Joseph Butterworth COOMBS (1842-1901), was an accountant who founded a successful mercantile trading company. At the time of his marriage to Caroline Mary MICHEL in 1869, Coombs had already purchased ten acres of Studley Park. The acreage included land on the west of Fenwick Street that extended along lower Stawell Street to the corner of Yarra Street, all of it connected directly to the Yarra environs. A right of way to Studley Park Road was on the title, though Coombs went on to purchase more land, some of which faced Studley Park Road. In addition to owning the Studley Park acreage, Coombs later acquired 1,201 acres of land abutting the Acheron River. While retaining the Kew property he became a Taggerty Councillor and was Shire President for a time. J.B. Coombs died at Acheron Station in 1901 (aged 59 years). A few months after, tenders were called to repair the Kew dwelling, the Fenwick Street property now appearing in records with the name ‘Hope Mansell’. Caroline Coombs remained at Hope Mansell until she died in 1924, survived by three sons and five daughters. Not long after her death, advertisements appeared for the sale of the Studley Park land. The sale seems to have been a mechanism for distribution of the Estate, as the following year the original ten acre holding was transferred to members of the family. The eldest daughter Mabel married William Younger who, with his brother Alexander, developed Younger and Mackie Courts, both south of Studley Park Road. [Research: Kerry Fairbank]In 1961, the granddaughter of Joseph and Caroline Coombs, Mabel Isola (Younger) Grattan, donated ten 19th century dresses and parasols to the Kew Historical Society. The costumes, now known as the 'Coombs Collection', are the earliest recorded items of clothing to enter the Society's collection. Each of the items in the Coombs Collection, of which this item forms a part, is historically, aesthetically and socially significant. As a collection, the costumes includes outstanding examples of morning wear, day dresses, wedding dresses, and clothing accessories, providing evidence of outstanding dressmaker skills in Victoria during the mid to late Victorian period. Blue silk, floor length day dress comprised of a tightly fitted, long, waisted jacket joined by hooks and eyes at centre front. The bodice features large ornamental buttons from neck to waist, covered in a figured silk fabric of the same colour as the dress. The gown has extensive pin tucking on the sleeves, on the flounce of the skirt, and on the long train. The line of the outfit is emphasised by the flattened front, which is typical of the period. Its cut and lack of adornment emphasises the tailored effect.australian fashion, fashion & design, costumes, dresses, women's clothing, fashion - 1860s, fashion - 1870s

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.This photograph confirms that the purple ballgown is/was part of the Coombs family donation of Victorian era costumes made to the Society in 1961. Therefore it is important for establishing the item's provenance. Display of costumes from the collection of the Kew Historical Society, exhibited during the Festival of Kew in 1979. Recognisable items include from left the 1890s purple ball gown, the 1860s white satin wedding dress and the blue two-piece 1880s outfit. All items are clearly from the Coombs donation of 1961, there being no other record of costumes occurring before 1979. Inscribed verso: "Taken during Festival of Kew 1979 / Kew Hist contribution / Exhibition of Family Treasures / Donated by Janet McDermott 1979"kew historical society -- exhibitions, festival of kew -- 1979

The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia. This photo is related to item no. 00080 in this collection, which contains an anomaly - in 00080, the middle wheelchair athlete is listed as "A. Yeomans", whereas here he is listed as "Ron Hepburn".Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers, 1960s.Reverse of the photo lists the photo subjects as follows: Butch Schmidt Kevin Coombs Ron Hepburn Robin Lucas Fred Martinwheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, austin hospital, kevin coombs, ron hepburn, fred martin, robin lucas, butch schmidt

The Austin Hospital in Melbourne established a Spinal Injuries Unit in 1957, and soon after helped pioneer the development of wheelchair sports in Australia. This photo is related to item no. 00079 in this collection, which contains an anomaly - in 00079, the middle wheelchair athlete is listed as "Ron Hepburn", whereas here he is listed as "A. Yeomans".Black and white photo of wheelchair basketballers, 1960s.Reverse of the photo lists the photo subjects as follows: R. Schmid, K/C, A. Yeomans, R. Lucas, F. Martin, Standing: Harrow Morgan, Physio.wheelchair basketball, wheelchair sport, disabled sports, austin hospital, butch schmidt, kevin coombs, robin lucas, a. yeomans, fred martin, ron hepburn

BHS CollectionThe Memoirs of George Dewes, Leicestershire Childhood, Australia, California 1826 - 1861. 231 pages with pages 132 to 138 relating to Bendigo, photographs and maps.Martin Coombsbook, life on goldfields, gold rush, life on gold fields, bendigo gold fields.