On the crest of Stanhope Hill at Peter Street, Eltham, stands the former home of a couple, Clem and Nina Christensen who had a major influence on the literary development of post World War 2 Australia. Covered under Heritage Overlay, Nillumbik Planning Scheme. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p109 On the crest of Stanhope Hill at Peter Street, Eltham, stands the former home of a couple, who had a major influence on the literary development of post World War Two Australia. In 1946, Clem and Nina Christensen bought the house, which had been designed by Harold Desbrowe Annear, considered to be one of Australia’s most innovative architects in the first quarter of the 20th century.1 That year the stucco building with a metal roof, built in 1910, was extended to the north and south. The main residence was built of jarrah, with stucco walls, floors of Tasmanian hardwood and rooms panelled with Californian redwood (sequoia). The property included a cottage, former stables, a dairy and meat-house. From its beginnings the property has attracted artists and intellectuals. Official World War One artist, Will Longstaff, bought the property – then 15½ acres (6ha) around 1900. Famous for his painting The Ghosts of Menin Gate, now in the Australian War Memorial Canberra, Longstaff was the cousin of another well-known painter, Sir John Longstaff. Several leading artists visited Longstaff at Stanhope including Walter Withers of the Heidelberg School, who lived in Brougham Street, Eltham. In 1919, Theo Handfield, father of author and journalist John Handfield, bought the property from Mrs Longstaff. Then in 1924 the land was subdivided and most of the estate (80 blocks) was auctioned. The next owner was related to novelist Virginia Woolf. Bishop Reginald Stephen, Warden of Trinity College, bought the house and five acres (2 ha) in 1928. He was related to Sir Leslie Stephen, the first editor of the Dictionary of National Biography and Woolf’s father. Novelist and music critic John Harcourt, was the next tenant, while he and his wife Fay, built their mud-brick house Clay Nuneham, at the foot of Stanhope Hill. Dr Clem and Mrs Nina Christensen, lived in the house until their deaths. Clem Christensen – who died aged 91 in 2003 – was a poet, short story writer and painter. However, he is most noted for founding Australia’s foremost literary journal2 Meanjin (originally Meanjin Papers), which he described as ‘democratic left of centre’, in Brisbane in 1940. Clem brought Meanjin to Melbourne in 1945 and remained editor until 1975. Enormously influential, Meanjin spawned and encouraged many of Australia’s best literary talents and it had an international reputation. Meanjin was the first to publish such writers as Judith Wright and David Malouf and it encouraged writers like Patrick White and Peter Carey. Nina Christensen – who died aged 89 in 2001 – was founding Editor of the Melbourne Slavonic Studies Journal and pioneered the study of Russian in Australia. In 1946 she established the Department of Russian Language and Literature at The University of Melbourne, which she led until 1977. Nina’s graduates largely staffed subsequent departments, in other Australian universities.3 However Nina’s Russian heritage and Clem’s outspoken views caused problems. They were forced to defend themselves in the Petrov inspired Royal Commission on Espionage in the 1950s, but were exonerated. The Christensens attracted and hosted many distinguished Australian and foreign writers, artists and academics, including Nobel prize-winning novelist, Patrick White and the world’s then leading cellist, Mstislav Rostropovich.4 Other writers and intellectuals who visited Stanhope were: Vance Palmer, Alan Marshall, A D Hope, Xavier Herbert, Nevil Shute, Geoffrey Dutton, Martin Boyd, Judah Waten, Bruce Grant, Dorothy Hewett and Sir Herbert Read. Painters included: Danila Vassilieff, Arthur Boyd, Albert Tucker, Justus Jörgensen, Robert Hughes and Clifton Pugh. Academics included: Manning Clark, Geoffrey Blainey, W Macmahon Ball, Richard Downing, Geoffrey Serle and scientist Tim Marshall. Politicians included: Jim Cairns, Pauline Toner, Lance Barnard, Sir Paul Hasluck, Sheryl Garbutt and performance artists included: film star Olivia Newton-John, members of the Bolshoi ballet and the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.5 Nina Christensen was honoured in 2006 at the Eltham Living and Learning Centre with the building of an amphitheatre designed by V Sverdlin.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, clem christesen, eltham, nina christesen, peter street, stanhope

Sovereigns are no longer used as currency in Australia. Brass balance for weighing one soveriegn and half sovereigns. Contained in a small orange coloured cardboard box which opens in half.A 'crown' etched on the left of the fulcrum and 'sovereign' and 'warranted' etched in the first circle and 'sovereign' '1/2' ( half) on the second circle. Box has writing " Improved sovereign balance\To weigh and gauge soveriegns and half sovereigns\Being so exact that no conterfeit can possibly go through the gauge\of sufficient weight to turn the balance."sovereign, sovereigns, half sovereigns, george w rusden

Taken from a vantage point- possibly Holy Trinity Manse -the typical 197'0's Port Melbourne roof lines are the foreground with the still erected gasometers and original Albert Park High School can be seen in the distance.B & W photograph taken before the gasometers were removed & Albert Park High School rebuilt as Albert Park College.June 1973built environment - demolition, built environment - industrial, education - secondary schools, gasometer

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). MMBW Plan No.1577 includes some of the most significant houses in Kew: Herbert Henty’s ‘Roxeth’ (now part of Trinity Grammar), ‘Butleigh Wooton’, ‘Bokara’ and ‘Harrow’. It also includes the streets that have since changed their names. That part of College Parade linked to Glenferrie Road is now named College Place, College Parade now extends further north, and Charles Street did not yet reach Barkers Road. Roxeth is one of a number of Henty houses in Kew. Herbert Henty made his home here and was elected a member of Kew Municipal Council in 1864 and mayor in 1868-69. Walter Henry Serle, of Harrow served in the First World War. He was awarded the Military Medal ‘’For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On 29th September near BELLICOURT he showed the greatest bravery and determination when his platoon was attacked by enemy bombing parties. It was due largely to his personal efforts that all the attacks were repulsed. Until wounded, his utter disregard of personal safety and boldness in dealing with the attacks were the means of saving the situation and were an inspiring example to his men.’melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1577, cartography

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria). This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). MMBW Plan No.1578 is significant in that it defines the extent of two private schools: Xavier College and Kew High School (now part of Trinity Grammar) by 1904. In relation to the latter, the plan clarifies which buildings the High School operated from behind the mansion ‘Molina’. Established in 1902, Trinity Grammar was to later lease and subsequently buy Molina (now ‘Merritt House’) and ‘Elsinore’ (now ‘Roberts House’). Xavier College had been established in 1872. This 1904 plan delineates the West Wing and the Great Hall (built in 1890).melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1578, cartography

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in the photograph is of the front of the house, minus the first floor verandah that had been removed some decades before and preceding the reinstatement of the verandah sometime after 1988. Prue Sanderson, in the City of Kew Urban Conservation Study, Vol.2 (1988) stated that: 'The house originally had a fine cast iron verandah to two facades, however despite its removal, it remains as a most preposessing structure, The small cast iron perch is not original. Overall the design is in Italianate styling and the walls are clad in render, with extremely fine incised medallions in the render at both levels. The treatment of the tripartite windows with rounded upper corners is also atypical and is repeated in the joinery of the front entrance.'"Photo one / Trinity Grammar Project 1978 / Form 3R / "Otira" Walpole St"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in the photograph is of the panelled entrance hall."Photo 2 / Otira entrance / Trinity Bays Project"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- entrance halls -- 1880s

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in of a fire surround and overmantel in the house."Photo 3 / Walnut mantle Otira / Trinity Form 3R"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- overmantels -- 1880s

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view is of the painted glass panels surrounding the main door, viewed from the hall."Photo 4 / Stained glass door panels Otira"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- front doors -- 1880s, interior design -- painted glass -- 1880s

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Sydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.Watercolour, pen & Ink on paper by the artist and local historian Joy Stewart of 'Roberts House', Trinity Grammar School. Inscription: "Roberts House / Trinity Grammar School." Signed lower right: "JStewart"roberts house - trinity grammar school, property illustrations -- kew (vic.), joy stewart 1925-2018

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Sydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.Pencil, pen & Ink sketch on paper of 'Holy Trinity, Kew' by the artist Joy Stewart. [Holy Trinity Anglican Church is in High Street, Kew]Inscription: "Holy Trinity, Kew". Signed lower right: "JStewart".joy stewart, holy trinity (kew), high street (kew)

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Prelimiinary sketch of 'Merritt House, Trinity Grammar School' by the artist Joy Stewart.Inscription: "Merritt House, Trinity Grammar School". c.1978.joy stewart, merritt house, trinity grammar school

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Sydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.Pencil, pen & Ink sketch on paper of 'Roxeth, Trinity Grammar School' by the artist Joy Stewart. Inscription: "Roxeth, Trinity Grammar School". Signed lower right: "JStewart".joy stewart, roxeth (trinity grammar school)

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Sydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.Preliminary sketch of 'Roberts House' [Trinity Grammar School] by the artist Joy Stewart. Inscription: "Roberts House". Another ink drawing by the artist of Roberts House is 1980.0037. A finished watercolour is 1980.0018. Signed by the artist: "JStewart".roberts house (trinity grammar school), joy stewart

Sydney Joy (joy) Stewart (1925-2018) was a founding member of the Kew Historical Society, and during the 1970s its secretary. During her residence in Kew, she completed numerous property illustrations on commission. These ranged from preliminary sketches, including architectural details to finished pen & ink and wash illustrations on paper. On moving to Queensland, Joy Stewart donated the remaining property illustrations in her possession to the Kew Historical Society. In 1987-88, she fulfilled a commission by the Society of designs for a series of embroideries completed by residents during the Australian Bicentennial commemorations.Sydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.Pencil, pen and ink drawing of Victorian buildings that comprise Trinity Grammar School - Merritt House, Roberts House and Roxeth House by the artist Joy Stewart. c.1978Inscription: Trinity Grammar School". Unsigned.joy stewart, roxeth house, roberts house, merritt house, trinity grammar school

Surrey Hills is a suburb shared by the modern day cities of Boroondara and Whitehorse. The first land purchase was in 1841 when Henry Elgar, an East Indian merchant took up 5,120 acres bounded by the present Elgar, Canterbury and Burke Roads and Koonung Creek. The urban development of Surrey Hills saw the establishment of sporting clubs many being associated with the local churches. The Surrey Hills Dramatic Society and Surrey Hills Amateur Dramatic Club were both formed in 1889 as well as other social and cultural groups. Ken James researched this book for the Surrey Hills Historical Society, of which he is a member, using material and photos from the Surrey Hills Historical Society collection, material from TROVE and other sources.music, clubs - victoria - surrey hills, basketball, bowls, cricket, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, hurling, netball, rifle shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, squash, walking, filed naturalists, brass bands, choral groups, debating, dramatic clubs, musical club, operatic society, surrey hills orchestra, quadrille, rose club, our holy redeemer church, holy trinity chutch of england, surrey hills church of christ, surrey hills methodist church, st stephens presbyterian church, australian natives association, balwyn combined, catholic young men's society, surrey hills baptist church, surrey hills independent order of rechabites, wyclif congregational church, surrey hills college, hockey, chatham netball club, blue bell tennis club, benson street methodist church, our ladies wattle park, surrey hills state school old scholars tennis club, surrey squash centre, surrey hills neighbourhood centre, cantrices ladies choir, surrey hills choristers, surrey hills everleigh private amateur dramatic club

This is a photograph taken from the painting by McCubbin of Lady Janet Clarke, a prominent Melbourne philanthropist who worked for social welfare issues and was a driving force in the early days of the Melbourne District Nursing Society. At the end of 1885 for her work with MDNS she was given a Testimonial Dinner where she was presented with a letter signed by 429 people expressing their thanks for her visits, kindness, sympathy and charity shown toward the sick poor. In 1887, at her home, she held the first function to raise money for the Society. Lady Janet Clarke was a generous and hospitable prominent socialite of Melbourne; a kind and sympathetic philanthropist who worked tirelessly for social welfare issues. The Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) was founded on the 17th of February 1885 and on the 9th of April a Special General Meeting was held to elect the committee for the following twelve months. Lady Clarke was elected a Vice-president; a position she held until being appointed President, when Mrs. Simon resigned on the 7th of June 1887, a role Lady Clarke held until she became ill in 1908; except during her trips overseas, when the role was held by another until her return. Her management and organizational skills enabled MDNS to flourish in its earliest days. She was actively involved taking her turn on the Superintendent sub-committee where she accompanied a Trained nurse when she visited patients; checking that high quality nursing care was maintained, as well as observing the patient's social condition; even giving a personal donation to a special case in need. The patients of the Society were so grateful for her sympathy, kindness and love that when she and her husband, Sir William Clarke, were going overseas at the end of 1885, a Testimonial was given for her at Scots Church District-hall where 200 attended to show their appreciation of her work carried out with MDNS. She was presented with a Bible from them, and their letter signed by 429 working persons expressing their thanks. In a time of great financial need of the Society, Lady Clarke offered the ballroom at her home, 'Cliveden', for a monster Cake, Flower, and Dairy produce Fair which raised a substantial amount saving the Society from closure. She promoted the Society and led it in further fund-raising events, such as the annual Ball, and Fairs where she often manned cake stalls. Near Christmas each year she made a special appeal to the public for 'comfort and good cheer' which could be given to poor families visited by the Society. During the depression of 1890 she had thick soup prepared in the Cliveden kitchens and this was distributed, with bread, from her home, and from a school room, to hundreds of the poor. In 1892 Lady Clarke agreed to represent the Society during her visit to England. During her years of leadership MDNS expanded; Nurses uniforms were introduced; lectures - for example, on hygiene and on the prevention of sickness and the treatment of children, were given by doctors for the patients; further Trained nursing staff were employed; Midwifery was introduced to the poor, the Society extended beyond the city centre and bicycles were introduced for transport; a system for regular annual subscriptions was introduced and sufficient funds were raised for the Society to rent its own premises, with Lady Clarke paying for a subscription to Mullen's bookstore each year for the use of the Nurses in the Nurses Home. As well as her work for MDNS she held roles in many other organizations . She donated a substantial amount of money to build a Hostel for Women University Students attending Trinity College, later named the Janet Clarke Hall. Lady Janet Marion Clarke died at Cliveden, aged 57 years, on the 28th of April 1909; a lady held in high esteem and affection by all she knew.This is a black and white photograph of a painting of Lady Janet Clarke. She is looking forward and has a serious visage; she is wearing her long dark hair drawn up and back and in her left ear a small dropped ear ring can be seen. She is wearing a light coloured, long sleeved, floral frock with a material short cape section seen over the top of her left sleeve. Her left arm is crooked with her hand resting just under a flower brooch fastened in the centre of her frock. She has a choker around her neck with a brooch in the centre..Janet Lady Clarke, president 1889-1908.From the painting by McCubbin.melbourne district nursing society, mdns, rdns, royal district nursing service, lady janet clarke