Connor's Creek is/was one of two major waterways bisecting Kew, both of which empty into the Yarra River. Connor's Creek originates near the grounds of Genazzano FCJ College, which is one of the highest points in Kew. Until the 1930s, this was an open creek until a barrel drain - the Kew Main Drain - was constructed. As the creek ran through Kew it cut across a number of roads the maintenance of which was a continuing concern for Kew Councillors. In August 1864, the Council called for tenders to erect a stone culvert and embankment over Connor's Creek, on Belford-road. This may be the embankment on which the boys are sitting.Original, small photographic positive on card of two boys, identified by the donor as 'Wal Ives and Bert' [Albert Watson] sitting on bluestone capping above an outlet of Connor's Creek. To the left of the boys is a barrel drain which at that stage was the outlet for Connor's Creek near the Yarra River. The retaining wall is constructed of brick. In ink on photo: "Wal & Bert"connors creek -- kew (vic), wal ives, albert watson, belford road, yarra river -- kew (vic.), creeks -- kew (vic.), drains -- kew (vic.)

In 1870 clay deposits were discovered in the Lithgow Valley in the vicinity of the Lithgow Valley Colliery. A brick and pottery works were opened there in 1877 with additional clay also being obtained from deposits near the Mt Clarence Railway Station.Lithgow Brick and Drain-Pipe Workslithgow brick and drain-pipe works, lithgow

Initially collated by Harry Gilham as part of a file on Eltham Cemeteryeltham cemetery, john murray, mary ellen drain, mary murray, peter lawlor, thomas drain

South Beach DevelopmentColoured photograph of Drain being dug for South Beach Estatesouth beach, development, drain, sea, ocean, reef

Streets and drains were the basic infrastructure problems for Kew in the 1880s. Decent streets and drains were fundamental to the quality of life of the residents. Without drainage, streets became muddy, boggy and sometimes impassable. Pools and puddles of stagnant water became smelly. The run off water, mixed with human and animal wastes, because there was no sewerage, became a health hazard. Streets and drains then became what were known as 'a nuisance'. Kew suffered from bouts of typhoid fever during the 1880s. Derrick Street was a private street on the margin of the business district of Kew and a well-used thoroughfare. We hear first about Derrick Street when the ratepayers applied to Council to have the street 'taken over' in January 1881. The Council agreed, after much debate, but ratepayers had to pay half the costs. The argument of the majority of the Council was that there was an established policy that ratepayers of private streets either had to hand over the street fully-formed or pay half the costs if Council did the work. It was felt that to make an exception for Derrick Street would create a precedent for ratepayers of other private streets. On the other hand the ratepayers, and a minority of Council, believed that there were extenuating circumstances in the case of Derrick Street. They believed that the costing by the Borough Surveyor was excessive. They felt the Council was partly responsible for the state of the street due to a channel on Bulleen Road, which deposited sand in the street. The Council had also put in some kerbing at the entrance to the street. Finally, the ratepayers believed that the street had become an important and convenient thoroughfare in Kew, and thus should be an exception to the policy on private streets. In the end a decision was delayed to allow the ratepayers to drain and form the street themselves. And there the matter stood till September 1882, when Miss Reilly complained about rubbish on a block of land in Derrick Street. So, in October 1882 the Council agreed to take over and form the street with the ratepayers paying half the costs. The ratepayers did not want to pay, so the argument continued in Council into 1883. There was a standoff for a further 18 months, until the problem could no longer be ignored. In October 1884 the Inspector of Nuisances and the Health Officer reported that Derrick Street was a health hazard as there was no drainage outlet for waste water. These reports changed the status of the problem of Derrick Street. It became an issue of public health, and thus the Council, acting as the Local Board of Health, had power to prepare plans and order the ratepayers to drain the street and pay all the costs, or let the Council do the work and charge ratepayers half the costs of the works. By April 1885, the time for ratepayers to complete the works themselves had expired, so the Council proceeded with the work and required ratepayers to pay for their share of the costs. All ratepayers had paid by the end of April except Mr Whiddycombe, who refused to pay. Mr Whiddycombe was warned to pay in October 1885. Legal action was taken against him in November. The Council lost the case on technical grounds. The Council, acting as the Local Board of Health, relaunched the legal action and won. The last we hear of Derrick Street is that seven day’s notice was given to Derrick Street ratepayers to pay for the drainage works in May 1887. We presume that Mr Whiddycombe paid. (Research: Andrew Frost)Rare and historic publication issued by the Board of Health in the Borough of Kew in 1885 to residents of Derrick street regarding the need for proper drainage for the purpose of improving public health.Printed formal notice sent by the Board of Health of the Borough of Kew to landowners in Derrick Street, Kew. The notice advised the owners that they were required to form and drain the street according to the levels and specifications approved by the Board. The letter was sent on January 23rd 1885, and signed by the Inspector of Nuisances.borough of kew -- greater melbourne (vic.), council notices -- public health, derrick street -- kew (vic.)

Newspaper clipping 1968Article calling for tenders for crushed stone, fuel and concrete kerbs and drains.phillip island, tenders for kerbs & drains

Wooden stand . top opens to reveal a basin which drains into a hole underneath.the name Volum is written at the back of the cabinetvolum collection, campaign furniture, seafaring, geelong, whaling, captain, whaler, peterhead, scotland, dry sink, wash stand, sink, james volum

Bluestone gutters are a feature of the Ballarat Central Business District.Colour photograph of a bluestone drain on the corner of Lydiard Street South and Chancery Lane. bluestone, gutter, drain, lydiard street south

South Beach Development looking toward Mal Dorea’s new house from the beach Coloured photograph of rocks and drain on beach looking at unfinished A framed house in backgrounsouth beach, development, mal dorea, house, building, bluestone, beach

Ron Setford and his wife Grace Setford lived in Tanner Avenue, East Kew, from c.1946 to c.1995. A keen photographer, he recorded the changing face of Kew over a 20 year period. Apart from 30 photographs of built structures and places in Kew dating from 1960 and 1961, 145 of his 35mm colour slides chronicle the development of the F19 (later renamed Eastern) Freeway through the Yarra Valley in Kew over a five year period from c.1972 to c.1977. This important collection was donated to the Society by his granddaughter in 2025.This collection of 175 35mm slides is of local and statewide significance, owing to its subject matter, particularly the major development of road transport infrastructure during the 1970s with the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The photographer also took care to annotate and date most of his slides which enable the researcher to pinpoint temporal and spatial locations."Eastern Freeway 6/72 / Kew Main Drain extension under freeway"ron setford, eastern freeway, f19 freeway

Padlock & key, brass, "Jared Old English", "2 Admiralty", "Four Brass Leaders" and "Genuine Solid Brass". On reverse "Jas Morgan & Sons Ltd Justin Square Locksmiths by Appointment" and "Drain" above drain-hole..flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, padlock & key, jared old english, jared, old english, jas morgan & sons ltd, locksmiths by appointment

South Beach DevelopementColoured photograph of Mechanical digger working on rocks digging a drain for South Beach Estatesouth beach, development, digger, bluestone

Part of the Uebergang Collection. Used by the Percy Uebergang family.Cream china soap dish with lid and drainer. The dish has a lip decorated in green with swirling green stripes on body. The lid has a green D-shaped handle with swirling green stripes to match dish. A white china drainer with green rim and 7 drain holes sits on the inside rim. Part of a toilet set consisting of bowl, ewer, soap dish and toothbrush holder.toilet sets, soap dishes, ablutions, allansford, uebergang, toilet sets, soap dishes, ablutions, allansford, uebergang