Australian Dress Register

This waistcoat belonged to the Rt Hon. Dugald Thomson (1849-1922) an important figure in the history of North Sydney as its first Federal Member of Parliament.

Dugald was influential in developing transport otions to the North side of Sydney Harbour. In the late 1870s, with J P Garvan, he established the co-operative North Shore Steam Ferry Co Ltd. Ferries were an essential mode of transport to the North side of the Harbour in the many decades before the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He was involved with the Railway Extension League and the extension of the railway to Milsons Point.

A North Sydney resident from 1880 he was worked tirelessly for the cause of Veterans. He was one of the Founders of the Graythwaite Convalescent Home for Soldiers. Born and bred a Scottish presbyterian. he became involved in Scottish community organisations. He was a senior office holder in the Highland Society.

He lived at 'Wyreepi' in Kirribilli Point from 1904-1922. 'Wyreepi", 11 Holbrook Avenue is a picturesque Gothic waterfront home. Dugald never married. He was buried in the Presbyterian section of Gore Hill Cemetery.

References

* North Sydney, 1788-1988 by Michael Jones, Allen & Unwin 1988 pp 168-169

* Australian Dictionary of Biography - online edition http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120235b.htm

The waistcoat belonged to Dugald Thomson, a wealthy merchant and politician. He was a member of the Free Trade party and held the seat of Warringah in the Legislative Assembly seat of Warringah in 1894, 1895 and 1898.

He became a strong supporter of Federation and played an important role in the first Federal Parliament. He was elected to the House of Representatives for the seat of North Sydney in 1901, holding it unopposed until he retired in 1910. He was minister for home affairs in the Federal parliament from 1904-1905.

Dugald Thomson's parents (John Thomson, insurance broker) and Jane Thomson (nee Duncan) were Scottish presbyterians who moved to Camberwell, London, England (date unknown) where Dugald was born on 28 December 1849. In 1850 the family emigrated to South Australia and later moved to Victoria.

References:

* North Sydney, 1788-1988 by Michael Jones, Allen & Unwin 1988 pp 168-169

* Australian Dictionary of Biography - online edition http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120235b.htm

A descendant of Dugald Thomson - written on donor statement.

Exhibition at Don Bank Museum, North Sydney 2000.

Launch of Costume and Object database 14 April 2011 at Stanton Library.

Two tabs and tape ties on back of Waistcoat

Handworked eyelets

Blue checked gosgrain silk and satin

Calico lining

Machine stitched with some handstitching

No alterations detected

Lining of calico

The design of the waistcoat is characteristic of those worn outdoors while particpating in leisure time activities such as playing tennis or attending picnics

The following objects belonging to the Thomson family are also in the Heritage Centre costume and object collection at Stanton Library. The database can be accessed from the North Sydney Council website www.northsydney.nsw.gov.au Follow the prompts from the Library pull down menu

*A full length black satin evening skirt with train worn by Catherine Thomson at the opening of the first Federal Parliament on 8 May 1901 in Melbourne, Victoria

* Tapestry waistcoat also belonging to Dugald Thomson.

*A pair of baby booties worn by Jane Thomson

The following objects held by Stanton Library archive collection include:

A framed coat of arms for the Thomson and Blackburn families. At the bottom of coat of arms it reads: Dougal Thomson and Margaret Blackburn were married 25 January in the year of our Lord 1813.

A family photograph album, contains photographs of Dugald Thomson and family members and of 'Wyreepi" and Kirribilli waterfront.

On front cover are the words "Wyreepi" and its associations, Sydney 11 November 1918

The date of the signing of the Armistice in the Great War of 1914-18

Inside page an inscription which reads: To Nancy from her uncle Dugald Thomson.

"Wyreepi", Kirribilli Pt, Sydney "Some gleams of gold, some days of old"

by Dugald Thomson

Wyreepi the house in Kirribilli owned by Dugald Thomson

One part of the tie fastening is undone. Seam coming apart

Braiding is coming away