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 Thomson's parents (John Thomson (insurance broker) and Jane Thomson (nee Duncan) were Scottish presbyterians who came to live in 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.

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 brefore 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.

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

According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography he was "a common sense, rather than eloquent, debater who was principally concerned with Australia's maritime potential, Thomson spoke frequently on navigation and customs issues, performing inexhaustibly in the tariff debates of 1902 and 1908. Respected for his strong convictions and eminent fairness, he was too good natured and straightforward to seek or exploit political advantage. When urged to nominate for the Speakership, he modestly declined."

The following information came from the donor (a descendant of Dugald Thomson) on an information sheet when it was donated to Stanton Library. [Some of the dates below are disputed]

"Dugald Thomson was born c 1850. Thomson family came from the Isle of Beaut in Scotland (the township if Rothesay) and were crofting farmers. They came to Australia c 1852. [The donor] believes the family went to Adelaide. Dugald Thomson's father left Dugald and his sister Jeanie with their mother in a tent at Adelaide while he went to the goldfields where he sold gold mining tools and equipment. [The donor's grandfather was Ninian M Thomson.]"

Also a note sewn onto the waistcoat reads:

"Year about 1800. A Duncan or Thomson waistcoat. Property of Hon Dugald Thomson 1915"

Exhibition at Don Bank Museum, North Sydney 2000.

Exhibited at Launch of Costume and Object Database, Stanton Library 14 April 2011.

Tape 1/2 inch brown cotton tape.

Red and green stripe tapestry on front of waistcoat.

Brown silk twill on back of waistcoat.

Cream calico linining.

Machine stitching on vertical seams and back hem.

Hand stitching everywhere else.

No visible alterations.

Single breasted but buttons and buttonholes on both sides.

It was possibly worn by Dugald Thomson at his home in Kirribilli. Colourful waistcoats such as this were known to be worn indoors in rooms where 'gentlemen' relaxed, such as smoking rooms or billiard rooms. In the family album (currently in the Stanton Library collection) is a photograph of a billiard room at "Wyreepi" -- the house owned by Dugald Thomson 1904-1922.

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.

*Cream and blue checked grosgrain silk and satin 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.

No evidence of repairs.