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This photograph depicts Thersea Dunn (nee Wallis) the maker of the sugar bag apron held by the Ballarat Apron Festival (0001) on the day of her wedding.
Digital photograph of Theresa Wallis on the day of their wedding Allan Dunn.
Created for Ballarat Apron Festival to present Ballarat's Aboriginal history, to be displayed along side the Festival's Ballarat Apron.
Oil painting on handmade treated canvas apron. Two large thick cotton ties at waist and loop for neck.
marlene gilson, ballarat, wadawurrung, aboriginal
This apron was designed for the Ballarat Apron Festival by local designer Clare Schreenan of Clasch Designs Ballarat. The tartan fabric was designed by Art Gallery of Ballarat for the 2014 exhibition “For Auld Lang Syne: Images of Scottish Australia, from the First Fleet to Federation”, and is officially registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans. The colours are highly significant: grey being chosen for the basalt plains on which Ballarat is built upon; Blue and white representing the Eureka Flag; and yellow for the gold that has made Ballarat so famous. Born in Ballarat, Schreenan attended Loreto College before studying fashion at Melbourne College of Textiles. She has worked extensively in Sydney, travelling to Paris, London and Los Angeles for work projects. She returned to Ballarat in 2006, launching Clash Design.
Featuring the official, highly symbolic Ballarat tartan, and made by highly renowned local designer Clare Schreenan, this contemporary apron is of local significance to the Ballarat community.
Grey, blue, white and yellow wool tartan fabric apron with asymmetrical design. Velco closures on back with zipper detailing.
ballarat, tartan, apron
This apron was made by Theresa Dunn (néé Wallis) of Breakaway Creek, Victoria. Born in 1912, Theresa came from a farming family and left school at the age of 14 following the death of her mother to help care for her younger siblings. Well known for her needlework, Theresa and her sister Eileen exhibited widely and later judged work for Victorian and interstate needlework competitions. Sticklers for perfection, they were known to always look at the back of the work first. In 1935 Theresa married Allan Dunn. This apron formed part of her glory box; a collection of items saved in preparation for married life. Never used, it was donated to the Ballarat Apron Festival in 2017 by Theresa’s daughter.
Made by Theresa Dunn of Breakaway Creek in the 1930s, this apron reflects early-20th century ideals of thrift and resourcefulness that were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness. Part of Theresa's glory box, this apron is in immaculate condition and is an example of depression era clothing and resourcefulness.
Sugar bag apron (circa 1930s) Ballarat Apron Festival collection Until the mid-20th century concepts of thrift and resourcefulness were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness.
Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd. Pure Cane Sugar 70lbs. Melbourne 1A
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
