Summary

Souvenir notebook, notepad, and pencil, purchased at the First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work held at the (Royal) Exhibition Building from 23 October to 30 November 1907.

The First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work showed over 16000 exhibits from Australia and around the world, designed to demonstrate the advance of women into new fields. Exhibits were not categorised into 'paid' and 'unpaid' work, in an effort to recognise the wide range of women's activities. The exhibition included display of arts and craft - painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, pottery, needlework (the most popular section, with over 7,000 examples on display), leatherwork, woodwork, spinning, weaving - alongside displays of laundry work, cooking and physical culture. There were also demonstrations of shorthand and typewriting, music, elocution, games and sports.

One of the most popular features of the Exhibition was the crèche, which allowed women to view the Exhibition while their children were cared for. Notably, the Exhibition was open to all women and girls resident in Australia, including Aboriginal women, at a time when Aboriginals were not enfranchised within the new Commonwealth.

Physical Description

Electroplated pressed metal notepad holder, with ring at top, and hinged front. Front has decoration with heads of five angels; rear has gumnut and leaf decoration with central panel engraved, Removable pencil slots into rounded brackets on right hand side.

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