Mr. and Mrs. Tabulo, who owned the house between 1945 and 1965, created Fairyland in the 1940s. Fairyland was open to the public, especially children, who were invited to write their names in visitors’ books. These are now in the possession of the Kew Historical Society. Following the sale of the house after Mrs. Tabulo’s death, the garden and content of the house was cleared of its previous adornments. Grace Tabulo died in 1965. "CHILDREN LIVING IN THE ONE STREET soon find out which house will welcome them and which house to avoid. Few children in few streets have ever had such a find as those who live in Malmsbury st, Kew. At 56 Malmsbury st they all belong. It is their house. There are no young children who are actual residents, but they are to be found there all day long. Mrs J. Tabulo is chatelaine of 56, but few children know her by this name. To them she she is the Fairyland Lady. In her pocket handkerchief front garden there are few flowers; there isn't room, for it has been turned into a children's dream. Cement, tiles, old broken pieces of priceless china, miniature bottles, leadlights, and strange and beautiful little statues have been welded into a grotto which Mrs Tabulo says is only appreciated and understandable to children. It started off in a small way three years ago with a few odd statuettes, but with a street full of children ready and eager to build, it now has hardly room for even a miniature. Like the children, the Fairyland Lady knows and values each mosaic-like piece. Many a wedding present, succumbed at last to the ravages of time, holds a vantage spot in the grotto. The children bring along their broken bits and each is found a spot and cemented into the fairy story picture. In the cottage itself the children are also welcome. There is no spot, from skirting board to ceiling, that is not crowned with some gem or another. Fans, plaques, and china, some of it more than 300 years old, is handled daily by tiny but careful hands. "Children," said Mrs Tabulo, "should be allowed to love and handle beautiful things. They are much more careful than adults. Bless them!" -H.S (The Argus, 22 January 1949)A photograph of Mrs. Grace Tabulo in the garden of ‘Fairyland’ in 57 Malmsbury Street, Kew. fairyland, malmsbury street, kew, tabulo, grace tabulo

The photograph in the Kew collection is undated and only three of the personnel identified. Based on information provided by Geoffrey Stephens, it is now possible to identify those present. His photograph belonged to his father who is pictured. The annotations include: Back Row L to R - E GOODYEAR (Farm), MATTHEW LYNCH (Junior Fireman), K DAVIS (Farm), C RICHARDS (Carpenter). Middle Row L to R - H HAMPSON (Store), S PATTERSON (***), D BANKS (Head Porter), F TAYLOR (***), J CARROLL (Engineer Machinery), A MEYER (Bootmaker), G HUME (Farm Manager), S STEPHENS (Soap), MATTHEW LYNCH (Senior Gardener), B GRAY (Tailor), F GALE (Carpenter), R **** (Painter), H JEWELL (Tinsmith), * JERRAM (Painter), T TAYLOR (Tailor), L MORAN (Farm), I SEVIN (Carpenter), E GOODWIN (Fireman), F WHEELER (Blacksmith). Front Row L to R - __ (Housekeeper MB), PUDDSPORT (Matron FB), J THOMPSON (Dispensary), Dr JOHNSON, Dr RYAN, Dr HOLLOW (Superintendent), G STUART (Secretary), W CHRISTIE (Chief Clerk), K PALMER (Clerk), K PALMER (Clerk), J BATHISCOMBE (Clerk), T FARRELL (Head Attendant MB), ? ELLIS (Head Attendant Children's Cottages), MOLLOY (Matron Children's Cottages), G AKERS (Upholsterer), G STEWART (Painter). It should be noted that it is sometimes difficult to read the handwriting. The names above have been verified through magnification but should be validated through research.A rare and historically significant photograph of the staff of the Kew Asylum in front of the main administration building. The photograph is one of a pair donated to the Kew Historical Society by Frances Dorothea Van Brummelen (1931-2011) in 1994. Following her graduation as a social worker, Fran Van Brummelen joined the staff of Kew Cottages in 1969, and became senior social worker there in 1971. She remained at the cottages until she retired in 1994. Earlier, In 1987, with psychiatrist Cliff Judge, she founded the Kew Cottages Historical Society becoming its president. In 2002, the pair collaborated on the book Kew Cottages: The World of Dolly Stainer, which was later commended in the Victorian Community History Awards. This photograph appears in the book.One of a pair of panoramic photographs donated by Fran Van Brummelen in 1994, and dating from c.1924. The photo is mounted on brown card and shows senior staff of the Kew Hospital for the Insane, posed in front of the main administration building. kew mental hospital, kew lunatic asylum, kew hospital for the insane, willsmere

This is one of eight embroidered panels, completed during the 1988 Australian Bi-Centennial, and carried out under the auspices of City of Kew Council and the Kew Historical Society. Nearly 600 residents, including many children, participated in their 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 Benyei.5. Kew Railway Station (1887-1958). A framed embroidery created by adults and children of the City of Kew as a Bicentennial project, based on a design by the artist Joy Stewart. Other completed embroideries created in the project are/were displayed in the Kew Library. Inscription: "KEW RAILWAY STATION (1887-1958). Established to transport passengers and produce too and from the city ... Kew developed as a residential suburb which included cottages and large homes such as Villa Alba". Embroidered signature of the artist "(c) JStewart, 1988"bicentennial project (kew), joy stewart, australian bicentennial, kew railway station

This aerial photograph shows the Kew Cottages, and doctors/clergy residences on the north side of Wills Street, before the State Government sold the land for residential development. The doctors residences in Wills street were made of 'Glen Iris' Olympic Bricks. According to neighbours of the time most of the buildings were demolished overnight in the 1980s.Aerial photograph of Willsmere and the Kew Cottages bounded by the Boulevard, the Chandler Highway, Princess Street and Fellows Street. The roundabout at the intersection of Princess Street, Wills Street, and Eglinton Street is at the top left. The Eastern Freeway is at the lower edge of the photograph.kew cottages, eastern freeway, willsmere, yarra river, aerial photographs -- kew (vic), kew boulevard, willsmere mental hospital, kew mental hospital, kew childrens cottages