Valli Leake's impeccable sense of style and work ethic made her the beloved queen of Mildura's brides for more than 60 years. Her proud children tell LAURA TURNER about the seamstress who stitched together the fabric of a community, and the secret book of history she left behind.

IN a little house on the Sturt Highway, a front window glows in the fading light of the day.

Shadows dance across the...