Study of Winter's Swamp commissioned by BEN and completed by BHS. The swamp was named after one of the first European settlers in the district. Winter Swamp LAT -37 32 LONG 143 47, Parish of Dowling Forest, County of Grenville Winter Swamp, on the southwest corner of Ballarat West Town Common, was not included in the original proclamation of the Common in 1861. However, being marshland, it was not considered suitable for grazing, so was added to the Common soon after 1861. Winter Swamp is a large wetland with native and exotic pasture significant for wildlife. John Winter (Jock) was born in Berwickshire, Scotland. He married Janet Margaret Irving the daughter of Robert Irving, advocate, Bonshaw, Dumfries, Scotland. Winter died in Ballarat in 1875 and was buried at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. He took up the run Bonshaw from 1841; Leigh River Buninyong 1842-46; Junction, Delatite, March 1851 to September 1862; with sons: Carag Carag and Corop, April 1857 to September 1872; Colbinabbin and Stewart’s Plains, April 1857 to December 1872; St Germains February 1867 to March 1871. (The name became Winter-Irving in 1890). Mr John Winter, who died on August 22 at the age of 72, was a man of some note it the mining community of Ballarat. He was a self-made man, and one of our oldest colonists, it being over a quarter of a century age since he took up county about Ballarat and settled at Bonshaw. He died very rich. It is calculated that if he had retained an interest in all his runs, his income must have been not less than £10,000 or £50,000 a year. Some eight or ten years ago he sold his Bonshaw pre-emption to the Bonshaw Gold mining Company for £20,000, and a few years later the ground belonging now to Winter's Freehold Company brought him £50,000 more, the payment being made at the requisition of the deceased in sovereigns. In these relations Mr. Winter has been closely identified with the mining industry at Ballarat. The deceased was a native of Lauder, in Berwickshire, and landed in Victoria several years before the gold discovery.The principle task of this project was the delivery of a report outlining the history of European settlement in the Skipton and Cardigan/Ballarat districts as pertinent to the use of and impact on the natural environment of the two reserves Skipton Common and Winter Swamp. The report was delivered in digital form only. The report, upon completion, was presented to the Network’s Committee in order to discuss the project. The report identified and described the uses of Skipton Common and Winter Swamp, and their impacts. In particular, this report examined farming/grazing (official and informal), mining, vegetation removal (including the removal of woodlands for timber, grasslands for pasture improvement) & use of riparian areas for access to water and timber removal. Recording the more benign and environmentally friendly uses such as picnicking, community activities, nature walks and the roles of organisations such as Field Naturalists’ and Bird Observers’ clubs, school and scout/guide groups will be relevant in helping to depict overall community attitudes towards the reserves; e.g.: has the Common generally been viewed as little more than a grazing paddock and fire hazard; has Winter Swamp always been the unknown natural asset that seems to have been its lot for at least the past 40 years? In this regard, the more contemporary history of actions surrounding the use and management of the reserves is of particular interest, in view of the extant evidence at both reserves; e.g. the actions of the Shire of Ballarat in the 1980s in establishing Winter Swamp as something of a competitor to Lake Wendouree but with a more environmental bent (although almost none of the plants used are indigenous species, but that is part of the story); the trotting track constructed on Skipton Common in the 1960s following representations to Premier Henry Bolte and the cropping of the western section of the Common to raise funds for the town’s new swimming pool, the fertilizing of the land putting an end to the native grassland vegetation. There are obviously multiple sources of information to source in preparing the report, however sources that the contractor is specifically requested to consult are the Skipton Historical Society, the former Skipton Common managers (specifically Graeme Pett), the Cardigan Windermere Landcare Group and the Learmonth Historical Society (believed to hold many of the former Shire of Ballarat’s records pertaining to the Council’s role as the Committee of Management for both Winter Swamp and the Ballarat West Town Common – Winter Swamp was split between 2 separate Crown Land tenures). The contractor is also encouraged but not required to utilise community newsletters, such as the Skipton Community Newsletter, to publicise and seek information about the project. Skipton Historical Society (Mary Bradshaw) contacted on Thursday 12 June 2.30pm. Mary lived on a farm out of Skipton but is currently living in the township. She remembers walking along the creek of the Common especially in spring and autumn in bare feet and that it was a very pretty place. There were a few snakes around the waterway in summer. People put cows and a couple of horses on the commonage to graze. Graeme Pett has always lived close to the Common and would know a lot about it. Other possible contacts would be Nicole Petress, Secretary of the Progress Association, and the Corangamite Council, Camperdown. Digital images of Winter's Swampwinter's swamp, ballarat, john winter, ballarat environmental network, mullawullah

The swamp was named after John (Jock) Winter. John Winter (Jock) was born in Berwickshire, Scotland. He married Janet Margaret Irving the daughter of Robert Irving, advocate, Bonshaw, Dumfries, Scotland. Winter died in Ballarat in 1875 and was buried at the Ballaarat Old Cemetery. He took up the run Bonshaw from 1841; Leigh River Buninyong 1842-46; Junction, Delatite, March 1851 to September 1862; with sons: Carag Carag and Corop, April 1857 to September 1872; Colbinabbin and Stewart’s Plains, April 1857 to December 1872; St Germains February 1867 to March 1871. (The name became Winter-Irving in 1890). Mr John Winter, who died on August 22 at the age of 72, was a man of some note it the mining community of Ballarat. He was a self-made man, and one of our oldest colonists, it being over a quarter of a century age since he took up county about Ballarat and settled at Bonshaw. He died very rich. It is calculated that if he had retained an interest in all his runs, his income must have been not less than £10,000 or £50,000 a year. Some eight or ten years ago he sold his Bonshaw pre-emption to the Bonshaw Gold mining Company for £20,000, and a few years later the ground belonging now to Winter's Freehold Company brought him £50,000 more, the payment being made at the requisition of the deceased in sovereigns. In these relations Mr. Winter has been closely identified with the mining industry at Ballarat. The deceased was a native of Lauder, in Berwickshire, and landed in Victoria several years before the gold discovery. BHS were commissioned by Ballarat Environment Network for a project on Winter's Swamp and Skipton Common. Winter's Swamp was part of Ballarat West Common. The principle task of this project was the delivery of a report outlining the history of European settlement in the Skipton and Cardigan/Ballarat districts as pertinent to the use of and impact on the natural environment of the two reserves Skipton Common and Winter Swamp. The report was delivered in digital form only. The report, upon completion, was presented to the Network’s Committee in order to discuss the project. The report identified and described the uses of Skipton Common and Winter Swamp, and their impacts. In particular, this report examined farming/grazing (official and informal), mining, vegetation removal (including the removal of woodlands for timber, grasslands for pasture improvement) & use of riparian areas for access to water and timber removal. Recording the more benign and environmentally friendly uses such as picnicking, community activities, nature walks and the roles of organisations such as Field Naturalists’ and Bird Observers’ clubs, school and scout/guide groups will be relevant in helping to depict overall community attitudes towards the reserves; e.g.: has the Common generally been viewed as little more than a grazing paddock and fire hazard; has Winter Swamp always been the unknown natural asset that seems to have been its lot for at least the past 40 years? In this regard, the more contemporary history of actions surrounding the use and management of the reserves is of particular interest, in view of the extant evidence at both reserves; e.g. the actions of the Shire of Ballarat in the 1980s in establishing Winter Swamp as something of a competitor to Lake Wendouree but with a more environmental bent (although almost none of the plants used are indigenous species, but that is part of the story); the trotting track constructed on Skipton Common in the 1960s following representations to Premier Henry Bolte and the cropping of the western section of the Common to raise funds for the town’s new swimming pool, the fertilizing of the land putting an end to the native grassland vegetation. There are obviously multiple sources of information to source in preparing the report, however sources that the contractor is specifically requested to consult are the Skipton Historical Society, the former Skipton Common managers (specifically Graeme Pett), the Cardigan Windermere Landcare Group and the Learmonth Historical Society (believed to hold many of the former Shire of Ballarat’s records pertaining to the Council’s role as the Committee of Management for both Winter Swamp and the Ballarat West Town Common – Winter Swamp was split between 2 separate Crown Land tenures). The contractor is also encouraged but not required to utilise community newsletters, such as the Skipton Community Newsletter, to publicise and seek information about the project. Skipton Historical Society (Mary Bradshaw) contacted on Thursday 12 June 2.30pm. Mary lived on a farm out of Skipton but is currently living in the township. She remembers walking along the creek of the Common especially in spring and autumn in bare feet and that it was a very pretty place. There were a few snakes around the waterway in summer. People put cows and a couple of horses on the commonage to graze. Graeme Pett has always lived close to the Common and would know a lot about it. Other possible contacts would be Nicole Petress, Secretary of the Progress Association, and the Corangamite Council, Camperdown. Mary can’t remember any photos in the Skipton Historical Society that pertain to the Common. Digital photos of Winter's swamp surrounds, later known as Mullawullah.winter, winter's swamp surrounds, winter's swap, john winter, ballarat environmental network, ballarat, mullawullah

Daylesford's begonia collection was stared by French born curator W. Gascoigne in 1885. He was an experienced horticulturalist. The plants were grown again in the 1930s in a new glasshouse. Curator Bill Greville obtained 45 plants from the Ballarat City Council, 30 from Queens Park in Essendon, and soon haad 250 tubers including a (lost) one named 'Daylesford'. When Alf Headland was appointed part-time caretaker in 1956, he found tw tubers in the wood shed and became expert in their cultivation. He continuted well into his retirement when Greg Rae too over. In 1988 the conservotory was named to honur Alf Headland's work.Hot house in the Wombat Gardens with a Begonia display.wombat botanical gardens, daylesford botanical gardens, daylesford, trees, begonia, begonia house, begonia conservatory

Robert Uriah Nicholls was born in Devonshire, England, and arrived in Victoria in 1853, and Ballarat in 1854.] He ran R.U. Nicholls &​ Co., nurserymen in Doveton Street North, Ballarat. He was a member of the Ballarat Horticultural Society for 51 years, and was President of the Old Colonists' Association in 1907. Robert Nicholls died in 1910, and is buried at the Ballaarat New Cemetery.Photographic portrait of R.U. Nicholls who arrived in Australia in 1853.r.u. nicholls, robert nicholls, nursery, plant nursury, ballarat hortucultual society, robert u. nicholls

Lot 2 was bought by Harry Walker in the early 1900s. Harry was married to Eva Hand, one of the six daughters of Thomas and Eliza Hand. Harry cleared the land and planted half with raspberries that remained productive until c1928. Harry's son William took over the property. The land was cut in half when the new CRB road went through in the early 1920s. John Lundy-Clarke grew up in the Kalorama/Mt Dandenong area and later in life (1972-74) began to write a comprehensive history of the area working from an original settlement map in an effort to cover all areas.Black and white photograph showing a single storey white house in the centre surrounded by crops. Handwritten description on reverse by John Lundy-Clarke.VIEW 1908 OVER LOT 2 SECTION 1 VILLAGE SETTLEMENT. TAKEN FROM RIDGE ROAD THEN MAIN ROAD FROM HALFWAY BETWEEN MOUNTJOY AND FALLS RD. CRB MAIN RD RUNS BEHIND WALKER’S HOUSE. The house seen in the vista among the tall trees beyond the raspberry patch is “Forest Edge” which was George Barber’s home when the picture was taken. The tall trees to the right of the vista were on Price’s LOT 18 and it was while cutting up one of these for firewood that a length of log weighing about ½ a ton got away downhill and leaped in one bounce over Barbers Road and Logan’s house – 1931.harry walker, william walker, eva hand, crb road, raspberries, kalorama

The first Mt Dandenong State School opened in a shed on the property of William Ferguson on the corner of Blythe and Old Coach Roads. The first teacher was Miss Ethel Gruber who opened the school on May 11th, 1897. It wasn’t until 1901 that the school shifted over the road into an old school building that was moved up to the new site from Ringwood. All the old buildings were demolished to make way for a new school that opened in 1991. There are many old, European trees that were planted in the grounds during Arbor Days. Students standing at base of large Sequoia Tree in grounds of school in 1997, centenary year.mount dandenong, mt dandenong school, sequoia, centenary, trees

A photo of the official party at the planting of the Olive Tree of Peace in the Western Lawn of the Shrine of Remembrance in 1973. Although the back of the photo says "Planting of Lone Pine tree" it is believed that it is wrong and this photo belongs with the Olive Tree of Peace photos (see 00478 and 00479). 1973 was the Golden Jubilee year of Legacy. The names on the front of the photo mentions Sir Edmund Herring who was Lieutenant General of Victoria for 27 years, which is deputy to the Governor, so he was probably acting on behalf of the Governor at the ceremony. Herring was a renowned Australian senior officer in World War II. In September 1942 he became commander of New Guinea Force. He also served in World War I, earning the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. A record of events to commemorate the golden jubilee of Legacy.Black and white photo of the tree planting of the olive tree at the Shrine."Planting of Lone Pine Tree / Property of Melbourne Legacy", written in black pen. Label on front of photo gives the names: President. L/Geoff Handbury ; Sir Edmund Herring ; L/Kem Kemsley ; L/Rex Hall ; L/George Cowan ; L/Frank Doolan. Stamped "This Photograph is the compliments of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Victoria. Please acknowledge / Photo: Michael Cheshire" in black ink. golden jubilee, tree planting

From 1945 a sawmill, the Calco Mill, was formed to cart sawn timber initially from the Zappelli's property on Denherts Track. The plant was later shifted to Pul's property and, in 1951, finally moved to a new mill in the Beech Forest railway yard. Potato output also rose, around 280 hectares and was shipped exclusively by rail until 1955. The railway was very busy, in fact so busy that potato farmers and especially saw millers started agitating for road transport.G41 locomotive, four NQR loaded wagons, and a louvred van near the Goods Shed. Next line, three loaded and three empty NQR wagons. In the foreground near the station building, a louvred van. A water tank and timber mill in the background. B/Wbeech forest; railways; loco g41;

Mustard coloured auction catalogue for a sale of Machinery, Plant and Equipment of the New Chum Gold Mines at Maldon on 26 October, 1937 and at 3.00 p.m. sale of Residences for Removal or otherwise, Household Furniture, Mess Equipment,etc. at Allendale. Sale by Order of Gold Mines of Australia Ltd. Auctioneer was J. H. Curnow & Son. Catalogue has £, s. d. columns down the right side of the pages.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - new chum gold mines, gold mines of australia ltd., j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, bolton bros

Small catalogue for an auction sale at the Great Southern Gold Mine on the Garden Gully Line of Reef. Lease Nos. 11033 and 10690. Auction of Leases, Plant, Buildings and Equipment was held on 10th April 1947. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty Ltd. Were the auctioneers. Contains description of machinery and circular brick smoke stack.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - great southern gold mine, j h curnow & son pty ltd, prahran telegraph printing co, garden gully line of reef, fortuna hustlers mine, carshalton line, red white and blue consolidated, new chum railway, whip and jersey

Small catalogue for an auction sale at the New Garfield Gold Mine at Chewton, Vic. Auction of Mining Plant, Buildings and Equipment was held on 19th March 1947 by Order of the Mine's Department. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty Ltd. Were the auctioneers. Contains description of machinery, poppet legs and steel smoke stack.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - new garfield gold mine, mine's department, j h curnow & son pty ltd, prahran telegraph printing co

Four copies of the Non Stop Old-Time Ball Programme held on July 15th 1977. Front page has a sketch of a couple dancing. Music by two bands: Ross Pritchard and New Notes. Inside are the names of 52 dances and the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Peter Ellis and Callers, Mr. Alf Carey, Mr. Les Rankin, and Mr. Tom Brereton. On the back is a short account of the work of Mr. Cliff Beauglehole who studied Victorian native plants.Peter N. Ellis, Hon., Secretary W.V.F.N.C.A.entertainment, dance, fund raiser, peter ellis collection, non stop old-time ball programme, ross pritchard, new notes, a c beauglehole, lcc, western victoria field naturalists clubs assn, bendigo fnc, 'the distrubution and conservation of native plants in victoria', mr peter ellis, mr alf carey, mr les rankin, mr tom brereton

Red covered auction catalogue for a sale held at the works of Gold Dumps Pty. Ltd., Eaglehawk on the 8th and 9th September, 1959 of Sand Treatment Machinery & Plant. Sale held at the Devonshire Sands Site and the New Moon Site. Included in the sale were 2 Oliver Filters, Large Assortment of Pumps, Pomona Pump, Electric Motors, Air Compressors and Receivers, Assay Equipment, Piping & Pipe Fittings, Steel Water Tanks, Buildings, Tools, Huge Quantity Scrap & Accessories. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty. Ltd. Were the Auctioneers. Catalogue, a Bolton Bros. Print. Auctioneers Copy written on the top of the front cover. Prices of lots have been written near the lots.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - gold dumps pty ltd, j h curnow & son pty ltd, devonshire sands site, new moon site, bolton bros print

Blue covered Auction Catalogue for a sale held on 17th December 1940 at the New Glenfine Gold Mining Co. N. L. at Pitfield Plains (Vic.)Front page has a black and white photo of a Ruston Diesel Electric Generating Set - Similar to Lot 129. For sale was Electrical & Steam Mining Machinery, Plant, Buildings & Extensive Equipment. There are descriptions of many lots and where they are situated. J. H. Curnow & Son were the Auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - new glenfine gold mining co n l, a e llewellyn, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson, the cambridge press

Red covered auction catalogue with black printing for a sale on the 15th and 16th February, 1983 under instructions from L. G. & D. M. McKenzie, rainbow, Vic. For sale was the complete Engineering and Structural Steel Machinery, Plant, Equipment, Motor Vehicles, Commercial Refrigeration, Ice Maker, Cool Rooms, 10 New Air Conditioners, 5 new Gas Furnaces, Hardware, General Equipment Steel and Scrap. J. H. Curnow & Son Pty. Ltd. Were the auctioneers.business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - l g & d m mckenzie, j h curnow & son pty ltd, bolton bros pty ltd

Pale beige auction catalogue with red and dark blue printing for a sale held from the 31st August to 5th September 1936 at the Hume Reservoir, Albury, (New South Wales Side) By Order of Department of Works and Local Government, N. S. W. For sale was Contractors', Mining and Engineers' Machinery, Plant and Equipment, Stores, Locomotives, Tools, Petrol and Steam Engines, Tanks, Scrap, Building Materials, Heavy Bridge Timber, Buildings, and Workmen's Five-roomed Houses, etc. J. H. Curnow & Son were the auctioneers. Black and white photos include Lots 2065 and 2622 Kelly & Lewis Engine and Condensing Plant with G.E.C. Dynamo, Generating 300 K.W.; Lot 2018 Locomotive; Lots 2617 and 2618 Steam Road Rollers; Lot 2069 Administrative Offices; and Lot 93 Locomotives (Victorian Side).business, auctioneers, j h curnow & son pty ltd, ian dyett collection - auction catalogue - hume reservoir, department of works and local government nsw, j h curnow & son, j l jamieson & co, j b garnsey, a t jones, bolton bros pty ltd

Manilla Folder containing reports from various mines in Bendigo and surrounding areas. 1. 4 page typewritten report on the Balaclava Hill Mine at Rushworth and some newspaper clippings about the mine with a plan of the underground workings; 2. Page from the Árgus' dated 2nd August 1900 featuring an article on the survey of the Garden line of Reefs; 3. 5 page report with maps on the Tooleen Gold Field; 4. Single page report about an unnamed mining area claimed to be on the southern end of the Deborah line of reef. (this could be the 'Three Jays' mine in Sedgwick. P. Wilkin); 5. Hand written report on the Coronation Mine, 2 miles east of Walhalla.; 6. Hand written report dated 1935, of the Queen Mary mine, St. Arnaud.; 7. 1932 report on the North Neangar lease.; 8 4 page report on the Kings Prize Gold Mining Syndicate.; 9. Description of the plant of the Marong Alluvial Company? Also a guide for marking out leases.; 10. Crushing details (1 page) from the 'Enterprise' Mine South of and adjacent to Perseverence.; 11. 1 page crushing details from Rowe Brothers, Mosquito Mine, Fryerstown.; 12 hand written report mentions Arthur Hatfield, Scarsdale.; 13. Map with lines of reef showing the position of the New Moon Consolidated and the New Moon United shafts.; 14, Large scale map from Harrison/Victoria street to Havilah Road showing the positions of the Carlisle, North Garden and Unity Shafts.gold mining, miners' safety cage, sundry reports, mining. bendigo, rushworth, balaclava hill, garden line of reef, toolleen, coronation mine, walhalla, queen mary mine, st. arnaud. north neangar, kings prize gold mining syndicate, marong, enterprise mine, perseverence, rowe brothers, mosquito mine, fryerstown, arthur hatfield, scarsdale, new moon consolidate, new moon united, carlisle, north garden, unity.

There was a large influx of German miners to the Bendigo gold fields and they mainly focussed on deep quartz mining. German enclaves existed at Diamond Hill, New Chum Gully, Victoria Hill, Ironbark and in the Whipstick area. The first Lutheran Church was built in 1865 and there were also two German schools. Small bible with hard cover, possibly bakelite/plastic. The cover has an image of Jesus with and angel above each of his shoulders and plants at the bottom of the image. Pages of bible have gold edging. There is a metal clasp to lock. The back is plain and a creamy color.german, bible, religion

The Kew Historical Society's map collection includes a substantial number of real estate subdivision plans, mainly of Kew but also of surrounding suburbs in Melbourne. Most of the subdivision plans date from the 1920s and 1930s when the districts old homes and local farmland were being split up to accommodate residential growth in the postwar period. These early plans were assembled by a local firm, Jas R Mather & McMillan, which had an office in Cotham Road. Many of the plans, and sometimes photos, were annotated by the agents.Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence for the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold 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.The photograph may also be aesthetically significant depending on the importance of the photographic atelier.On the reverse of a subdivision plan of the Palmyra Estate (Kew) is a photograph of a double-fronted Edwardian villa. The weatherboard and stucco house with high brick chimneys provides a clear indication of the style of curtains and gardens in houses of the period. Holland blinds with lace inserts are used in the left front window. They are combined with long lace curtains. The garden, with its curved pathway is bordered with garden beds that include marguerite daisies and roses. Reflecting a new interest in the Australian landscape, tree ferns and ground ferns are planted closer to the house.houses - kew, architecture - edwardian, real estate photographs

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Plaque commemorating the opening of a new town hall in KewMetal plaque recording the official opening of the Kew City Hall, 23rd April 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.Kew City Hall / Opened by / The Hon. H.E. Bolte M.L.A. / Premier of Victoria / 23rd April 1960 / Cr. H.G. Ferguson J.P. - Mayor.kew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), sir henry bolte, local government -- kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Historically significant commemorative plaqueMetal plaque relating to special Council meeting to mark centenary of Kew, 13th December 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.A Special Meeting Of The / Kew City Council Was Held In / This Hall On 13th December 1960 / To Commemorate / The Centenary of Kew / Cr. W.H.S. Dickinson, M.B.E., J.P., / Mayorkew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), cr. w.h.s. dickinson, local government -- kew (vic.)

The Victorian-era mansion Madford in Wellington Street had several incarnations before it was finally demolished. While the precise details of its original construction have not been discovered, we know that it was originally named Elm Lodge, and that the property was offered for sale in 1863 by Thomas Mitchell, of the firm Mitchell & Bonneau, wholesale ironmongers and merchants. The house was sold in about 1873 to William Siddeley (1827-1905), who was described on the occasion of his death as ‘the father of Australian shipping’. The next owner was Arthur Septimus King (1827- 99), who renamed the house Madford after his purchase of the property in 1875. It was A.S. King for whom this artwork was completed. Following King’s death in 1899, portions of the property were sold, including to the Borough of Kew in 1905, to form the Alexandra Gardens. Then, in 1920, the house and its remaining lands were sold to the Catholic Church who opened St Anthony’s Home for Children on the site in 1922. That building was promptly demolished, and the site redeveloped circa 1976.Gift of James Pearson, 2022This fine perspective drawing of the architectural elements of Madford [formerly Elm Lodge, later St Anthony's Home for Babies] is contrasted with the freer addition in watercolour of the layout and plants of the garden facing Wellington Street. The view selected is the south-facing main facade and the west facing side. After A.S. King purchased the house in 1875, it was extended with new wings at the rear to accommodate his large family. There is no indication of these extensions in the painting so its creation must predate the renovations, and probably depicts the original building on the site."MADFORD / The Property of A. S. KING Esq"elm lodge, madford, st anthony's home for babies, houses -- wellington street -- kew (vic.), thomas mitchell, william siddeley, arthur septimus king