From the early 1950s, the Kew Repertory Players performed more substantial, if less spectacular fare in the Recreation Hall, and later in the new Kew City Hall, after the former’s demolition in 1960. Their repertoire ranged from plays by Noel Coward to J.B. Priestley. Many of their programmes, the earliest from 1953, and the last from 1965, form part of our collection.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 1970s. 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. Programme issued by The Kew Repertory Players for a performance of Fools Rush In by Kenneth Horne. The performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in June 1957. The 4-page programme includes a cast list, a synopsis and advertisements for local businesses.fools rush in, kenneth horne, kew repertory players, arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, kew recreation hall -- wellington street, theatre memorabilia

From the early 1950s, the Kew Repertory Players performed more substantial, if less spectacular fare in the Recreation Hall, and later in the new Kew City Hall, after the former’s demolition in 1960. Their repertoire ranged from plays by Noel Coward to J.B. Priestley. Many of their programmes, the earliest from 1953, and the last from 1965, form part of our collection.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 1970s.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. Programme issued by The Kew Repertory Players for a performance of Heaven and Charing Cross by Audrey Danvers-Walker. The performances took place in the Kew Recreation Hall in March 1957. The 4-page programme includes a cast list, a synopsis and advertisements for local businesses.heaven and charing cross, audrey danvers-walker, kew repertory players, arthur dear collection, performing arts -- kew -- victoria, kew recreation hall -- wellington street, theatre memorabilia

Extracts from The Church on the Hill: Presbyterianism in Kew 1874-1974 by John A. O’Neill (Mullaya, Canterbury (Vic), 1974, pp.58-60. “An outstanding family which gave devoted service to the Church was the Campbell family of which James Maitland was the “head”. He died at “Ramornie” on the afternoon of Monday 15 December 1930. … “James Maitland Campbell was born in 1847 in Melrose, Scotland, where his father, the Rev. A. J. Campbell D.D., was the Minister of the Kirk. The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. A. J. Campbell, with their family, came to Australia in 1861 and settled in St. George’s Church, Geelong, where he was the first Minister. James Maitland, after completing his secondary education at Geelong College, entered the Melbourne University where he graduated Master of Arts and Master of Laws, and eventually became a partner in the legal firm of Davies and Campbell. When he first came to Melbourne Mr Campbell attended Chalmers Church, East Melbourne, and married Miss Annie Harper, daughter of Robert Harper, a merchant and a sister of Professor Andrew Harper. In March 1875 the young couple settled in Pakington Street, Kew. After the induction of the Rev. Maxwell and the formation of a Board of Management, Mr. Campbell was elected its first Secretary. David Beath, James Maitland Campbell and Duncan Robert McGregor were the first Trustees of our Church. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell joined the Church Choir, and Mr. Campbell became Choir Leader. Members of their family, Bessie, Mary, Nellie and Lewis also sang in the Choir. Mary became a famed teacher of singing in Melbourne. She taught singing to members of the Choir, and gave lessons in voice production to students for the Ministry. In 1879 Mr. Campbell became Superintendent of the Sabbath School, a position he occupied for 27 years. In 1887 he was elected an Elder, and the Session Clerk for 37 years. In 1924 Mr. Campbell compiled a very complete Jubilee History of the Kew Presbyterian Church. Mr. J. M. Campbell saw our existing Church and the Old Manse erected, the Villa purchased, and, with the help of the Kew Congregation, the Charges of West Hawthorn, East Kew and Deepdene established. In the General Assembly of Australia and the General Assembly of Victoria he occupied the important position of Law Agent, and was a member of numerous Church Committees and Councils. … At the Annual Congregational Meeting on Wednesday 28 October 1931, it was decided to erect a tablet in the Church to the memory of the late Mr. J. M. Campbell to record his service to the Church. The tablet was unveiled at the morning service on 13 December by Mr. Legge. The Preacher was Rev. J. Barnaby.”James Maitland Campbell (1847-1930) the owner of “Ramornie” in Pakington Street was an important contributor to the community of Kew in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A Councillor of the Borough of Kew, he was to be elected Mayor on three occasions: 1889-90, 1890-91 and 1892-93. In addition to his political roles, he was the first Secretary of the Kew Presbyterian Church, being actively involved in the life of the Church until his death in 1930. The Kew Historical Society has a small collection of items once belonging to the Campbell family, including a series of invitations issued to Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Campbell for the festivities organised to commemorate the opening of the first Australian Parliament in Melbourne in 1901. Memorial Tablet to James Maitland Campbell (1847-1930) that was originally erected in the Kew Presbyterian Church in Cotham Road. The tablet is comprised of iridescent ceramic tiles.“Erected by the congregation to the Memory of James Maitland Campbell. LL.M. died 15th., December 1930. Session Clerk of this church for 36 years. “A Christian gentleman.”james maitland campbell (1847-1930), kew presbyterian church, ramornie (pakington street), campbell collection

Kew Tapestry The eight panels depict the history of Kew. This was a 1988 Australian Bi-Centennial Project carried out under the auspices of City of Kew Council and the Kew Historical Society Incorporated. Nearly 600 citizens including many children participated in the production by adding a few or more stitches. A book records their names and the panels upon which they worked. Artist: Joy Stewart Co-ordinator: Dorothy BenyeiSydney Joy (Joy) Stewart was born in Melbourne 1925. She studied at Swinburne Technical College Art School from 1941-1945, then the National Gallery Art School 1946-1948. Her career included employment positions as a display artist, designer/painter, gallery assistant, and art teacher. Joy relocated to Cairns in 1981. Solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Cairns, including 'Done By Me' at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1999. Group exhibitions at Cairns Regional Gallery, 'The Fish John West Regrets, 1993' and 'Facets of Life' 1994. Joy Stewart died in Cairns in 2018.6. War Memorial: Unveiled 1925. A Handcoloured cartoon created by the artist Joy Stewart as a template for the sixth of a series of embroidered panels depicting the history of Kew. Wool colour codes at left. Inscription: "WAR MEMORIAL: Unveiled 1925. Post Office, Court House and Police Station erected 1888. ... The Junction of High Street and Cotham Road became the commercial heart of Kew." Signed by the artist "(c) JStewart, 1988"bicentennial project (kew), joy stewart, wwi, kew war memorial

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Historic early photograph from the archives of the Kew Elder Citizen's ClubFramed photograph of six women who it is presumed were the candidates or finalists in a competition to be the Queen of Southesk. At this time, Southesk in Cotham Road was home to the Kew Elder Citizens Club, now known as Kew Senior Citizens Centre Inc.Front mount: "Queen Competition 1967 - South Esk - Won by Mrs Harkansee." Reverse: "L-R: -. Miss Knox, Mrs Emmerson, Mrs Higgins, Mrs Moyle, Mrs Harkansee"kew elder citizens club, kew senior citizens centre inc., southesk, miss knox, mrs emmerson, mrs higgins, mrs moyle, mrs harkensee

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed in 1860. This eastern section of Kew was settled from the 1850s with all land sold in the vicinity by 1851. The original large estates were further subdivided in the second half of the 19th and in the first decades of the 20th centuries.Early aerial photograph of KewFramed aerial photograph of that part of Kew in which is located Genazzano FCJ, the Kew Reservoir, and the retail nurseries of Bennett’s and Rimington's.genazzano fcj, kew reservoir, rimington's nurseries, bennett's nursery, cotham road, mont victor road (kew)

William Derrick was an early landowner in Kew, and with James Venn Morgan and James Dannock the purchaser of the parcel of land bounded by Cotham Road, High Street and Mary Street. Derrick Street in Kew is named after him.Map mounted under perspex. ‘Plan of Mr Willia Derrick's Land, Kew being Subdivision of Part of Section 86, Parish of Boroondara, County of Bourke’. This is a copy of the plan held in the State Library of Victoria.kew subdivision plan, john derrick, subdivision plans -- kew (vic.)

This mounted and framed photograph of a group of friends punting on the River Yarra has a number of historic and artistic associations. The photograph is primarily important as an informal photograph of the Australian baritone John Donald Mackenzie Brownlee (1900-1969), whose international career at the world's major opera houses from 1927 until his retirement in 1958 included singing at Melba's Covent Garden farewell in 1926, to recordings in the 1930s of a major series of Mozart operas in Glyndebourne Festival productions, conducted by Fritz Busch. Brownlee, born in Geelong, won the gold medal as champion vocalist at the South Street competitions in Ballarat in 1921. Moving to Paris in 1923 he began study with the French baritone, Dinh Gilly, making his operatic debut at the Trianon Lyrique in Montmartre in 1926. The most significant periods of his operatic career were with the Paris Opera from 1927 to 1936, and at the Metropolitan Opera from 1937 to 1957. After his move to Paris in 1923, he is recorded as revisiting Australia in 1928 as a member of the Melba-Williamson Company, and 24 years later in 1952. The photograph of Brownlee and the Gardners in a punt on the Yarra, while putatively dated to 1925, must be from earlier in the 1920s before his move to Paris, or later during the Melba-Williamson Company season. Before his move to Paris in 1923, Brownlee had lived in Belmont Avenue, Kew, where he must have developed a friendship with the Gardners. The photograph has additional artistic significance as it was produced at 'The Artorium', James Beament's design studio next to the Hawthorn Town Hall at 362 Burwood Road. With a home at 33 Uvadale Road (designed by Eric Nicholls, who managed the architectural practice of Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Grifffin from 1924 to 1932), Beament painted a number of significant murals for the Griffin practice, including those at the Capitol Theatre in Melbourne.A photograph of recreational activities on the River Yarra. The photograph is historically significant as a professionally produced photograph of the Australian operatic baritone John Brownlee, either before his move to Paris in 1923, or in 1928 during the Melba-Williamson Company operatic tour of Australia. The photograph has additional aesthetic significance as it was produced in James Beament's Hawthorn Studio - The Artorium - at 362 Burwood Road, next to the Hawthorn Town Hall.Framed photograph of John Duncan Brownlee, the Australian tenor, with Enid Gardner and friend in a punt on the Yarra River. Brownlee was born in Geelong but before his move to Paris in 1923, he lived for a period in Belmont Avenue, Kew. Three labels on reverse. 1. "John Duncan Brownlee, Operatic Star, originally of Geelong later resident of Kew at Belmont Av, on the pole. Also in the punt - Edith Gardner a friend. The Gardners lived on the east corner of Edgevale Rd. & Cotham. Approx. 1925." 2. "This picture is the property of Kew Historical Society 1/4/79". 3. Tel. Hawthorn 842 THE ARTORIUM ...."john brownlee (tenor), punting, recreation - yarra river (kew), james beament, the artorium -- 362 burwood road -- hawthorn (vic.)

The Meals on Wheels Service in Victoria began in 1953 in South Melbourne. The service in Kew began three years after in 1956 and originally operated out of the Council-owned South Esk in Cotham Road. With the building of a new Senior Citizens Centre, the service moved to Childers Street.Leather case containing 12 aluminium containers, stacked in groups of three which was used to deliver meals to elderly residents by the Kew Meals on Wheels group. The program was initiated in 1956. The items were presented to the Society in 2008 by Dorothy Fox, President of the Kew Seniors Association.meals on wheels (kew), south esk - kew elder citizens, dorothy fox

In the collection of the Kew RSL (Cotham Road) there is a framed original certificate with information about Lillias Jerram. It includes the following information: Miss Lillias May JERRAM Commandant No. 323 Detachment, Victoria [Citation] Loyal and able leadership and service during World War II Service: Joined No.323 (Kew) Detachment in 1937. Commandant in 1944. Miss Jerram did voluntary duty in casualty and wards at St Vincent's Hospital regularly for 6 years. Also duty at the Eye and Ear Hospital and A.R.P. Duty. Helped No.323 Detachment to raise funds amounting to 400 pounds for St. John Theatre at 115th A.G.H., Heidelberg. Blood donor. [Courtesy: John Torpey representing the Kew RSL]Women's contribution-utions to the war effort both in 1924-18 and again in 1939-45 were significant. Voluntary Aid Detachments. The primary role of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member was that of nursing orderly in hospitals, carrying out menial but essential tasks - scrubbing floors, sweeping, dusting and cleaning bathrooms and other areas, dealing with bedpans, and washing patients. They were not employed in military hospitals, except as ward and pantry maids; rather, they worked in Red Cross convalescent and rest homes, canteens, and on troop trains.Small blue muslin tablecloth used at V.A.D. (Voluntray Aid Detatchment) meetings in Kew and embroidered with the names of notable members and office bearers. The date range provided in the embroidered names is 1918-1948.Signed with initials of members and the dates of their participation in the V.A.D.voluntary aid detachment (kew branch), signature table cloths, lilies may jerram

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 reproduction of a plan in the Vale Collection of the State Library of Victoria showing William Derricks land in the area bordered by Bulleen Road (High Street); Cotham Road and Union Street. The plan dates from 1872.william derrick, subdivision plans -- kew (vic.)

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 reproduction of a plan in the Vale Collection of the State Library of Victoria. The plan shows lots in a subdivision bordered by Cotham Road; Edward Street; Sackville Street and Thomas Street. The undated plan does not include the land occupied by Bella Vista and Charleville.subdivision plans -- kew (vic), st helliers estate

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s. These postcards may or may not include the name of the publisher or printer. A number of the cards were published as parts of popular series. A way of dating early postcards is to identify whether the reverse was divided by a central line which became the norm after 1902 in the United Kingdom. However, other postcards produced after this date do not always conform to this print layout.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 the Kew Post Office and Court House (built 1888) on the corner of High Street and Cotham Road. In front of the Post Office is a large Moreton Bay Fig tree. The later Kew War Memorial (opened 1925) necessitated the removal of the tree and the relaocation of the Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain. "No-KH-388. 1888. Donated by Mr. L. Bennett. Later buildings joined. Fig tree + Queen Victoria Jubilee Fountain moved to make way for World War I Memorial 1920."kew court house, kew post office, postcards

The Kew Historical Society's postcard collection includes views of Kew, Melbourne and Greater Melbourne as well as those including overseas scenes sent or received from Europe or the Middle East. They date from the 1890s to the 2000s. These postcards may or may not include the name of the publisher or printer. A number of the cards were published as parts of popular series. A way of dating early postcards is to identify whether the reverse was divided by a central line which became the norm after 1902 in the United Kingdom. However, other postcards produced after this date do not always conform to this print layout.Historic postcard of local significance showing the layout of the Alexandra Gardens in Kew. The gardens were opened in 1908 and designed/planted by the Pockett Brothers, so the planting reflects their horticultural style as well as that of the period. The postcard also depicts the Kew Jubilee Rotunda (later demolished and replaced by a second structure in 1988).Monochrome postcard showing the original 'Jubilee Rotunda' in the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road.Alexandra Gardens, Kew Oastler Leading Stationer, Kew / Printed in Saxonypostcards -- kew (vic.), alexandra gardens -- kew (vic), rotunda -- alexandra gardens -- kew (vic.), oastler -- stationers -- kew (vic.)

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.Undated Plan of Subdivision of Crown Portion 84 in what is now Kew. The area shown is bordered by Burke Road, Harp Road, Arglye Road and Normanby Road.subdivision plans -- kew (vic), harp road, burke road, normanby road, lady loch's drive, gladstone street, second avenue, first avenue

The streets identified on the survey plan - Cotham Road, Park Hill Road East, Park Hill Road West in Kew were each gazetted by the Victorian Government in 1865. The hand-coloured survey plan was completed by Holland Loxton, Town Clerk and Surveyor of the Borough of Kew from 1866. The unnamed survey plan includes names of land owners in addition to measurements (2 chains to 1 inch) and streets. Named owners include Webster, Payne and Francom which will enable us to narrow down the creation date of the survey.Handdrawn survey plan by a former surveyor and town clerk of KewHand drawn and coloured survey plan created by Holland Loxton, Surveyor and Town Clerk of Kew, showing land owned by Payne in Park Hill Road, Kew. The plan includes street names, land measurements and land owners.surveys - kew, maps - kew, holland loxton, park hill road - kew, holland loxton -- surveyor, survey plans -- parkhill road -- kew (vic.)

The original Kew Town Hall offices were located in Walpole Street, Kew. Before 1960, even though it had been much discussed over a number of decades, Kew did not have a 'civic hall'. When required, events such as balls, exhibitions or theatrical events were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in Walpole Street. A new City Hall was to be opened by Sir Robert Menzies in 1960. It was located beside the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road. It is now used as the Kew Library. Cr Hugh George Ferguson (at right) was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Australian Imperial Forces. After the war he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term. He died in 1975, aged 75, and is buried in Boroondara Cemetery.An item of historical interest donated by members of the Dods family in 2006. The Dods-Ferguson Collection includes a number of items once in the possession of the families related to or descended from two mayors of Kew: Cr. Hugh Ferguson and Cr. Frederick Dods.Publicity photograph of two men and a woman inspecting architectural models for a new Kew City Hall. The man at the right of the photograph is Cr Hugh George Ferguson, Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The Hall, now occupied by the Kew Library, was opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte MLA, Premier of Victoria in 1960.Herald Sun Feature Service / Hugh G. Ferguson & Associates / New Kew City Hall. kew city hall, hugh g. ferguson & asociates, architectural models - kew, cr hugh george ferguson

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). Plan No.1568 covers the area bounded by Cotham Road, John Street, Sackville Street, and Edward Street. Alfred Street and Rowland Street are in shown in the middle of the plan. The two most notable buildings shown are ‘St Helliers’, the home of the Dumaresq family, and St Hilary’s Church and school. While the colours used to indicate St Hilary’s are grey as in other civic/public buildings, the first St Hilary’s Anglican Church was at this stage constructed in weatherboard. At the left of the plan, facing Sackville Street is a house named ‘Glencara’. The 1988 ‘Kew Conservation Study’ recorded that “The first documentary evidence of this house comes from Rate Books which record that in 1893 a Mrs Treadway was the owner of this building with an N.A.V. of £81? At that date the occupier of the house was Charles B. Kelly, a clerk, while by 1910 Kelly had become the owner of the property described in that year ‘as a six-roomed stone, brick and wood house with stables and outbuildings’”. Contrary to this description, the 1905 plan indicates that the house was entirely constructed of masonry.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1568

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 covers parts of Sackville Street, John Street, Thomas Street and Cotham Road, and includes several very large houses in Sackville Street. Job Smith built ‘Berrington’ in about 1888-90 for himself, and ‘Pomeroy’ (now ‘Merridale’) in 1885 for James Mickleburgh. ‘Heathfield’ was built in 1888 for Henry Eeles, and was one of many fine homes in Kew, Hawthorn and surrounding suburbs designed by prolific architect John Beswicke; it later became “La Verna” and was a Franciscan monastery. Similarly, in Cotham Road, we can see ‘Bella Vista’ (now demolished), and ‘Charleville’, with its double-storeyed arcade frontage, built in 1889 for Charles Donaldson whose family occupied it until 1939. This was renamed ‘Ross House’ by the second owner, Dr. Thomas King, and then substantially restored in the 1960s by the Stillwell family, well known as car drivers and dealers. Bella Vista (later ‘Malinda’) was originally designed by the architect Robert Haddon and built for Abel Hoadley, inventor of the Violet Crumble Bar and many other delicious delicacies. He began by manufacturing jams and pickles in South Melbourne using fruit from his own orchard in East Burwood.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1569, cartography

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.Digital copy of the 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 is part of a large and historically significant 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. When the contracts were let for surveyors to identify and record the extant houses and landscapes within an area for the Board of Works, the contracts were let at separate times, hence the anomaly where two copies of Plan No.1571 exist in our collection. The first of these plans identifies the building materials used in houses bordering Fitzwilliam Street, Edgevale Road, May Street, Malin Street, Davis Street and Wellington Street. The cut off point for the survey was the south side of Wellington Street. By 1903 when the survey was undertaken many of the sites were already built on, particularly those facing Edgevale Road. The plan identifies the preponderance of weatherboard houses in the area. The other version of the plan identifies the buildings between Wellington Street and Cotham Road.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1571, cartography

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 is the other half of Plan No.1571 representing the constructions to the west of Wellington Street before and in 1903/4. This plan represents the built environment in Edgevale Road, Wellington Street, Atkins Street, Annadale Street, Mortimer Street, and Cotham Road. Whereas there are smaller allotments and more modest housing stock facing Edgevale Road, larger blocks and more substantial houses are represented facing Cotham Road.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1571, cartography

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). Plan No.1575 shows that in the area bounded by Wellington Street, Edgevale Road, Glenferrie Road, and Cotham Road, there had already been significant subdivision of land and houses constructed. As one of the highest points in Kew, as expected, there were already some significant mansions built on large allotments of land. Many of these mansions are identified by name on the plan such as ‘Kelso’, ‘Abbotsford’, ‘Clarendon’ and ‘Ashlyn’ in Cotham Road. Other houses of equal size are unnamed on the plan.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1575, cartography

Comparatively few weatherboard houses in Kew survived from the early years of settlement into the second half of the 20th century. One such property was ‘Reno’, which once stood on the east side of St John’s Parade. Its earliest recorded owner was the architect Samuel Cocking who lived there from c.1865 until his death in 1888. The original landholding was bordered by Cotham Road, Glenferrie Road, Wellington Street, and Charles Street. The southern portion of this land included a fine orchard, with many imported trees. The old summer house, at first in the orchard, was later removed to the house garden. The MMBW Detail Plan No.1576 (1904) shows the remaining portion of the original land holding, including a semi-circular pathway at the front, and garden features such as an aviary, a fountain and grotto, and a fernery. None of these are apparent in photographs dating from the 1960s, where the garden, which once included rare plants provided by Baron Von Mueller, surrounds the cottage in a tangled frenzy. Despite a ‘local significance’ classification by the National Trust, the house was demolished in 1977.Original sample of nineteenth century wallpaper from one of the earliest homes in Kew (Victoria).Wallpaper fragment from ‘Reno’. These two samples of light brown Victorian-period wallpaper were overprinted with flowers and leaves that are outlined in maroon. Flowers and foliage are painted in blue of varying intensity, giving the impression of being hand painted. The style of this wallpaper would have been suited to a bedroom or drawing room.wallpaper, samuel cocking, reno, st john's parade, kew

The Kew Elder Citizen's Association was formally established in 1952. During its initial years it met at South Esk in Cotham Road. Later the Club moved to its current headquarters in High Street.Framed photograph of a theatrical performance of 'Cinderella' by the Kew Elder Citizens' Club in 1976. Handwritten insert below photograph: "Cinderella - Cast, 1976 / Arthur Sharpe; The Prince - Hec Camm; Fairy Godmother - Bill Humphries; Step-sisters - Wally Tustin, Ralph Preston, George Driver; Compere - Alma Westcott".kew elder citizens' club -- association, community groups -- kew (vic.), kew senior citizens, theatre -- kew (vic.)

In the collection of the Kew RSL (Cotham Road) there is a framed original certificate with information about Lillias Jerram. It includes the following information: Miss Lillias May JERRAM Commandant No. 323 Detachment, Victoria [Citation] Loyal and able leadership and service during World War II Service: Joined No.323 (Kew) Detachment in 1937. Commandant in 1944. Miss Jerram did voluntary duty in casualty and wards at St Vincent's Hospital regularly for 6 years. Also duty at the Eye and Ear Hospital and A.R.P. Duty. Helped No.323 Detachment to raise funds amounting to 400 pounds for St. John Theatre at 115th A.G.H., Heidelberg. Blood donor. [Courtesy: John Torpey representing the Kew RSL]Group portrait of Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.) nurses including Lillias Jerram who was a member of this group during 1939-46. The photograph was given at the same time as the embroidered V.A.D. tablecloth which also includes Miss Jerram's name (see 2002.0003)Inscription on reverse in inl: "Miss Lillias Jerram X. / V.A.D. Corp / 1939-46".voluntary aid detachment (kew branch), lillias jerram

In the collection of the Kew RSL (Cotham Road) there is a framed original certificate with information about Lillias Jerram. It includes the following information: Miss Lillias May JERRAM Commandant No. 323 Detachment, Victoria [Citation] Loyal and able leadership and service during World War II Service: Joined No.323 (Kew) Detachment in 1937. Commandant in 1944. Miss Jerram did voluntary duty in casualty and wards at St Vincent's Hospital regularly for 6 years. Also duty at the Eye and Ear Hospital and A.R.P. Duty. Helped No.323 Detachment to raise funds amounting to 400 pounds for St. John Theatre at 115th A.G.H., Heidelberg. Blood donor. [Courtesy: John Torpey representing the Kew RSL]Miss Lillias Jerram in 1989, taken on her 89th birthday. Miss Jerram who lived at 37 Rowland Street, Kew was, during the Second World War, a member of the Kew Voluntary Aid Detachment (V.A.D.)Inscription on reverse in ink: "27.12.89. / Miss Lillias Jerram / 37 Rowland Street Kew 31 / (Taken on her 89th birthday)."lillias jerram, voluntary aid detachment (kew branch), 37 rowland street (kew)

The “Q” Theatre Guild was formed in 1957. It inherited the productions and casts of the earlier Kew Light Opera Company. The Guild initially performed in the Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later at the Kew Civic Hall (Cotham Road). A partial list of its performances include: 1957 The Geisha 1958 Maritana 1959 They All Do It (Cosi Fan Tutti) 1959 Blossom Time 1959 Love’s a Luxury 1960 There And Back & The Bohemian Girl 1960 Die Fledermaus 1961 Gay Rosalinda 1961 The Land of Smiles 1961 Kisses For A Kid & Hansel and Gretel 1962 Die Fledermaus 1964 Monsieur Beaucaire 1964 Macbeath [The Beggars’ Opera] 1964 The Beggars’ Opera Undated And So To BedThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the "Q" Theatre Guild incorporating Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of 'The Geisha' by Sidney Jones and Harry Greenbank. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild."q" theatre guild, theatre groups (kew), theatre (kew), the geisha (musical)

The “Q” Theatre Guild was formed in 1957. It inherited the productions and casts of the earlier Kew Light Opera Company. The Guild initially performed in the Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later at the Kew Civic Hall (Cotham Road). A partial list of its performances include: 1957 The Geisha 1958 Maritana 1959 They All Do It (Cosi Fan Tutti) 1959 Blossom Time 1959 Love’s a Luxury 1960 There And Back & The Bohemian Girl 1960 Die Fledermaus 1961 Gay Rosalinda 1961 The Land of Smiles 1961 Kisses For A Kid & Hansel and Gretel 1962 Die Fledermaus 1964 Monsieur Beaucaire 1964 Macbeath [The Beggars’ Opera] 1964 The Beggars’ Opera Undated And So To BedThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the "Q" Theatre Guild incorporating Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of 'Maritana' an opera by Vincent Wallace. Performances were held in June 1958. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild."q" theatre guild, theatre groups (kew), performing arts, maritana (opera)

The “Q” Theatre Guild was formed in 1957. It inherited the productions and casts of the earlier Kew Light Opera Company. The Guild initially performed in the Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later at the Kew Civic Hall (Cotham Road). A partial list of its performances include: 1957 The Geisha 1958 Maritana 1959 They All Do It (Cosi Fan Tutti) 1959 Blossom Time 1959 Love’s a Luxury 1960 There And Back & The Bohemian Girl 1960 Die Fledermaus 1961 Gay Rosalinda 1961 The Land of Smiles 1961 Kisses For A Kid & Hansel and Gretel 1962 Die Fledermaus 1964 Monsieur Beaucaire 1964 Macbeath [The Beggars’ Opera] 1964 The Beggars’ Opera Undated And So To BedThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the "Q" Theatre Guild incorporating Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of 'Blossom Time' in conjunction with Moomba. Performances were held in March in the Alexandra Gardens and subsequently at the Kew Recreation Hall in October and November. The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild."q" theatre guild, performing arts, moomba, alexandra gardens, theatre groups (kew), blossom time (musical)

The “Q” Theatre Guild was formed in 1957. It inherited the productions and casts of the earlier Kew Light Opera Company. The Guild initially performed in the Kew Recreation Hall (Wellington Street) and later at the Kew Civic Hall (Cotham Road). A partial list of its performances include: 1957 The Geisha 1958 Maritana 1959 They All Do It (Cosi Fan Tutti) 1959 Blossom Time 1959 Love’s a Luxury 1960 There And Back & The Bohemian Girl 1960 Die Fledermaus 1961 Gay Rosalinda 1961 The Land of Smiles 1961 Kisses For A Kid & Hansel and Gretel 1962 Die Fledermaus 1964 Monsieur Beaucaire 1964 Macbeath [The Beggars’ Opera] 1964 The Beggars’ Opera Undated And So To BedThe Marion Tilley scrapbook is a significant record of performing arts in Melbourne during the 1950s and 1960s. The scrapbook includes programmes, photographs, newspaper reports and personal annotations which are a rich source of detail about repertoire, performers, and artistic sensibility in the period.Souvenir programme isued by the "Q" Theatre Guild incorporating Kew Light Opera Company for a performance of 'The Bohemian Girl: A Romantic Opera in 3 Acts' by Michael William Balfe. There are various personal annotations on the cast list. The most interesting highlights one of the ladies of the Chorus, Joan Carden.The annotation reads: "Feb 18-1974 in Courier Mail Brisbane. Joan Carden to make debut as Opera Singer Covent Garden London. Leading role of Gilda in Rigoletto." The programme forms part of a scrapbook that includes programmes, photographs and theatre reviews for the Kew Light Opera Company and later "Q" Theatre Guild."q" theatre guild, joan carden, the bohemian girl (opera), theatre groups (kew)