“I used to like collecting things for children, dolls, baby prams,” she said.

“I was making porcelain dolls and I bought these long dresses to make dolls’ clothes, but when I got them home I couldn’t bring myself to cut them up, and that was the beginning.”

And so began Ms Nicol’s renowned collection of vintage fashion, now based at Lismore’s old Masonic hall.

Ms Nicol’s collection has featured at exhibitions, fashion parades and fund-raisers across the state, helping to raise more than $70,000 for charity over the past 20-plus years.

Thousands of garments from the 1800s to the 1990s make up the collection, including a range of wedding dresses, many worn by Western District women on their special day.

It is this collection of wedding gowns, including some never-before-seen dresses that will take centrestage at a vintage bridal parade fund-raiser on Saturday night.

Friend Lorraine Graham is helping organise the show to put some money to put back into the collection and hopefully also fund repairs to the old Masonic hall, which dates back to the 1920s.

“Dorothy does so much for other people. She carts her clothes all over Victoria, covering the expenses herself, mostly on her own,” Ms Graham said.

“She has made about $75,000 for charity. Dorothy has done it all on a pension, so I said to her one day ‘Dorothy, you’re clothes need some doing up, you need some repairs and that sort of stuff if you’re going to continue.

“I offered to see if she was interested and she said no at first, but about 18 months later she said ‘oh maybe I do need a hand’.

“This is her life... it keeps her going.”

More than 10 models will walk the runway at the Lismore community centre on Saturday night, with bridal gowns and bridesmaid, mother-of-the-bride, guest and flower girl dresses among the more than 80 outfits set to feature.

Ms Nicol, now in her 80s, said every dress at the event would tell a story, some not always with a happy ending.

An 1860s gown that will be on display never had the chance to be worn at a wedding celebration.

“She bought her wedding dress, but her parents wouldn’t let her get married. And so she just kept it, and looked after them all her life,” Ms Nicol said. “It’s sad.”

The first wedding dress added to Ms Nicol’s collection will also be on show.

“The lady who started me off, I’ve got her wedding dress,” she said.

“I had no idea it was going to lead to this.”

The event will be held at the Lismore hall at the town’s recreation reserve on Seymour Street from 7pm on Saturday. Tickets available at the door.