At the beginning of the 1890s, the Kew businessman and Town Councillor, Henry Kellett, commissioned J.F.C. Farquhar to photograph scenes of Kew. These scenes included panoramas as well as pastoral scenes. The resulting set of twelve photographs was assembled in an album, Kew Where We Live, from which customers could select images for purchase.The preamble to the album describes that the photographs used the ‘argentic bromide’ process, now more commonly known as the gelatine silver process. This form of dry plate photography allowed for the negatives to be kept for weeks before processing, hence its value in landscape photography. The resulting images were considered to be finely grained and everlasting. Evidence of the success of Henry Kellett’s venture can be seen today, in that some of the photographs are held in national collections.It is believed that the Kew Historical Society’s copy of the Kellett album is unique and that the photographs in the book were the first copies taken from the original plates. It is the first and most important series of images produced about Kew. The individual images have proved essential in identifying buildings and places of heritage value in the district.Hyde Park is now a small recreation reserve bordered by Willsmere and Kilby Roads and White Avenue. In 1982, Hyde Park was cut off from the Yarra River by the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The building of the latter was to transform the natural landscape, including the Yarra, as well as Hyde Park. The construction of the Freeway makes it difficult to view the scene with the photographer’s eye. Today’s Hyde Park is located on land purchased in 1847 by John Cowell, and in 1851 Catherine Cowell, yet the scene selected by the photographer may well have been located on farmland owned by the Wills family. Farquhar’s point-of-view emphasises both the pastoral and recreational elements of the scene: the grazing cows, three boys, and in the distance two figures, seated on the bank with a parasol. By 1891, an environmental consequence of human activity, including farming, was deforestation, leading to the erosion of the south bank of the Yarra. In contrast, the land on the Alphington side of the river in 1891 included remnant bushland.The Yarra in Hyde Parkkew illustrated, kew where we live, photographic books, henry kellett, yarra river

Sports Clubs in Kew in the final decades of the 19th century and in the early 20th century were often umbrella organisations with facilities for a number of sports. Typically in Kew, this included teams in lawn bowls, tennis and croquet. The Kew Bowling Club was formed in 1880 while the privately owned Auburn Heights Recreation Club was opened in 1904. By 1998, the two Clubs decided to amalgamate at the Auburn Heights site in Barkers Road, forming the Kew Heights Sports Club. The combined club was itself taken over by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2012 becoming MCC Kew Sports Club. In 2017 MCC Kew closed and its landholding was subsequently sold to Carey Baptist Grammar School. Both the Kew and Auburn Heights Clubs assembled important collections. These historically significant and large collections were donated to the Society in 2020. The collections include manuscripts, pictures, trophies, plans, honour boards etc. References Barnard FGA 1910, 'Sports and Pastimes' in Jubilee History of Kew Victoria: Its origin & progress 1803-1910. Chapman J & C 1999, The history of the Auburn Heights Recreation Club, 1904 to 1908. Reeve S 2012, City of Boroondara: Thematic Environmental History, p.216.The combined collections of the four sporting clubs making up the collection number hundreds of items that are historically significant locally. They are also significant to the sporting history of the greater Melbourne area and to the sports of lawn bowls and tennis in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection illuminates two of the Victorian historic themes - 'Building community life' through forming community organisations and 'Shaping cultural and creative life' by participating in sport and recreation.Small trophy shield. Recreational Achievement Award, presented by the City of Kew to the Auburn Heights Women's Tennis Team, August 1978. [The item forms part of the large historic Auburn Heights Recreation Club collection, with items relating to the sports of lawn bowls, tennis and croquet, gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2020].auburn heights tennis club - barkers road - kew (vic)

This book was written by Dr. Geulah Solomon.Single publication combining Volumes 1-4 of "Caulfield's Heritage" by Dr Geulah Solomon. Red hardcover book with gold embossed lettering down spine which reads 'Caulfield's Heritage Solomon' and post-1975 City of Caulfield Ensign. Housed in hardcover red sleeve. Includes Volume 1: Caulfield's Building Heritage, Volume 2: Caulfield's Cultural Heritage, Volume 3: Caulfield's Recreational Heritage, Volume 4: Caufield's Recent Municipal Heritage.

Sir Edward Mitchell was the chairman of the Edward Wilson trust, which enabled the building of the Braille Library during a time of great economic turbulence due to the last months of World War 1. This commemorative trowel was given to him in thanks for his (and the trust's support) of the project, which would ultimately provide a great resource to blinded soldiers who were prepared and able to learn Braille. In addition to the area housing the Braille collection itself, an entrance hall, reading room, secretarial office and hall also provided space for reading, administration of the collection and opportunities for social or recreational activities.1 silver plated trowel with handle inside boxPresented to Sir Edward Mitchell K.C., K.C.M.C. on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the new library for the Victorian Association of Braille Writers October 28th 1918. (Inside box lid: By Special Appointment Harrison Bros & Howson, Sheffield, England Cutlers to His Majesty)victorian association of braille writers, sir edward wilson

This painting of Lake Wendouree gives an accurate idea of activities at the Lake in 1873.This newspaper print of the painting is historically important in giving a clear idea of the environs, recreational activities and the people visiting Lake Wendouree in1873.1 large sheet in colour of a painting, oil on canvas entitled Lake Wendouree, by Thomas Thompson.Lefthand corner, to celebrate the Ballarat Courier's 140 years. Righthand corner, restored for the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.john garner, doctor john garner, ballarat botanical gardens, friends of ballarat botanical gardens, lake wendouree, thomas thompson, ballarat fine art gallery, ballarat courier, john garner collection, gardens, ballarat

number in album 03516.02Black and white photograph group of people at work in progress building for Aquatic Centre, Marlene Battista, Joan Mitchelson, Ailsa Caratairs among group. Lakes Entrance Victoriavolunteering, recreational facilities

Date made June 1991Black and white photograph of work in progress during the development of the recreational area beside Cunninghame Arm. It shows three men building a shelter fence, to protect proposed plantings of native trees and shrubs. Lakes Entrance Victoria vegetation, waterfront