The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Peasant-style costume consisting of a thin cotton long-sleeved blouse, tacked to a cotton skirt. A wide broad collar is made from apricot cotton bordered with a dark floral trim. The skirt is made from apricot-coloured cotton with two horizontal floral panels matching the collar trim and has been gathered at the waist. An apron, made from the same material as the top, with three ribbon trims towards the base, in pink, black and yellow, is sewn to the waist. The entire outfit has been machine-sewn with hand-sewn repairs and tacking, with the side seams of the top displaying signs of having been taken out.
Peasant dress base on a blouse, worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings' or 'Miss Lorraine Dawson and Her Ballet Girls' in Sydney during the Second World War. Lorraine Dawson had been involved in entertainment since childhood, including being featured in an entertainment evening in aid of the Adelaide Children's Hospital in October 1924 where she was one of a troupe in 'the golliwog's dance', with the young children wearing costumes in black, white and red, with large black wigs.
Dawson was involved in eisteddfod and competition adjudication and was a performing and visual arts judge; by the late 1930s she had established her own dance studio in Sydney, was an able choreographer and ran a theatrical costume business.
Lorraine's sister, Shirley, was also a performer and dancer. When the war started, Shirley joined the Australian Womens Flying Club (a forerunner to the Women's Air Training Corps and the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force) and trained in mechanics in the Aeroengine Squadron (see AWM image P03221.001), but gave her spare time to assist and perform with her sister, styling themselves as 'The Dancing Darlings'.
Like many women of their generation, both sisters became involved in fundraising and troop entertainment and they participated in a large range of events, including performing two to three nights per week with the Beverley Miles Concert Party at the YMCA at Liverpool, NSW; a Bellhop dance performed in Hyde Park in December 1940 for the Red Cross Rally; at Bankstown Army Camp; with the Queenie Paul & Mike Connors Show (Mike Connors was Roy Rene's straight man for many years); at the Majestic Hall at Five Dock; for the Sydney-based American Entertainment Unit, entertaining US troops; and at the Sailor's Rest & Anzac Buffet, where they regularly performed their signature hornpipe dance. When Russia entered the war in June 1941, the Dawsons added a Russian Peasant Dance to their repertoire. A photograph featuring Lorraine tap dancing at the Country Women's Association (CWA) Club in Sydney was published in The Australian Woman's Weekly for 22 August 1942.
The programme from the 'Grand Variety Show' held at Assembly Hall, Sydney on 4 July 1945 (in aid of the Ex-Naval men's association of Australia, NSW Section), noted 'Miss Lorraine Dawson & Her Ballet Girls' (Margaret Baxter, Shirley Dawson, Marjorie Tonkins, Lena Warr, Margaret White and Joan Tippert) performing. June Goodall, Leila Patterson and Sylvia Jones were also members of the 'Dancing Darlings' troupe. It appears that some of their more elaborate costumes were made by Norman (Paddy) Patton who also performed in musical theatre and was a qualified tailor who designed and made costumes.
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Green, grey and blue blended wool blanket with a basic striped pattern. Printed cotton maker's label sewn to one corner stating 'V239 MADE IN AUSTRALIA 1943'. Blanket used by sisters Lorraine and Sh
Handmade child's army forage cap, with non-functioning brown celluloid button to front. Child's army uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson's variety performances a
Child's army uniform shirt made from light tan cotton, with a pair of breast pockets with non-functioning brown celluloid buttons. A set of four matching buttons is sewn down the front, but the shirt
Child's army uniform trousers made from light tan cotton, with a zippered opening to the left side, reinforced with a snap fastener and a hook and eye above the zipper. There are actually two eyes, wh
Child's army tunic made from brown khaki cotton with a pleated rear panel and pleated patch pockets at breast and hip. Each pocket is fitted with a non-functioning brown domed Bakelite button, of whic
Brown cotton neck tie with pink silk lining. Part of a child's army uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson's variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darling
Brown cotton neck tie with a cream silk lining. Part of a child's army uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson's variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darl
Handmade child's army forage cap, missing brown celluloid button to front (as indicated on REL40772). Child's army uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson's variety
Child's naval style square rig, with knotted striped blue collar and left breast pocket. Made with cuffs, each fitted with a mother-of-pearl button. Part of a child's naval uniform worn by a child p
Child's cotton drill white naval trousers, with buttoned drop-down fly and buttoned internal waist. With pair of pockets. Part of a child's naval uniform worn by a child performer in sisters Lorrain
Child's army uniform shirt in light brown cotton, with pair of breast pockets with false flaps and non-functioning brown celluloid buttons. The shirt has five brown celluloid buttons down the front bu
Child's size army uniform shirt in plain tan cotton with pair of false pleated breast patch pockets with dulled AMF buttons and four brown celluloid buttons down the front, plus one to each cuff. Thes
Child's army uniform trousers, made from plain tan cotton, with a pair of placket closures at each hip. The upper brown celluloid button at each side is functional; the second button is non-functional
Child's army uniform trousers made from light brown cotton with an integral waistband. There is a single side-fly to the proper left side of the trousers - this is secured by five nickel-plated snap f
Green circular hat brim, made crownless with an opening for the head. The brim is made from three layers - an inner layer of stiff white cotton tulle netting, overlaid on each side by sections of gree
Orange Hessian peasant's performance dress with 'V' neck, fitted bodice, slightly puffed short sleeves and a gathered skirt finishing just below the knee. A deep band of blue/grey hessian, ending in a
Improvised tambourine, possibly made from a cake tin with base and side joined by a rolled seam. The upper rim of the tin is also rolled. There are three cutouts, each about 60 mm x 12 mm, into which
Improvised tambourine, possibly made from a cake tin with base and side joined by a rolled seam. The upper rim of the tin has a fold over seam. There are three cutouts, each about 60 mm x 10 mm, into
Improvised tambourine made from a deep circular tinplate 'Willow' brand sandwich tin. The high (40 mm) sides have a rolled rim, and three rectangular cutouts, each about 100 mm x 15 mm, have been made
White cotton netting 'Bo-Peep' bonnet, with a brimless head section, and a high arcing fanned rear section behind. The shape is retained with wire framing, which defines the main shape and reinforces
White cotton netting 'Bo-Peep' bonnet, with a brimless head section, and a high arcing fanned rear section behind. The shape is retained with wire framing, which defines the main shape and reinforces
Dark blue wool serge sailor's winter square rig jumper with integral collar. There are a pair of black Bakelite buttons to each sleeve cuff and an angled internal pocket, with a black Bakelite button,
Dark blue wool serge sailor's winter square rig jumper with integral collar. There are a pair of black Bakelite buttons to each sleeve cuff, and an angled internal pocket, closed with a black Bakelite
Seaman's square rig blue jean collar with the traditional three white tapes hand-sewn along the border. The outer arms have been modified and shortened with an angled cut to the lower section. The cen
Seaman's square rig blue jean collar with the traditional three white tapes machine-sewn along the border. The outer arms are joined at their ends, and have been modified around the neck, where hand-s
Peasant-style costume consisting of a black polished cotton sleeveless top tacked to a cotton skirt. The skirt features alternating rows of coral-coloured cotton and pink and blue floral panels and ha
Peasant-style costume consisting of a black polished cotton sleeveless top tacked to a cotton skirt. The skirt features alternating rows of coral-coloured cotton and pink and blue floral panels and ha
White cotton steward's single-breasted jacket with stand-and-fall collar, a pair of plain breast pockets and a pair of short side-vents at the rear. There are two sets of brass hook-and-eye fastenings
Shaped wooden rifle cut from a length of 2 ½ inch x ¾ inch (60 mm x 16 mm) scrap, displaying a crude handle, trigger and barrel. The barrel and trigger detail have been painted black, while the remain
Yellow cotton caesarine floppy brimmed hat. The brim has been reinforced with twelve circular machine-sewn circuits, rather unevenly. A white cotton tape hanger is sewn to the inside of the hat. Yel
Peasant-style costume consisting of a black polished cotton sleeveless top tacked to a cotton skirt. The skirt features alternating rows of coral-coloured cotton and pink and blue floral panels and ha
Peasant-style costume consisting of a black polished cotton sleeveless top tacked to a cotton skirt. The skirt features alternating rows of coral-coloured cotton and pink and blue floral panels and ha
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Unofficial dark blue cotton armband with sewn 'MP' lettering in red cotton. MP armband worn by sisters Lorraine and Shirley Dawson in their variety performances as members of 'The Dancing Darlings'
Green, grey and blue blended wool blanket with a basic striped pattern. Printed cotton maker's label sewn to one corner stating 'V239 MADE IN AUSTRALIA 1943'. Blanket used by sisters Lorraine and Sh