About this objectThe wedding dress was made by two McGlynn sisters who were local dressmakers in Millthorpe. Its construction involved delicate and time consuming embroidery and hand sewing. The dress is made of fine Georgette and lined with Jap Silk. It has a high collar and narrow gathered sleeves. The machine embroidery work is in two panels on either side of the pleated bodice, which is attached to full length of the dress. Embroidery is also situated on the back above the waist. Floral lace appears on the back head of sleeve with ruched silk that accentuates the shoulder.The lace frilled hem was padded to make it stand out with cotton wool and is 6 inches deep. Worn under the dress was an 18inch corset and many petticoats of madapollam (fine calico). The main petticoat was decorated with broderie anglaise. The dress is fastened all the way down the back with hooks and eyes as were the undergarments.
This wedding dress was worn by Bertha Oates for her marriage to Charles Willis, held at Millthorpe Methodist Church on 31st March, 1909. The dress reflects contemporary fashion with its pouched bodice, high neckline and trumpet-shaped skirt. The family considered their daughter's wedding an important occasion and would have wanted her to have a good dress to wear. The wedding dress was made in Millthorpe by the McGlynn sisters. Bertha and Charles' wedding reception was held at the Oates family property "Rosewick". A newspaper article states that "Both the Bride and Groom are universally esteemed throughout the district".
Both Bertha and husband Charles Willis's families were pioneers of the district and were involved with the Millthorpe Show Society and Methodist Church. They spent all their married life in the same house.
The wedding dress is significant as it is well provenanced to two early pioneering families in the Millthorpe area. Along with the family history of the event and wedding photos, the dress makes up an important item in the Golden Memories Museum collection.
The Museum also houses several other wedding dresses and this dress fits within that theme, timeframe and local provenance for that collection.
