We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Historical Society with large collection of uncatalogued photographs, textiles, documents and books.
Approximately 170 books from the former Kilmore Mechanic's Institute Library, including three donated and signed by John Pascoe Fawlkner in 1864, the year the library was established. Many of these books are in extremely poor condition.
Christening robe first worn in 1858 by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter, eldest surviving child of James & Mary Poulter. Used by several generations of Poulter descendants.
Early Christening robe with local family significance
White lawn christening robe with embroidery detail to bodice and front skirt. Mostly hand sewn. Very good condition
poulter, chapman, christening
One of two underskirts accompanying a christening ensemble. First worn by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter in 1858, eldest surviving child of Mary and James Poulter. Used by generations of Poulter & Chapmans. The robe is reliably dated to 1858 but the two underskirts, shawl & bonnet may have been added to the ensemble at a later date.
Early christening underskirt related to early Kilmore families.
White cotton christening underskirt with pintuck & broderie anglaise detail to skirt. Excellent condition.
poulter, chapman, christening
Christening ensemble first worn in 1858 by William Thomas (Tom) Poulter, eldest living child of James & Mary Poulter. Ensemble comprises a short underskirt, long underskirt, robe, 'shawl' & silk bonnet. The robe is reliably dated to 1858, however, the underskirts, shawl & bonnet may have been added to the ensemble at a later date. Used by many generations of family & extended family.
White cotton underskirt to christening robe. Pin tuck detail to skirt. Tear at left shoulder.
poulter, chapman, christening
Unknown origin. Found in box of clothing in the Courthouse holding cell 2005.
Black cotton apron with pattern applique and red contrast binding, double breasted front, wrap around tie fastening. Very good condition.
domestic
1950's era apron with no known provenance.
Black cotton apron with pattern applique and binding, back tie fastening. Very good condition.
domestic
Found in a box of clothing in the Courthouse holding cell. Unknown origin
Pair of kidskin elbow-length evening gloves, discoloured & stained, misshapen, rust losses around fingers. Poor condition
gloves, evening wear
Underwear & 1 item of nightwear belonging to Mary Monica Fleck Turner (Smith). Turner Collection.
Items of clothing belonging to an early Kilmore family making up part of the Turner Collection.
Eight camisoles, one underskirt, one bottom half negligee, one nightgown case. Generally in very good condition. TEX-0055.1 Underskirt, cotton & lace with blue satin ribbon. TEX-0055.3 Embroidered nightgown case TEX-0055.4 Camisole, lace & cotton, circular design on front, cap sleeves, prev. repair L front, cap sleeves with rust stains L sleeve. TEX-0055.5 Camisole, lawn & lace, white ribbon threaded through neckline, small holes throughout. TEX-0055.6 Camisole, white broderie anglaise, narrow fabric shoulder straps, drawstring neckline. Small holes throughout. TEX-0055.7 Camisole, cotton & lace, twisted gold ribbon at neckline, small holesthroughout. TEX-0055.8 Camisole, broderie anglaise, wide lace shoulder straps, blue ribbon at neckline, drawstring waist. 2 buttons missing, tear to lace mid upper back. TEX-0055.9 Camisole, white cotton, embroidered, pink ribbon through neckline, pintucks & drawstring at waist, 3 buttons missing. TEX-0055.10 Camisole, muslin, softlace shoulder straps, blue ribbon at neckline, hook & eye at waist, buttons missing. TEX-0055.11 Camisole, cotton & lace, pink ribbon at neckline, some holes/tears, 2 missing buttons, previous repair under R arm.
TEX-0055.11 - Label outside R bodice edge 'Melbourne/Robertson & Moffatt Pty Ltd/Bourke Street'.
underwear, nightwear, turner collection, smith
Wedding dress worn by Mary Monica Fleck Turner on her marriage to Albert Smith in 1926. Turner Collection
Clothing associated with early Kilmore families.
Cream silk "Flapper" knee length sleeveless dress with plain scooped neck. Neck & armholes bound with same fabric. Curved low waist seam. Hem finished with same bias binding. Evidence of machine stitching on both sides altering bodice from underarm for 26cm. Formerly had sash with bow - both missing. Small faint stain on back of skirt and ?watermarks on bodice. In excellent condition otherwise.
wedding dress, turner collection, smith
Possibly belonged to Elizabeth Jane Hartnell (1855-1922) whose descendants donated the Turner Collection. Slip found with clothing 'Grandmother Hartnell's shawl". Turner Collection.
Clothing belonging to early Kilmore families.
Yellow silk shawl, self-fringed on all four sides, floral embroidered borders, some staining present, approx. 1.2m sq. Two stitched "tucks" horizontal 15cm from edge of opposite sides approx. midway. Appears to cover stain /ink. A few small holes otherwise ood condition.
hartnell, turner collection
Carried by Elsie Monk ( b.1886), daughter of Stephen Turner, sister of Mary Monica Fleck Turner (Smith) when presented at Court (Buckingham Palace), unknown date thought to be early 1900s.
Item used by member/s of early Kilmore family.
Tortoise shell frame with feathers forming a ladies fan. In good condition. Feathers tending to shed.
fan, monk, turner collection
Owned by the Chapman family of Kilmore.
Owned by early Kilmore family.
Kangaroo pelt buggy rug with black woolen lining. Some seam splits in sewn squares, fur in generally good condition. Approx. 1 X 2m.
chapman, berry, allaway, thomson
Wedding dress bodice of Mary Rebecca Poulter ( 1879- )who married Hector (George?) Chapman (1871-1932) in 1901 at Christ Church, Kilmore.
Clothing related to early Kilmore families.
Deep blue bodice, tucks entire length of bodice. Bodice boned below bust to narrow waist, sleeves flaring at cuffs. Cotton lining, remnants of a lacy fabric at neckline. High collar, side fastening, dark blue braid trim at cuffs, collar & front. Hand sewn throughout. Front fastenings - metal hooks & eyes. Very fragile & poor condition. Not repairable
poulter, chapman, wedding dress
Child's christening ensemble worn by Philip ('Pip') Smith at his christening. Grandson of Stephen Robinson & Elizabeth Jane Hartnell of 'The Dene' & 'Overdale', Kilmore East. Three daughters - Elsie, Esme & Monica. Their daughter Monica Fleck Turner (1899-1990) m. Albert Smith (1890- 1951) in 1926. Phillip born 1928, d. 2006 at Seymour. Buried Fawkner Cemetery.
Clothing from early Kilmore families.
Child's christening dress, coat & Bonnet, silk, embroidered. All in very good condition, despite yellowing. TEX-51.1 Dress TEX-51.2 Coat TEX-51.3 Bonnet
child, christening, turner collection
Christening dress donated by Kilmore family
White cotton, short sleeves with drawstrings, gathered waist, broderie anglaise triangular shaped bodice detail, broderie anglaise trim to skirt. Excellent conditition.
child, christening
Small soft-covered pocket-sized booklet. Moderate foxing/staining to cover, pencil doodles throughout, handwritten student notes at back. Stapled spine. Good condition
non-fiction
spelling, text, school
Soft brown cover, stapled at spine, title and decorative border in black print. Slight discolouration of pages. 36pp. Excellent condition
non-fiction
History of the Presbyterian Church in Kilmore 1851-1926
presbyterian, church, history
Small red leather-bound book with title in gilt lettering on front cover. Small tears to upper front & back covers, some whitish spotting and three regular looking indentations to front cover. Partial hinge joint break at rear cover. Several birthdays recorded throughout. Wear, staining, & mildew to outer perimeters of most pages. Fair - good condition.
fiction
Children's birthday book with front coloured book plate & black & white line illustrations & verse throughout. Alternate pages allow for recording birthdays.
sugden, birthday book, children
Paperback with black & white photographs grouped at centre. Cover worn & creased. 214pp. Small tear to upper back cover at spine. Good condition.
non-fiction
Story of the childhood and early adult years of the Princesses Elizabeth & Margaret written by their former governess, Marion Crawford.
british royalty
Small brown cloth-bound hardcover with decorative black embossed design on front cover. Title in gold coloured lettering on spine along with black embossed design. Cover very worn particularly at extremities., cloth torn front edge of spine. Front & rear hinges partially detached. Binding generally firm with a couple of loose spots. Pages generally clean & intact. Minor foxing throughout. 448pp. Fair condition.
non-fiction
The Illustrated National Pronouncing Dictionary of the English Language.
english language, dictionary
Small booklet with red paper cover showing illustration in black. Cover detached, rear cover missing. Pages discoloured through out. B&W illustrations. 111pp. Good condition apart from detached cover.
fiction
Anthology of Australian Prose and verse.
australia, verse, poetry
Board cover with pasted on colour picture, green cloth spine. Wear to extemities, red colour scribbling to front cover. Front hinge partially detached. Discolouration & minor of pages throughout. Eight pages of coloured pictures & twenty other B&W illustrations. 148pp. Fair-good condition.
fiction
Bedtime picture books for children between six and twelve; articles, verses, bible stories.
children, religion
Board cover with pasted on illustration, blue cloth spine. Wear to extremities, particularly corners. Pencil scribbling in front cover, red pencil scribble inside back cover. Significant foxxing to title page but largely absent throughout. Illustrated. Fair-good condition
fiction
Bible Stories retold to children.
bible stories
Brown grained leather. Decorative stitching and punching over toe with some scuffing of colour. Fine machine stitching on body of shoe. Leather pull up strap on back of foot well. 2 button hooks at top each side of instep. 4 shoe lace eyelets down each side instep with 2 pairs of short brown cotton laces on each instep. Nailed leather sole and built up heel slightly scuffed. Grained leather inner sole
Size 5 stamped on sole near toe. Stamped circle with "ALL LEATHER .IHM(in calligraphy font) on mid sole.
Purchased by Valma Allaway (nee Adamson) in Knightsbridge, London, 1956
No maker label.
clothing, evening wear
Pair Ladies Black Boots. 9 black Bakerlite and metal buttons with matching stitched eyelet button holes. Black leather sole with nailed black leather heel, slightly worn. Decorative stitching and punching across toe with slight scratching of leather on toe. Button hole tab inner lining of black leather. Inner lining of material . Inner sole of split tan leather. Solid inner toe and heel puffs with slight wear on external toe and heel puff leather.
Oval stamp on sole with "TD and ALL LEATHER". Size 2 stamped on sole instep.
Pair Child's 6 button black leather boots. Round worn makers mark on polished leather sole. Nailed leather heel. Decorative machine stitching and punching over toe puff. Tan leather interface on stitched eyelet holes. Inner lining white material. Inner sole white leather. Stiff supports under toe and heel leather
Worn stamped makers mark on sole. Size 1 stamped on sole instep
Pair of child's leather boots. Fawn leather on upper, brushed cotton lined, wool rubber sole and heel. Decorative tan leather and stitching around upper. Silver coloured zip on arch with decorative stitching to toe. Stiff toe puffs and heel supports
On sole ink stamped 'LEATHER UPPER COTTON LINED FIBER INNER SOLE WOOL RUBBER SOLE' Under decorative tan leather on upper Ink stamped '2 585 SIZE 9' On inner sole Ink stamped 'WRAY'S NATURAL FORM FOOTWEAR MADE IN ENGLAND"
Black leather child's boots with decorative stitching on leather edges. 6 islet holes for buttons with decorative stitching on tongue. Nailed leather soles and heels
Oval stamp on instep of sole worn "ALL LEATHER D" 13 stamped on sole
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.
