1860: Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. 1884: Kew Town Hall was extended and the library transferred to a room on the upper floor. This was not an ideal arrangement as the room was required for Council purposes. 1904: A cottage adjoining Kew Town Hall was purchased for use as a library. 1937: The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. 1973: When the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. 1987: Kew Library moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Gardens. The library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987 by the Mayor of Kew, Cr James Tutt. (Source: Boroondara Library Service)Early original photograph of a children's library service taken by a notable Melbourne photographerOriginal photograph, in original frame, of the Junior Section of the Kew Public Library in Walpole Street, Kew. The photograph was taken by Stuart Tompkins who was the photographer of choice by the City of Kew from the 1930s to the 1960s. The details of the photograph are inscribed on the water-damaged mount, with the photographers signature at lower right. . "Junior Section, Kew Public Library, May 15th 1945"kew public library, photographers - c. stuart tompkins - camberwell (vic), children's libraries

1860: Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. 1884: Kew Town Hall was extended and the library transferred to a room on the upper floor. This was not an ideal arrangement as the room was required for Council purposes. 1904: A cottage adjoining Kew Town Hall was purchased for use as a library. 1937: The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. 1973: When the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. 1987: Kew Library moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Gardens. The library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987 by the Mayor of Kew, Cr James Tutt. (Source: Boroondara Library Services)Historically and socially significant set of regulations governing the use of the children's library in Kew in the early 1950sOriginal framed rules and regulations of the junior section of the Kew Library, dated 16.6.1953, authorised by the Mayor (W.E.R. Hope) and Town Clerk (W.D.Birrell). The document also lists opening hours of the Kew and East Kew branches.kew public library - kew (vic), kew public library - east kew (vic), city of kew - library guidelines

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

Souvenir probably bought by an Australian soldier in the 2nd A.I.F., and brought back to Australia as a souvenir.Rectangular blue faded to grey velveteen water damaged textile with a plain white cotton backing with a red fringe. The front of the textile is embroidered in red, yellow, blue and white chain stitch. It shows two palms flanking the Mosque of Omar lower centre with three camels and a man on a horse below, Rachel's Tomb with tree upper left and David's Tower upper right."Souvenir of Palestine"; "Rachels tomb"; "Mosque of Omar"; "David's Tower"second world war 1939-1945, table cover, palestine, 2nd aif, souvenir, textiles - embroideries, wwi

Inkwell and stand used at the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.Wrought iron inkstand consisting of two heavy glass ink wells with china inserts and one iron lid. Base:Rd.No. 519422. Lid:Rd.No.512422. inkwell, inkstand, writing equipment, denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic)

It was common for ladies to embroider household textiles in the early 20th century. These could be made from purchased kits or pattern books. They may form part of a trousseau Circular knitted white doily with petit point embroidered on net centre. doilys, household textiles

Photograph of the first Kew Mayoral Ball to be held after the Second World War. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. A group portrait of attendees at the 1947 Kew Mayoral Ball, held in 1947 at the Hawthorn Town Hall. In the second row, centre are the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr WHS Dickinson and Mrs Doris Dickinson. Also in the photo are the acting Town Clerk of Kew, Bill Graham (3rd row at left), two flower girls, Judith and Janet Dickinson, and debutantes with their partners. Mr Ron Dickinson, the son of the Mayor and Mayoress is standing in the back row at left. The photograph is in a beige card folder embossed with the words "Portrait by C. Stuart Tompkins, Camberwell". The internal framing mount is signed in pencil with: "C Stuart Tompkins, Camberwell". 1947cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic), mayoral balls - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the seated invited guests at the dinner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the declaration of Kew as an independent municipality. The point of view is from the south end of the building, looking towards the stage at the north end of the main hall. [Originally both halls could be separated or joined by concertina doors.] On the stage, centre, is from left Mr. W. Birrell [Town Clerk], Cr WHS Dickinson [the Mayor], and The Rt Hon Robert Menzies, MP for Kew and Prime Minister of Australia.cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic), centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960

Carlton Refuge/Carlton Home was established in 1857 in Madeline Street, Carlton (relocating in 1890 to Keppel Street, Carlton). The Carlton Home provided maternity care for married and unmarried mothers, and residential care for infants and toddlers unable to be at home with their mother. It also operated a day-care centre for children. Most of the residents were mothers or children on private placements. The Children's Welfare Department used the Carlton Home as a maternity home for wards, a foster home for infant wards, and for children requiring placements under the infant life protection provisions of the Children's Welfare Act. By the late 1940s, the home was in a bad state of repair and it closed in 1949. In 1951, the facility reopened as the Queen Elizabeth Maternal and Child Health Centre that also operated as an Infant Welfare and Mothercraft Training School. The Centre provided after-care for nursing mothers and babies transferring from maternity hospitals, and specialised care for babies referred by private practitioners and the Social Welfare Department – babies who were premature, frail or had feeding or similar problems. (Source: DHHS)The photograph is a valuable primary resource relating to training for maternal and infant welfare centres in Kew, Victoria. It has a strong provenance through inscriptions linking it to the Denmark Street Maternal and Child Health Centre.Photograph, mounted on card of Infant Welfare Trainees and Staff, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 1956. The photograph lists the names of the individuals below the photograph. They include: Back Row {L-R] M Whittenbury, M Bolton, E Haebich, G Barnard, M Griffiths / Middle Row [L-R] L Stevenson, T Boucher, M Madden, J Price, A Glowrey, R Helmore, M Murfet, M Lindsay / Front Row [L-R] R Buxton, W Crick, G Stott, M Buxton Matron, J Keogh, B Longmuir, E Borgelt.Obverse: Infant Welfare Trainees and Staff, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, July School 1956 Reverse: "Presented to Kew Historical Soc by Dr Darbyshire following a 50 year birthday display at the Denmark Street Maternal and Child Health Centre [Kew] in May 1980. [Illegible]."denmark street maternal and child health centre, baby health centres --- kew (vic), queen elizabeth hospital, infant welfare

The first Kew Municipal baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of an architectural drawing of the proposed Kew Recreation Centrekew municipal baths, kew recreation centre

The first Kew Municipal baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic)

The first Kew Municipal baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The tee-shirt was given to Glenn Littlechild after his birth at St George's Hospital in Cotham Road, Kew on 22 July 1988. His parents were Sue and Les Littlechild. 1988 was the year of the Australian Bi-Centennial and the item may have been produced for babies born in that year.White cotton tee-shirt with a slogan and picture printed centre front, produced by St George's Hospital."I'M A ST GEORGES BABY'st george's hospital - kew, tee-shirts, hospitals -- kew (vic.)

The site on the north side of High Street, Kew, on the corner of Disraeli Street is now the location of the Kew Recreation Centre. The current (as of 2020) swimming pool was formerly situated further west on the site but was relocated closer to Disraeli Street during the 1980s. Previously, this was the site of a Kew Council depot, and before that a horse tram shed. The horse tram (1887-1914) ran from the Victoria Street Bridge to the entrance of the Boroondara General Cemetery. Rusted horse shoe, excavated from the site of the Kew Recreation Centre on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in Kew. The shoe was donated by Mr Poulter, City Engineer, City of Kew. The shoe may have been made for one of the horses that pulled the Kew Horse Tram or one of the Council depot horses.horse tram - kew (vic), archaeological items - kew (vic), horse shoes, kew recreation centre, council depots - kew (vic), tram sheds - kew (vic)

Most likely the original photo was taken at or around the time of the official opening of the baby health centre. The building is located in Windella Avenue, Kew East and is still extant. The photo is taken in front of the front verandah of the building. This print is on Kodak photo paper, likely printed circa 1978. The East Kew Baby Health Centre was the first such centre built in the former City of Kew, and one of the first in Victoria. Few photos of the building at the time of its establishment are known. Reproduction print of black and white photograph of group of mothers and their babies, with nurse, in front of health centre.Reverse: "East Kew Baby Health Centre". kew east, baby health centre, windella avenue, maternal health, nursing

The North Kew Centre was the third established at North Kew. It followed a lease of a house at 50 Willsmere Road. The Peel Street building was designed by Mr Chipperfield. Messrs McIntosh and Taylor were the successful tenderers, the price being 1,240 pounds. The North Kew Baby Health Centre was finally opened on 18 June 1930 in the presence of the mayor, councillors and citizens of Kew, and representatives of the Infant Welfare Council. A report in The Age of 19 June described the opening in detail as well as the features of the new Centre. These included: "The rooms ... filled with flowers, pink and mauve hydrangeas and native heath, and the walls are adorned, with a charming frieze, representing windmills, flocks and a fairy tale goose girl. On the walls are hygiene editions of the funniest of Belloc's "Cautionary Tales" revised as posters, Outside there is promise of a gay garden, and a lovely view of green fields sloping to a shining bend of the river." Early photographic record of the opening of an early baby health centre in Kew.[Badly damaged] black and white photograph of the opening of the North Kew Baby Health Centre in Peel Street. The photo is mounted on card, and shows mothers and their children on the veranda, and officials at right. The latter includes the Mayoress and probably Vera Scantlebury. All mothers wear hats as do most of the children. [When the photograph was presented to the Society in 1979, it was described in the first Acquisitions Register as framed. Some time after that it was removed from its frame and badly broken. A separate photocopy of the original photograph is also held in the collection.]Earliest inscription: "Peel Street Health Centre / Official Opening 1930 / donated by Sr Costello and Sr Bewish [sic] 1979 / Copy purchased by ..... for Centre". Old Accession number in Texta: "KH-133 Kew Historical Society". Separate later label: "Opening North Kew Baby Health centre 1930". north kew baby health centre, peel street (kew), baby health centres - kew (vic)

Kites created by Helen Bushell, Kew resident for many years, and a pioneer of kite-flying world-wide. Kites are hand-made, mainly by Helen, and many were flown in local parks of Kew. Documents provide some background to the collection, and a set of photographs, which was used in an exhibition at Hawthorn Arts Centre, help to identify the kites and where they were flown. Individual items include: 2019.0047.01 - Make Mine Fly, Vol. 1 - book of instructions for making kites fly 2019.0047.02 - School Kites - book of 14 kite designs 2019.0047.03 - Helen Bushell Reaching for the sky (exhibition catalogue, 2017) 2019.0047.04 - Hansard (Victoria) Documents - statement by Natalie Hutchins, Minister for Local Government 2019.0047.06 - "Evolution" Trefoils - collection of advertisements for kites for sale 2019.0047.05 - Kite event badges on blue cotton sash (20 badges and name-tags) 2019.0047.07- Kite honours and B.A. Deakin plus Original Patents (Australian, British and U.S.) 2019.0047.08 - Helen Bushell, 1922- A Life in Kiting (28 panels mounted on board, showing photographs of Helen Bushell's kites, for exhibition in Hawthorn Arts Centre, 2017) 2019.0047.09 - 1986 Year of Peace Dove - paper pattern (15 copies + dowel rod) 2019.0047.010 - "Peace Dove" pattern August 1995 2019.0047.011 - Collection of drawings, patterns, poem, newsletters, etc. 2019.0047.012 - "Small birds" paper patterns 2019.0047.013 - Remake of old head "Fluted Sled" 2017 HB: nylon kite in heavy cotton bag 2019.0047.014 - Long yellow tail suitable for Rainbow Serpent 1992 2019.0047.015 - Long blue tail for Rainbow Serpent 1992 2019.0047.016 - Moth c. 1975 2019.0047.017 - Hand-held peace dove (used for Helen Bushell's memorial 2017) 2019.0047.018 - "Song for Bill" kite 2019.0047.019 - 7-point clown kite Kites and associated documents belonging to Helen Bushell have local significance for Kew, as many were flown in the area. They have artistic significance in their representation of Australian indigenous, Chinese, New Guinea and other cultural symbols. Among the documents are poems, books on kite-flying written by Helen Bushell, badges and cards from international conferences, and Australian, British and American patents for kite design. One kite shows an aerodynamically-designed keel which helped to improve safety for hang-gliders.Australian Kite Society, Helen Bushell collection of kite-related material, including kites, photographs, documents, badges, etc.australian kite society, helen bushell