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Crochet inset for pyjama case - 12 January 1918 - Part of the Lily Knapton collection
Crochet inset for pyjama case - 12 January 1918 - Part of the Lily Knapton collection

Crochet inset for pyjama case - 12 January 1918 - Part of the Lily Knapton collection

Date1918
Object number00028039
NameNewspaper clipping
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 157 x 273 mm, 2 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Gary McPherson
DescriptionLily Knapton collected this clipping titled 'Busy brains and nimble fingers' when she was 17 years old. It provides instructions for a crochet inset for a pyjama case and features a diagram of the design. Lily migrated from Britain to Australia with her mother in 1909 on SS RUNIC. They were one of many British families who migrated to take advantage of opportunities in the newly-created Federation of Australia.HistoryThe Immigration Restriction Act 1901 was the first major piece of legislation passed by Australia's new federal parliament. The Act placed certain restrictions on immigration and reflected the government's desire to build a white Australia. The government's preference was for immigrants from Britain and it offered cheap fares to attract them to Australia. Many Britons saw emigration as a chance to find work and establish a new life. In 1909 eight-year-old Lily Knapton and her mother departed Liverpool on the White Star liner SS RUNIC. They were migrating to Australia to join Lily's father, who was working as a tailor in Melbourne, Victoria. From 1901 to 1930 RUNIC operated a regular migrant service from Liverpool to Sydney. Lily brought her favourite toys, clothes and school books with her. She kept them all her life as souvenirs of her former life in Britain and her childhood voyage on SS RUNIC.SignificanceThe newspaper clipping is part of a collection of personal possessions brought to Australia by British child migrant Lily Knapton in 1909. It provides a valuable record of a young English migrant's voyage and subsequent settlement in Australia in the early 20th century.