ROSE CORY
The woman who gave me my foundation in millinery and how to teach. Apart from that she taught me amazing techniques due to the lack of resource I had at the time. Because of her, I know how to make hat blocks in a variety of ways and her esparterie and wooden blocks she sold at Eltham Tafe, are a treasured resource in my studio. Rose lives through me and so many other students who have trusted me in their tuition.
28/7/1922 - 16/8/2009
MAGDA URBAN
Magda was an Auschwitz survivor. She was my uncut diamond who got me started in millinery and after my training with Rose Cory sold me her Business with a hand shake. Magda gave me a “GO” in Australia. From her, I learned about human suffering, humility, generosity and forgiveness, and the greatest gift she gave me was that she trusted in my ability. Such kept me going when things were hard. She was the living proof that her suffering was far greater than mine.
05/10/1952 - 02/01/2015
GREER MCDONALD
Greer was a person who loved hats and believed in education and delivery of millinery skills and techniques. She entrusted some of her Hat blocks to me after her passing. They now travel with me in the Hatmobile around the country, and wherever students use them they also hear about Greer, her smile and kind heart which I was lucky enough to experience and make memories with.