Collections

The National Museum holds a number of significant collections relating to each of its three primary subject areas: land, nation and people. Significant elements include a collection of 80,000 stone tools and Australia's largest collection of bark paintings, comprising 1600 works by numerous artists, spanning two centuries and the width and breadth of Australia.

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Gold satin gown

Dawn Laing collection

Gold satin gown

Dawn Laing (nee Ryan) wore this wonderful gown at the Miss Western Australia State Final Ball held at Government House, Perth in October 1961. She wore it again for the evening gown section of the judging process. Dawn was crowned Miss WA for 1961 and went on to enter the Miss Australia Quest as the WA representative. In 1961 the Miss Australia crown was won by Tania Verstak, Miss New South Wales.

As 'Miss WA' Dawn was sent to the United Kingdom to publicise the Commonwealth Games being held in Perth in 1962. As well as this wonderful prize Dawn received another surprise reward for participating in the quest:

My special reward that evening at the Miss Australia ball was my escort, Lieutenant Alex Laing - a very glamorous blind date. We married two years later.
Dawn Laing

The gown is made with gold delustered satin, lined with stiffened vilene. It features a fitted and beautifully beaded bodice with shoestring straps.

Collections

Gold satin gown

Dawn Laing collection

Captivating and Curious

Batmania