The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). This plan shows the original configuration of the Kew Post Office, Court House and Police Station, which had opened in 1888. This configuration was to essentially remain until the purchase of the Court House and Police Station by the City of Boroondara in 2007 and its subsequent renovation. Interestingly, the MMBW surveyors incorrectly labelled parts of the complex. In the triangle in front of the Post Office, before the erection of the Kew Cenotaph in 1925, was located a lawn and the Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain. While many of the shops on the south side of High street had been constructed by 1903 a number of sites were still used as vegetable gardens. Further along High Street, on the corner of Charles Street, the Salvation Army Barracks can be seen on the plan. These Barracks predate the later Citadel and ‘Young People’s Hall’ that were opened in 1919. At 22 Charles Street can be seen the house of James Venn Morgan. Hailed as the ‘father of Kew’, Morgan arrived in Melbourne in 1840. He was first engaged as a bookmaker, but a fortunate venture on the goldfields enabled him to purchase land in Kew. He conducted a market garden and dairy in Kew for many years.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1588, cartography

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.A photograph of Mount Eri, 9 Highbury Grove, an 11-room house for sale near the junction of Cotham and Glenferrie Roads. The substantial red brick, slate-roofed house and its location are not identified in the photograph, although the extent of the house is noted. It was described then as ‘well situated’ and close to 3 trams. Mathers, a financial agent in Cotham Road, placed advertisements about the sale of the property in The Argus in May and June 1919. The advertisement additionally refers to a billiard room and asserts that the house has every modern convenience. An annotation on the plan indicates that the house, with tennis court, was sold for £1960. Following extensive research, the house has now been conclusively identified, albeit extended and rendered. The house was originally built in the 19th century as a school and for much of the 20th century was used as a venue for receptions.

WADE, Ivan Mayor 1969-70, 1970-71 Ivan Wade grew up in Bendigo and Brunswick, one of eight children. After his marriage, he moved with his wife and young family to Kew in 1951. In 1959, he took a year’s sabbatical in 1959 to build a new family home for his wife and four children at 222 Cotham Road, Kew. He worked professionally in the Meat Industry, successfully building a small chain of retail butcher shops, and a meat exporting business. He worked for improvements in the Trade through involvement in the Meat and Allied Trades Federation, of which he was the first State, and then Federal President. He was to be awarded an OBE for his services to the Meat Industry in 1979. Having been a long-time member of Melbourne Lions Club, he helped start Chadstone Lions’ Club as an inaugural tenant of the Chadstone Shopping Centre in 1979. He was also a tireless worker for charity, making his home available for functions raising funds for local groups. His passion for the community led him to stand for Kew Council as a representative of College Ward. As a councillor, he was elected mayor for two terms. During his term of office, new Kew Municipal Offices were constructed in Cotham Road. An active worker for the Kew Elder Citizens Association, he was involved in the establishment of an Opportunity Shop in Walpole Street to raise funds for the development of a new Centre in High Street. The Opportunity Shop was used to train locally unemployed youth skills such as furniture repair. (GW)Silver presentation trowel associated with the opening of significant civic projects in the former City of Kew.Commemorative, inscribed silver-plated presentation trowel given by the City of Kew to the Mayor, Cr Ivan Wade, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new Kew Civic Centre on the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, now part of Trinity Grammar School. The silver trowel was presented in a black leather case lined with blue velvet. The trowel was to be used a second time in 1982 when Cr Wade and his wife laid the foundation stone of Hamer Court. The trowel was later donated to Kew Historical Society Inc by Gwlad Wade, the wife of Cr Ivan Wade, on 20 August 2000. Front: "Presented to Cr Wade J.P. / Mayor of / the City of Kew / at the laying of the / foundation stone / of the / Kew Civic Centre /20-8-1971." Reverse: This trowel was also used / by / Cr Ivan Wade OBE JP & Mrs Gwlad Wade / at the laying / of the foundation stone / of / "Hamer Court" / Hostel for the Aged / 22nd August 1982"cr ivan wade, hamer court, commemorative trowels, kew civic offices, city of kew 1860-1993

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of pink leather court shoes with a black insole on which Tony Bianco, the designer’s name is embossed.Tony Bianco / Made in Italyfootwear, women's shoes, court shoes, tony bianco - designer

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of two tone, navy and beige women’s shoes by Bruno Magli, retailed by Hermann.BRUNO MAGLI / MADE IN ITALY / EXCLUSIVE TO HERMANN 37 1/2bruno magli, women's shoes, footwear, court shoes

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of leather navy women’s court shoes designed by Andre. The shoes have small leather bows at the front.ANDRE / A / Genuine Leather All leather / Upper & Sole / Leather Lining / Made in Chinawomen's shoes, footwear, andre --shoes

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of black suede women’s court shoes with a cream leather lining on which is stamped in gold lettering Bruno Magli. The Italian designed shoes were retailed by retailed by M.C. Hermann.BRUNO MAGLI / Made in Italy / Exclusive for M.C. Hermann bruno magli, women's shoes, footwear, italian shoes, m. c. hermann

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of black leather women’s shoes with black velvet bows, retailed by Rules of LauncestonExclusive to / Rules of Launcestonwomen's shoes, rules of launceston, footwear, court shoes

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of brown leather court shoes with deep tan leather uppers, designed by Yves Saint Laurent, Paris.YVES SAINT LAURENT / Pariswomen's shoes, yves saint laurent, footwear, court shoes

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s.Pair of two tone beige and brown leather women’s court shoes designed by Pedro Garcia, EspanaPedro Garcia / ESPANA / Pedro Garcia / Made in Spainwomen's shoes, pedro garcia -- espana -- shoes, footwear

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of two-tone mid and dark brown leather court shoes with the designer name ‘JW Jane’ on the upper.Label upper: "JW JANE"women's shoes, jane jw -- shoes, footwear

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s.A pair of two-tone cream leather and beige suede women’s court shoes with beige leather insoles by Paragon Shoes.Paragon / 49274 / 7 1/2women's shoes, court shoes, paragon shoes, footwear, shoes

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s.Pair of leather women’s court shoes, manufactured by Mario Valentino of Italy. The yellow leather shoes have a cream leather insole and decorative white leather bows with black polka dots.Label: "MARIO VALENTINO / MADE IN ITALY"international fashion, women's shoes, court shoes, mario valentino

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Footrest Shoes were manufactured in High Street Preston, on the west side not far up from Dundas Street, but well before Bell St. Preston is a suburb of Melbourne.Pair of dark green leather women’s court shoes with a green fabric bow at the front, manufactured by Footrest, Australia.Footrest, Australia. Made by Footrest /Leather Uppers Linings & Soleswomen's shoes, footrest shoes, footwear, ladies footwear

The extensive fashion and design collection of the Kew Historical Society has been assembled over a number of decades. One subsection of this collection is shoes, designed and manufactured for Australian women by Australian and European designers. Many of the shoes, while often mass-produced, were generally constructed by skilled artisans using traditional shoe-making techniques. The shoes date from the 1890s to the 1980s. Pair of lime yellow leather women’s court shoes. A label on the upper states that the shoes are part of the Magnini Elegance Collection or style.Magnini Elegance Leather Upper / Synthetic lining / Leather sole / Made in Malaysiawomen's shoes, magnini, elegance collection, footwear

The Kew Croquet Club rooms were designed by Roland Chipperfield. The Club was founded in 1934 and is located in Victoria Park, Kew. This photo was used as the key photo in an exhibition at the Kew Court House on Sport in Kew.Born digital image of members of the Kew Croquet Club, photographed for an exhibition on Sport in Kew, held at the Kew Court House in 2014.kew croquet club - kew (vic)

The Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in the Greater Melbourne region. From its beginnings, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop windows and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library.A series of born digital photographs of the framed photographs in the exhibition which explored thirteen historic houses in Kew using old and contemporary photographs. The Houses included: Turanville, D'Estaville, Ivy Grange,Tarring, Charleville, Ramornie, Dalsraith, Heald Lawn, and the James Beament House. Each house was selected as representative of a particular decade. The curators of the exhibition were Robert Baker, Kerry Fairbank and Tony Michael. New photographs of architectural features were taken with the permission of the owner of the house.heritage - kew (vic), kew historical society - exhibitions, historic houses - kew (vic)

From its beginnings in 1958, the Society has mounted exhibitions and/or displays, in early days in shop window and in community spaces located in the Kew City Hall (later Kew Library), and since 2010 at the Kew Court House. Exhibitions typically coincided with the annual Kew Community Festival in March, but after 2013 evolved into three new exhibitions yearly at the Kew Court House. Smaller displays continue to be mounted in the Kew Library. Display of seven costumes from the Weir collection dating from the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s used as a display at the 11 April 2018 monthly meeting at which the speakers were Jillian Rigby, Robert Baker and Suzanne McWha. The topic was the Weirs of Princess Street (Kew). The dresses form part of the Kew Historical Society Australian fashion collection and are catalogued individually.weir collection, women's clothing, kew historical society - meetings, australian fashion - 19100s - 1910s - 1920s - 1930s

The Minutes of the Kew Historical Society record that in the year 2000, the Society paid for a Town Crier's outfit. This outfit was later used in public events relating to fundraising for the restoration of the Kew Court House at 188 High Street, Kew. A member, usually Philip Slobom, dressed as the Town Crier, used this bell to draw attention to the campaign. Wood handled, brass handbell. Probable reproduction of an original item.FATIMA CONVENT PARRAMATTA 1896hand bells, fatima convent, parramatta (nsw)

At the beginning of the 1890s, the Kew businessman and Town Councillor, Henry Kellett, commissioned J.F.C. Farquhar to photograph scenes of Kew. These scenes included panoramas as well as pastoral scenes. The resulting set of twelve photographs was assembled in an album, Kew Where We Live, from which customers could select images for purchase.The preamble to the album describes that the photographs used the ‘argentic bromide’ process, now more commonly known as the gelatine silver process. This form of dry plate photography allowed for the negatives to be kept for weeks before processing, hence its value in landscape photography. The resulting images were considered to be finely grained and everlasting. Evidence of the success of Henry Kellett’s venture can be seen today, in that some of the photographs are held in national collections.It is believed that the Kew Historical Society’s copy of the Kellett album is unique and that the photographs in the book were the first copies taken from the original plates. It is the first and most important series of images produced about Kew. The individual images have proved essential in identifying buildings and places of heritage value in the district.Very few of the natural or built features in this panoramic photograph of Wellington Street remain. The open land between High Street South and Denmark Street, then known as O’Shannessy’s Paddock, was to become a residential subdivision at the beginning of the 20th Century. On the far side of Denmark Street, bordered by a picket fence, is the Kew Railway Station (demolished 1957). Further east, the large building with the flagpole is the Kew Recreation Hall (demolished 1960), which was the centre of civic life for almost a century. The building was used for dances, civic functions and exhibitions. A bowling green, tennis courts, and a cricket ground surrounded the Hall. The dominant building in the photograph is Xavier College, founded in 1872 by the Society of Jesus. The first classes for pupils were held in 1878. It is presumed that Farquhar used its roof for two of his bird’s eye views.Wellington Street from High Streetkew illustrated, kew where we live, photographic books, henry kellett

Kew Railway Station was the second railway station on the Kew 'Spur' Line in Melbourne. The key unlocked signals equipment at the Station. The key was donated by Harry Jackson in 2019 during an exhibition at the Kew Court House on railway history in Kew.This piece of railway equipment is a rare oiece of railway memorabilia.'A' pattern Annett Key, used at the Kew Railway Station with signals equipment.KEWkew railway station - denmark street - kew (vic), annett keys

A court barrier used during a tennis tournament, advertising IBM and Rado, providers of the computer technology and the stadium timepieces, respectively, during that event. Inscription: RADO/SWISS - WATCHES/IBM. Materials: Fibreboard, Paint, Adhesive labeltennis

Two court barriers (.1 - .2) used during a tennis tournament, advertising IBM and Rado, providers of the computer technology and the stadium timepieces, respectively, during that event. Inscription: IBM/RADO/SWISS - WATCHES. Materials: Fibreboard, Paint, Adhesive labeltennis

A metal token mounted and framed to display both sides, with an information blurb describing the token as an early form of currency used as change by/at a tennis court and inn complex in Oxford, England. Token is personalised to relate specifically to one of the court keepers, a Thomas Wood. Second information sheet enclosed in pocket on backing of frame identifies the token as the "tradesmen's token" of an Oxford Tennis Court keeper. Materials: Ink, Wood, Metal, Cardboard, Glass, Velvet, Paper, Adhesive labeltennis

Two identical court barriers (.1-.2) used around the late 1980's during the Ford Australian Open, at the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park (now Melbourne Park). The Ford logo features prominently across the two faces of each barrier. Materials: Tarpaulin, Foam, Metal, Inktennis

Reproduction of engraving with caption: 'REMAINS OF GIBBON'S TENNIS COURT/AS IT APPEARED AFTER THE FIRE/ 17 SEPTEMBER, 1809/ USED IN 1660 AS THE FIRST THEATER OF THE /KING'S COMPANY OF COMEDIANS/UNTIL THE ERECTION OF THE THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE;/AND IN 1695, AGAIN OPENED BY/BETTERTON'S COMPANY/WITH THE PLAY 'LOVE FOR LOVE'. Materials: Ink, Paper, Metal, Glass, Cardboardtennis

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Former court room of the Kew Court House. By 1993 when this photograph was taken, the room had been taken over by the Kew Police Station and used for police lockers and as a briefing room. In the foreground the edge of the magistrates' desk can be seen and in the distance the railing used to separate the public gallery from the main section of the court. This railing was repositioned to the foyer during the renovations of the Court House from 2007-11. The magistrates' desk was destroyed. kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station