One of a series of photographs donated by the City Engineer of the former City of Kew, relating to road works. The photos variably include council workers, signage and equipment.One of a series of photographs of core local government services as practised by the City of Kew. The photographs are an accurate record of street works of the period.Original black and white photographic positive of a right-of-way at the rear of houses in Parkhill Road and Lalla street, Kew. The right-of-way is overgrown preventing access or egress."ROW AT REAR OF PROPERTIES / PARKHILL RD / LALLA ST / JULY '73"city of kew, local government -- city of kew, right-of-ways -- kew (vic.), lanes -- kew (vic.), parkhill road, lalla street, council works

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes.A roughly drawn and faded actual or projected subdivision of a parcel of land bordering on High and Mary Streets. The plan shows five allotments facing High Street and at their rear, another allotment facing Mary Street. In 1906, when the Board of Works surveyors completed Detail Plan 1589, the allotment in Mary Street is shown to include a building. The section of land attached to this building is shown to be undeveloped, thus making a further subdivision possible.subdivision plans - kew, high street -- kew (vic.), mary street -- kew (vic.)

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.)

The Kew Historical Society's Pictures Collection is comprised of photographs, postcards and original works of art. The postcards include original (mainly) images dating from the 1900s to the present. A number of postcards, some of which have numerous variants, were published as parts of series. Others are original images customised as postcards. Many of the postcards in the collection depict places within the suburbs of Kew and Kew East. Others depict locations in Victoria or internationally.View of two women and two children in a canoe at Macauleys' Boat Shed at the end of Molesworth Street, Kew. At the left of the image stands a man and his dog, presumably the manager of the boat shed. On the bak of the seat of one of the canoes is its name - sunbeam. Another item in the collection includes one of these name boards."Lower Molesworth Street, 1900. Home restored still standing 1980."postcards, recreation - yarra river - kew (vic), yarra river - kew (vic), macauley's boat house -- boat shed

The Kew Historical Society's Pictures Collection is comprised of photographs and original works of art. The photographs include original (mainly) images dating from the 1870s to the present. A number of these photographs derive from the former City of Kew's Civic Collection while others are the work of amateur and professional photographers. Most of the images in the collection depict people, places and objects within the suburbs of Kew and Kew East. Other photographs depict other locations in Melbourne and Victoria. A number of the photographs are of statewide and/or national significance.View from junction of High and Strathalbyn Sts., Kew East, looking approximately west toward Cemetery, October 1977. Inscription reverse: "KH-72. View from junction of High St. & Strathalbyn Sts, Kew E. Looking approx. west, towards Cemetery. October 1977."high street -- kew (vic.), streetscapes -- kew (vic.)

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, South Road, Moorabbin, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph of South Road, Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east depicts steel poles with two lamps in a median strip and supply wires from pole to pole. The poles were described as 100′ apart. The notation on the rear of the photograph was that there were lamps along the median strip except at intersections. A wooden pole is recognised as supporting heavy supply lines across the road. The steel poles in the photograph were said to be between 3′ to 3.5′ whereas the wooden poles were three to 12.25″ in diameter. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.] Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.2 South Road - Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east. Steel poles with two lamps in median strip and supply wires from pole to pole along median strip (poles only 100' apart). Lamps along median only except at intersections. Wooden pole supports heavy supply lines across the road. Wooden poles 3' up and 8 1/2" dia. Wooden poles 3' up and 12 1/2 dia." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."public infrastructure -- kew (vic.), city of kew - engineers department

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, South Road, Moorabbin, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph of South Road, Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east depicts steel poles with two lamps in a median strip and supply wires from pole to pole. The poles were described as 100′ apart. The notation on the rear of the photograph was that there were lamps along the median strip except at intersections. A wooden pole is recognised as supporting heavy supply lines across the road. The steel poles in the photograph were said to be between 3′ to 3.5′ whereas the wooden poles were three to 12.25″ in diameter. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.] Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.2 South Road - Moorabbin, west of Jasper Road, looking east. Steel poles with two lamps in median strip and supply wires from pole to pole along median strip (poles only 100' apart). Lamps along median only except at intersections. Wooden pole supports heavy supply lines across the road. Wooden poles 3' up and 8 1/2" dia. Wooden poles 3' up and 12 1/2 dia." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."city of kew -- engineers department, public infrastructure -- kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.THE CHAIRMEN AND COMMISSIONERS / OF THE MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS / REQUEST THE / PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / Mr W D Birrell / AT THE / OPENING OF THE UPPER YARRA RESERVOIR / BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA / GENERAL SIR DALLAS BROOKS KCB KCMG KCVO DSO KStJ / ON TUESDAY, 26TH NOVEMBER, 1957, AT 2 O'CLOCK P.M. / RSVP TO THE SECRETARY, 110 SPENCER STREET, MELBOURNE, C1, BEFORE 8TH NOVEMBER, 1957civic invitations -- kew (vic), melbourne & metropolitan board of works, upper yarra reservoir

Cover shows Collins Street with tram, Town Hall and Manchester Unity building. [24] p. : all ill. (some col.) ; 22 x 27 cmnon-fictionPictorial tourist folio of the City of Melbourne including black and white and colour photographsmelbourne (vic.) -- pictorial works, christian-washfold collection

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) was established by an act of the Victorian Parliament in 1890 to prepare for and to implement a sewerage and water reticulation system across what was then inner Melbourne, its surrounding and middle distance suburbs, including Kew. The MMBW was disbanded in 1991.The map collection of the Kew Historical Society has at its core the historic maps assembled and originally stored in the City Engineer's Department of the City of Kew. These include maps in a number of scales. The vast majority of maps were produced by the MMBW in the first two decades of the twentieth century, and are solid working maps, backed by linen for durability. These maps are historically significant to Kew, the City of Boroondara and to the history of the development of state utilities in Victoria. A number of the Kew maps have additional details added by former municipal officers, including the levels reached by various floods. As these were working documents, information was added to them long after the period of their initial production and distribution.Map of the City of Kew showing part of the River Yarra Beautification Schemes. The map shows development to date and the flood levels reached in 1923 and 1924. This map may have been adapted from an earlier map, as most development in central Kew and Studley Park had occurred by this date yet numerous streets are not represented. Public buildings and institutions are clearly represented and named on the map as are significant public transport infrastructure (eg the Outer Circle railway).MELBOURNE AND METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS / RIVER YARRA BEAUTIFICATION SCHEMES / SCHEME / SCALE 10 CHAINS TO AN INCHmelbourne & metropolitan board of works, mmbw maps, mmbw plans, city of kew, flood levels -- kew (vic.), cartography

Colour transparency (slide) created in June 1976 during a tour by the Junior National Trust, which was led by members of Kew Historical Society. The collection of 21 slides reveals that the tour covered all parts of Kew, but focused understandably on heritage buildings and sites.Image of an historic place in Kew that can be dated to an exact time and place. The images, albeit amateurish in composition, frequently reveal aspects of important buildings and sites that have changed over time.35mm colour transparency of the former Kew Police Station (closed 2002) in High Street, Kew. The original structure was built as a house for the resident police sergeant and his family. Offices and a cell block were located at the rear of this building. The Queen Anne revival style employed by the Department of Public Works architects, favoured the use of red brick highlighted by stucco. The painted white stucco is not the original colour. The building is part of a suite of public offices opened in 1888.public offices -- kew (vic.), police stations -- kew (vic.)

One of two slides of roadworks being undertaken within the City of Kew in 1997. The colour of some slides has degraded.35mm colour transparency (slide) of a tram (no 48) in High Street, Kew, in 1977 during roadworks taking place opposite the Boroondara General Cemetery.trams -- kew (vic.), public works -- kew (vic.), road works -- kew (vic.)

One of two slides of roadworks being undertaken within the City of Kew in 1997. The colour of some slides has degraded.35mm colour transparency (slide) of a suburban street in Kew or Kew East. The roadworks in 1977 involved re-laying or replacing the bluestone gutters.public works -- kew (vic.), road works -- kew (vic.), gutters -- kew (vic.)

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including in this instance, street beautification.Kew City Council workers installing planter boxes in High Street, Kew. Junction in distance at left.street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.)

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of public parking in South Melbourne, perhaps used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), south melbourne, carparks, signs

Frederick J. Robinson, a manufacturer, was the owner and occupier of a nine-roomed brick house by at least 1934. At that date the N.A.V. for the property was £270 while in the following year the N.A.V. increased to £350 with a note of 'additions' being made, recorded in the Rate Books. By December 1936 Robinson's house was being described as having twelve rooms and an N.A.V. of £295. The works were undertaken for Robinson by the leadng architect, Harold Desbrowe Annear, and appear to have been a comprehensive remodelling of the Victorian house on the site, the outline of which was clearly depicted in the MMBW plan of 1903. 'Fairview' is of significance as a comprehensive remodelling of a Vietorian house undertaken in the 1930s by the leading architect of the time, Harold Desbrowe Annear. The 1930s are integral to the significance of the whole. (Kew Conservation Study, 1988)Colour photographic positive of Cluny Convent (formerly 'Fairview') remodelled by the architect Harold Desbrowe Annear in the mid 1930s. cluny convent -- kew (vic.), fairview -- 34 wrixon street -- kew (vic.), harold desbrowe annear

Frederick J. Robinson, a manufacturer, was the owner and occupier of a nine-roomed brick house by at least 1934. At that date the N.A.V. for the property was £270 while in the following year the N.A.V. increased to £350 with a note of 'additions' being made, recorded in the Rate Books. By December 1936 Robinson's house was being described as having twelve rooms and an N.A.V. of £295. The works were undertaken for Robinson by the leadng architect, Harold Desbrowe Annear, and appear to have been a comprehensive remodelling of the Victorian house on the site, the outline of which was clearly depicted in the MMBW plan of 1903. 'Fairview' is of significance as a comprehensive remodelling of a Vietorian house undertaken in the 1930s by the leading architect of the time, Harold Desbrowe Annear. The 1930s are integral to the significance of the whole. (Kew Conservation Study, 1988)Colour photographic positive of Cluny Convent (formerly 'Fairview') remodelled by the architect Harold Desbrowe Annear in the mid 1930s. cluny convent -- kew (vic.), fairview -- 34 wrixon street -- kew (vic.), harold desbrowe annear

The Yarra Scenic Boulevard stretching from Hawthorn to the Chandler Highway was completed as a major project between 1933 and 1936 during a period of significant unemployment. Key dates in the construction this section the road include: 1933 when Kew Council supported the construction of the road from Studley Park to the Kew Asylum; and 1936 when the road from the Johnston Street Bridge to the Chandler Highway was opened. The inscription on the reverse of the photo 'Boulevard Fairfield' is misleading as there is no section of the Boulevard in Fairfield. A more likely interpretation is that it is a photograph of the Kew section of the Yarra Boulevard with the factories of Fairfield in the distance.Rare early photograph of the Yarra Boulevard, taken one year after the opening of the road. The photograph is an important historical record of the results of 'Susso' labor in the creation of major works in Melbourne by the Victorian Government. Original, black and white positive print of the Boulevard at Kew in 1937. Key aspects to note about the photograph is that the road is bituminised; that the gutters are concreted; that the kerb is constructed of concrete blocks; and that there is an unmade footpath on what appears to be the right hand side of the road. The landscape is sparsely treed, and those trees that remain are presumably remnant vegetation. At the right, the land is fenced. The land at the left falls away sharply to the river below. On the horizon, at left, there is an industrial complex including a tall chimney that is burning fuel creating smoke. "Boulevard Fairfield" great depression, susso projects, roads -- kew (vic.), yarra boulevard, yarra valley

The Engineer's Department of the former City of Kew had an extensive collection of photograph of sites in Kew requiring documentation to inform public works. It also kept images of engineering practice in other parts of Melbourne, and overseas, that could be used as models for local activity. Many of these photographs (and plans) were donated to our collection in the 1980s. A number of the photographs are annotated, either on the image itself or on the reverse.This photograph, and others sourced from the City Engineer's Department of the former City of Kew, qualifies as an important record of local streets, public works, street beautification, and engineering techniques of the period. Original black and white photographic positive of automobiles and buildings in Denmark Street, Kew, immediately before the road enters Kew Junction. On the left is McKeon Motors and a retailer of Insulwool, while in the distance is the pharmacy on the corner of High Street and Princess Street (later demolished during the widening of Kew Junction). Notable are the bluestone guttering and what appears to be vacant land on the apex of the triangle of land bounded by High Street South, Denmark Street and Barkers Road. This site was the original location of O'Shaughnessy's 'Kew Hotel', and after the destruction by fire of the latter, the location of a service station. [It is now the site of the Cresco Reserve].Annotation verso: "Indicating the existence of a vehicular entrance at Denmark St abuttal of No.188 High St prior to reconstruction of channeling &c 1972."denmark street -- kew (vic.), kew junction, luestone gutters, mckeon motors, insulwool

Photograph of a footpath in High Street Kew, probably donated by the City of Kew's Engineer's Department.Small, original colour positive [polaroid] photograph of the footpath on the north side of High Street, Kew, looking towards Kew Junction from the vicinity of the Greyhound Hotel."Looking back from pub / High St footpath / 22/8/89"high street -- kew (vic.), street works, footpaths

William Nichols Anderson (1873-1927) was an Australian painter, one of whose works from the 1906 series River + Rail is in the Kew Historical Society’s art collection (donated 1984). A separate archive file contains correspondence, biographical information (written by his niece), and locations in Kew where he lived. Much of the correspondence between the Society and the City of Kew relates to the painting and its location in the Mayor’s Room at the Kew Civic Offices, Charles Street, where it was on loan from the Society. Lucy M (Jean) Hornby, the artist’s niece and the donor of the painting was a resident of 5 and 20 Queens Street, Kew (Vic). Australian ImpressionismGift of Lucy Hornby, 1984Framed oil on canvas by W. Nicholls Anderson of Park Street, Kew (now Adeney Avenue) looking uphill in a southerly direction towards Cotham Road. The painting is dated to 1906. The two storey house at left was known as 'Eborensis'. The house is still extant on the corner of Adeney Avenue and Parkhill Road. On sticker on back of frame - Adeney Ave./1913/ £3.3.0/ 13th Annual/ Exhib. V.A.S [Victorian Artists Society]/1911 Aust Art Exhib/the Guidlhall/Swanston st Melb./ Adeney's Paddock/ Kew. £3.0.0.artists - kew - victoria - australia, victorian artists society, william nicholls anderson (1873-1927), adeney avenue kew, australian art exhibition 1911, victorian artists' society, w. nicholls anderson