rare, as examples of all probably exist in other public collections in Victoria. It is primarily because there are so very few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections in Victoria, which lends this overall collection its significance. Many items in the WMI Collection have the potential to support further research, both as individual objects and through the collection in its entirety. This material is significant for its ability to assist in the interpretation of the history of the area and adds to the general understanding of the development of the township. Many components of the WMI publication collection complement and reinforce the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Collection, the Warrnambool Art Gallery Collection, and that in the Warrnambool Historical Society, and also contribute to a clearer understanding of the original Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute collections. This will greatly enhance the appreciation of the few surviving Mechanics' Institute collections across Victoria, and also in New South Wales. The similarities and differences between the small number of collections that have survived can provide further insights into how the people of Victoria in general, and Warrnambool in particular, constructed a civic culture of adult learning to foster an informed citizenry. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Bride The Story of Louise and Montrose Author: Margaret Irwin Publisher: Chatto and Windus Date: 1939Label on spine cover with typed text PAT FIC IRW Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, the bride, margaret irwin

Music by Vivian Ellis and lyrics by A.P. Herbert, the third of five musicals they wrote together.Bendigo Operatic Socety Music Programme for "Bless the Bride" - a musical in 2 acts, opening for 5 nights, commencing Friday 18th June, 1971 - A5 booklet with 12 pages - booklet consisting of lists of individuals participating and organizing the concert, advertisements, acknowledgments, synopsis of story and scenes. Included also are cast, orchestra and musical numbers.programme, concert, bendigo operatic society, capital theatre

Graham BRIDE at the launch of the Women of Port Melbourne Exhibition & book, October 2005, Graham Bride at the launch of the Women of Port Melbourne exhibition18/10/2005 Graham Bridewomen of port melbourne, graham bride

Bendigo Operatic Society ''Bless the Bride'' At the Capital Theatre, View Street, Bendigo for a Five Night Season Commencing Friday 18th June 1971. Producer: Max Collis - Assistant producer, Ballet and Wardrobe: Madge Welch - Society Pianist: Ruth Gorman - Musical Director: Gwen Grose. Cast in Oreder of Appearance: Ruth Iredale as Alice Charity Willow - John Boquest as Cousin George - John Beaumont as Archdeacon Gurney - Carol McKenzie as Lucy Veracity Willow - Fred Trewarne as The Hon Thomas Trout - Coral Rivett as Ann Fidelity Willow - Christine Cavanaugh as Charlott Patience Willow - Jill Barker as Elizabeth Patience Willow - Pamela Duffy as Frances Fortitude Willow - Debra Lockett, Jocelyn Lyon as Millicent Punctuality Willow - Neil Roxburgh as Pierre Fontaine - Patricia McCracken as Suzanne Valois - Ferd Lorenz as Augustus Willow (Lucy's Father) - Bartina Daws as Mary Willow (Lucy's Mother) - Duncan McFarland as Albert Willow (Augustus's Father) - Dorothy Field as Harriet Willow (Grandmama) - Patricia Lyon as Nanny - Karl Steinberg, Shane Brennan as Buttons - Ray Edebone as Chief Gendarme - Fred Veitch as 2nd Gendarme - John Lourens as M. Robert - Michael Filippini as 1st Waiter - John Tonkin as 2nd Waiter - Douglas Sayle as M. Frontenac - John Beaumont as M. Martel. There are two copies of the booklet.program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

Peter LOGAN, Graham BRIDE & unknown at the launch of the Women of Port Melbourne Exhibition & book, October 2005.Peter LOGAN & Graham BRIDE at the launch of the Women of Port Melbourne exhibition18/10/2005 Peter Logan & Graham Bride, not knownwomen of port melbourne, graham bride, peter logan

Same as Item 11514.26program, theatre, bendigo operatic society

In 2005, members of the PMH&PS undertook a study of the residents of the houses in a Port Melbourne street precinct from the 1880s to 1960. The area is bounded by Evans Street, the E side of Bridge Street, S side of Williamstown Road, Farrell Street both the E & W sides plus the section of Ross Street between Farrell and Bridge and the part of Derham Street between Farrell and Bridge. The resulting map and an interactive CD won the Best Community Research, Registers & Records project at the 2007 Victorian Community History Awards. The project was launched on the railway reserve near the corner of Evans & Farrell streets. Co-author Graham BRIDE.Co-author, Graham Bride, at the launch of the History of a Street Precinct25/9/05 Graham Bridehistory of a street precinct, graham bride

62, city of heidelberg repertory group, heidelberg theatre company inc, 1961, directed by lois connor

In 2005, members of the PMH&PS undertook a study of the residents of the houses in a Port Melbourne street precinct from the 1880s to 1960. The area is bounded by Evans Street, the E side of Bridge Street, S side of Williamstown Road, Farrell Street both the E & W sides plus the section of Ross Street between Farrell and Bridge and the part of Derham Street between Farrell and Bridge. The resulting map and an interactive CD won the Best Community Research, Registers & Records project at the 2007 Victorian Community History Awards. The project was launched on the railway reserve near the corner of Evans & Farrell streets. LL - R - unknown, Pat GRAINGER, Graham BRIDE.Penny MORRISON, Pat GRAINGER and Graham BRIDE at the launch of the History of a Street Precinct project. 25/9/05 Not Known, Pat Grainger, Graham Bridepat grainger, graham bride, history of a street precinct, penny morrison

Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." "Most admired of the Bride's presents" (bride and bridesmaids with blanket)"Most admired of the Bride's presents" /Warrnambool Blankets and Rugs/Warmer Wool from Warrnamboolblankets, blanket fever, wool, advertisement, warrnambool, australian women's weekly

Items complimentary to the bride on her purchase of a wedding gown at Bendigo Pashion House. Eleanor Kennedy married James Bourke on 2 September 1950 at sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo.Cardboard folder containing emery boards. Given to a bride by Bendigo Fashion House.Mitchell Street, Bendigo. Front 'The Bride of the year comes from Bendigo Fashion House'; 'Emery Boards'. Back 'For Friendly and Courteous Service, go to the Bendigo Fashion House, 7 Mitchell St, Bendigo 3550' 'Proprietors Misses P. & P. Neary'.bendigo, bendigo fashion house, emery boards

Black and white copy of original photograph of a bride and groom. The bride is wearing a white dress with a train spread out in front of her. She is holding large trailing bouquet."Harold Robert Morgan + Bride (nee) Myrtle Alma Yeoman Cornish 1917"harold robert morgan, myrtle alma yeoman morgan (nee cornish), wedding

Mary Hogan married William Stokie at St Patrick's Cathedral in Ballarat on 12 April 1912. Mary was a daughter of John and Mary Hogan, née Fraser. L-R: John Hogan Jnr (brother of Mary; Con Hogan (seated, also brother of Mary); Jean Stokie (sister of William); Mary Hogan (bride); William Stokie (groom); Lily Hogan (niece of bride); Bob Hogan (brother of Mary); James Stokie (brother of William).Copy of original wedding photograph of a bridal couple with four male and two women attendants. Bride, groom and attendants are all identified on a card which is with the photograph."Wedding of Mary Hogan, daughter of Mary (Fraser) and John Hogan, Bootmaker, Linton. Celebrated at St Patrick's Cathedral Ballarat 12.4.1912. (L-R) John Hogan jnr (bro of Mary), Con Hogan (seated), Jean Stokie (sister of William and James), Mary Hogan (bride),William Stokie (groom), Lily Hogan (niece), Bob Hogan (bro of Mary), James Stokie (seated) (bro of groom)".weddings, william stokie, mary hogan, jean stokie, james stokie, john hogan jnr., con hogan, lily hogan, bob hogan

In 2005, members of the PMH&PS undertook a study of the residents of the houses in a Port Melbourne street precinct from the 1880s to 1960. The area is bounded by Evans Street, the E side of Bridge Street, S side of Williamstown Road, Farrell Street both the E & W sides plus the section of Ross Street between Farrell and Bridge and the part of Derham Street between Farrell and Bridge. The resulting map and an interactive CD won the Best Community Research, Registers & Records project at the 2007 Victorian Community History Awards. The project was launched on the railway reserve near the corner of Evans & Farrell streets. l - R - Mayor Darren RAY, David THOMPSON, Margaret BRIDE, Janet BOLITHO, Graham BRIDE.CoPP mayor and PMHPS members involved in the production at the launch of the History of a Street Precinct25/9/05 Mayor, David Thompson, Margaret Bride, Janet Bolitho, Graham Bridehistory of a street precinct, darren ray, graham bride, margaret bride, janet bolitho, david thompson

Photograph of bride and groom 1925. Caption on back identifies the bride as Chrisie Barber and the year 1925. From the collection of Jessie Partington.Sepia studio portrait of bride and groom, mounted on heavy card.Name and address of studio on front of mount. Handwritten caption "Chrisie Barber 1925" on back of mount.chrissie barber, weddings, jessie partington

Although this book is the biography of a Jewess from Vienna rather than from the Netherlands the author's experiences could have taken place in any of the Nazi-occupied countries. Her tale, however, is extraordinary in the combination of survival skills and luck that enabled her to live through the Jewish persecution of WWII.A 240p. paperback edition of the author's biographical experiences. It mostly describes her extraordinary survival of Hitler's Jew extermination policy.De Joodse Bruid - Edith Hahn Beer met Susan Dworkin. Zij trouwde een Nazi en redde haar leven. (She married a Nazi and saved her life). Original title : The Nazi Officer's Wife Translated by Ineke van Bronswijk ISBN 90 443 0092X

The giving of horseshoes is as a token of luck to a bride.Digital images of horsehoes given to a bride after her wedding.wedding, luck, horse shoes, satin, marriage, good luck\

David THOMPSON and Graham BRIDE at the PMHPS Christmas Party, 14 Dec 2015 upstairs at the Local in Bay St.port melbourne historical & preservation society, pmhps, celebrations fetes and exhibitions, david thompson, graham bride, the local, ann gibson

Bride in shin length dress , head dress and veil typical of 1920'sBlack and white photograph of Les Fish and his bride Ethal on their wedding daycelebration, wedding, ww 1, army

Collector says: Cream and blue panel blankets were the first style of domestic blankets I started collecting and both of these ones were found in Geelong op shops. Pairs of blankets were regularly advertised as ideal wedding gifts and 'The Bride' label is one of my favourite labels of all time. This is the only one I've ever seen but hopefully there are lots more out there being handed down the generations.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double sized cream blanket with blue stripesWarrnambool/The Bride/All Wool ---Deluxe/Made in Australiawool, blanket, blanket fever, warrnambool, bride

Photos belonged to Ada POLSON (nee BELLION), Margaret BRIDE's mother.Image from "Four immigrant families and some of their descendants" by Margaret Bride .05 - Louisa BELLION families, margaret bride nee polson, ada polson nee bellion, thomas sinclair, elizabeth weller bellion, william j bellion, louisa bellion, letitia sinclair, mother falkenreich, ada florence bellion, lizzie sinclair

Photos belonged to Ada POLSON (nee BELLION), Margaret BRIDE's mother.From the booklet "Four immigrant families and some of their descendants" by Margaret Bride .12 - Lizzie Sinclairfamilies, margaret bride nee polson, ada polson nee bellion, thomas sinclair, elizabeth weller bellion, william j bellion, louisa bellion, letitia sinclair, mother falkenreich, ada florence bellion, lizzie sinclair

Photos belonged to Ada POLSON (nee BELLION), Margaret BRIDE's mother.From the booklet "Four immigrant families and some of their descendants" by Margaret Bride .07 - Letitia Morris Sinclair families, margaret bride nee polson, ada polson nee bellion, thomas sinclair, elizabeth weller bellion, william j bellion, louisa bellion, letitia sinclair, mother falkenreich, ada florence bellion, lizzie sinclair

Photos belonged to Ada POLSON (nee BELLION), Margaret BRIDE's mother.From the booklet "Four immigrant families and some of their descendants" by Margaret Bride .08 - Letitia Morris Sinclair families, margaret bride nee polson, ada polson nee bellion, thomas sinclair, elizabeth weller bellion, william j bellion, louisa bellion, letitia sinclair, mother falkenreich, ada florence bellion, lizzie sinclair