Foundation & Life Members
Foundation and Life Member - Julia Henning
Fashion from the late 1800s had always interested Julia. As one of the original seven ladies she helped put together the first parades and went on to become the first Honorary Curator, a post she held for over 50 years. Her contribution to Cavalcade is second to none, and with the help of many volunteers along the way Cavalcade has gone from strength to strength. Julia’s enthusiasm, artistic talent, her love of Australian history and costume made her such a valued member of the group. Throughout her time with Cavalcade Julia held most of the positions on the executive including those of President and Secretary. Her biggest role was as ‘wardrobe mistress’, which was a position she held for many years. Julia was made a life member in 1998 and received the Order of Australia Medal in 2000 for her services to the community, particularly through The Cavalcade of History and Fashion, and Meals on Wheels.
Foundation Member - Beth Windeyer
Bessie Violet Windeyer, known as Beth, was a former member of Ku ring gai Historical Society. One of her greatest achievements was as a foundation member of Cavalcade. As the first compere from 1960 Beth had a meticulous approach and insistence upon a high standard of parading, including that each model take on the personality, idiosyncrasies and even hairstyle of the original wearer of the gown. Until her death in 1973, Beth was also Cavalcade's historian and an authority on early Australian social conditions, dress, manners and customs. Her research papers are held in the Mitchell Library.
Foundation and Life Member - Sue Crawford
Sue was Cavalcade’s first President and was instrumental in the setup of the official group. She went onto to serve for another four terms as President. Over the years the group continued to grow and was run on more formal lines, with the decision made to benefit those in need, a commitment that Cavalcade still honours to this day. All items in the collection have been donated to Cavalcade, and Sue told us that “I found it fascinating meeting the people who gave us gowns and accessories that became part of the collection. Many of our possessions came to us with wonderful ‘word pictures’, telling us about the lives and times of a grandmother or a great aunt. These histories were carefully recorded and used by the comperes at our parades, enabling Cavalcade to bring each gown to life.” Cavalcade thanks Sue for her many years of faithful service. In recognition of her contribution Sue was made a Life Member in 2001.
Foundation and Life Member - Madeleine Sweeny nee Williams
Having modelled in the first parade at Pymble Community Centre in August 1960, Madeleine went on to fill many roles including President, Secretary and Treasurer. As the first Gown Librarian, she was given a small notebook, then a bigger ledger, to record the details of donations. We still have these today as they form part of our own history. Madeleine modelled until she took over as compere in 1973 and continued to do so for 30 years without a break! Always quick with a quip or the ability to ad-lib when a disaster occurred backstage, Madeleine kept audiences informed and entertained. After Madeleine ‘retired’ from compering, she turned her hand to presenting for Cavalcade, including ‘A Victorian Cameo’ and ‘Between the Wars’. Madeleine’s wish for Cavalcade is the group continue helping charity organisations, being the reason why the gowns and accessories are donated. She feels it is fortunate that the group had the foresight to collect the provenance of the gowns, as this history is what makes Cavalcade unique. Madeleine was made a Life Member in 1998.
Foundation Member - Beryl Martin
The first meeting of Cavalcade was in 1962 at Beryl’s home in Lindfield. Beryl and her husband Gordon then went on to inspect every parade venue. Beryl would check the dressing space and Gordon used to look where the toilets were for the ‘girls’. Beryl had a great sense of humour and would show the models how she used to dance as a flapper in the 1920s. Beryl dressed models for the parades and always brought biscuits and ‘coffee, tea or Bonox’ in her carrier case as she hated the models to go hungry. Beryl was made a Life Member in 1998.
Foundation Member - Bonnie McCoy
Bonnie modelled in the first ever parade in August 1960. She was actively involved with the Cavalcade Committee, where her experience, humour and practicality were both respected and much honoured. Bonnie attributes the success of Cavalcade to the generosity of the public. “The first time gowns were paraded was in August 1960 at Pymble, with copy gowns and one original gown from 1920. You can imagine our surprise when a guest at the parade offered us her mother’s wedding gown and a parasol. We thankfully accepted these gifts and from then on, each time we paraded, someone would offer us something else for the collection. The day we were given an authentic crinoline was a ‘red letter’ day for Cavalcade and proved to be a front runner for many original pieces of clothing which were to become the foundation of the collection we are now able to present to the general public”. Bonnie was made a Life Member in 1998.
Honorary Foundation and Life Member - Maria Circuitt
From almost the inception of Cavalcade one person has been a steady guiding hand on its members and activities. Initially researching hair styles, making them work on haircuts that didn’t want to, she sent out beautiful period appropriate hair styles to match the clothing being shown to an audience. This Maria did for nearly every parade for over 50 years. From this feat alone, it could be said that Maria has seen more of the collection than anyone else. This was not enough for Maria, she turned her hand to researching and delivering presentations. Along with the parades, these presentations saw Maria travel everywhere. Sometimes with hardly any notice. Somehow Maria also found the time to be Cavalcade’s media spokesperson as well as hold the position of President for several years. We could not have asked for a more level-headed, patient and diligent ‘hand at our wheel’. Whilst doing all this she somehow managed to find the time to raise a family, run a business and become a sitting Member of the Guardianship Tribunal of NSW. Always with a smile, always a kind word, always encouraging, always unflappable and always ready to embrace the new. Without Maria's enormous contribution, Cavalcade would not be here today. Maria was made a Life Member in 2006. In recognition of Maria's unstinting dedication to Cavalcade over the past 60 years, at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, Cavalcade voted unanimously to induct Maria as an Honorary Foundation Member. Maria Circuitt we salute you.
Life Member - Debbie Thomson
Debbie was introduced to Cavalcade by her younger sister Sabina, who was modelling. The group needed a pianist, so she stepped in. One day at a parade, Julia Henning looked Debbie up and down and by the next parade Debbie was a model. Her first impressions of Cavalcade were one of fascination and although she had no idea what ‘it’ was, she was delighted to be a part of ‘it’. Debbie has held many roles in Cavalcade including those of President, Secretary and Parade Compere. She told us that “all were rewarding, each in their own way, especially when I was fortunate to be President at the time when we began the process of voluntarily incorporating the organisation. Since then we have moved forward, becoming a much more professional, highly regarded and respected organisation”. Debbie went on to tell us that, “The thing that keeps me coming back to Cavalcade continues to be the people, who are all volunteers, and how so many of them rally to help out behind the scenes. These are the unrecognised faces of Cavalcade without whose dedicated hours we would cease to exist. That and the pleasure I see we bring the public through our parades, presentations and displays”. Debbie was made a Life Member in 2007.
Life Member - Catherine Bartho
Catherine was encouraged to volunteer as a pianist for Cavalcade by her piano teacher, to fill in for her at the parades. A year later in 1975 Catherine was still ‘filling in’ for her piano teacher and was asked if she would like to become a Member. She thought it was like joining a finishing school as everything was done with old-fashioned courtesies. At that time there was a lengthy waiting list for parades - at one stage seven years. It was suggested that in order to keep interest going for those on the waiting list new talks should be developed. Catherine researched and delivered the first presentations of ‘Pioneers and Petticoats’, ‘The Colonial Wedding’, ‘Doilies and Damper’, and ‘Childhood’. In the late 1980s Catherine developed ‘Harvesting History’, a reminiscence therapy presentation specifically for nursing home residents. Like many of the members, Catherine has held many positions within the organisation but is most remembered for being the first Friends of Cavalcade Coordinator, helping to open up the organisation to a wider audience. Many members have come to us through Friends of Cavalcade. Catherine was made a Life Member in 2010.
Life Member - Noeleen Turton
Noeleen ‘married’ into Cavalcade in 1975 after marrying Julia Henning’s brother, Jim.
Noeleen became fascinated with Cavalcade’s lace collection and she researched and presented Cavalcade's Lace Presentation. Not having any prior knowledge, Noeleen started studying lace in books and museums. She loved the breathtaking lace pieces and the provenance and felt that she got more out of doing the talks than she gave. Noeleen's greatest pleasure was the introduction of country and city audiences to the Cavalcade Lace collection. During her 40 plus years as a member, Noeleen has seen Cavalcade grow, along with the Collection. It is a big responsibility to ensure the future of the Collection. Noeleen said that “Younger people have bigger ideas and Cavalcade has to expand”. She sees it as something unique as well as great fun and an important part of her life as Cavalcade has “kept her off the street”. She feels that involvement with Cavalcade has helped many people in many ways over the years. Noeleen was made a Life Member in 2010.
Life Member - Mary Green
Mary was born into Cavalcade, as the daughter of Foundation Member Julia Henning. Mary’s first experience of Cavalcade was in 1962 where she modelled children’s clothing - she formally joined Cavalcade in 1995. She is the Honorary Curator, Chair of the Collections Committee, Executive Member and the oracle of ‘where is…….’. There is no element of Cavalcade and its activities that Mary Green does not contribute to, from managing the collection, managing the rooms and managing us, always with a smile, always ready for a laugh, always willing to help out. For Mary one of the wonderful things about Cavalcade has been meeting interesting and dedicated people in museums and like-minded organisations. Also, the discovering of different and varied places across the State has been and continues to be rewarding. Mary was made a Life Member in 2010.
Life Member - Rachel King
Rachel is also a daughter of Foundation Member Julia Henning. Rachel modelled from about five years of age and became a Member in 1972. She has modelled, compered parades, dressed models and done whatever has been needed. Rachel's husband Terry has also been a model, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Rachel says that he knew when he married her that he was ‘marrying into Cavalcade’. Rachel recalls, as a very young child, sitting on the floor in the NSW Art Gallery with an old-fashioned hairdryer attached to her head trying to dry her wet hair. She was told from a very young age that the gowns were very precious and not to damage them. In later years she took over compering from Madeleine Sweeny and did this for many years until Debbie Thomson took up the role. Rachel's fondest memories are of everybody working together and she thoroughly enjoys the company of Members and Friends. Rachel values her strong ethical background, which meant always doing something for the benefit of others and helping those less fortunate. She has been able to fulfil that role through Cavalcade and greatly enjoyed doing it. Three generations of her family - her mother, herself and her daughter Nina have all modelled the same crinoline dress over the years. Rachel told us that “it is a very great privilege to have been involved with Cavalcade”. Rachel was made a Life Member in 2010.
Life Member - Betty Hall
Betty joined Cavalcade in 1982, when asked by Julia Henning to come along and see what Cavalcade was all about. Betty has fond memories of ‘dressing the stage’ for each parade along with Elaine Harvey, both of whom went on to model as aunts in wedding scenes. For many years they also planned and updated the displays in Gordon Library. Betty told us that she rather likes the gorgeous 1920s gowns and the gowns from the late 1800s. One of Betty’s greatest interests has been the stories behind the clothes and the social history of past times. Betty and her husband Bill enjoyed travelling to country parades on the coach, socialising with and getting to know the other members. Cavalcade was incredibly fortunate that Bill worked for IBM and donated our first computer to the group, to start cataloguing the collection from handwritten records to a database. Betty also wrote thank you letters for donations. We estimate that Betty wrote over 1700 letters during her time with Cavalcade. Betty was made a Life Member in 2010.
Life Member - Mary Sanders
Mary is the niece of Foundation Member, Beth Windeyer. Mary had seen a parade but thought she was too tall to be a model, however, she was asked in 1974 and modelled until 1986 when she left to raise her family. Mary resumed modelling in 2006 when her daughter Isabel commenced modelling. Mary described herself as a ‘super model’ coming out of retirement. At the time Mary told us that “I have a licence to be someone with grey hair and am able to enjoy behaving as the women who wore the gowns”. Mary described it as a great privilege to wear the historic clothing and remarked on the transformation that takes place when she and other models don a gown, from jeans and T-shirts to beautiful big picture hats, magnificent beaded gowns, with hair upswept and an ‘educated back’. Mary also reminds us that “Cavalcade is about frocks, fashion, friendships and fun”. Mary was made a Life Member in 2023.
