Several boathouses were built in Kew and Fairfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They included Chipperfield’s ‘Moorings’ and floating pontoon. The substantial two-storey house was named the Moorings, and incorporated an upper storey residence. The Moorings was almost washed away in the 1916 floods, and in 1934 almost totally submerged when the Yarra River rose 26 feet in 14 hours. Following the 1934 flood, the house was restored. The floating pontoon, sometimes referred to as a ‘kiosk’ or ‘canteen’, was used to store canoes. Both were removed in 1972 for the construction of the Eastern Freeway.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Chipperfield's Floating Canteen (also known as the pontoon) on the Yarra River. at North Kew The children wading in the river are believed to be the three sons of Dorothy Rogers."Chipperfield's Floating Canteen & house in background. At extreme right - observe channel where Connors Creek flows in."chipperfield's boat house, river yarra, dorothy rogers, floods 1916, 1934

Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floods in North Kew, 1934. Chipperfield's Boathouse and the adding Moorings was located beside the Yarra River near the corner of Willsmere and Kilby Roads. The flood reached the roof of the Moorings, which can be seen in the photo.floods (kew), floods (kew) 1934, yarra river

Original, black and white positive print which the inscription on the reverse incorrectly claims is of Kew during the 1934 floods. The date may be 1934, but there is no evidence of flood waters or of location. The photo is of an intersection with a hotel on the corner in front of which a man is standing. The hotel would appear to be named Russell['s] Hotel. There is also an advertisement for Willys on the hotel verandah. Inscribed verso: "Yarra Floods Kew 1934" unidentified locations

Black and white photograph of Bell street, Yarra Glen, taken in December 1934 from the tower of the Grand Hotel, looking south towards the railway crossing, during the floods. The Victoria Hall is the building in the centre of the photograph. Directly behind the Victoria Hall, the roof of 'River View' guest house can be seen. The Shell Garage, operated by Les Orenshaw, on the left of the photograph was originally built and occupied as a peg factory.The view extends from Bell street across the river flats with the high ground of Chateau Yering in the background. Bell Street is defined by the street trees where the water covers the road in the foreground grand hotel, victoria hall, bell street, floods 1934, 1934 flood, railway crossing, river view, guest house, shell garage, peg factory, river flats, chateau yering, les orenshaw, street trees

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the river ramp of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Beyond the fence line are two almost submerged houses. A number of people are in a motor driven boat midstream. Fairfield at this period, (ie 1934) was noted for its limited river side development. Verso: 2/12/34 / TAKEN FROM OUR RAMPyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1929, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Floodwaters have submerged the fence and a clothes line. Verso: BACKYARD NTH. KEWyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Verso: 8 KELLETT GROVEyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Verso: OUR BACKYARD 8 KELLETT GROVEyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters taken from near Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. In the foreground ar two men in a rowboat.Verso: OUR BACKYARD / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters taken from near Willsmere Road, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is looking towards Fairfield. In the foreground are two figures viewing a group in a rowboat in the middle of the flooded river. Semi-submerged street lighting indicates that entire streets had been. overwhelmed by the flood waters. Verso: WILLSMERE ROAD NORTH KEW / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters in North Kew. The point of view is of two houses belonging to local families that were surrounded by floodwater. Verso: HYATTS HOUSE / WILLSMERE ROAD / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters in North Kew, from the rear of 8 Kellett Grove. Verso: OUR BACKYARD / Stamped 52yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Vivid photograph contrasting domestic life and relationships with natural disasters such as the flood of 1934.Small sepia snapshot of a grandfather and granddaughter sitting in the backyard of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew, with the floodwaters stretching behind them.Verso: GRANDDAD AND I IN BACKYARDyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Vivid photograph contrasting domestic life and relationships with natural disasters such as the flood of 1934.Small sepia snapshot of the donors grandfather rescuing the family dog's kennel from rising floodwaters at the rear of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew, .Verso: DAD SECURING NIPPY'S DOG KENNEL / Stamped 6414yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of a local family's house in what was then River Avenue, North Kew being surrounded by floodwaters.Verso: THE SIDE OF RYANSyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of what was then River Avenue, North Kew submerged by floodwaters.The photo was taken in the vicinity of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew. Verso: TAKEN FROM OUR STREET JUST SEE A BIT OF RYAN'S FENCE / 1934yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of the devastation caused by the 1934 flood.The photo was taken in the vicinity of Kellett Grove, North Kew and includes the roof of Chipperfield's Boathouse as well as other local houses.Verso: THIS IS CHIPPERFIELD'S BOAT SHEDS & COES & WILLIAMS TAKEN FROM OUR STREET / 1934yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, chipperfields boathouse

Orchard in flood, shows uprooted trees.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Orchard in flood: small shed in the centre.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Orchard in flood: an irrigation ? Pipe is showing. Yarra River broke its bank on the night of 30.11.1934.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934

Orchard in flood: shows uprooted trees.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit trees

Orchard after flood: shows damage to the soil. Enlarged photograph.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, soil

Orchard after flood: shows single fruit tree surrounded by water. Enlargement.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit tree

Orchard after flood: shows uprooted trees.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit trees

Orchard after flood: shows close up of uprooted trees.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit trees

Orchard after flood: shows close up of uprooted trees.orchard, yarra river, floods, 1934, fruit trees

CRESWICK CREEK FLOODED IN 1934. AFTER VERY HEAVY RAINS UP STREAM - WATER REACHED SOLDIER'S MONUMENT AND BACK STREET.BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF CRESWICK CREEK IN FLOOD. BUTTER FACTORY BRIDGE WITH WATER THREE QUARTERS UP PYLONS. 1934 FLOODS. TREES IN QUEEN'S PARK IN BACKGROUND.local history, photography, photographs, bridges

Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floods in North Kew, 1934. Vicinity of Willsmere Park.floods (kew)