Historical information

This doll's dress was skillfully handmade by Gladys Angus, wife of Dr Angus, in a similar design to the silk lingerie she made and wore. Gladys made this dress for her daughter’s doll, which was also donated along with its pram and blanket. It is part of the W.R. Angus collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus, surgeon and oculist.

The W R Angus Collection spans from 1885 to the mid-1900s and includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria.

Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. He and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the early planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill, where they contributed to the layout of the gardens. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.

Significance

This silk doll's dress is connected to the history of Warrnambool, as it was owned by the daughter of Dr W. R. Angus and his wife Gladys. It is part of the W.R. Angus Collection, which is important for still being located at the site connected to Doctor Angus, Warrnambool’s last Port Medical Officer.
Dr Angus and his wife brought their young family to Warrnambool in 1939 and he remained a resident until his death in 1970. Early in his profession in the town of Nhill, Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan in his pioneering use of X-rays and in ocular surgery, and Dr Angus later inherited these items. The W.R. Angus Collection includes these medical instruments and other related equipment and is culturally and historically significant as an example of the medical practice of the late 19th to the mid-20th century. Additional items in the collection relate to Dr Angus’ service in the Flying Doctor Service and the Army.
The doll's dress is also significant as an example of handcrafting in the early 20th century and represents toys made for and used by children in the Warrnambool community.

Physical description

The doll’s dress is handmade using cream silk fabric. It has floral embroidery on the bodice, a gathered waist, crochet trim at the neck, wrists and hem, which also has a scalloped edge. It has a press stud closure at the back. The doll’s dress was made by Gladys Angus for her daughter’s doll. It is part of the W.R. Angus Collection.