Collection
Objects
EXPLORE THE WMA OBJECTS COLLECTION
The Women’s Museum of Australia collection holds over 2500 objects including domestic technology, photographs, manuscripts, clothing, jewellery and books.
Digitising the collection and making it available online is an evolving resource that will, over time, represent many more of the Museum’s collection highlights.
You can also explore our Library, which holds books and audiovisual materials by clicking HERE.
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Nurses' Caps
Nurses’ caps, four identical, folded paper, off white caps. The caps have perforations and creases for folding along. The nurse’s caps unfolded, are the shape of a rectangle with a square attached to… Read more…
Maker: Baxter
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Suture Catgut
Suture Catgut in two glass ampules with narrower waist for fracturing at 50mm marked by a red dot. Each ampule contains a length of 2.0BP plain catgut length about 60mm and is preserved sterile in a… Read more…
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Suture Needles
Surgical Suture needles in packets. a) folded sheaths containing black paper folds enclosing 6 steel suture needles. sheaths are printed with the manufacturer”s name and Logo, address &… Read more…
Maker: Allen & Hanbury
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Face Masks Disposable
Face masks, disposable, rectangular-shaped. Three (3) identical masks with ties at each corner for tying at the back of the head. The masks are made of tissue-like paper. The four ties are white… Read more…
Maker: Smith & Nephew
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Craft Patterns File
Craft patterns made into a file by and for NPWHF. Red file with plastic sleeves and pattern inserts. Listed 1 – 23 on separate sheet.
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Surgical Currette
Surgical currette in stainless steel. Hollow tube for suction, lower end curved tear shaped with a sharp end. Nozzle for attachment of suction tubing.
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Sponge Holder Forceps
Sponge holder forceps, stainless steel hinged from handles. Handles end in a circle to accommodate thumb and forefinger. Bottom end tear-shaped opening, outside smooth, inside serrated.
Maker: Boots
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Speculum
Speculum Bivalve type vaginal speculum medium size in polished stainless steel. Two bills joined by a sliding screw locking mechanism in the handle allowing the bils to be locked open. The upper bill… Read more…
Maker: possibly Boots
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Medical Spirit Lamp
Spirit lamp used in surgery to heat, sterilize small surgical instruments eg. needle points, blades. Polished stainless steel flask containing a cotton wick. A screw cap closes the flask neck and… Read more…
Maker: DOWN
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Surgical Instrument Tray
Surgical instrument tray of polished stainless steel. Rectangular. OPD scratched into base. (Outpatients Department)
Maker: K.G.Luke
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Eye Washer
Eye washer glass undine, tear drop shaped with extension spout from top end and filling port at top. Used for irrigation of the eye.
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Woollen Balaclava, Helmet
Woollen hand knitted blue wool Balaclava (Helmet). Main head part ribbed with garter stitch nek and chest area. Eye face opening. Pattern used: Weekly Times Victoria, 13 October 1917.
Maker: Kate Wightman
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Hand Knitted Socks
1 pair brown (khaki) hand knitted socks. Ribbed band and stocking stitch for body of sock. Pattern used: Red Cross WW1 Sock Pattern. Wool yarn.
Maker: Vikki Hope
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Hand Knitted Helmet
Hand knitted in green wool with multicoloured fleck. Mainly garter stitchwith neck and face edging ribbed. Pattern taken from Red Cross Society Australian Branch book, page 13, ‘Woollen Helmet’. Read more…
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Knee Cap Cover
Hand knitted Knee Cap Cover in brown wool. One only. Knitted in one piece using garter stitch and seamed together. Pattern: Patons Service Wollies published Patons and Baldwin.
Maker: Jane Knapinski
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Infantry Rifle Mittens, Pair
One pair of Infantry Rifle Mittens knitted from 5‑ply Cleckheaton Crêpe Wool in blue and light blue. Ribbed cuff and ribbed thumb and index finger gusset. Stocking stitch for remainder. Thumb and… Read more…
Maker: Mylene Pijpers
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Hand Knitted Gauntlets, Pair
One pair of beige (light brown) hand knitted gauntlets (gloves), WW1 design. Long ribbed cuff, cuff would have been worn over shirt sleeves. Pure New Wool.
Maker: Barbara McIIvain
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Wool Socks, Pair
Hand knitted woollen socks, large, size II, Charcoal yarn from Bendigo Woollen Mills. Stocking stitch with ribbed band. Red Cross Pattern classic DK.
Maker: Keryn Booth
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Hand Knitted Waistcoat
Sleeveless vest, Waistcoat, ribbed in 3 pieces and sewn together. Front bands knitted in garter stitch. Five plastic buttons have been used but each has been reinforced with cotton tape.
Maker: Marianne Hall
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Hand Knitted Jumper
Hand knitted jumper, adult size. Green (khaki) basket weave pattern using pure wool has round neck.
Maker: Peter Jobson
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Cholera Belt
Cream coloured, hand knitted Cholera Belt in fine Pure Wool. Ribbed piece but with finer ribbing at top and bottom. Worn around waist to keep kidneys warm.
Maker: Leonie Tewierik
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Knitted Socks, Pair
Pair of grey knitted socks using pure new wool and knitted from a Red Cross Pattern Book, WW1. Sock knitted with Dutch Heel. Stocking Stitch for body of socks with ribbed cuffs.
Maker: Kathy Bailey
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Knitted Socks, Pair
Pair of grey hand knitted socks using pure new wool and knitted from Red Cross Pattern book, WW1. Socks knitted with French Heel. Body of sock is stocking stitch with ribbed cuffs.
Maker: Kathy Bailey
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Knitted Socks, Pair
Pair of grey hand knitted socks using pure new wool and knitted from Red Cross Book WW1. This sock pair has Dutch Heel. Stocking stitch for body of sock with cuffs ribbed.
Maker: Kathy Bailey
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Helmet, Pure Wool, Knitted
Light brown in colour, lightly felted pure wool helmet. Head area knitted in garter stitch, neck and race edging ribbed.
Maker: Pauline Fitch
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Socks, Hand Knitted, Pair
Hand knitted hospital socks using light green woolen yarn. WW1.
Maker: Pauline Fitch
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Helmet with Bib, Handknitted
Helmet, handknitted with bib using grey woollen yarn. Stocking stich (ribbed) headpiece with garter stitch bib. Small opening for eyes. The bib (garter stitch area) is designed to be tucked under… Read more…
Maker: Pauline Fitch
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Helmet, Hand Knitted Woollen
Helmet, handknitted pure woollen yarn, brown in colour, ribbed neck and facial edges with purl knitted head piece.
Maker: Pauline Fitch
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Cystoscopes, Resectoscopes and Attachments in Fibrelite Case
A). Brown “Fibrelite” case. 390 mm x 245 mm x 85 mm. Three (3) hinges and a clasp lock in chrome steel. Bearing three labels 1). “Supplied by Watson Victor Ltd., Australia WATVIC (logo) New… Read more…
Maker: Watson Victor Ltd., 'American Cystoscope Makers Inc. , Pelham Manor, New York' & 'Iglesias Multiple Rectoscope, Patent 3589793' 'OT Resectoscope'
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Dental Syringe in Original Box
a) Box cardboard labelled with a list of contents, and the makers name and address. The box is divided into compartments inside. b) Imperial dental syringe, chrome steel metal parts with frosted… Read more…
Maker: Claudius Ash & Sons & Co. Ltd.
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Surgeon's Binocular Magnifying Lenses
a) Box, cylindrical cardboard covered in leather with a flap hinged lid at one end with tuck in of flap closure. Makers name and address on inside of flap lid. b) Magnifying lenses consisting of… Read more…
Maker: Theodore Hamblin Ltd.
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Tongue Depressor Component of Boyle-Davis Mouth Operation Gag
Tongue depressor of stainless steel 3 mm thick bent at a right angle. The vertical component is 145 mm L x 15 mm W terminating in a 150 degree hook. The outside of the bar is indented with 17… Read more…
Maker: ANAX
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Instrument Manual
Three ring document folder A4 size labelled Kaiser, General Instrument, Edition 4″ on front and spine and listing the distribution co. ( retailer’s name ) “Surgical Access Pty. Ltd., ACN, contact… Read more…
Maker: Kaisers Retailed by Surgical Access Pty. Ltd.
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Prison Officer's Hat
Prison Officer”s Hat (Male) felt Akubra size 60 with 6 ventilation holes in crown. A metal corrections badge is attached through the felt at the front. It has a band of criss-crossed cloth and a… Read more…
Maker: Akubra
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Reading Glasses and Case
a) Reading Glasses with brown frames and squarish lenses. Frame around lenses is brown at the top and clear at the bottom. b) Cloth Case is colourful floral on the outside and lined in black on… Read more…
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Roy Underwood Face and Jaw Splint
Roy Underwood Face and Jaw Splint a) varnished 6 mm plywood box 175 mm W X 180 mm D X 255 mm H Opening face (175 X 225 hinged at base and closed with 2 clips at the top. The box has a carrying… Read more…
Maker: Splint Maker unsure. Designer Roy Underwood
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Bone Screw Tray
Bone screw tray, bespoke surgical item 210 mm x 180 mm stainless steel plate folded at 50 mm and 160 mm to rectangular arch 50 mm-110 mm-50 mm. The 180 mm x 110 surface has been drilled with 182 4 mm… Read more…
Maker: Bespoke
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Tracheostom Tube
Tracheostom Tube grooved and tapered stainless steel arched (90 degrees) Diameter 8 mm at proximal end tapering progressively to 5.5 mm at the distal end Overall length 50 mm. Shallow groove on upper… Read more…
Maker: Ramsay Surgical Instrument Makers
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Cervix Dilator
Cervix dilator, stainless steel tapered cylinder with 10 degree curve over the distal one third of its length. At the proximal (handle) end a short (20 mm) 24 mm diameter cylinder at right angles to… Read more…
Maker: Down Brothers Surgical Instrument Makers
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Set of 6 Syringes
Set of 6 syringes 1 cc, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 a) 1 cc glass outer 8.5 cm L with a 10 cm blue plunger. On the end of syringe is a 1.5 cm stainless steel nozzle. Inside of nozzle has a hollow…
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Spencer Wells Artery Forceps
Artery Forceps, curved. Spencer Wells. “Scissor“portion has slightly indented grooves from tip to hinge section. Handles look like scissors handles and have four dents on both handles to hold open… Read more…
Maker: Amico
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Headlight for Theatre
Headlight for theatre, stainless steel semi circle to fit over head at the end of which is a stainless steel plate. One end is adjustable. Opposite end has a cylindrical torch attached (8 cm long, 2… Read more…
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Voice Prosthesis in Sterile Container
Voice Prosthesis in unopened sterile container. Container is 7cmx7cm x 3cm box with a flat lid that measures 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm with rounded corners.Voice Prosthesis is a single piece object made of a… Read more…
Maker: Richards Medical Company
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Surgical Hook
Surgical Hook, stainless steel. Flat handle, shaft is cylindrical with a circular hook on end. Hook tapers to point.
Maker: Kleinert - Kutz
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Surgical Safety Pin
Surgical safety Pin, stainless steel. Closed pin . Each side is 11cm with curled pivot at end which is circular 1cmx1cm. Head of pin is flat 3.5cm long, 2.5cm wide with one side curled around to hold… Read more…
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Ear Trowel
Ear trowel, stainless steel in original hard, clear plastic presentation case. Long handle (10 cm) shaft is cylindrical but tapers to trowel head. Head is fine and is a sharp pointed triangular… Read more…
Maker: Down
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Button from Prison Officer's Uniform
Button, large silver from Prison Officer’s Uniform. Has map of NT with flying eagle on front and shank for attaching on back. Has letters punched on back but 2 holes punched opposite each other. Read more…
Maker: A. J. Parkes
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NT Correctional Services Metal Badge
Correctional Services Badge, metal with enamel in shape of a shield. Outer rim is gold signifying higher rank. Inside shield is reddish brown with black map of NT and flying eagle inside. NORTHERN… Read more…
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2 Epaulettes
Epaulettes in shape of arrows. Both cardboard covered with very dark navy cloth. a) has thin tape stitched on to flat end one cream and the other orange. Two wider tapes at back to attach to uniform… Read more…
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3 Epaulettes
Epaulettes a,b,c identical. Cloth folded into arrow shape. Very dark navy with three white stripes embroidered near flat end. stripes are arrows facing flat end.
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Black Leather Doctors Bag
Internal removable cloth base gusset. One long side of gusset has 6 small pouches — other side of gusset has one long pouch. Top has black metal frame. Leather handle with stainless steel ring… Read more…
Maker: CHENEY
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Stainless Steel Foerster (Rampley) Sponge Holding Forceps
Total length 24.5 cm. Two handles. Fifteen (15) cm from screw to end of finger hle which is 3 x 2.5 cm. From hinge to tip of sponge grip is 9.5 cm. Sponge grip is circular and flat. Three (3) cm in… Read more…
Maker: Allen and Hunbury Limited
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Yankauer Suckers - Stainless Steel
Total length 28.5 cm — hollowed ‑Handle is 9.5 cm, 1.5 cm from endto start of handle, handle is two half oval shaped. Hanlde is 17 cm length with 2 small curnes. Head is threaded and unscrews 1.5 cm… Read more…
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Stainless Steel Cheetles Forceps
Total length 28 cm — 2 handles 18 cm long hinged (with screw) at end of handles. Head is approx 45 degree from handles with a definite curve. Outer blade 9 cm (slightly curved) in length with a 45… Read more…
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Stainless Steel Cheetles Forceps
Total length 27 cm — 2 handles 17 cm long with a hinge at end of handles which is 2.5 cm long and head is 45 degree angle from hinge. Slightly curved. Outer blade 8cm (slightly curved) in length with… Read more…
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Disposable Hospital Caps
Disposable paper caps, circular with elastic fastening (like a shower cap) used in hospitals (by staff and for all procedures). Made of white, tissue-like paper. Three identical caps.
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AIM Nurses's Caps
AIM nurse’s caps, two identical disposable white paper caps. They have perforations for folding and various sized clasps for different sizing requirements around the brim. The nurse’s caps, unfolded… Read more…
Maker: Baxter
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Nurse's Veils
Nurses veils white squares 86 cm x 86 cm made of linen. Finished hem round all sides 4 cm deep. a) Linen mark BR 375 Name of M.R. Anderson across corner b) Linen mark C635 Name of M.R. Anderson… Read more…
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Theatre Gown
Theatre gown, long, white and formless with three quarter sleeves. The gown has three ties at the back. One tie has been replaced with a different fabric strip.
Maker: Warragul Linen Service
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Operating Scrubs Trousers
Operating scrubs trousers, pale blue with an elastic waist and drawstring.
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Nurse's Uniform, Pink, Size 10
Nurse’s uniform, pink size 10 from Alice Springs Hospital. The uniform has a zipper down the front, with two large pockets, a pleat and a collar. There are two darts at the back of the short-sleeved… Read more…
Maker: Florgate Uniforms
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurses’s uniform, blue with white trim size 18. White trim around the collar and short sleeves. The dress buttons up down the front ( with three buttons) has two large pockets at the front and two… Read more…
Maker: Florgate Uniforms
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurses’s uniform, blue and white striped size 16 from Alice Springs hospital. The dress has a zipper down the front, with 2 large pockets. a pleat and a collar. There are two darts at the back of the… Read more…
Maker: Yakka
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Industries Badge
Industries cloth badge for sewing on a shirt. A rust colour with black stitching around all sides. White paper on back. Badge is banana shaped.
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Correctional Services Stick on Badge
Badge made of canvas, made to attach to cloth uniform. Shield-shaped, map of NT in centre of three blue and white stripes. Flying eagle in centre with southern cross. NORTHERN TERRITORY &… Read more…
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Button from Prison Officer Uniform
Button, small, silver from Prison Officers Uniform. Has crown and N.T. on front and shank for attaching on back. Has letters punched on back but 2 holes punched opposite each other make it difficult… Read more…
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurse’s uniform,white size 12, from Alice Springs hospital. The dress has a zipper down the front, with two (2) large pockets, a collar and a pleat. There are two (2) darts at the back of the… Read more…
Maker: Florgate Uniforms
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Theatre Gown
Theatre gown, green, long, formless with long sleeves and white cuffs at the wrist. The gown has four darts at the neckline and no collar. The gown has three ties at the back and a criss-cross tie at… Read more…
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Nurse's Uniform
Nurse’s uniform, light green from Alice Springs hospital size 20. The dress has a zipper down the front, with two large pockets and a pleat. There are two (2) darts at the back of the short-sleeved… Read more…
Maker: Yakka
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Hospital Nightie
Nightie, white seersucker, button through printed in red with NT HEALTH ?Illegible SERVICES. The nightie has three buttons down its front, running from the neckline to upper abdomen depending on the… Read more…
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Hand crafted plaque of NT Correctional Services
Embroidered and crafted plaque of NT Correctional services logo made in 1980s by female inmates of HM Goal and Labour Prison Alice Springs. Latch hooking around plaque. Map of NT blue with golden… Read more…
Maker: handmade
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Photograph of Classroom in Yuendumu
Photograph of classroom in Yuendumu, the interior of a classroom with two European women teaching a class of Aboriginal children. Children’s artwork is hung all over the classroom.
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Photograph of Plaque to Denise Cole
Photograph of plaque presented to Denise Cole in recognition of 32 years of service with the NT Dept. of Education. In 1968 she became a pre-school teacher at Yuendumu.
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Socks
Socks, woollen yarn, blue-grey in colour
Maker: Beverley Ellis, part of Volunteer Knitters Group
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Facewashers (2)
Cotton Facewasher, crocheted, cream coloured. Made of Turkish towelling or knitted cotton.
Maker: Beverley Ellis, part of Volunteer Knitters Group
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Nickers
Women’s knickers, elastic waisted, which extended to just above the knee. The bottom of the legs are hemmed and there is an insert across the crotch. The underpants are beige in colour and made of… Read more…
Maker: Lucas
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Bra and Girdle Combination
Bra and girdle combination with decorative lace insert across the bust and down the centre. The girdle fastens at the front with hook and eye fasteners and a zipper. The bra part has thick… Read more…
Maker: Triumph International
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Bra
Bra, white,large, nylon which extends to ribs. Lace inserts across the breasts and narrowing towards the base of the bra. The bra has wide adjustable shoulder straps and nine (9) hook and eye… Read more…
Maker: Playtex
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Bra and Suspenders Combination
Bra and suspenders combination, black nylon with lace panels and nine (9) hook and eye fasteners down the back. Detachable strap suspenders are attached. There is a decorative black bow and white… Read more…
Maker: Triumph International
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Knitted Wool Singlet
Knitted wool singlet, off white in colour. The singlet is machine-hemmed and has a decorative embroidery design around the neck, shoulders, armpits and back. The singlet also has a drawstring which… Read more…
Maker: Thistle
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Pair of Suspenders
Suspenders, white nylon lace with metal and plastic clasps. Triangle shape at top. Stitched on inside band is a label with “16” typed in red. The suspenders are marked machine made.
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Scrapbook Australian Girl Guides
Handmade scrapbook with grey cover 20 pps of clear sleeves with inserts 1 – 40 covering topics eg. photos of Karen’s family, prayers, collages, games, stories, craft instructions, etc.
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"The Guider" 1934-1940 (pages missing) and Handwritten Notes
“The Guider”. This is a bound compilation of a number of issues of “The Guider“dating from 1934 – 1940. Pages are missing and are not in order within each issue. There is a handwritten index at the… Read more…
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Commemorative Port Pot
Black ceramic port pot; sealed with a cork and black wax, gold embossing. Awarded to corrections officers in commemoration of closure of the Old Alice Springs Gaol in 1996.
Maker: Northern Territory Correctional Services in conjunction with Mt Aitken Estates Port
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Brownie Certificates, Set of 5
Brownie certificates of various sizes. a) coloured picture of mushroom with owl and trees. Certifies that (x) is now a Brownie.Names and dates etc. are blank. b) coloured pictures of people, objects… Read more…
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Brownie's Handbook
Brownie Handbook 38 pp for girls who are brownies, outlining what is involved in being a brownie. The book contains a table of contents, photos and diagrams. There is also an insert of sheet music of… Read more…
Maker: not stated presumably Girl Guides Association of AustraliaInc. Photography S.A. Buchanan, Art and Design S. A Buchanan.
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Badges, Emblems, Pennants Guide Section, 1994
Badges, Emblems and Pennants Guide Section, 1994. Forty-one pages b‑and w booklet for Girl Guides describing badge placement and the various badges emblems and pennants. Each badge/emblem/pennant… Read more…
Maker: Girl Guide Association of Australia Inc.
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Commonwealth Painting Book Vol. 111: The Americas, 1957
Commonwealth painting book b‑and-white book for girl guides identifying those countries of the British Commonwealth. Ten countries are listed. General information is provided about each country along… Read more…
Maker: Compiled by Gladys Commander, MBE and illustrated by Margaret Woods.
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Australian Brownie Guide Book
Australian Brownie Guide Book a 128 p book with a brown cover resembling tree bark and inset sheets at beginning/end. p3 Contents list pps 126 – 128 Table of Contents. All diagrams in colour or b/w… Read more…
Maker: Wilke & Co.
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Brownie Skills Book
Brownie Skills, a 192 page booklet of colour and b/w. Pages 1 – 4 Intro and contents with pages 5 – 7 Indoor/Outdoor Categories; pages 8 – 12 Helping at Home; pages 13 – 21 Things you should know; pages… Read more…
Maker: Books for Pleasure Paul Hamlyn Pty. Ltd.
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Guide Handbook Part 2 Badges Emblems, Pennants 1971
Handbook Part 2 Badges, Emblems, Pennants 1971, 56 p handbook intended for girl guides describing all of the badges, emblems and interest pennants and the tasks and test required for each. Each… Read more…
Maker: Girl Guide Association of Australia
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Commissioners Handbook
Commissioner’s Handbook 166 pps with pink cover and white design featuring what was presumably then the logo of the Girl Guide Assoc. of Australia. The book contains information on the principles of… Read more…
Maker: Barbara Denman
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Scarf, Hand Knitted
Hand knitted, navy blue, woollen scarf
Maker: Beverley Ellis, part of Volunteer Knitters Group
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Australian Guide Handbook Part 1, 1985
Australian Guide Handbook Part 1, 1985. Two hundred sixty-eight pages for girls who have become guides. The book contains 12 chapters on what guiding is about; how it began; what it means to belong… Read more…
Maker: Lindy Bartlett for the Girl Guides Association of Australia Inc.
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Policy Organisation and Rules 1976
Policy Organisation and Rules 1976 104 pp handbook detailing Girl Guiding rules and policies relating to organisation and administration; brownie, guide and ranger guide sections; camps and holidays;… Read more…
Maker: Girl Guides Association of Australia
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Guiding Policy Organization and Rules 1970
Policy Organization and Rules 1970 108 pp handbook detailing Girl Guide rules designed to help the workers, to ensure fairness and to give the shortest road to efficient working. The book contains a… Read more…
Maker: Girl Guide Association of Australia
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Cholera Belt/Binding
“Cholera Belt/Binding”, hand knitted, cream colour, rib stitch, 4 ply woollen yarn.
Maker: Fiona Canavan
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Socks, Hand Knitted
Socks, hand knitted, fawn colour, rib stitch, 4 ply woollen yarn.
Maker: Fiona Canavan
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Four photographs of Maude "Lores" Bonney during her solo flight around Australia
Set of four black and white photographs of Maude ‘Lores’ Bonney entering her plane during her solo flight around Australia in 1932. These photographs were taken at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne,… Read more…
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Guides Handbook, 1971
Handbook. Two hundred fifty-four pages designed to help guiders to carry out their responsibilities (p 4). The handbook has a purple cover and contains 15 chapters, two appendices, bibliography and… Read more…
Maker: written by Brimelow & Carnegy