Historical information

This garment was donated by the daughter of Ena Heazlewood, the maker of the item. Mary Josephine (Ena) Todd was born in Warrnambool in 1920 and worked as a hairdresser at Josephine’s Salon in Warrnambool. In 1942 she married Jack Heazlewood, a stoker on the H.M.A.S. Sydney at the time. He was also born in Warrnambool. The couple later lived in Sydney. This coat was made by Ena Heazlewood and was worn by both her son, John and her daughter, Judith

Significance

This coat is of interest as one made by a former Warrnambool lady in the mid 20th century. It is also an example of the style of children’s clothing worn 70 years ago.

Physical description

This is a child’s coat, hand-sewn and made of white cotton (towelling or boucle type material). The coat is lined with white cotton material and has a pointed shirt collar with inset sleeves and flares out slightly from the chest area. The coat opens at the front and has two cream-coloured buttons and two button holes. There is some slight staining on the coat.