The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens from 1945 to the present (2013) and the founding of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Friends Group by Sue Murray, who is the inaugural President CD and transcript of interview with Sue Murray on the founding of the Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood.sue murray, friends of williamstown botanic gardens, cannons, mr anderson, gates, horses, jessie sims (nee faichney), hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Chic is the daughter of Ernie Anderson who worked at the Gardens from the age of 15 until he retired at 65. Ernie’s full name was Ernest Rupert Cyril Anderson. Chic verified from her Mother’s bible that her Father was born 19th June 1895. The Anderson family moved into the Curator’s Lodge in the grounds of the Gardens in 1938 following the death of the previous Curator, William Joseph Crowe. CD and transcript of interview with Chic Wyatt (nee Anderson) and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. The purpose of the interview is to discuss a collection of photos she lent to the Gardens for copying (registration no. 2013.001) and to recall memories of her Father, Ernie Anderson and of living in the grounds.chic anderson, chic wyatt, anderson, fish pond, ornamental lake, gates, curator, horse, army camp, americans, world war 2, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, william joseph crowe

The Armstrong Cannons were originally placed at Fort Gellibrand, located at the southernmost tip of the Williamstown peninsula. The Fort was developed during the 1850s as part of a defensive system for the city and port of Melbourne. The importance of the Fort batteries declined from the 1890s, when they were effectively replaced by new facilities at Queenscliff and Point Nepean, but they were still used for gunnery practice. Local residents, through the Williamstown Town Council, complained to the Acting Minister for Defence that the concussion from the guns damaged windows, walls and foundations of buildings. The Armstrong Cannons were moved from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906. A primary source of evidence of the cannons being in the Gardens. The cannons are remembered fondly as play equipment for the local children. Many tales have been told of climbing over them and pretending to be shot out of them A collection of seven black and white photographs documenting the removal of the cannons from the Gardens Photo 1 (a) Black and white landscape image. View is looking through the main gates looking at the front of the truck, which has the name Walter Wright across the front bumper, the crane and canon. The gates and fence are painted a light colour, probably white. Photo 2 (b) Black and white landscape image. Back of loader with cannon on it. Man standing on top of the cannon bending over either tying or untying ropes. Trunk of a palm tree is on the left side of the photo with a top of a palm tree in the background. Photo 3 (c) Black and portrait white image. A cannon being loaded by the crane on to trailer. Palm tree is in the background and fronds from a palm tree can be seen in the right top corner. Photo 4 (d) Black and white landscape image. Side on view of a cannon on the truck parked outside the grounds of the Gardens. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. A second cannon can be seen in the background. A bus is in the background on the middle right side of the image. Photo 5 (e) Black and white landscape image. Truck with cannon on the back leaving the ground of the Gardens. Tree on the right side of the image and power pole is behind the truck. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. ‘WALTER WRIGHT’ is on the front bumper Photo 6 (f) Black and white landscape image. Cannon tied down on the back of the truck as it is being driven across the street. Three houses in the background and two cars, one is a Volkswagen Photo 7 (g) Black and white landscape image. Cannon on the back of the truck which is parked over the street from the Gardens. Three houses are in the background. Two trees bare of leaves. The front of a car in in the foreground – it has a sun visor and the steering wheel is a light colour.armstrong cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1970, walter h wright / transport pty ltd

The Gardens were a popular venue for Sunday School picnics for many years. She was aged approximately when the photo was taken and her head can just be seen in the middle of the photo. Alice Weatherhead (Cochran) lived firstly in Newport and then Railway Cres Williamstown. She attended the Newport Baptist Church and the Domestic Arts School. At the time of writing the letter she was 91 years of age. She worked at the aircraft factory in Champion Road, Newport making the rear fuselage for Beaufort Bombers. Her father, Tom Cochran, belonged to the Williamstown Horticultural Society.Alice’s photos and written memories encapsulate the intangible heritage of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. She recalls: playing in the Gardens; using them as her as a place for solace and thinking; while riding to the beach from Newport; walking in crocodile file past the Gardens from her school to the swimming baths, the ‘air of mystery as you walked through those wonderful wrought iron gates’; a place of courtship with the boy she later married. She wrote about seeing a purple flowering plant in a circular bed that was ‘spectacular and inspired me to grow it in my garden’. Black and white image of people sitting and standing together for the group photo. There are large trees in the background; a young boy standing with his hands behind his back at the back row to the left. There are two crosses (in pen) above the heads of two women in the back row on the left side.On the reverse of the image: Mother and G. M. L. / marked x x / Newport Baptist S.S. / Picnic Williamstown Gardens / Grace Logan / [address is written but not to be published] / No29williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1930, newport baptist sunday school picnic, alice cochran

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family. Image 2014.007a is evidence of presence of cannons in the Gardens during the 1950s Black and white image of cannon with five children playing on and around it - two children sitting on the barrel, two on the carriage and one at the front of the cannon. Except for the girl at the front of the barrel who is wearing a dress, the children are all wearing shorts The cannon is on a hard pad with the wheels of the carriage facing to the side. Names from left to right starting at top: Robyn McComish, Tom Webb (brother of donor), Iris Webb (donor), Pam McComish, unknown. williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, iris whitehurst, williamstown high school, cannon, 1959

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.Black and white image of two teenage girls sitting in the grounds of the Gardens. There is a hedge, a hanging branch of a palm tree and a striped towel in the background. The girls are sitting the sun with the background in shade and are wearing skirts and blouses. Names: Iris Webb, Susan Andrew williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, iris whitehurst, susan andrew, 1959

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family. Image 2014.007c also demonstrates the changes over time to the Gardens structures: for example when the gates and fence was painted white. Colour image of approximately 18 children sitting in front of and drawing dates of the Gardens. Most have blue jumpers on over the top of their light blue school uniforms. The gates, posts and picket fence are painted white. They are students of Williamstown High School Art Class. The name of the teacher is unknown. williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.Black and white image of Williamstown High School students end of year picnic. Girls and one boy are sitting on the grass, boys standing in the background and teacher is standing to the right of the image. williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school, 1952

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.Black and white image of Williamstown High School students at the Gardens. 7 girls sitting on grass in front row; 7 girls kneeling in second row; approximate 17 students standing in two rows at rear; teacher standing to the right of the image. They are on the lawn with paths and trees in the background.

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archiveThe images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.Black and white image of Williamstown High School students at the Gardens. 12 boys sitting and kneeling on the grass. Flag pole, trees and another group of students are in the background. The group includes James Morton, Ian Porter, Tom Radford, Douglas Henderson. williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school, 1952

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Interviewer is Lindy WallaceA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Iris was born in Williamstown in 1943, has lived in Williamstown all her life and has been witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Iris Whitehurst and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. Iris was born in Williamstown and has memories of the Gardens from an early age. In the interview she talks of playing on the cannons, memories of the Gardens appearance over the years and the contribution of the Friends of the Gardens.iris whitehurst, fish pond, ornamental lake, gates, curator, horse, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Cyril Curtain was born in Williamstown in 1928. He attended North Williamstown Primary School and Williamstown High School. Shortly after marrying he purchased a house on the Esplanade, where he still lives and in which this interview took place. Cyril’s work in conservation of the natural and built heritage is highly regarded. The recently developed Cyril Curtain Reserve in Williamstown is named in his honour. In this interview Cyril discusses the Gardens and the foreshore area including the beach and L A Parker Reserve A primary source of information on memories of the Gardens.CD and transcript of interview with Cyril Curtain and his memories of the Gardens and surrounding environs.fish pond, curator, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, aviary, pinetum, centennial reserve, midsummers night dream, cable tram car seats, infrared photography, , rotunda, gloucester reserve, 1934 storm, national trust, bateman house, clarke statue

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Loris was born and grew up in Williamstown. She lived across the street from the Gardens at 122 Osborne Street with her parents and siblings. A primary source of information on memories of the Gardens from the 1950s until the time of the interview.CD and transcript of interview with Loris Wood about her memories of Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, fish pond, cannons, aviary, adam lindsay gordon, pinetum, fearon reserve, band platform, clarke statue, ernie anderson, osborne street, weddings, horses, gardeners cottage, curators lodge

The photos provide a snapshot into the way the Gardens have been used over the years for play by children. They are evidence that the cannons were in the Gardens in the early 1960s. Black and white images of small boy playing in the Gardens. He is wearing a knitted jumper with three light coloured buttons on the front. He is kneeling on the base of a cannon, looking at the camera. The image is taken from the front of the cannon and there appears to be a large artillery shell in the barrel. A wire and barbed wire fence that at one time divided the formal part of the Gardens from the Pinetum can be seen in the background. On reverse: Aidrian White / (formerly The Esplanade) / (1961/2?) / Photo donated by / Mrs White Sept 2012 / Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1961, aidrian white, cannons, fence, pinetum

The photos provide a snapshot into the way the Gardens have been used over the years for play by children. They are evidence that the cannons were in the Gardens in the early 1960s. Black and white images of small boy playing in the Gardens. He is wearing a knitted jumper with three light coloured buttons on the front. The boy is on the grass border of the main palm avenue looking into the camera. His hand is blurred by movement. Aidrian White / (formerly The Esplanade) / (1961/2?) / Photo donated by / Mrs White Sept 2012 / Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1961, aidrian white, cannons, fence, pinetum

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years.CD and transcript of interview with Patti Gerkens and Eileen Gleeson and their memories of the Gardens from their childhood through to adulthood. Pattie and Eileen are the daughters of Jack and Millie Gerkens who lived in Power Street, Williamstown before moving to 25 Gellibrand Street, Williamstown. Jack worked at the Newport Railway Workshops. Patti lived overseas for many years and Eileen has lived in Williamstown all her life. Patti and Eileen recall memories of the Gardens during their childhood and of taking their own children there during the 1960s and 1970s. pattie-gerkens, eileen-gleeson, jack-gerkens, millie-gerkens, newport-railway-workshops, fish-pond, fountain, yoga, father-cassidy, con-gleeson, palms, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Anne moved to Williamstown as a small child in 1952, lived in Williamstown until her marriage and has been witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Anne Cocks and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. Anne’s family migrated from Holland in 1952 when she was three years old. The family lived in Lyons Street for a short while before moving to Altona. Her parents, Kees and Betts Huisman bought the Old Royal Hotel in Nelson Place, which was a boarding house for men in 1958. They stayed there until 1971 when they sold it.anne-cocks, old-royal-hotel, nelson-place, boarding-house, holland, dutch-migrants, huisman, nellie-street, civic-parade, alma-cocks, eddie-cocks, 34-schutt-street, newport, 27-schutt-street, palms, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, nordini

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on the lobbying that led to master planning for rejuvenation of the Gardens and the formation of the Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens. CD and transcript of interview with Helen Page and her memories and experiences in lobbying for the rejuvenation and long-term viability of the Gardens. Helen was a resident of Williamstown when she contacted local Councillor, Angela Altair, in May 1999 to express her concerns about the destruction of trees in Melbourne Road and the condition of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The result of her communications with Councillor Altair and the Council was the formation of the Landscape Advisory Group and the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Advisory Group. Still an active member of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Advisory Group, Helen talks of these experiences, how they led to the formation of the Friends Group and her hopes for the future of the Gardens.helen-page, angela altair, mary klestadt, mike hirst, shelley wood, andrew shannon, williamstown botanic gardens advisory group, master plan, sue murray, kim sawyer, anja lee, golden elm, advisory group, gates, pinetum, victorian heritage register

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, surrounding areas and Fearon ReserveA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Ken Speakman. Also present was his daughter, Nola Wilson. His son visited part of the way through the interview. Ken’s family moved to Williamstown in 1918 when he was a baby and he has lived in Williamstown, close to the Gardens since that time. He was a keen lacrosse player, playing on Fearon Reserve. Ken was interviewed for his memories of the Gardens and its relationship to Fearon Reserve. ken speakman, nola wilson, fearon reserve, lacrosse, 1918, bill crowe, william crowe, bird cage, bandstand, ramsay’s café, horses, harry stitt, cannons, aci glassworks, woollen mills, oil refinery, sims cooper, abattoir, mobil, palms, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Michael Wilkins. Michael first worked in the Gardens for the Municipality of Williamstown in 1987. He was there for eleven years. A few years after the amalgamation of Williamstown and Altona into the City of Hobsons Bay City Council he transferred from the Gardens to other sites within the City. He returned to the Gardens in 2006. Michael recalls people with whom he worked and horticultural practices over those years. michael wilkins, barry heath, bob anderson, 1987, shelley wood, ian mcleod, john wilson, mary malhallchek, glasshouse, maarten hulzebosch, ransome mower, buffalo lawn, parker reserve, trench digging, 2006, bird cage, palms, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Shelley Wood. Shelley was born in Williamstown, as was her mother Margaret McLean. Shelley recalls her mother telling her about spending many hours in the Gardens when she was young with her friend Chic, who was the daughter of the Curator Ernie Anderson. Shelley, who was the first female gardener appointed in the western region, served her apprenticeship at Gardens and is currently the Curator. shelley wood, margaret mclean, tom wood, chic anderson, ernie anderson, 1979, apprentice, fish pond, pinetum, barry heath, golden elm, palms, brian turner, dean splatt, robert anderson, 1988, bicentennial funding, 1987, angela altair, helen page, mary klestadt, mike hirst, john hawker, landscape advisory group, williamstown technical school, gates, buffalo lawn, ian brown, storytime, adam lindsay gordon, statue, archie matthews, aviary, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interviews were recorded in 2000 by Bronwen Gray and Alan Young for the production of Unreserved, Stories from Truganina Explosives Reserve, animated stories from past residents, workers and interested people of the Reserve (subject to copyright 2004). Edgar James (Jim) Melmoth began work at the Truganina Explosives Reserve at age 19 (1952) as part of the maintenance crew – painting, tram line maintenance, storm damage clearance. He helped build the pier extension and the water tower. In this interview he describes some incidents and some amusing stories of the clysdale horses. A primary source of information on memories of the Truganina Explosives Reserve and Altona,VictoriaDigital copy of original cassette recorded in 2000 and digitised in 2018hobsons bay city council, explosives, air raid shelters, altona pier, brown coal, camouflaged fences, world war two, gelignite, horse drawn wagons, clysdale horses, lighters, williamstown, upton street altona, water tower, adze, john gates, public works department, explosives pier, cherry lake, altona, altona meadows, lennie finley

The cast iron gates (manufactured in Glasgow) introduced at the North West entrance in 1907. The gates were purchased from ‘Fairlie” corner of Acland and Anderson Streets, South Yarra at the cost of 72 pounds and cost 60 pounds to install. They had originally cost the owners of ‘Fairlie’ 1200 pounds. Lee Heap Furniture Warehouse of Williamstown used the postcards to advertise. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The image in this postcard shows the gates intact and as installed in 1907. The current layout of this area still reflects the change of design, which followed the 1907 removal of the first gardener's residence and the subsequent re-organisation of this quarter of the gardens. This postcard is evidence of the placement of one of the cannons relocated from Fort Gellibrand in 1906. They were removed from the Gardens in the 1960s. These same cannons remain a feature on the Williamstown waterfront in 2013. Black and white image of main entrance gates which are open. Through the gates can be seen a man in waistcoat standing in front of a cannon. The gates are cast iron, double carriage gates with single pedestrian gates on either side and supported by four cast iron posts with ornamental finials. Front: ‘The Entrance Gates, Williamstown Gardens. Vic.’ ‘0457/2’ ‘THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYDNEY’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo in the middle of the words. Left top corner a drawing of an artist’s board and brushes with a camera in the centre. Left side ‘MESSAGE ONLY.’ Right side ‘ADDRESS ONLY.’ Top right corner inside a dotted rectangle ‘STAMP HERE’. Bottom on card ‘BY THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYNDEY.’ Under the vertical line down the middle line ‘Neither the Address not the Message must cross this line’. In ink ‘With Compliments / from’. An oval stamp with scalloped rim ‘LEE HEAP FURNITURE MANUFACTURER’ inside inner oval ‘FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, / WILLIAMSTOWN’.postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, entrance gates, entrance-gates, cast iron, finials, cannon, crown studios, lee heap furniture warehouse

This hat was part of the ceremonial dress of Williamstown Mayors. It is evident in early photographs of Williamstown Mayors from circa 1880 to the 1920's. The hat is designed to be folded as is often shown carried under the arm in Mayoral portraits.The hat is significant as an example of Mayoral ceremonial dress and is documented in Mayoral portraits associated with Williamstown Council.Black beaver fur bicorn ceremonial hat with silk brocade and ostrich feather trim. Silk lined.

Williamstown was first incorporated as a borough on 14 March 1856. It became a town on 2 April 1886, subdivided into four wards in 28 October 1887 and was proclaimed a city on 17 May 1919. The city was proclaimed by His Excellency the State Governor, the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley on 17 May 1919. At the same time he unveiled a photographic honour board in memory of local soldiers killed during World War One and officially opened the Town Hall/Council Chambers building at 104 Ferguson Street. The Governor was presented with this proclamation and asked to sign the parchment. The official birth of the city was celebrated by 2000 residents. Commemorates the movement of Williamstown to the status of a city and also marks the occasion of the opening of the new municipal buildings, Council Chamber and unveiling of a collective photo of local soldiers who had died during WW1.Bound Proclamation of City of Williamstown signed by Governor of State Victoria. 3rd April 1919, black tooled leather with gilt embossing, two fold with ribbon from date of visit - 17th May 1919Arnall & Jackson, Melb Proclamation City of Williamstowncouncil chambers, williamstown,

The card for the Civic Reception at Williamstown Town Hall for the ‘Back to Williamstown’ celebrations – the centenary from date of first settlement in 1834. It belonged to James and Kate Tyrrell, the paternal grandparents of the Donor. The donor is the third generation of her family to live in Williamstown. Having a photo of the Gardens in the reception card is evidence of the community pride of the Gardens. The photo is evidence of plantings in 1934 A folded sepia look card. The front has an embossed border, the City of Williamstown Shield, date in the right bottom corner and an inscription as described. The left fold inside demonstrates the reverse of the embossed border and details of the City of Williamstown and Councillors. The right side fold inside is a photo of people walking along ‘The Main Walk, Williamstown Gardens’. The back has space for ‘Autographs.’williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, city of williamstown, williamstown gardens, 1934, councillors, james taylor gray, henry johnston harvey, william gordon gray, walter stuart menzies, james adolphus nelson, evan charles owens, john robert bell, john anthony dennis, allan john deacon, oliver prettie chanter, william roberts, george alexander paine, james hocking, harold rose, norman hodgson