Ordsall was originally built for John Halfey, second Chairman of Kew, and sold after his death to the Carnegie family who renamed it ‘South Esk'. The Carnegie family mounted a defence of their property when the City of Kew sought to compulsorily acquire it as the site for a new town hall in the 1930s. The house and land were later acquired by Council in 1947 and demolished in 1970. The present Kew Library and the former Council Offices (now owned by Trinity Grammar) are located on the site.One of the earliest photographs of 'Southesk' and its gardens. The house was of statewide significance because of its historical association with John Halfey. It was artistically significant due to its elaborate interiors, decorated by Cullis Hill & Co in the 1880s. Sepia photograph mounted on brown card of "Southesk' (formerly known as 'Ordsall'). The single-storey Italianate facade of the house can be seen surrounded by an extensive garden. The point-of-view of the camera is from Cotham Road.david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - south esk - ordsall

The local government area of Kew was established in 1860. Through successive incarnations as a municipality, borough, town and city, its headquarters, at least until 1972, were located in a town hall in Walpole Street. In 1994, the city was amalgamated into a new City of Boroondara. This items served as telephone equipment - a switchboard - in the City's civic offices.Switchboard used in the City of Kew's Civic Offices in Walpole Street. The redundant equipment was donated to the Society in 1988.office equipment, city of kew, switchboards

In a letter accompanying the donation, the donor writes "I am enclosing a photograph ... I have now established that Emma Murray has a daughter Alma who was also a librarian and probably took the photo."A rare image of the Kew Library in Walpole Street after it had been renovated. The Library was situated beside the Town Hall.Black and white print made from an original in the possession of the donorOn reverse of original: "5/4/49, MIRI DICKINSON, MARIE DICKENS, BERYL OAKES AT KEW LIBRARYmunicipal libraries - kew, kew municipal library - walpole street *(kew)

The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Fashion (or clothing/costumes) in the collection was largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This short, beaded 'flapper' dress was worn by Mrs Udora Freame to a ball at the Hawthorn Town Hall in the 1920s. Donated by her daughter, the dress is the earliest item of fashion in the collection where provenance can be linked to a local civic event.Sleeveless black chiffon 'flapper' evening dress with v-neck. The dress is embroidered with silver thread using chain stitch and glass beads simulating Parisian jet.women's clothing, australian fashion - 1920s, evening dresses, udora freame, evening wear, flapper dresses, mayoral balls -- hawthorn (vic.)

James Robbie Mathers was born in Pleasant Creek [Stawell] in 1867 to James Allen Mathers, a storekeeper and former councillor. He was later to become a storekeeper in Gippsland and then at Heywood, near Portland. Following a move to Melbourne, he established a real estate business. He initially lived in Hawthorn, before moving his business to Kew where he traded as Mathers & McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, and later at 283 Burke Road. For a short time, the family resided at Landene, in Cotham Road. They were to finally move to Rosalea, in Dale Street, Deepdene. Following the death of Cr Henry Kellett in 1924, Mathers was elected unopposed as representative of College Ward. Elected Mayor in September 1930, he convened a meeting of citizens in the Town Hall in Walpole Street to form a local unemployment relief committee. His social initiatives included handing over council-owned premises in Brougham Street, the building re-purposed as a workshop for the unemployed, who were also granted free use of the Kew Municipal Baths. The Mayoress, Jean Mathers, set to work raising funds through charity balls, and also raised funds for St Anthony’s Orphanage in Wellington Street. James Robbie Mathers died on 8 April 1945. He was buried at Box Hill Cemetery. This rare civic testimonial is historically significant, especially locally, as it contains the signatures of all present councillors and parliamentarians representing the City of Kew as well as the names and signatures of leaders of local churches, schools, public officials and leaders of community groups.Boxed presentation folder and correspondence presented to the retiring Mayor of Kew, James Robbie Mather, in 1931. The book is leather bound with gilt lettering on the front. The 4 page testimonial includes and hand written statements about his contribution to Kew and its civic life. Other pages are signed by councillors, parliamentarians and community leaders.james robbie mathers, mayors of kew, civic testimonials

xii, 308 p., [25] leaves of plates (24 folded) : ill., maps (some col.), ports., plans ; 34 cm. CONTENTS Part 1 Surveys and studies Part II Communications Part III The execution of improvement schemes - a programme of urgent works Part IV Zoning Part V Public Recreation Part VI Public Utilities Part VII Housing and Land Subdivision Part VIII Civic Art and Amenities Part IX Miscellaneous Part X Legislation Part XI Conclusionnon-fictionThe 1929 report of the Metropolitan Town Planning Commission covering Melbourne and its suburbs. Includes photographs and 15 folding maps (some in rear pocket) This was a planning scheme to prevent 'misuse' of land and protect property values. It highlighted traffic congestion, the distribution of recreational open space and haphazard intermingling of land uses. The plan identified a number of problems, such as the congestion at St Kilda Junction, that were not addressed until decades later. The plan also recognised the value of Melbourne's waterways as an open space network.city planning -- victoria. -- maps, city planning -- victoria -- melbourne, city planning -- victoria, civic improvement -- victoria -- melbourne, melbourne -- (vic.), cartography

Bound copy of the Victorian Municipal Directory and Gazetteer: Also Commonwealth Guide and the Water Supply Record for 1928. The volume contains 846 pages and includes sections on: - Comparative table – Municipal Returns for Twenty-one Years. - Index to Townships, Parishes and Railway Stations. - Changes and appointments. - Commonwealth of Australia (Constitution, Parliament, Departments and Officers). - State of Victoria (Parliament, Departments and Officers / Boards, Institutions, Trusts and Loans). - Municipalities in Victoria (Cities and Towns, Boroughs, Shires). - Water Supply (State Rivers and Water Supply Commission).non-fictionThe Victorian Municipal Directory provided annual details, and later bi-annual details, of all councils. Published by Arnall & Jackson (Printers and Stationers), copies were published in 'cloth' for sixteen shillings and 'half roan' for eighteen shillings. This copy was owned by Cr C.S.Parry. Elected to the Kew City Council as a representative of North Ward, Cr Parry was elevated to the position of Mayor in 1931. It, together with five other editions, was presented to the Kew Historical Society in 1987 by his grandson. victoria -- registers -- periodicals., victoria -- directories., water-supply -- victoria -- directories., municipal government -- victoria -- periodicals., cities and towns -- victoria -- directories.

Melbourne : Municipal Association of Victoria, 1901 [16] p. : all facsims. ; 21 cm.non-fictionSix page facsimile, the original produced by the Municipal Association of Victoria on the accession to the throne of King Edward VII. A facsimile edition was printed and presented to each municipality, shire etc in Victoria.edward vii, municipal association of victoria, 1901, testimonials, facsimiles

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria. Original colour photographic positive of Cr Allan Hutchinson, role-playing a town crier in the re-enactment.Annotated on reverse: "CR ALLAN HUTCHINSON AS TOWN CRIER, RE-ENACTMENT OF GRIMES' JOURNEY 1803 / KHS CONTRIBUTION TO FESTIVAL OF KEW 1978 / TAKEN BY S. WEST"kew historical society, trinity grammar school, kew girl guides, city of kew, yarra river, charles grimes, collins expedition, wurundjeri people, yarra bend park, colonial surveys, historic re-enactments, festival of kew, kew festival, cr allan hutchinson

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria. Original colour photographic positive of Cr Allan Hutchinson, dressed as a town crier in the re-enactment.Annotated on reverse: "CR HUTCHINSON 1978 / TOWN CRYER"kew historical society, trinity grammar school, kew girl guides, city of kew, yarra river, charles grimes, collins expedition, wurundjeri people, yarra bend park, colonial surveys, historic re-enactments, festival of kew, kew festival, cr allan hutchinson

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria. Original colour photographic positive of Cr Allan Hutchinson, dressed as a town crier in the re-enactment. Spectators and Kanes Bridge is in the background.Annotated on reverse: "FESTIVAL 1978 / CR ALLAN HUTCHINSON"kew historical society, trinity grammar school, kew girl guides, city of kew, yarra river, charles grimes, collins expedition, wurundjeri people, yarra bend park, colonial surveys, historic re-enactments, festival of kew, kew festival, cr allan hutchinson

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria. Original colour photographic positive of the Mayor of Kew, Cr Noel Whiting, and Cr Allan Hutchinson in period costume as a 'town crier'. Two 'brownies', part of a larger group, stand with their backs to the camera in the foreground. Annotated on reverse: :BROWNIES AT FESTIVAL / [UPPER RIGHT] M.ROLLEY, J. STEWART"kew historical society, trinity grammar school, kew girl guides, city of kew, yarra river, charles grimes, collins expedition, wurundjeri people, yarra bend park, colonial surveys, historic re-enactments, festival of kew, kew festival, mavis rolley, joy stewart

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.Nilordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors

"In 1839 John Dight purchased Melbourne block 88, which included 26 acres of land along the Yarra River for £481 at the Port Phillip land sales held in Sydney. Dight was already in the business of flour milling and had a mill near Campbell Town in New South Wales called ‘Ceres’. In April 1840, he notified his customers through The Sydney Herald that he was leaving to go to Port Phillip. The first steam powered flour mill was constructed in Melbourne in 1841. Dight built his water powered mill, soon after, from bricks bought over from Tasmania. Dight used the river to power his mill: Water flowed along an inlet channel to turn an undershot water wheel. In order to regulate flow or to ensure flow for times when river levels were low, Dight constructed a rough stone weir. " (https://www.melbournewater.com.au/whatwedo/projectsaroundmelbourne/Documents/A_Short_History_of_Dights_Falls_Fact_Sheet.pdf) This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.An engraving of Dight's Mill on the Yarra. The image was originally published in Sands & Kenny, Melbourne & Sydney. Dorothy Rogers reproduced the print in 'A History of Kew' (1973). It faces page 8.Published by Sands & Kenny, Melbourne & Sydney, 1856dight's mill, dorothy rogers, dight's falls, yarra river, kew, john dight

A formal group photograph of the grand opening of the Victoria Street Bridge on March 31 1884. The Argus was to report that: ‘The ceremony of laying the memorial stone of the Victoria-bridge, which connects Kew and Hawthorn with Richmond and Collingwood, was performed yesterday afternoon by the mayor of Richmond (Mr John Adam) in the presence of a large assemblage. Among the gentlemen present at yesterday’s proceedings were the mayor of Collingwood (Mr. M. Dwyer), the Mayor of Melbourne (Councillor C. Smith, M.L. A.) the mayor of Kew (Mr. Barnard), Mr. J. A. B. Koch and Mr. W. W. Shelley (ex mayors of Richmond), Mr. Joseph Bosisto, M.L.A., the Hon. L. L. Smith, Councillor De Mole (ex mayor of Kew), Mr. Jas. Lancashire and Mr. Winter (ex mayors of Ricmond), Mr. Walker (ex mayors of Collingwood), Mr. Johnson (engineer), Mr. C. Rowan, C.E. (engineer of the bridge alterations) and the town clerks of Richmond, Collingwood and Kew.’ Following the opening ceremony ‘… a ponderous steam roller was driven over the structure, with a view to test, or rather to demonstrate its stability … Most of the gentlemen present walked over the bridge, after which they were grouped by a photographer, with the memorial stone as a central feature, and several views of the scene were taken’.An original, rare silver albumen mounted and titled photograph of an important event in 19th century Melbourne.Original photograph mounted on display card of the opening of the Victoria Street Bridge. The original photograph is very faded and has been enhanced to improve the image's viewability.On the reverse of the card is an indecipherable stamp and an inscription identifying the photographers. "T. W. & C. A. McAlpine Bros, Photographers &., Campbell Parade East Richmond Melbourne March 31.1884victoria street bridge, john adam, m. dwyer, c. smith, barnard, j.a.b. koch, w.w. shelley, bridge, kew, collingwood, l.l. smith, joseph bosisto

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A photographic copy of a book plate made for the historian Dorothy Rogers which was first published in the 'Jubilee History of Kew' (1910) by F.G.A. Barnard"Athenaeum built 1860. 1865 purchased & Town Hall built around it. Later a new front was added as in picture - note old lamps - At present under demolition for Safeways Store"athenaeum hall, walpole street, kew town hall, walpole street, dorothy rogers

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. The Normanby Estate, which was adjacent to Normanby Road, Kew East, included thirty-one lots for sale. Streets on the subdivision plan include Adeney Avenue, Park Hill Road, Normanby Road, Weir Street and Wharton Street. Cotham Road and its tramway are shown nearby. The plan is interesting as it shows Wharton Street, named after the architect and town planner George Wharton, who was the first chairman of the Municipality of Kew. The street was to later be renamed Cecil Street. Also shown are proposed ‘Municipal Gardens’ where Parkhill Drive is now located.subdivision plans - kew, normanby 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 little-known Glenarbor Estate comprised 23 allotments bordering Wellington and Denmark Streets and Fenton Avenue. The auction of the allotments in the Estate was held in the Kew Recreation Hall. The purported advantages to Kew are identified on the plan, such as the close proximity of the entrance to the Kew Railway Station and access to shops in Denmark Street. Due to its location, the subdivision was pitched at commercial as well as residential purchasers. The Estate was to cause a crisis in the Kew Council as a majority of councillors voted on 29 May to acquire the entire Estate as the location of a new Town Hall. The Estate was said to be valued at £50,000. A later meeting was to rescind the vote, instead opting for the compulsory acquisition of South Esk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road. That acquisition was to be overturned by the State Government. The debate about the purchase of the Glenarbor Estate by Council coincided with the decision to widen High Street on the South side between Cotham Road and the Junction."D"subdivision plans - kew, glenarbor estate, wellington street, denmark street

In Kew’s Civic Century (1960), Cr. W.D. Vaughan described William Dickie Birrell M.B.E. (1899-1974) as follows: “Mr. W. D. Birrell, who had been on the staff of the Country Roads Board after his return from active service with the First A.I.F., was appointed assistant town clerk on February 15, 1921. On Mr. Harrison’s retirement he was appointed town clerk and city treasurer, and has given outstanding service. His knowledge of municipal administration has been acknowledged by the Government calling on his services to advise on amendments to the Local Government Act. He is a past president of the Town Clerks Institute, and on the nomination of that body was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in 1958 with the award of the M.B.E. He still occupies the position and is held in the highest esteem not only by the Kew Council, but also by local government administrators throughout the metropolitan area.” (page 132) He died on 7 May 1974, and his ashes were interred at the Boroondara General Cemetery. This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of Mayors and Town Clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew, for the period 1863 to 1969. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series. Framed portrait of W. D. Birrell - Town Clerk of the City of Kew from 1936 -. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that it each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the town clerk and the year/s that he served.W.D. BIRRELL / TOWN CLERK 1938-town clerks - kew (vic), w.d. birrell, photographers - stuart tompkins studios - camberwell (vic), kew (vic.) — municipal collection

The decade that began in national and domestic uncertainty was to end on a fancifully resolute moment, when Kew Council decided to apply for a gold mayoral chain. While most cities had previously been gifted mayoral chains by the Victorian Government, Kew had passed up an earlier opportunity in 1933. In that year, councillors had asked the Town Clerk to investigate whether previous mayors were willing to donate a gold link for the chain on which their name would be inscribed. Either the answer was negative, or else the Great Depression unnerved the decision makers. Hawthorn councillors, in contrast, accepted the offer of a gold chain, contributing the cost of the enamelled central medallion, while twenty former Hawthorn mayors agreed to each donate a link. At a Special Meeting of the Kew City Council on 22 August 1949, the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Edmund Herring presented a gold mayoral chain, worth £250 to the City of Kew. Contemporary newspaper accounts recorded that sixteen former mayors, or their families, donated a link inscribed with the name and term of its owner. The first mayor to wear the new chain of office was Cr Walter Hambly.Historically significant documentary record relating to the Insignia of Office of the City of KewNotice paper sent to councillors of a Special Meeting of Kew City Council, attended by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Edmund Herring to receive the presentation of a gold mayoral chain to the City. The space where the invitee's name should be written is left blank, so presumably it was a spare copy originating in the Town Clerk's files.mayoral chain - kew, council papers - kew city council, insignia of office

The party of the British surveyor Charles Grimes were the first Europeans to view the River Yarra, as it was later to be named. Members of the party reached the area now known as Studley Park in 1803. This local re-enactment commemorated 175 years since that event. Charles Grimes Re-Enactment, Yarra River, Kew, 1978. The photograph is of a student of Trinity Grammar School and the Mayor of Kew, Cr. Whiting. Inscription on reverse: "KH-161. Society's contribution to the 1978 Festival of Kew. Re-enactment of first white man's journey and discovery of the Yarra River and the area now know (sic) as Kew. 1978. This was in the year 1903 when Grimes and party came upon the Yarra to seek a possible site for a new convict settlement. Cr. Whiting, Mayor of Kew, receiving the report from Grimes, 'Andrew Allen'. Cr. Hutchinson in top hat 'town cryer'. Bush band in backround." Ripped stamp on reverse: "Standard N[ewspapers]."charles grimes re-enactment, trinity grammar school, cr whiting -- mayors -- kew (vic.), yarra river, andrew allen, kew historical society

The point of view of the artist is looking towards Kew from the vicinity of Xavier College. The paddocks in the foreground are bordered by Wellington Street. In the distance the towers of the asylum can be see, further narrowing the date to after 1870s. The work exists in a number of original versions including a colour print.Kew, ca. 1870 - ca. 1880. Reproduction of a book plate from an original wood engraving, of an elevated view of trees and paddocks with a town in the background. The illustration is signed R. JENNY Sc. [Rudolph Jenny 1827-1905, lithographer.] A version from which this reproduction may have been made was donated to the State Library of Victoria by the National Trust, Victoria in 1985. kew (victoria), wellington street -- kew (vic.)

"In 1839 John Dight purchased Melbourne block 88, which included 26 acres of land along the Yarra River for £481 at the Port Phillip land sales held in Sydney. Dight was already in the business of flour milling and had a mill near Campbell Town in New South Wales called ‘Ceres’. In April 1840, he notified his customers through The Sydney Herald that he was leaving to go to Port Phillip. The first steam powered flour mill was constructed in Melbourne in 1841. Dight built his water powered mill, soon after, from bricks bought over from Tasmania. Dight used the river to power his mill: Water flowed along an inlet channel to turn an undershot water wheel. In order to regulate flow or to ensure flow for times when river levels were low, Dight constructed a rough stone weir." (Melbourne Water)Dights Mill. Reproduction of a book plate from an original wood engraving, showing Dights Mill and Falls on the River Yarra. The image was originally published in Sands & Kenny, Melbourne & Sydney.Annotation on reverse: "Dights Flour".dights mill, yarra river

The Box Hill Operatic Society was founded in 1945 and was sponsored by the Box Hill City Council. Past productions listed on the back page of the programme include The Quaker Girl, High Jinks, A Night Out, The Lilac Domino, Wildflower, Gipsy Love, Katinka, and Maid of the Mountains. Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1960s. The Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later the Kew City Hall (Cotham Road) were major locations in suburban Melbourne in the postwar period for civic and private events including theatre productions and exhibitions. The Arthur Dear Collection (in conjunction with the scrapbooks compiled by Marion Tilley) provide a comprehensive snapshot of performing arts in Kew during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes valuable data about performances, performers, directors etc., during this period. Theatre programme issued by the Box Hill Operatic Society. The 8-page programme contains a title page, a cast list, details of the management, and a brief history of the Company. The performance was held in the Box Hill Town Hall in 1958. arthur dear collection, theatre memorabilia, performing arts - box hill, box hill town hall

The back page of the programme includes details of previous productions: 1950 - The Resignation of Mr. Bagsworth, The Shirt, 1951 - Richard of Bordeaux, 1952 - Ned Kelly, 1953 - Saint Joan, 1954 - Treasure Island 1955 - Toad of Toad Hall, and 1956 School for Scandal. Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge. Items in the collection dates from the 1940s to the 1960s. The Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later the Kew City Hall (Cotham Road) were major locations in suburban Melbourne in the postwar period for civic and private events including theatre productions and exhibitions. The Arthur Dear Collection (in conjunction with the scrapbooks compiled by Marion Tilley) provide a comprehensive snapshot of performing arts in Kew during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. The collection includes valuable data about performances, performers, directors etc., during this period. Theatre programme for a production of Our Town by the Camberwell Grammar School Dramatic Society. The 4-page programme includes a cast list and information about supernumeraries. arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, kew recreation hall -- wellington street, theatre memorabilia, camberwell grammar school dramatic society