Ethel Standish lived a busy an interesting life. Born in 1881, she was the daughter of Arthur Standish, New Plymouth's first mayor. Ethel was a keen sportswoman in the early 1900s, and although she was most keen on golf, this petticoat was part of the outfit she wore to play tennis. She was also a 'useful' pianist, a skill that would have come in good use given her family were fond of entertaining.

As a young woman, Ethel travelled to England with her godparents, and refused to leave - perhaps the big city lights after quiet New Plymouth were just to compelling! She trained as a masseuse at St. Thomas' Hospital and served on a New Zealand hospital ship during World War One. It was during this period that Ethel married Colin Gilray, at the age of 36. After the war ended they returned to New Zealand, where Colin worked as a high school principal. They eventually shifted to Melbourne, but Ethel kept her tennis cloths, which were passed down to her daughter Ruth and then to her granddaughters Jennifer and Barbara, who have returned them to their original hometown of New Plymouth.