Prue 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.Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.The ‘Oswinia Estate’ subdivision in East Kew was planned and auctioned in the first half of the 1920s. 169 allotments were created in the triangular section of land bordered by High Street, Burke Road and the Government Boulevard (later Kilby Road). The only piece of land excluded was that where the previous Kew Pound had been located at the east tip of the triangle. Allotments were created fronting Glass, High, Namur, Oswin Streets, Irymple Avenue, and the Government Boulevard. The name for the Estate was derived from Oswin’s farm, which had been one of the largest landholdings in East Kew. The selling agents annotated the plan in our collection with crosses indicating those lots that had been sold. The inset locality plan is particularly interesting as it shows the route and stations of the Outer Circle Railway. When the subdivision plan was created, it included the proposed bridge over the Yarra at Burke Road. The bridge was to be officially opened in 1926.subdivision plans - east kew, oswinia estate, high street, glass street, namur street, government boulevard - kilby road, irymple street, oswin street

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.The Belford Heights Estate was a subdivision in Kew East, even though the title of the plan indicates that it was located in Kew. The subdivision had been approved by 1915, and included 105 lots facing Strathalbyn, Kitchener, Hamilton and Beresford Streets, as well as Balfour and Belford Roads. Those lots hand coloured with red probably represent blocks that had been sold. The additional information provided on the plan is also of interest. The plan includes the original location of East Kew State (Primary) School in Strathalbyn Street, which opened in 1892. The inset Locality Plan also includes the route of the Outer Circle Railway and the location of the Wilsmere and East Kew Stations. The location of the landmark Harp of Erin Hotel is also marked on the Locality Plan.belford heights estate, subdivision plans - kew

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.The so-called Camberwell Mountain View Estate was a subdivision on ‘the corner [of] Burke Road, Eyre and Wills Streets, Deepdene’. The Estate was not the first attempt to subdivide this land holding. In 1884, 1888 and 1894 the Belmore Park subdivision proposed 18 allotments for this parcel of land. The final stages of the Belmore Park subdivision occurred during the Depression of the 1890s. Apart from perhaps one block facing Burke Road, which is unnumbered in the Mountain View Estate subdivision, the rest must have remained unsold. The later subdivision would redraw the original 18 allotments, creating 22 new lots. In the Locality Plan on the left side of the subdivision plan, Deepdene Station, which formed part of the Outer Circle Railway is represented, as is the location of Deepdene Primary School. A selling point was the proposed extension of the Burke Road tram beyond its terminus at Cotham Road. The extension did not eventuate.subdivision plans - camberwell, mountain view estate

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.The Dale Estate in Deepdene was made possible by the death of Robert Sparrow Smythe, Australian journalist, newspaper editor/owner and theatrical manager. Smythe lived in his residence ‘Highate’, Deepdene until his death in 1917. In the subdivision proposed one year later, before the end of the First World War, 18 allotments were to be created. The very fragmentary plan in the Society’s collection notes that a large weatherboard [house] will need to be removed. This may be Smythe’s own home. The proposed subdivision included allotments facing Burke and Whitehorse Roads and Dale Street. Bordering the subdivision is the Deepdene Station and the Outer Circle Railway Line. The clear directions on the plan indicate that in 1918 it was possible to travel by train from Deepdene to East Camberwell and Ashburtonsubdivision plans - deepdene, the dale estate

SHARP DOWNPOUR. ONE INCH IN 45 MINUTES. SOUTHERN SUBURBS DELUGED. TRAIN STOPPED AT SOUTH YARRA. One of the sudden downpours of rain which occasionally fall in Melbourne occurred yesterday afternoon, when nearly an inch of rain fell in the course of three quarters of an hour, and caused a flood for an hour or two in certain localities. During the early part of the day, the sky had been clouded over, but there was nothing to indicate a storm of such intensity as that which followed. At about half-past 1 o'clock residents of South Yarra, South Melbourne, Prahran, and St. Kilda noticed a few drops of rain. Still, it appeared unlikely that there would be anything exceptional, until with startling suddenness at about 10 minutes to 1 o'clock, one of the heaviest downpours within the memory of residents burst upon those suburbs. A strange feature of the storm was that it was practically confined to an area of about three miles square. The city was but little affected, though at a spot as close as the Observatory 86 points of rain were recorded in three-quarters of an hour. Thunder and lightning accompanied the downpour, which was cyclonic in character, the rain driving heavily from all points of the compass as the cyclone passed. It was in South Yarra and Prahran that the rain fell heaviest. Within a few minutes after it commenced, the low-lying portions of Toorak-road and practically the whole length of Chapel-street were under water. The depression at the intersection of Toorak-road and Darling-street speedily filled to the dimensions of a small lake. Several shops were inundated, while the water from the higher levels rushed down like a mountain torrent, and in several in-stances swept through the rear of houses and shops, carrying furniture in a floating mass against the further walls. In one case a footbridge was carried bodily away and dashed to pieces. Darling-street itself Great Davis-street, and other low-lying and flat thoroughfares in the vicinity became flooded from kerb to kerb, while on the other side of the railway-bridge the valley between Kensington-road and River-street became filled for some minutes to a depth of several feet. Meanwhile the waters from South Yarra hill, seeking a lower level, found it in the railway cutting, and the excavations from South Yarra station to Prahran on the one line, and to the Chapel-street bridge on the other, were converted into a couple of canals. At the platforms at South Yarra the water was two feet deep on the permanent way, and towards Hawksburn, at the sudden depression under Chapel-street bridge, it was at one time deep enough to cover a tall man's head. Into this swirling mass of water the 1:50 p.m. train from Oakleigh plunged on its way to Melbourne. The impact caused a mighty fountain of water to rise to a height of about 20 feet above the level of Chapel-street and send clouds of spray in all directions. Under the belief that a terrible explosion had occurred residents braved the rain and rushed to the spot, only to find that the train had been brought to a stand-still in the middle of what seemed to be a river. The water was so high that it had entered the fire-box from below, extinguishing the fires and cutting off the steam supply. In the meantime the officials at the South Yarra station had been preparing for emergencies. Inspectors were on duty at intervals along the line, and the moment the alarm was given an extra engine was backed carefully down and continued on to connect with the stranded train without losing its own power. There was a delay of about ten minutes in the service for an hour or two, but by 5 o'clock all the trains were running on time again, and the water had run off all but the spot beneath the Chapel-street bridge. Here the water remained about four feet deep until nightfall, and throughout the afternoon several hundreds of people including biograph operators and photographers, were gathered around watching each train pass through. Even with the water two feet lower, this was a work attended with considerable difficulty. Each train had to absolutely force its way through the weight of water, almost enveloped by the spray thrown up, and it was only just able to negotiate the "ford" by using every ounce of steam. ... The Argus, 26 January 1907, p19.The item forms part of the Laurie Bennett collection of thirty-six postcards and photographs of Kew and early Melbourne, donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1980. The postcards in the Bennett collection, like other images in the Society's holdings date from the 1890s to the present and comprehensively indicate points-of-view or scenes considered historically, aesthetically or socially significant in the period in which they were produced.Postcard depicting a flood at South Yarra Station in 1907. The title and photographer's name are identified on the front of the postcard. Donated by L. Bennett, 1980flood - south yarra, trains - melbourne, postcards, r mcgeehan - prahran

One of a number of 'real photo' and commercial postcards created by or owned by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew. The postcards are part of a larger collection of photographs, postcards and publications donated to the collection in May 2021.Partly coloured (the Dome) sepia postcard of the front and northern perimeter of Flinders Street Station. flinders street railway station, postcards -- melbourne (vic.), christian-washfold collection

The borders of the main components of Kew and Kew East have not always conformed to current boundaries. In the past this photograph has been labelled as East Kew, whereas for most of the twentieth century the site has been within Kew's borders. The purpose of the photograph is unrecorded yet it has value in that it shows those businesses who occupied this site in Kew during the early 1960s.This small photograph is significant as it shows the location of and building used by WD Vaughan, former Mayor of Kew who was a successful newspaper proprietor in Melbourne.Small polaroid colour positive of High Street in Kew, probably in the 1960s. From left we can see the brick viaduct covering the tracks of what was once the Outer Circle Railway. Behind this brick wall, Dunnings Timber Yard was situated. At the end of the walls of the viaduct there is an entrance to a walkway [now the Anniversary Trail], which once provided access to Windsor Avenue, and also to the East Kew Station (now demolished and part of the Outer Circle Railway Reserve). On the other side of this walkway is a cream brick building (demolished) occupied at this time by WD Vaughan Pty Ltd, printer and publisher of the Kew Advertiser (newspaper). Stretching behind the brick facade is an extensive building that must have housed the printing works. Beside Vaughan's, there is a large building (demolished) housing at that time an estate agent named AJ Kennedy. This area is now separated by kerbing.High St East Kew / Corner of Harp Rd. / Looking South

The wheat silo was erected on railway land on the west side of the railway line at Sunbury from approx 1970s - 1980s. It served as a grain storage provision for the local cereal farmers.The former CFA depot which was in Evans Street. With the expansion of the shopping centre the silo was dismantled to provide commercial development on the west side of the railway line.The wheat silo is a reminder of past agricultural industries that were carried out in Sunbury.A non-digital photograph of two trucks and a crane dismantling a metal wheat silo, which has been standing in an open area. A CFA pavilion is visible in the distance.wheat storage, silos, sunbury railway station, evans street

The stone bridge is one of the many bridges built along the Bendigo Rail Line. This one along with four others ar in Sunbury which were built in the late 1850s. his bridge spans the Ruoertswood Viaduct which is north of the Sunbury Station. The building in the LH corner was a pump house where water was pumped and taken to the water tower on Sunbury Station where the steam trains stopped to replenish the water tanks. The Bendigo Rail Line was the first Government owned and operated to be constructed in Victoria. Along the railway a number of famous bridges and tunnels were built and are of historical significance. The bridge spanning the Rupertswood Viaduct is one of them. A black and white photograph with a cream border of a high bridge spanning a deep valley. The roof of a small building is visible in the bottom LHS corner of the photograph.bridges, railways, rupertswood viaduct

The post card is an early view of the intersection of Brook and Evans Street looking west and towards Sunbury Station. Mount Holden is in the distance. Chris Christianson's shop is on the LHS of the picture with the post office on the RHS. This image is an early view of Sunbury town centre with the railway station and post office. Like many country towns of this era, The roads have been formed but not surfaced. A sepia photograph in post card format of a view of a town centre showing an intersection and some small buildings with a hill in the distance.TO THE RAILWAY/SUNBURYbrook street, evans street, sunbury railway station, christianson, chris.

The men are working on the bridge and along the rail near the former Rupertswood siding. The siding was erected for guests, who were visiting the Clarke family, to leave the train at this point instead of getting off at Sunbury Station with their servants.The Rupertswood sliding was a former landmark in Sunbury which was connected with Rupertswood history.A small black and white photograph with a cream border of men working on a bridge across a railway line.rupertswood siding, clarke family

The 'N' Class steam locomotives were built by Victorian Railways to be used on branch lines throughout the state's regional areas. A total of 73 of these locomotives were built between 1925 and 1951. The locomotive in the photograph was steaming into Sunbury. Sunbury Station was an important stop for steam locomotives travelling on the Bendigo line. Even after diesel engines were used to pull the trains in the 1950s, steam locomotives were also used until the early 1990s.A black and white photograph of a 'N'class steam engine on railway tracks.steam locomotives

The open are in the foreground was part of railway land on the west side of Sunbury Station along Horne Street. The initial preparations to develop the area into a commercial and entertainment precinct were just commencing. The development that took place on this site was indicative of the growth that was taking place in Sunbury in the early 2000sA coloured photograph of an open area feed off with temporary netting in preparation for construction work. A set of traffic lights are on the RHS of the photograph and a station is in the middle distance.sunbury railway station

Excavation work to remove the grasslands and trees on the railway land on the west side of the Sunbury Station to make way for commercial development on that side of the line.A coloured photograph of excavation work in operation on land which has cyclone fencing around its perimeter. There are buildings in the middle distance beyond the work site.sunbury railway station

In 2000 work commenced on the further development of railway land on the west side of Sunbury station for the construction of commercial and entertainment facilities. Prior to this time the land had been undeveloped and was often used to accommodate visiting circus troupes. Cereal storage silos also occupied this area for some time. The development of this area has been a reflection of the rapid expansion of settlement within Sunbury and surrounding areas that occurred during the early years of the twentieth century.A coloured photograph of a fenced off area undergoing development with earthmoving equipment and trucks in operation and some commercial buildings visible in the middle distance.sunbury railway station

On 17th December 1985 record torrential rain fell in Sunbury, which flooded the main Melbourne Bendigo rail line and disrupted traffic. The photograph is looking to the north of the station and takes in the historic Macedon Street bridge and the open ground with the storage silo on the west side of the railway line. A coloured photograph of a former V Line train stopped at a station where the railway line has been flooded. A storage silo occupies vac ant ground adjacent to the railway line.sunbury railway station, storage silos, horne street

The house was the former station master's residence. When the photograph was taken it served as a restaurant. In the late 1990s it was demolished to make way for larger commercial development.The former stationmaster's residence was one of the important buildings in Sunbury.A coloured photograph of a cream weatherboard house with light green trims surrounded by a garden. Four cars are parked outside the house.sunbury railway station, stationmaster's residence, brook street

Stawell Railway Yards 1950’s or 60’s. Two Diesel locomotives. Station on right. Goods shed on left. Signal Box in foreground.stawell transport

Anniversary Train Visit Historic Army Vehicles. Army Ambulance. 1995stawell

Anniversary Train Visit Historic Army Vehicles. stawell

This was the home of Fred Lyons and family from c1920. Previously they had lived in Lorne Parade. Fred had a hansom cab at the rank at the Surrey Hills station from c1919 and stabled his horse in a paddock to the rear of this house. His son Arthur Lyons remained living here until 1990. The fox terrier was Fred's constant companion. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons. From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived in Lorne Parade before moving to 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived his whole life at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to.Black and white photo of the home of Fred Lyons and his family. It is a simple timber cottage with a corrugated iron roof and a low brick fence with wrought iron decorative infill between the brick pillars. A fox terrier sits on the brick pillar next to the driveway. On the RHS of the house a high slatted timber fence divides the front from the rear of the property. An early model Holden is parked in the driveway, the number plate beginning with GBEOn the back in pencil "copied 1996" . In black pen "Lyons, Sunbury Cres" timber cottages, arthur lyons, arthur frederick lyons, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons, elizabeth ruby hall (miss), elizabeth ruby lyons (mrs)

The railway extended through to Mont Albert in 1882, but it wasn't until 1890 that a station was built with funds raised by a syndicate of local landowners.The buildings on the south side of the railway were built in 1910-1911 in the Arts and Crafts style by architect, K W Hardy. The land occupied by the Hamilton Street shops was subdivided in the 1880s and the first purpose-built shop was 'Pope and Moran, Grocers'. This shop later became Tom Morris' Grocery. By 1930 shops stretched along both sides of Hamilton Street and part way along Churchill Street. The donor, the late Norman Carter held a significant collection of photos taken around Mont Albert and Surrey Hills, in particular subjects related to the Church of England.Black and white photo taken from the centre of the road in Churchill Street, Mont Albert. Mont Albert station is on the RHS fenced off by a post and rail fence. Shops can be seen at the intersection of Hamilton and Churchill Streets. There do not appear to be any shops in Churchill Street. There are newly planted street trees within paling guards on the LHS. There does not appear to be any curb and channelling at the side of the road.Rear in blue biro in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting "Mont Albert Station 1919".mont albert station, railways, hamilton street, churchill street, shops, arts and crafts style, norman carter