Historical information

A pair of shoes worn by a Presentation nun at Star of the Sea Convent, Gardenvale. The history of the shoes is unknown; nuns working in the convent's archive found them stored among convent records, and subsequently donated them to Brighton Historical Society.

The Presentation Sisters, a Catholic order originating from Ireland, founded the Star of the Sea Convent in Gardenvale in 1883. Led by Mother Paul Fay and Mother John Byrne, they established a convent and school in a house called Turret Lodge, on the site of the present Star of the Sea College in Martin Street. The order and the school remain active in Brighton today.

Foy & Gibson was one of Australia's earliest department store chains. Based in Collingwood, from 1883 until the mid-twentieth century they manufactured and sold a large range of goods, including clothing, manchester, leather goods, soft furnishings, furniture, hardware and food.

Physical description

Pair of black leather women's lace-up shoes with a low heel.

Inscriptions & markings

Interior label: "COMFORT / FOY & GIBSON PTY LTD / COLLINGWOOD"