Murray Comrie Collection. This image depicts the stables at rear of a two-storey bank building in Tarnagulla. The bank building was used first by the Colonial Bank of Australasia (from 1866 to 1888) and then by the Union Bank (from 1888 to 1942). The two-storey bank building was built in 1866 by the Colonial Bank of Australasia. Before this, the site had been occupied by Foo's shop. Whilst it was being built, the Colonial Bank operated from Company's Hotel (later known as Burstall Hall and the Council Chambers). The new double-storey building was used by the Colonial Bank from 1866 until 21st February, 1888. The premises were sold to the Union Bank for £2500. The Union Bank moved in and commenced operations on 6th June 1888, continuing until 1942. The building was later used as a general store until the 1990s. It is now a private residence. Monochrome photograph depicting stables at rear of the double-storey bank building in Tarnagulla. Image depicts a brick building with white timber doors and corrugated metal roof. The site was originally built by and for the Colonial Bank and later used by the Union Bank. tarnagulla, banks, banking, commerce, buildings, commercial road, horses, stables

John Halfey (1825-89) was born in Southport, Lancashire and migrated to Victoria in 1852. After finding gold at Sandhurst, and representing the latter in the Victorian Parliament, he moved to Melbourne to engage in various commercial pursuits, including directorships of insurance, mining and banking companies. A resident of Kew from the late 1850s, he was known for the hospitality provided at his house Ordsall (later Southesk) in Cotham Road. On 14 December 1860, Halfey chaired a public meeting calling for separation from the Boroondara Roads Board, which led, four days later, to the proclamation of Kew as a separate municipality. He was elected to the Council in 1861, replacing Cr. Oswin, and subsequently served as the second Chairman of the Municipality in 1862-1863. John Halfey became a trustee of Holy Trinity Church in Bulleen Road (now High Street) in 1862. He was to resign from Council after four years in 1865. Twenty-four years later in January 1889, he died aged 63 from a seizure, at his rooms at the Herald Office. He was interred in the Boroondara General Cemetery where his monument is the tallest in the Cemetery. Donated by Eileen Grigg, 2017Small, full-length portrait of John Halfey in an original gilded frame. The artist depicts him formally dressed in a frock coat beside an open window. He is shown holding a document or perhaps a pair of gloves. The painting is badly damaged with a hole in the area of his face that has been patched and repainted.john halfey, ordsall, chairman of kew, boroondara roads board, municipality of kew