Historical information

The French Collection was donated to the Society in 2022. This collection includes documents, artworks, books, costumes and artefacts belonging to two families. A number belonged to, or were made by the grandparents of the donor: Vida May Wing and her husband Hubert Charles McDonald. [Other items belonging to Vida and Hubert are in the collections of the Australian Performing Arts Museum and Museum Victoria.] A second significant group of objects were gifts made to the donor's family by Lucy (Jean) Hornby of Queen Street, Kew whose family had been early settlers in the district.

Vida May Wing was born in Richmond in 1882. A noted teacher of plain, fancy and step dancing, during the first two decades of the twentieth century she held annual fancy dancing and floral balls, where her pupils were the performers. In 1916, she married Hubert Charles McDonald. She died in 1959.

Physical description

Round box of Guerlaine [established 1828] face powder. The name of the manufacturer is embossed on the base. The navy blue and gold cardboard container is filled with the original powder by Guerlain Shalimar, 'Ocre Doree'. It belonged to to Vida May McDonald.

Inscriptions & markings

Reverse: "Guerlaine"