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 founding photograph of the Kew Senior Citizens AssociationFramed photograph of a meeting at Southesk in Cotham Road to form the Kew Elder Citizens Club. None of the individuals are named. The meeting was not held in the Drawing Room or Ballroom at Southesk as there is an absence of frescoes on the ceiling. The ceiling in the photograph is a cove ceiling however like that in the front two rooms.Handwritten caption: "Public Meeting to Form Kew Elder Citizens, 1951"kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club, southesk

newspaper clipping. page 6 Sunday Herald Sun. charitable organisations, people in political roles, political processes

"Braemar" at 18 Suffolk Road, Surrey Hills - built c1894, demolished in1977 – and home of James Sneddon Snr. and family from 1890 until c1950. We believe it is James is at the gate and his family on the veranda. James was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire Scotland in 1833, as was his wife Jane. He died in March 1901 and she in March 1911. They are buried in Boroondara Cemetery (Pres B0522) with their daughter Jane (1864-1928). James Sneddon (Snr) was an important man in early Surrey Hills. He established real estate and ironmongery businesses in Union Road – first on the corner of Stirling Crescent and later over the road on the corner of Windsor Crescent. He was chairman of Surrey Hills’ MUIOOF (Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows). James Sneddon Jnr. followed his father in the family real estate business and was an even busier community man. He was a JP and had roles in the Surrey Hills ANA, the Progress Association and the Choral Society. He lived 2 doors from his father. The real estate business continued on the corner of Windsor Crescent and Union Road (north side) until the business was sold to the Doubleday (family) after WW2.The Sneddon family were early settlers and business owners in Surrey Hills and remained over 3 generations. Different family members held many roles in community organisations. This photo is also important in documenting built heritage that has been demolished.Image of a Victorian, weatherboard, block fronted, single storey house with decorative veranda, viewed from the front. The garden in front of the house is well established and a light-coloured picket fence surrounds the property. Four people are in the photograph, three women (two seated and one standing) on the veranda and one male, who is leaning against the gate post.buildings, structures and establishments, houses, timber houses, house names, braemar, architectural styles, victorian style, families, family group, sneddon family, james sneddon (snr), boroondara cemetery, real estate agent, ironmonger

Plaque commemorating the opening of the Dickinson Centre, named in honour of Harold and Mercy Dickinson, both totally blind since childhood, who never let challenges stand in their way. Mercy was the first woman who was blind to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Queensland, and received her Masters Degree in the Education of Blind People with Additional Handicaps in New York, and an Honorary Doctorate for Education from the University of Queensland in 1994. Mercy and Harold established the Queensland Training and Placement Centre for the Blind, the first establishment of its kind in Queensland. Harold, who was a prolific writer, was appointed the Director and Mercy was the first volunteer at the Centre. Together they gave a lifetime of dedication and commitment ensuring that people who were blind or had low vision had the same opportunities as those with sight. The Centre later merged with other organisations and in 2006 became part of Vision Australia. The second plaque provides a background to how Harold and Mercy met, and their roles in expanding the the opportunities for everyone around them.Rectangular metal plate with inscriptionThe Dickinson Centre This refurbished centre was Officially opened on 9 November 1990 by The Hon. Ben Humphreys M.H.R. Federal Member for Griffith and Minister for Veterans Affairs and Blessed by Br. Alan Barnabas S.S.F. So named by the QLD Foundation for Blind People Inc (Est. 1956) to Honour The Contribution Made by Harold and Mercy Dickinson 1990 Committee of Management Don Cameron President Mercy Dickinson Vice President Rex Stevens Secretary Moira Solomon Treasurer Del Donaldson Bruce Miller Bob Faulconbridge Justice Bill Pincus Jenny Finch Ken Scells Garry Macdonald Kevin Standish Ian Stewart David Henderson Patron: His Excellency The Governor of QLD Sir Walter Campbell A.C. Q.C.queensland foundation for blind people, nameplates, harold dickinson, mercy dickinson

To signify the various positions within the organisation to the sighted community, an assortment of badges were created identifying individuals and the roles they played. These consist of a rectangle with the position written in gold writing on a pale blue background and 'RVIB' written vertically in gold against a blue background to the side of the badge. People volunteering their time were called 'Voluntary Helper'Metal pin with gold writing on blue backgroundRVIB Voluntary Helperroyal victorian institute for the blind, badges

Articles in the annual report include: establishment of the Charter for the Eighties committee to develop on the role and direction for the organisation, decision to close Alexis Albert Hostel and move residents to Lighthouse Hostel Roselands or cottage style accommodation due to increasing repair costs, increased demand for field service (but not funding) and standard cassettes from the library, new Braille production unit shared with RIDBC, further bicycle order for Dubbo Zoo, large order for PVC sleeves justified new PVC welding equipment, Talking Book of the Year award and "Art in Touch" exhibition (both created to celebrate 100th birthday in 1980) will continue, and departure of Graeme Bradshaw, Jack Chamberlain and Mavis Threlfo.1 volume of text and imagesroyal blind society of new south wales, corporation records

Annual report providing overview of activities and achievements including: closure of Vision Australia Enterprises, preparations for the incoming NDIS trial sites, restructuring of VA Radio to be more volunteer driven, the progress of the Marrakesh Treaty on availability of accessible materials, profiles on Vaughan Roles, Natalie Kerr, Jordie Howell, Syeira, Jonathon Goerlach, Bindi Bailey and Jack Tyrell, and the loss of Ross McColl.1 volume with illustrations providing overview of organisational achievementsvision australia, corporation records, vaughan roles, natalie kerr, jordie howell, jonathon goerlach, bindi bailey, jack tyrell, ross mccoll, kevin murfitt, ron hooton, phil gilbert

"Edna Barrie is one of countless women who have played a crucial role in the Melton communityover its history. She was a tireless volunteer and a stalwart of the community who helped to keep many organisations running and thriving. Edna was born in 1918 into a family with deep roots in Melton. Her grandmother Ann Dowling arrived in the colony from Ireland with her two sisters in 1855. Ann purchased land in Melton and settled on the Ballarat Road (High Street) at Ryans Creek with her husband Henry Myers. The three Dowling sisters had ten children between them who attended Melton State School No. 430, as did Edna. Edna was involved with the Melton branch of the Country Women’s Association for 50 years and was an active member of the Melton Mechanics’ Institute and the Melton Uniting Church throughout her life. She was involved with the local CFA branch from 1942. As a member of the CFA’s Women’s Auxiliary, Edna helped raise funds and provide meals to the firefighters. Edna was a founding member of the Melton & District Historical Society in 1968, and was passionate about preserving and sharing local history. The formation of the society at that time, during a period of increasingly rapid growth for the municipality, was crucial, ensuring that many photos, documents and stories of early Melton were not lost".Newspaper clippings about Edna Barrie local identities