Ann Austin of Melbourne was the name of a Melbourne millinery house. Thelma Prentice was one of the partners in the house, and the chief designer/milliner. Very little information about the millinery house and the milliner are available online but there is an interesting article, published in the Brisbane Courier Mail on 8 October 1949 which describes the influence of French style on fashion and design in Australia. The article by Lucy Gough recounts the views of Thelma Prentice who had just returned from the Paris fashion shows. "Australian millinery toes line with Paris From LUCY GOUGH LONDON, October 7 (Special) Australian hats can compare very favourably with those designed in Paris, and are considerably cheaper, says Miss Thelma Prentice, partner in a well-known Melbourne millinery firm, who has just completed six months' visit to England and the Continent. An ordinary hat, Miss Prentice said, would cost at least £15 from any of the top Paris houses. Australia could achieve the same effect for a lot less money. Miss Prentice went to all the Important dress shows as well as the millinery houses in Paris, because she believes that millinery is an accessory to fashion and to obtain the best idea of new trends hats must be shown with frocks to get a complete follow-through and tie-up between the two. At their packed shows, with standing room only, Path and Dior were selling hats they designed, faster than many well known Paris millinery houses, Fath's favourite line was the becoming 'wing treatment,' which he achieved by a profile flattering side swing of material jutting out almost 10 inches from the face. This was completely different to the side drape already seen in Australia. Dior, as a direct contrast, was specialising in skull hats, which almost followed the hair line, to show very little hair at the back of the head. His cocktail hats were heavily sequinned and beaded. Every model was designed exclusively for short hair, and Miss Prentice, whose own hair is beautifully short cut by a Paris hairdresser, said that French mannequins' hair was so abbreviated at the back it was almost a semi-shingle. Hats generally she found were plain, with sharply angled self trimming, and black one of the most popular colours." The hat was donated by Kathleen Gervasoni, a resident of Kew, and during the 1970s a Mayoress of the former City of Kew. The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. While most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women, there are a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.High crowned hat made of burgundy felt with decorative pink jersey turban folds attached to the side by clusters of pink beads. The hat was designed by Thelma Prentice of the ' Austin of Melbourne' millinery house. Label, inside centre crown, woven in black on white polyester: *ann austin / OF MELBOURNEmilliners, hats, ann austin of melbourne, thelma prentice, australian fashion - 1960s, kathleen gervasoni

1999 to 2001 worn by male and female flight attendants.DNavy Blue wool-felt wide brimmed hostess hat. Fedora style. Navy grosgrain ribbon trim bordered with yellow piping. Decorative tuck on front of trim and twist detail on back. Dent in crown. Black grosgrain sweatband. 15mm White label with WEISS Australia. Faded name ALISON (?) on manufacturers label. White label with WEISS Australia. uniform, hat, hostess, stewardess, flight attendants, navy blue, steward, weiss, wool felt

Worn by male & female flight attendants 1999 - 2001Navy-blue wool-felt wide-brimmed hostess hat. Navy grosgrain ribbon trim bordered with yellow piping. Decorative tuck on front of trim & twist detail on back. Dent in crown. Black grosgrain sweatband. White maker's label with black print - "Weiss Australia". Faded blue biro with owner's initials (possibly SAR?or SPR?). 15mm round white label under sweatband with black upper-case lettering "SEP".White maker's label with black print "Weiss Australia". Faded blue biro with owner's initials (possibly SAR? or SPR?). 15mm round white sticker under sweatband with black upper-case lettering "SEP"flight attendants, stewardess / steward, navy blue fedora, yellow piping, 1999 - 2001, wool felt, weiss australia

Australian Army Issued Slouch Hat.Brown woollen fur felt hat. Pale brown material wrapped around outside of rim. Gold clip attaching left side of hat to crown. Gold colour Rising Sun Emblem on left side but not official Army Emblem. Inside size 61, makers label, cleaning instructions. Black leather rim sewn on the inside of crown.Inside "100% fine wool felt" "Made in Australia" "Size 61" .uniform, slouch hat, army

Green wool felt pennant with stitched side seam and white cotton tape tie sewn in seam.Front: JEPARIT / VIC. / SIR ROBERT MENZIES PARK Back: Lake Hindmarsh / JEPARIT / VIC.jeparit, victoria

Light blue wool felt beret with adjustable black ribbon headband. Pinned to the front is a silver metal badge.Badge has a Queen's crown, two crossed swords, flying bird and the word "Vigilance"royal australian air force, uniform, 161 reconnaissance flight

Light blue wool felt beret with adjustable black ribbon headband. Pinned to the front is a gold/silver metal badge.Badge has Queen's crown, Insignia 'RAEME", horse chained to globeroyal australian air force, uniform, 161 reconnaissance flight

Artist Alison Withers work DIY Deluge Design No. 5 was awarded Expressions: The Wool Quilt Acquisitive Award in 2023. Works were received from across Australasia and internationally from some of quilting’s most highly regarded and awarded artists. Finalists work was displayed at Art Quilt Australia 2023 presented by Ozquilt Network and the National Wool Museum from 12 August to 12 November 2023. Artist Statement: It's clear we need to adapt the anatomy of our human spaces to become more resilient to the increasingly unavoidable impacts of climate change. Made by piecing, applique and free machine stitching, using industrial felt, hand dyed merino felt, woollen suiting, cotton fabric, wool theatre curtain backing and cotton and polyester thread.Rectangular portrait orientated art quilt depicting an environmental scene including boats, lights, elevated buildings, plants and birds on a background of shades of cream, blue and grey. A baton is sewn into the back at the bottom.Back: DIY Deluge Design No.5 / Alison Withersquilt, ozquilt network, prize, wool, art, felt, piecing, applique

For the First Peoples of south-eastern Australia, making possum skin cloaks has long been a culturally important practice. But during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, possums and other native animals were also heavily hunted by white colonists who coveted their warm and fashionable furs. This rug, made from fifteen possum pelts, was used in a Brighton home during cold winter months in the 1920s.Possum skin rug made from 15 rectangular cut pelts mounted onto a brown wool felt with cut scalloped edges. possum skin, rug, fur, 1920s

Black Wool Felt Beret with gilt badge of RAAMC (Royal Australian Army Medical Corps). Black polyester/cotton cloth edging and lining with manufacturer's label. Inside: "Beret Mnfrs. Pty., Ltd. Victoria Australia Size 6 3/4"headgear, beret

Standard issue item as used by Australian servicemen during the conflict in Vietnam (1962–1972). Black wool felt beret lined with black polished cotton. The brim is bound with black leather. There are two stitch covered eyelets at the rear and on the right side of the beret for ventilation. beret, clothing, vietnam war

The pennant was part of the collection owned by Helen Veitch when she was a student at the Ballarat Teachers' College in 1948. The Ballarat Teachers' College was established after the Victorian State Government and the State Education Department decided to establish two provincial teachers' colleges, at Ballarat and Bendigo. On 04 May 1926 W.H. Ellwood (Principal), Miss A. Bouchier, and Mr A.B. Jones, welcomed the first enrolment of 61 students to undertake the one year course. In 1927 the College moved to the former Ballarat East Town Hall in Barkly Street, which was remodelled for their use. It closed in December 1931 due to the Great Depression. In 1946 Ballarat Teachers' College reopened and relocated to the Dana Street State School. It was originally planned to open as a women's college, for whom the residence at 130 Victoria Street was purchased, but the decision was made to admit resident men from Ballarat. Mr T.W. Turner was appointed as Principal in 1951 and directed the introduction of a two year course for the Trained Primary Teachers' Certificate. The former one year course was terminated at the end of 1951. In 1958 the College was relocated to a custom built facility at Gillies Street, in close proximity to the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. Numbers increased with the introduction of the Trained Infant Teachers' Certificate course under the guidance of Mary Egan. With the introduction of a three year Diploma Course in 1968 accommodation became cramped. The introduction of the Diploma of Teaching (Primary) led to the Trained Infant Teachers' Certificate being discontinued in 1969, and the end of the Trained Primary Teachers' Certificate in 1969. Secondary Art and Craft students began studies at Ballarat Teachers' College in 1969 under Mr Ted Doney. In 1971 Mr D. Watson was appointed Principal. The State College of Victoria was proclaimed by Order in Council on 24 July 1973, and Ballarat Teachers' College became a constituent college of the State College of Victoria, and was known as State College of Victoria, Ballarat. By 1975 the College moved to Mount Helen as part of the Ballarat College of Advanced Education. Pre service teachers currently undertake their studies on the Mount Helen Campus of Federation University. ("Ruffians Attempted to Carry of the School Tent: A History of State Education in Ballarat", 1974, p73-4.)lBlue wool felt pennant with a yellow felt edge with 2 loops stitched to the side edge. The pennant is printed in yellow with the words 'Ballarat Teachers' College' and Coat of Arms.Printed - Ballarat Teachers' College & Coat of Armsballarat teachers' college, pennant, helen veitch

Black wool felt beret with black nylon trim and tie tape. Royal Australian Corps of Signals cap badge. Black cloth lining with manufacturer's label and name / number label. Label "Beret Mnfrs Pty Ltd. Victoria. Australia. Size 6 3/4 " Name Tag "3162456 Dibben" hand writtenheadgear, beret

A fawn-coloured wool felt hat. It has a leather band with machine punched holes sewn onto it. There is a leather band inside the hat and a label. It is pinned up on one side - stockman style.DUSTY on label - 100% wool 60cm Made in Hong Kong hat felt stockman-hat

Owned by William Albert HARRISON (Service Number VX41478; above Link ["WW2 Record"] indicates that Rank on Discharge was Cpl, but other AIF documents, from National Archives Australia [including Proceedings of Discharge - see pdf Media File above], indicate that he was Sergeant, which is consistent with the rank on this jacket). Name not written on item but known to be part of set which includes slouch hat, which does contain the name, and other related items which include Service Number, verifying identity. See further service details in "Links" above. Soldier's name known. Items donated (date unknown) by brother-in-law who was living in Montmorency and was a committee member of MERSL when item donated.Australian WW2 blue enamel 2 pint water bottle with cork and metal stopper. Wool felt cover and leather 1903 Pattern carrier. Cork and metal stopper is attached with twine sewn to the cover.D^D KH 1942 G^ QP D^D KH 1942 Acceptance mark G^

Green Wool Felt Beret with Royal Australian Corps of Signals badge missing crown and Mercury's ankle broken from base of badge. Black polyester/cotton edging, adjustment tape and lining with manufacturers label.Inside: "Beret Mnfrs.Pty., Ltd. Victoria Australia Size 7 1/8"headgear, beret

The name "slouch hat" refers to the fact that one side droops down as opposed to the other which is pinned against the side of the crown. This style of hat has been worn for many hundreds of years, especially during the English Civil War during the 17th century when it became associated with Royalists known as Cavaliers and became known as the Cavalier hat, but it was also fashionable for the upper and middle classes throughout Europe during that time until it developed into the tricorne and bicorne. It was introduced into Australia around 1885, although it traces its military use back to Austrian skirmishers. The modern slouch hat is derived from the black "Corsican hat" (Korsehut) – historically used in the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars. The headwear saw primary use by 15 battalions of Austrian Jägers (skirmishers) and it featured an upturned brim, leather chinstrap and feather plume. The regular infantry also saw limited use of the Corsican hat in the periods 1803–06 and 1811–36. (Sourced from Wikipedia)A green Australian Army slouch hat which is typically made from durable, khaki coloured fur felt (like rabbit fur) of wool felt. It has a wide brim and which was turned up one side.clothing, slouch hat

Part of the estate collection of Vietnam veteran Sgt T J Nicholson, Service no: 4410261, who served in 1st Armoured Regiment, Vietnam 1969-70.Wooden shadow box frame with a maroon matt background containing an emu hat plume, a Hunter River Lancers silver plastic corps badge and yellow wool felt shoulder patch of Royal New South Wales Lancers.Hunter River Lancers Royal New South Wales/ Lancershunter river lancers, royal new south wales lancers, nicholson, trevor nicholson, 1st armoured, 441026, lancers, plume

Item from donor's mother (1926-2015) and father (1923-1962)who lived in Camberwell and then from the 1950s in Box Hill.The Boys' Brigade (BB) is an international, interdenominational christian youth organization conceived in Glasgow in1883 which spread quickly across the UK and worldwide. It was founded in Australia in 1890.Black wool felt beret with black ribbon edging and ribbon hanging down back. On the front a metal badge "The Boys' Brigade" with an anchor in the centre with the words "Sure", B B "Steadfast" inside. Size 6 5/8. "The Boys' Brigade", anchor, "Sure", B B "Steadfast" inside. Size 6 5/8.the boys' brigade, beret

Navy Blue Wool Felt Beret with RAAOC (Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps) badge. Black polyester/cotton edging and adjustment tape. (inner lining has been cut out) Grey felt badge backing inside beret.Nilheadgear, beret

Between 8th and 10th June there were celebrations in England celebrating the first anniversary of the end of WWII. Similar celebrations were held in Australian towns and cities.Pennant produced for the Victory Day Celebrations, June 10th, 1946. This triangular pennant is made from a dark blue wool felt cloth with two loops attached to the fly. The pennant is marked with insignia and wording associated with the first anniversary 'V' day celebrations in 1946.Inscribed with a large, white letter V with "victory" in side and in red lettering, surrounded by a "laurel" wreath. Inscribed with "Victory Day" in white lettering, "Celebrations" in alternating gold and orange lettering, and "June 10th 1946" in white lettering. pennant, victory celebrations

From Ladakh, Northern India, obtained by donor from a Nepalese Buddhist family in 1980's. Traditional Ladakhi children's slippers, known as Pabu, are wool-felted, often decorated with vibrant colors, and designed for warmth in cold climates.Machine and hand stitched childs slippers. flowers

Part of a nurses' uniform during the Second World War. Khaki wool felt hat with wide brim and burgandy-brown grosgrain ribbon band with bow on right side. The hat also has a grosgrain sweatband with a maker's label sewn in on the interior. This is marked in ink with manufacturers' label. Elastic chip strap on interior has deteriorated and broken in half.Label on interior reads "MADE IN AUSTRALIA/UIM/N451-1943/SIZE 6 5/8 - 21 1/4 in." second world war, world war ii, world war 2, world war two, wwii, nurse, medical, women

Part of a nurses' uniform during the Second World War. Khaki wool felt hat with wide brim and burgandy-brown grosgrain ribbon band with bow on right side. The hat also has a grosgrain sweatband with a maker's label sewn in on the interior. This is marked in ink with manufacturers' label. Elastic chip strap on interior is secure and matches colour of grosgrain.Label on interior reads "N513/1943/MADE IN AUSTRALIA/6-5/8"second world war, world war ii, world war 2, world war two, wwii, nurse, medical, women

Worn by a Ruyton Girls' School student 1984-1990 as part of winter school uniform.Navy blue wool felt beret. Features additional square cloth panel hand sewn onto centre front. Panel shows embroidered Ruyton Girls' School crest of an 'Old English' alphabet character 'R' in gold thread on navy blue background. Interior of beret is plain.'R'ruyton girls' school, kew, school uniform, hat, 1980s, 1990s, school crest, embroidery, private school

The Soviet Union was one of the first countries to realize the unique potential of parachute forces. As early as 1927 there were reports of parachute troops being used against bandits in Central Asia. Within the next two to three years Leonid G. Minov began to organize the first military parachute units. He traveled to the United States to study parachute strategy and techniques employed in air rescue missions. He returned to his country with a supply of American-made Irvin parachutes. In April 1930, Soviet industry produced its first run of domestic parachutes, not surprisingly patterned on the Irvin style.Red felted wool beret withblack leather hat trimfabric informatiion labelt i.e. dry cleanrussian front 1918-1919, russian paratroopers history of russian paratroopers, history of change in aircraft to cater for paratroopers