Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. Aqua chiffon, high neck, full-length body hugging gown with sheer batwings to wrists. The chiffon is covered with round silver sequin-size 'sparkles'. The dress was worn by Robin Vanser (aka Robin Kelly nee Vandersluys) in live performances in the 1960s, including at the Wentworth Leagues Club Sydney and also on the Barry Crocker Show in 1968.performing arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, performance costumes, floor show dresses

All Saints Church of England, Greensborough, 1960s.Digital copy of colour photograph.all saints anglican church, all saints church of england

Early Learning Centre students in a classroom, 1960s.kindergarten, hebrew school, elc, early learning centre, history, student, community

Early Learning Centre students in a classroom, 1960s. kindergarten, hebrew school, elc, early learning centre, shakespeare grove

Black and white photograph of a bushfire north of Greensborough in the 1960sDigital copy of black and white news clipping. Text illegible.greensborough, bushfire, greensborough bush fire

A photograph of the bluestone bridge over the Plenty River at Greensborough 1960s.Digital copy of colour photograph. Second photo is cropped copy.bluestone bridge greensborough, plenty river greensborough, main street greensborough

Rules for use of the diving board at Greensborough Pool, circa 1960s.Digital copy of colour photograph.greensborough swimming pool

The Plenty River in flood, 1960s. Photos taken by Tony Fitton. Digital copy of black and white photographs.Captions on imageplenty river, floods

Students performing a dramatic production on stage, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s.shakespeare grove, visual and performing arts, drama, music

Advertisement in the local paper for J.D.Baines - Upholstery, Main Road Greensborough (1960s)Part of a collection of historic advertisements from local newspapers, showing local businesses from the mid 20th century.Digital copy of newspaper advertisement.main street greensborough, j d baines upholstery

Male and female students performing a Chanukah play, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. shakespeare grove, judaism, celebration, visual and performing arts, channukah, music

Thirteen students standing on stage dressed in Chanukah costumes, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. shakespeare grove, celebration, visual and performing arts, primary school, drama, chanukah, channukah, drama, music

Photograph of the house at 43 Hailes Street Greensborough, the de Sauty family home, 1960s.Digital copy of colour photograph.hailes street greensborough, paul de sauty

Four students dressed up in costumes, performing on stage at the Shakespeare Grove campus, 1960s.shakespeare grove, visual and performing arts, primary school, drama, music

St Helena Road Greensborough in the late 1960s before residential development on south side of road.Digital copy of black and white photograph.st helena road greensborough

Two male students dressed in costume clapping sticks together on stage, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s.shakespeare grove, visual and performing arts, primary school, drama, student, music, performance

Three kindergarten students dressed up in costume - possibly for Purim celebrations, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s.shakespeare grove, kindergarten, elc, celebration, purim, early learning centre

Students and teachers playing in a classroom, c. 1960s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.kindergarten, elc, early learning centre

Photograph of a train approaching Greensborough Railway Station in the late 1960s. Note the foot crossing under the train, prior to the overpass.Digital copy of black and white photograph.greensborough railway station, trains

Principal Moshe Meretz with teacher and students in a classroom, c. 1960s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.

Staff member and a male student on stage possibly receiving an award, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. The student is dressed in full summer uniform. shakespeare grove, presentation, award

Kindergarten students dressed up - possibly for Purim, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. Please contact [email protected] to request access to this record.elc, early learning centre, purim, judaism

A puppet performance performed on a stage behind the main school building, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. Students are dressed in costume, possibly for Purim.shakespeare grove, celebration, visual and performing arts, purim, drama, music, festival

Taken during a flood in the late 1960s, showing parts of both old and new bridge across the Plenty River, kiosk and Fitton house.Three photographs, with negatives and covering letter from Tony Fitton, with handwritten descriptive lettergreensborough, plenty river greensborough, fitton family

3 Kindergarten students dressed in costume - possibly for Purim celebrations, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. Known Students: (far left) Steven Lipshut. shakespeare grove, kindergarten, elc, early learning centre, celebration, visual and performing arts, purim

Tested recipes, No.9. 1960s: popular dishes from the weekly SEC television shows "Fun with Food" and "What's Cooking". Includes a variety of recipes.Part of a collection of recipe books from Laurence N. Lewis12p. Typed and photocopied text, colour cover.non-fictioncookbooks, recipe books

Kindergarten students in costume in the classroom, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. Students possibly dressed in costume for Purim celebrations. Known student: (left) Danny Gunn. shakespeare grove, kindergarten, elc, early learning centre, celebration, visual and performing arts, purim

Family, teachers, friends and students from the College community gather in the grounds, Shakespeare Grove, 1960s. Students are dressed in costume, possibly for a Purim celebration.kindergarten, elc, early learning centre, celebration, visual and performing arts, drama, purim

Olinda garage on corner of Range Road and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road. Pony Club with 4 horses on grass. ralph Jones was garage owner at this time. Dragster bike on road indicates early 1960s.pony club, olinda garage, garage, olinda, range road, mt dandenong tourist road, ralph jones