User:SeptimusDaisy/sandbox/Draft Majory Fainges

Marjory Fainges Marjory Fainges (born 15 May 1933) is an Australian researcher/historian on the subject of the Australian Toy Industry over the last 100 years, and particularly the commercial manufacture of dolls in Australia, which has led to her writing 16 books  She is a doll judge of antique, collectible, modern and artist dolls and has lectured internationally.

Career In the 1970’s Marjory interest in toys and dolls led to the making of glove, rod and marionette Puppets by Jim which Marjory and the three boys used in shows in Southeast Queensland under the name Panaroo Puppets. Marjory and Jim collected dolls and toys and operated the a business, Doll Restoration and Repairs for 25 years until 2002. Marjory had been collecting toys and dolls for many years and in 1980 opened the Panaroos Playthings, Doll & Toy Museum (http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/15133/20080718-1502/museumvictoria.com.au/collections-research/our-collections/collections/childhood/index.html) opened in Windsor, Brisbane where Marjory was both the owner and curator. It housed the largest such collection in Australia and specialised in Australian produced toys closing in 1989.

Publishing In conversations with other doll enthusiasts the topic had arisen oof the lack of relevant publications available. Marjory enjoyed research and in 1986 published her first book Australian Dollmakers History through Kangaroo Press  (http://www.rosenbergpub.com.au/handleAboutP.asp ) in Sydney. This was the beginning of a long association with this publisher who published the majority of the 16 books written by Marjory through to 2007. Kangaroo Press was run by David and Scilla Rosenberg and was taken over by Simon and Schuster in 1997 but continued to publish as Kangaroo Press.The photographs used in the books were taken by Marjory unless otherwise acknowledged. For knitting and crochet books the garments were often based on old patterns which sometimes contained errors. Marjory verified and adjusted the patterns to suit the particular doll she was working with. Dollhouses were constructed by Jim who also made the miniature furniture often used in photographs. Jim also drafted the clothing patterns. Marjory was approached by Reverie Publishing Company http://www.reveriepublishing.com/index.php to write a book specifically for the American market on 61/2-9 inch dolls as this size doll was not available in the Australian market. The book was published in 2007 under the title Knitting and Crochet for Small Dolls and is still listed by that publisher. http://www.reveriepublishing.com/products.php?category_id=16 Marjory has also issued material on CD from 2004 including Australian Dolls of Yesterday and Today which supersedes two print publication 1986 Australian Dollmakers – A History and the 1993 Encyclopedia of Australian Dolls. Her publication has The Encyclopedia of Australian Dolls', Kangaroo Press, 1993 has been used as a source for museum collections http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/2944; http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/1496280

Memberships In 1976 Marjory together with others who shared the same enthusiasms formed the Brisbane Doll Society Inc. (https://www.facebook.com/brisbanedollsociety/info/?tab=page_info)  She has variously served as President, Secretary, Editor over the years, is now an Honorary member. The first United Federation of Dolls Inc. Club in Australia was formed by Marjory and had several terms as President. Acknowledged by the Doll Collectors Club of NSW http://www.dollclubnsw.com.au/doll-facts.htm

Displays Approached by the Queensland Arts Council to produce  a display of dolls showing  the fashions and occupations of Queenslanders from 1900 to 2000. Marjory designed and made clothing for 82 dolls that toured Queensland during.2001-2002,. The Queensland Museum holds a collection of 1000 items collected by Marjory which cover the period 1930 to 1970. The collection includes teddy bears, dolls, cars and trucks, wooden toys, puzzles and board games including many rare examples. (https://researchdata.ands.org.au/fainges-toy-collection/12877) Marjory was a Consultant to the Queensland Museum on Dolls and Toys. The Logan City Museum, in 2014 held an Exhibition featuring 120 dolls produced by Marjory which depicted Australia’s Heritage through costumes depicting periods and occupations from 1788 to 1988. (https://lchmskbf.wordpress.com/)  This collection toured Queensland as part of Australia’s Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988. The collection was donated to the Logan City Museum and is housed in the Kingston Butter Factory Community Arts Centre. (http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/arts-culture-and-heritage/kingston-butter-factory)

Other Interests Offers specialist advice to museums including Queensland Museum and Museum Victoria http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/256984 Advise Lifeline http://uccommunity.org.au/lifeline-shops ,when assistance is needed on value of dolls. Assists an Queensland Asthma Foundation op shop with their dolls. Was the Associate Editor of Australian Doll Digect 1988-2004. Is The Brisbane Doll Society's  (https://www.facebook.com/brisbanedollsociety/info/?tab=page_info)     phone liaison person and gives free advice over phone. Completed an Apprentice Judge course with United Federation of Doll Clubs then accepted by them as a Judge. Became a Modern Doll Judge - particularly in regard to Celluloid Dolls at United Federation of Doll Clubs Conventions (UFDC) each year from around 2004 till 2010. Judged both Antique and modern dolls.- Judged dolls at local doll shows in the 1990s, and also when travelling with Jim to shows in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, as well as Queensland, in the 1990s. Jim was the Travelling Doll Doctor, while Marjorie gave free identification and Valuation services

Personal life In 1953, Marjory married Jim Fainges. First met Jim at a friends' sister's 21st Birthday Party in late 1949. Started going out in and engaged on 27 April, 1951

Married on 2nd May 1953, Lutwyche Methodist Church, Lutwyche and have five children. The family moved to Everton Park, Brisbane, Australia. Marjory and Jim worked on many projects together. Jim had his own interests including model railways and designing scale model. Jim worked at the Department of Main Roads (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Transport_and_Main_Roads)     in 1973 as a professional Model Maker  often built the miniature furniture items used in many of the photographs and also assisted with drawing patterns. Jim died 18th October 2015.