Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished. During the nineteenth century, the land abutting the south side of the Yarra in Kew was devoted to dairy farming. In the twentieth century, before and after the construction of the Eastern Freeway, much of this low-lying area was used as golf courses and public parks.Late example of the capacity of the Yarra Valley at Kew to flood, even though drainage works and the Upper Yarra Reservoir had reduced their regularity.Original black and white print photograph of the low-lying land at East Kew under floodwater on 16 May 1974. The photograph is of Hyde Park looking north-east.Annotation verso: "Hyde Park looking nth-east / Flood Level / 16 May 1974 11.15am / R.L. 46.61"floods, yarra river, hyde park

Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished. During the nineteenth century, the land abutting the south side of the Yarra in Kew was devoted to dairy farming. In the twentieth century, before and after the construction of the Eastern Freeway, much of this low-lying area was used as golf courses and public parks.Late example of the capacity of the Yarra Valley at Kew to flood, even though drainage works and the Upper Yarra Reservoir had reduced their regularity.Original black and white print photograph of the low-lying land at East Kew under floodwater on 16 May 1974. The photograph is taken from 43 Kellett Grove.Annotation verso: "Kellett Gve No.43 / Flood Level / 16 May 1974 11.40am"floods, yarra river, kellett grove

On a summer's day in 1891 Sean O'Day, Horse Breaker on James MacLough's "Gooloora" Station, is driving the Scots pastoralist in to the railhead at Overton after his annual inspection of that property. Silent and mature for his age, Sean was born in a dray while it was crossing the river during a flood, and has remained at home in it. Because he is always moving by dawn he is known in the borderland as Daylight O'Day. When MacLough asks him what he will be doing on the morrow O'Day replies that he will be manager. Questioned, he suggests that MacLough realises the background to his joke in that the station hands will, that night, celebrate the passing of the Boss's inspection. As they will have hangovers tomorrow all the work will naturally fall to himself, a teetotaller. MacLough nods assent, but, instead of leaving on the train, books a room for the night and a livery gig for the morrow, and drives himself to Gooloora early next morning. D.J. Martin as O'Day, H.S. Diffey as MacLough.The album and images are significant because they document literature written by a prominent member of the Wodonga community. The presentation of this precis was supported by several significant district families and individuals.Ringer's River Album Coloured photo Plate 1des martin, many a mile, ringer's river, northeast victoria stories