The picture postcard is illustrated in a simple, child-like manner. It has a personal message on the back, perhaps sent by an adult called Lily to a young relative or friend. Its rough edges indicate that it may have been torn out of a book or from a sheet of cards. It is one of the hundreds of illustrations by artist Louis Wain, quoted as being "one of the most popular commercial illustrators in the history of England" (IllustrationChronicles.com). English artist Louis Wain (1860-1939) was famous for his illustrations of cats, many of which he gave human characteristics and personalities. Wain married Emily. They owned a cat called Peter who was a great comfort to Emily through her cancer illness and consequent death after only a few years of marriage. At 22 years old Wain gave up his job as a teacher to work full time as an illustrator. He was able to produce hundreds of drawing a year for journals, books, postcards and advertisements. Later he wrote and illustrated children's books. However he didn't benefit much from copyrighting his work as he sold his work to publishers together with the copyright, so reproductions of his works didn't earn him money. Wain said that he owned his career as a cat artist to Peter. Wain spent over a decade in mental asylums before his death in 1939.This picture postcard is an example of the work of Louis Wain, English artist of the 19th and early 20th century. He is famous for his drawings of cats, which he continued producing throughout his life. He is also known for producing the world's first screen cartoon cat, called "Pussyfoot". In 1972 Wain's work was presented at an exhibition in the Victorian and Albert Museum.Rectangular picture postcard printed on think cream card. Picture on postcard is outlined in black and coloured in roughly painted watercolours. The drawing has two cats dressed in armour standing and fighting in front of a turreted castle. The picture is a black framed outline. The artist's printed signature is in the bottom left corner. The artist is Louis Wain. The reverse has a vertical dividing line and a square outline for a postage stamp's location. It also has printed headings. There is a handwritten Pencil inscription. The postcard's left side and lower edge have rough uneven edges.Signature: "Louis Wain." Printed headings: "POST CARD" "THIS SPACE MAY BE USED FOR COMMUNICATION" "THE ADDRESS TO BE WRITTEN HERE" Handwritten on back: "To Dr R - - - - - - / with love / from Lilly"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, postcard, picture postcard, louis wain, fighting cats, child's postcard, cat artist, animal portraits, national cat club, fencing, illustrator, children's books, children's author, children's illustrator, watercolour, cats dressed as humans, cats dressed as knights, popular art, victorian art

Monsieur Charles Auguste Albert Racinet was born in Paris on July 20th, 1825. His job was representative of a group of 19th-century industrial draughtsmen, teachers of technical drawing and factory studio manager. He helped in spreading the most significant design of the decorative arts of the time. Racinet learned his trade from his father. He was trained by neo-classical artists in the ambit of Percier and Fontaine. August Racinet was influenced by the Schinkel tendency and supported by architects such as Hittorf and Voillet-le-Duc.Book. Large red leather cover. Title written in gold on spine. Illustrations (black & white), 100 of chromolithographic plates in gold, silver and colours. Various styles of ancient, oriental and medieval art including the Renaissance, the 17th, and the 18th centuries. Subjects are arranged in historical order. Text translated from the original French. The book includes a table of contents, a list of plates, a classified index and an introduction.A book plate inside front cover with a heading "Ballarat School of Art Library No. R/171. Stamped with "Reference","Education Department" and "Ballarat School of Art Library"art, paintings, textile, designs, decoration and craft, ornaments, ballarat technical art school library, bookplate

This journal is the first issue of the Women's Art Forum, a women artists' collective established in 1978 (Melbourne, Australia), in connection with the Women's Art Register.The Women's Art Register is an Australian collection of national significance, documenting the work of Australian women artists from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.First issue of the Women's Art Forum, reporting on the state of feminist art in Australia in 1978. 100 pages. B/W text and illustrations. Articles include artist drawings, stories, histories of women artists, and reports, advocating and representing Australian women artists.Published by the Women's Art Forum of Victoria. Printed by Sybylla Co-operative Press Ltd.

non-fictionCatalogue for exhibition at National Gallery of Australia 2001 comprising essays, images and list of exhibited works by Mexican modernist artists working in 1930's to 1950s, born in, or influenced by, Mexicomodernism, painting, collage, selfportraiture, portraiture, 1910 mexican revolution, photography

Booknon-fictionIllustrated overview of women artists from 5th - 20th century including European, British and American artists. A chapter on Chinese artists states that Chinese women's contribution to the arts ' beginning around 3000 BC.'painting, portraiture, sculpture, textiles, photography

Booknon-fictionIllustrated, extensively researched overview of O'Keeffe's life and practice including images of works, photographs by her partner Stieglitz, letters and interviews.painting, abstraction, watercolour

Booknon-fictionSixteen illustrated essays by various writers on the works and practice of women surrealists working in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States in the 20th century.surrealism, merit openheim, leonora carrington, valentine hugo, remedios varo, leonor fini, elléouët

Booknon-fictionIllustrated feminist overview of women artists from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century, practising predominantly in Europe, United Kingdom and the United States.painting, sculpture, performance, feminism, collage

Booknon-fictionBiography of significant Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907 - 1954).painting, self portraiture

bookIndividual focus on 47 women artists, predominantly from the UK, USA and Europe, in photographs and brief text prepared by various critics and writers.marina abramovic, louise bourgeois, guerrilla girls, cindy sherman, adrian piper, georgia o'keefe, portraiture, perfomance, political art, tracey emin, hannah hoch

Booknon-fictionHistory of the Society, founded in 1902, told through the stories of three generations of artists. Includes original research, unpublished primary sources and photographs and over 300 biographies of members. china painting, portraiture, self-portraiture, flower painting, sculpture, print making, art and craft

Worn cover with clear tapenon-fictionA lengthy selection of essays on artists and art movements from a broad selection of historical and contemporary era including Baroque, Renaissance, 19th Century, Pre-Raphaelite, 20th Century, Modernism, Mid-Century, late 20th Century European and American art.lee krasner, louise bourgeois, elizabeth murray, susan rothenberg

Although this publication has no date it is obviously from the 2nd half of the 20th century and put together by the local historic society in an effort to record certain traditions and promote the local area. It is aimed at visiting tourists and includes maps with walk and cycle routes.A colourful 32pp booklet published as extra-edition of the historic Bunschoten periodical 'Bunscote'.Names of the editing team, co-ordinator, graphic artist and printer are all recorded.

Nothing fazed him. He was always in control, always thorough, always switched on, single-minded, He was popular with the men because of his empathy with them; and he felt honoured to be a part of the campaign and this showed in the way he tackled his work.war artists - australia - 20th century - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - pictorial works

Nothing fazed him. He was always in control, always thorough, always switched on, single-minded, He was popular with the men because of his empathy with them; and he felt honoured to be a part of the campaign and this showed in the way he tackled his work. war artists - australia - 20th century - biography, vietnam war, 1961-1975 - pictorial works

This gum leaf painting is one of a pair displayed on foil in the same frame. It is typical of many paintings by the self-taught Australian artist Alfred William Eustace (1820-1907). A.W. Eustace, a well-known Australian artist, was born in Berkshire, England, where he was an assistant gamekeeper to the Earl of Craven at Ashdown Park. He migrated to Australia with his wife and children in 1851 and camped on the Ullina and Eldorado Runs on the Black Dog Creek at Chiltern, which was in excess of 50,000 acres of grazing land. A.W. Eustace was employed as a shepherd by Jason Withers and while tending his flocks in the solitude of the bush, Eustace turned his attention to painting and music to while away the long and weary hours. He endeavoured to capture the spirit of the bush painting on board, canvas or tin plate, but as these materials were not always readily available he then started painting on large round eucalyptus leaves from the White and Red Box trees that grew around about him. About 1856 he painted a small picture of the famous Woolshed goldrush and during the next few years became well known in North-East Victoria. John Sadlier, a police officer stationed at Beechworth said that Eustace painted 'some really exquisite scenes. He was of an easy-going dreamy temperament, a student of nature only, despising the works of men. Unfortunately his drawings were on eucalyptus leaves, the largest and roundest he could find and not on canvas, and no doubt have all perished long ago.' In 1876 the Melbourne Age newspaper reported, 'Eustace’s celebrated paintings on gum leaves are again attracting attention,…Mr Eustace is an elegant artist…he seems without effort to catch the colour and spirit of Australian scenery…' In 1864 A.W. Eustace held an Art Union in Albury, and again in 1884 in Ballarat. He exhibited at the Victorian Academy of Arts in 1877 and also held an exhibition of gum leaf paintings at Stevens Gallery, Melbourne in 1893. By 1896 he was receiving orders from heads of states in Europe, with his works acknowledged by Queen Victoria, Emperor Frederick of Germany and the Czar of Russia, as well as the Governors of New South Wales and Victoria. His paintings reflected his ability to paint the sky in his realistic style which is still noted by art critics of the day. A.W. Eustace was also a skillful taxidermist. The collection of birds and animals that can be seen at the Beechworth Museum are examples of his taxidermy skill. When not doing his work, painting or taxidermy, he regularly contributed letters and verse to the Chiltern newspaper, The Federal Standard. A book of verse in his hand writing was presented to The Athenaeum Trust by the Boadle family. In the 1870’s he became interested in spiritualism often being involved in lively debate at lectures and séances. Alfred William Eustace died in 1907 and is buried in the Chiltern New Cemetery with his wife Sarah and one of his daughters, Elizabeth.An oil painting on gum leaf by the well-known Australian artist Alfred William Eustace. He was a self-taught artist during the 19th and early 20th century and a prominent resident of Chiltern. Oil painting on gum leaf by Alfred William Eustace. A scene of a log cabin on Black Dog Creek Road, Chiltern, with Skeleton Hill in the background. The canvas is a juvenile Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) leaf. It is one of a pair of Eustace gum leaf paintings mounted on gold foil, under glass in a brown frame. Inscription on back. Labels on back: Rehoused by The Centre for Cultural Materials/ Conservation, University of Melbourne "Oil on Gum Leaf"/ by Alfred William Eustace/ Donor:- Cam & Connie Boadle/ Wales U.K. Crescent/ MUSEUM/ GRADE/ 24 OCT 1998/ CONSERVATION BOARD ALBURY/ PICTURE FRAMERS/ Shop 15 & 16/ AMP Lane,/ Albury, 2640/ Ph: 02 6021 7088black dog creek, chiltern, alfred eustace, skeleton hill, gum leaf, painting, eustace

Slawa Horowitz-Duldig) was both an artist and a designer, and both aspects of her practice are represented in the collection. There is an archive of approximately 255 drawings by Slawa dating from 1917 until 1922. Slawa’s sketchbooks from this period provide an insight into her early training and demonstrate the artist’s early interest in portraiture. A number of the drawings have been framed, but the majority remains 'in situ'. Slawa was a student at the Viennese Kunstschule für Frauen und Mädchen (the Viennese Art School for Women and Girls) (KFM) from 1917 until 1921, and in 1922 she became a student of Anton Hanak. The KFM School had been established in 1897 as a private school, and it was highly regarded both for its teaching staff and academic curriculum. By 1918 it had introduced stringent admission policy similar to those of the Austrian Academy of Fine Arts, and obtained government funding for its academic program, and began to focus on students seeking to pursue careers as professional artists. In 1921 when Slawa applied to the Austrian Academy of Arts for a place in its program, her application was unsuccessful, as her work was considered advanced, and a place in the third or fourth year of the program was not available. In 1922 she became a private student of Anton Hanak. Many of the portrait images from this early period concentrate on capturing the physical appearance of the face of the model. A number of these studies, in which the subject is not identified, display an academic approach to the genre. Her technical skills in capturing precise facial features of the model, the expression of eyes and the texture of hair are evident. These drawings were perhaps completed in the studio of the KFM School. There are also portraits of friends and family members, including her sister Rella and others, perhaps parents and grandparents, who have yet to be identified conclusively. It is these images of family and friends that particularly demonstrate Slawa’s confidence with pen, charcoal and crayon on paper. Amongst the group are several portraits that indicate the artist’s interest in conveying the inner psyche of a subject, as well as capturing a likeness. Ann Carew 2016The drawings from this period give us an insight into the artist’s early training, and the teaching methods of Viennese Kunstschule für Frauen und Mädchen, one of the first professional art schools for women in Vienna. The drawings and sketchbooks have artistic, interpretative and research significance as records of the art education of women in Vienna in the early 20th century. Ann Carew 2016Charcoal over pencil sketch on paper of Slawa's sister Rella.Artist signature in the bottom left corner.

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). Development in the 20th century has irreparably altered that part of Kew represented in this plan. In the block bounded by Cotham Road, Charles Street, Wellington Street and Gellibrand; just one house standing in 1903 remains. This block included two of the most historic houses in Kew: ‘Ordsall’ (later ‘Southesk’) and ‘Madford’ (previously ‘Elm Lodge’). Ordsall was the home of the second chairman of Kew, John Halfey. It contained some of the most significant interior murals in Kew, created for Halfey by artists working for Cullen & Co. It was demolished in 1960 to make way for the Kew Civic Centre. Elm Lodge had been built for William Siddeley in ca. 1864. Arthur Septimus King purchased it in 1874. The lower paddocks of Madford were sold in 1905 by his wife to the Borough of Kew and, after landscaping by George and Thomas Pockett, opened as the Alexandra Gardens in 1908. Elm Lodge/Madford was in 1922 to become St. Anthony’s Home for Little Children before its subsequent demolition in the 1980s.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1576, cartography

Louisa Thomas married Henry Gipps (1837-91)in 1863. They had six sons and two daughters. While Louisa and Henry Gipps were to die in Sussex, two of their sons, Frederick George De Visme Gipps (1867-1953) and Richard Brook Woodthorpe Gipps (c.1872-1946) migrated to Queensland, possibly bringing with them their mother’s sketchbook.The collection of artworks that are included in the sketchbook are often of outstanding aesthetic and artistic significance. In the variety of subject matter and the geographical places represented, it is historically significant as a document recording the postings of Colonel Henry Gipps, 9th Norfolk Regiment, and his wife Louisa to locations in the Mediterranean and West Asia. The large bound sketchbook has a marbled cover with blue binding. The name Louisa Goulburn Thomas and the date 1862 are faintly inscribed in pencil on the front page. However the book contains pen and ink and pencil drawings, watercolours, and photographs, which both predate and postdate 1862. The approximately 75 works are loose-leafed items and [currently] do not form a chronological, geographical or thematic sequence. Creators identified on some drawings and watercolours include Mary Julia Wilder Thomas, JFV Wright, ELG (Edward Louis de Bondell Gipps?), L Nicholson, Bertha Isadore Thomas, and HG (Henry Gipps?). Many of the works are signed and dated, and include rural landscapes and seascapes, archaeological sites, animal studies, and portraits. While most of the works were created in the British Isles, others are scenes of Venice, the Ionian Islands, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Japan. [A number of the ‘oriental’ paintings on silk were probably purchased from local artists.] The art works in the book are at various stages of completion and represent a diverse range of artistic skills. What may be the earliest work in the sketchbook is a drawing of three uniformed soldiers. An annotation on the reverse records that the drawing is of a Group of Soldiers after [Philipp Jakob] de Southerbourg 1830. The birth of Louisa Thomas' oldest son, William Henry Houston Meyrick Gipps (1864-1903) in Corfu perhaps explains why a number of scenes and items in the album are of the Ionian Islands. Louisa is probably the creator of a number of still life and botanical studies in the album. These range from floral studies to a bird’s nest. The painting of objects was to remain a socially ‘approved’ specialty of amateur and professional women artists into the 20th century. The complete contents of the album will be uploaded to accompany this record. Some items may be published separately on Victorian Collections, but will acknowledge their origins in the sketchbook."Louisa Goulburn Thomas / 1862"victorian sketchbooks, manuscripts - kew historical society, 9th norfolk regiment, rosemary (gipps) vaughan smith, vaughan-smith collection

The owner of the 'Autograph' book was Mary Alys (Gipps) Kirkland, the daughter of Richard Brook Woodthorpe Gipps (c.1872-1946). The family had migrated from Great Britain to Coorparoo, Brisbane, where most of the items in the album were created. In June 1925, The [Brisbane] Telegraph reported the wedding of Richard Gipps to Mary Alys Kirkland at Elvaston, The Righi, South Yarra. The bride, like the groom, was originally from Queensland, but at the time of her marriage lived with her parents at 21 The Righi. The album passed to their daughter Rosemary Alison (Gipps) Vaughan-Smith, and thence by donation to the collection of the Kew Historical Society. While the signatures are interesting, they are not rare. Rather it is the illustrations that dazzle with the surety of their design and execution. In the portraits, one can recognise the debt that Edwardian art and design owed to the Pre-Raphaelites whose serene and poised idealisations of women are exemplified in the drawings, albeit simplified for a new 20th century sensibility. Typical, is a very early portrait from 1906 of Mary Alys Kirkland by a 20-year-old Garnet Agnew (1886-1951). Agnew later became an illustrator for The Brisbane Courier and The Queenslander Illustrated Weekly, creating cover illustrations for these publications between 1926 and 1930. Another pen and ink portrait of Mary Alys Kirkland was created in 1910 by Augusta Frances Isabel Hobday (1884-1961). Augusta, with her brother and sister, Percy Stanhope Hobday and Gladys Hobday, were artists and teachers. Each was involved for many years in the Queensland Art Society. While the album has historic, aesthetic and social significance to Brisbane’s history, as a document, its preoccupations have a wider Australian relevance and importance. Compiled between 1905 and 1922, the 'Autograph' book has considerable aesthetic coherence, even though drawings and text are by different hands. Together, it provides a vivid depiction of social life and values in Brisbane in the period preceding the First World War. Like other autograph albums of the period, it is a compilation of pen and ink sketches, watercolours, quotations, poems, aphorisms and signatures. Most entries are from Queensland, particularly Coorparoo in Brisbane; friends and acquaintances from other Australian States also contributed items. The autograph album predictably contains numerous mementoes of the notable and the forgotten. It includes the signatures of the British contralto Dame Clara Butt (1872-1936) her husband, the baritone R. H. Kennerley Rumford (1870-1957), and that of the Australian actress and singer Nellie Stewart (1858-1931). autograph albums, manuscripts - kew historical society, rosemary vaughan-smith, vaughan-smith collection, dame clara butt, garnet andrew, augusta frances isabel hobday, coorparoo - brisbane, nellie stewart, mary alys kirkland, mary alys gipps (nee kirkland)

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.Black and white photograph of the singer Robin Vanser in performance with fellow artists and dancers at 'The Colonnades. Sydney, 1966robin vanser, performing arts - australia - 1960s, the colonnades - sydney - 1966

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.Black and white photograph of Robin Vanser with fellow performers in Sydney, 1965. The other performers are identified as Johnny Rae, Alan Turnbull, Dinah Lee, and Ray Gallagher."Johnny Rae, Alan Turnbull, Dinah Lee, Ray Gallagher (Band leader)performing arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, johnny rae, alan turnbull, dinah lee, ray gallagher

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. Black and white photograph of Robin Kelly as a guest performer with fellow artists including Irene Hewitt, 1966Guest | Irene Hewittperforming arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, irene hewitt

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. Black and white photograph of Robin Vanser with fellow artists, including Jay Justin, 1960sJay Justin | Guestperforming arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, jay justin

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. Black and white photograph of the singer Robin Vanser with fellow performers in Sydney, c.1965.performing arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser

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. Royal blue sequinned lace with taffeta lining, halter neck, full-length sheath with blue chiffon drops from back to floor. The dress was worn by Robin Vanser (aka Robin Kelly nee Vandersluys) in live performances in the 1960s, including as Guest Artist, Wentworth Hotel Police Association Ball, Sydney, 1966.performing arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, performance costumes, floor show dresses

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.This is the earliest known photograph of Ordsall / South Esk, a significant mansion in Kew, built for John Halfey and now demolishedMembers of the Kew Congregational Church in front of one of the verandas of Southesk, circa 1900.congregational church - kew (vic), south esk - south esk - ordsall - kew (vic)

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.Nilordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.The interiors of the two main reception rooms at Ordsall included some of the most outstanding domestic frescos painted in Australia in the late Victorian period. These frescos were executed by artists hired by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co. While a number of photographs were taken of the interiors prior to the house's demolition in 1970, this small fragment of the fresco is one of only three extant. The fresco allows conservators to examine and evaluate fresco techniques of the period.One of only two fragments of the painted domed ceiling of the ballroom of Ordsall (later renamed Southesk) which once stood at the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, Kew. This triangular piece of the fresco is of a cherub's face.Label: 'This is from the "Southesk" ballroom 14-7-70'ordsall, southesk, cullis hill & co.