Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. Performance programme inscribed to Robin (Kelly) and signed by Cleo Lane and John Dankwoirth. robin kelly, performing arts - victoria - australia, cleo lane, john dankworth

Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. DVD of a performance by Sing Australia Canmberwell including a track featuring Robin Kelly singing Danny Boy.robin kelly, performing arts - victoria - australia, sing australia camberwell

Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. Print copy of an original performance photograph of Robin Vanser (Vandersluys) in performance at the Kew Civic [Town] Hall with Lennie Holmes FourKew Town Hall c.1963 | Robin Vanser (Vandersluys) | Lennie Holms Fourperforming arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, kew civic hall - kew town hall

Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection. Print copy of an original performance photograph of Robin Vanser (Vandersluys) in performance at the Kew Civic [Town] Hall with Lennie Holmes FourLennie Holmes Four | Kew Town Hall | c.1964 Kew Town Hallperforming arts - australia - 1960s, robin vanser, kew civic hall - kew town hall

The Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in the Greater Melbourne region. For over 60 years, the Society has worked with local government and other community organisations to stimulate interest in Kew’s history and heritage. The Society has regularly held local exhibitions, sometimes in shop windows, on other occasions in civic halls, and now at the Kew Court House and Kew Library. This and other photos taken in the same year are examples of an exhibition in the Kew City Hall.Two foundation members of the Kew Historical Society at an early exhibition mounted by the Society. The historic 1890s oil painting of Adeney Avenue, donated to the Society in 1965 [1965.0002], can be viewed on one of the screens in the background. Reverse: "KH27. Kew Historical Society member Mr Clark, and Mrs Reed in attendance at the Historical Exhibition, Festival of Kew 1976. Kew Civic Centre (Town Hall), Mr Clark, background, Mrs Reed, facing camera."kew historical society - exhibitions, kew city hall, kew (vic.) -- history

One of three scrapbooks created by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society which were donated by her niece, Julie Thomson, in 2013. The scrapbook includes photographs and descriptions of the following sites. (Many of these are now demolished and so the photographs and descriptions may be rare records of a site.) Sites include: Abbotsford (Vic) - Abbotsford Convent, Mayfield (c.1962), prefabricated house - Church street Armadale (Vic) - church (c.1959) - Thomson & Wattletree Roads Arthur’s Seat (Vic) - McCrae homestead Ballarat (Vic) - Memorial plaque on site of Bentley’s Hotel, Memorial on site of Eureka Stockade, Early municipal buildings - East Ballarat, Adam Lindsay Gordon’s cottage - Botanical Gardens, View from Sovereign Hill, Shell house Broken Hill (NSW) - panorama (1963), Flying Doctor’s base (?1963) Eltham (Vic) - Hassell’s outdoor art gallery Essendon (Vic) - Niddrie Homestead and stables (1963) Geelong (Vic) - first Bishopscourt Hawthorn (Vic) - Convent (1930), The Hawthorns, Keilor plains (Vic) - pioneer homes, pioneer cemetery Kew (Vic) - Roseneath (1951), Tarring - Ruyton, Turinville, house - Foley street (c.1960). Malvern (Vic) - church Mount Ridley (Vic) - Summerhill Melbourne (Vic) - Old Brewery - Custom’s House Lane (1960), Customs House, Scott’s Hotel (1962), Western market (c.1960) Phillip Island (Vic) - Grave Toorak (Vic) - Mandeville Hall, Merna (sic) - Arthur Streeton’s house, Toorak House Wentworth (NSW) - Harvey’s Hotel, Sturt Memorial, Sturt’s Tree, Wentworth Gaol Williamstown (Vic) - Williamstown Dairy Yan Yean (Vic) - Bear’s Castle (c.1947) Beveridge/Big Hill (Vic) - Kelly’s cottageImportant photograph record (and notes) about historic buildings in Victoria.38-page scrapbook with additional text created by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society. In addition to the 68 photographs, there are two postcards and a number of publications/handouts.collected by Eva on her trips to heritage sites in Victoria and New South Wales. The pages of the album can be viewed in the image carousel above. Most of the photographs of heritage buildings were taken in the early 1960s.See imagesheritage sites - victoria - australia, eva grant, scrapbooks - 20th century

One of three scrapbooks of photographs and newspaper cuttings taken and or collected by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society, which were donated by her niece, Julie Thomson. The albums include many photographs of Kew from the 1950s to the 1970s. Buildings included in the scrapbook include: Billy Hughes' house - 167 Cotham Road Congregational Church - Walpole Street (c.1978) Country Roads Board - Denmark Street (1960) Dorothy Rogers Reserve - Studley Park Road Ellsmere (also Ellesmere/Ellsmore) - Princess Street Field Place - 3 Henty Court Fernhurst - 13 Fernhurst Grove Kew Civic Centre (1959) Kew Junction (1958) Kew Railway Station (1902, 1959) Kew Recreation Hall - Wellington Street (1960) Neama (Hall) - Studley Park Road Southesk (formerly Ordsall) - Cotham Road (c.1960) St Anthony's Home for Babies (formerly Madford) - 43 Wellington Street (c.1976) Studley House - Nolan AvenueThe scrapbook contains historically significant, rare and sometimes unique images of significant heritage buildings in Kew, including their erection and demolition. 11-page scrapbook of photographs and newspaper clippings with annotations by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society. The pages of the album can be viewed in the image carousel above. Based on the text and known dates of demolition of a number of the buildings, the scrapbook was assembled over a twenty year period between c.1958-c.1978.Includes letter from donoreva grant, billy hughes' house - 167 cotham road, congregational church - walpole street - kew, country roads board - denmark street - kew, dorothy rogers reserve - studley park road - kew, field place - 3 henty court - kew (vic), ellsmere (also ellesmere/ellsmore) - princess street - kew, fernhurst - 13 fernhurst grove - kew (vic), kew civic centre - civic drive - kew (vic), kew junction - kew (vic), kew railway station - denmark street - kew (vic), recreation hall - wellington street - kew, neama - hall - studley park road - kew (vic), southesk - ordsall - cotham road- kew (vic), st anthony's home for babies - madford - 43 wellington street (vic), studley house - nolan avenue - kew (vic)

An important early photograph of a significant Kew mansion - Hallatrow - dating from 1886, soon after it was constructed.What appears to be a reprint of an earlier photograph of Hallatrow, now mounted, originally listed as A'Beckett Street West or Conran Street, but now 6 Holroyd Street in Studley Park. The photograph was originally taken when the house was occupied by the family of Thomas Brodribb. Pencil: “Hallatrow, Kew, 1886” hallatrow - 6 holroyd street - kew )vic), historic buidlings - studley park - kew (vic)

An important early photograph of a significant Kew mansion - Hallatrow - dating from 1899.What appears to be a reprint of an earlier photograph of Hallatrow, now mounted, originally listed as A'Beckett Street West or Conran Street, but now 6 Holroyd Street in Studley Park. The photograph was originally taken when the house was occupied by the family of Thomas Brodribb. Pencil: “Snow at Hallatrow, Aug 1899” hallatrow - 6 holroyd street - kew )vic), historic buidlings - studley park - kew (vic)

Hallatrow is located at 6 Holroyd Street Kew. It was the home of Thomas Brodribb. The notes were written by his descendant and recall his family's occupation of the house.A manuscript, written by Jim Brodribb, the grandson of Thomas Brodribb, the original owner of Hallatrow, recalling his family's years at Hallatrow (now 6 Holroyd Street in Studley Park.) hallatrow - 6 holroyd street - kew )vic), historic buidlings - studley park - kew (vic)

Hallatrow was the home of Thomas Brodribb. The house is located at 6 Holroyd Street.2 page copy of birthday verses written by Thomas Brodribb of Hallatrow, 6 Holroyd Street, Studley Park in 1886. The verses celebrate his wife Emily. hallatrow - 6 holroyd street - kew )vic), historic buidlings - studley park - kew (vic)

'Mandalay' at 3 Molesworth Street, Kew was originally named 'Kaikoura'. Pru Sanderson's 'Kew Urban Conservation Study' (1988) describes the house as: "The first documentary evidence of this property records that William Dawson was the original owner and occupier of this substantial two-storey mansion, built at the outset of the economic depression of the 1890s. Having an initial N.A.V. of £120 4, the house was occupied by Dawson until at least 1904. This two-storeyed rendered house is Italianate in styling and is dominated by a two-storeyed loggia that spans two facades. At ground floor level it is supported on coupled cast iron colonettes and above has single colonettes that support stilted segmental arches. The house is quite typical of its time, however it bears a strong resemblance to 39 Sackville Street probably by Beswicke and Coote (q.v.), and 'Kawarau'.in Hawthorn, designed by Coote. The similarity of these buildings and the fact that Beswicke and Coote called tenders for a house in Molesworth Street, both suggest that this house was also by that firm.Large original, black and white print positive photograph of 3 Molesworth Street, Kew The two storey Italianate mansion has a double loggia and two bay windows on the side of the property. A car is parked in front.manadaly - molesworth street (kew), historic houses -- kew, italianate architecture -- kew (vic.), kaikoura -- molesworth street -- kew (vic.), beswicke & coote

Canoeing on the River Yarra at Melbourne was an important and widespread recreational pursuit for Melbournians, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. The Victorian Canoe Club was formed in 1912 at a meeting in Melbourne and its first committee elected in the same year. Records indicate that the Club continued into at least the 1950s .The album has historic and social significance as a record of recreational activities (as well as canoe making) in the early years of the twentieth century. It has local significance as the site of the headquarters of the Club was in Studley park. A number of photographs in the album provide vistas of Kew on the Yarra that are otherwise unavailable.One of 24 labelled photos in part album, originating from the Victorian Canoe Club, which had its headquarters in Studley Park, Kew. The album includes a photographic record of canoe construction and also locations in Studley Park and Kew where the canoes were used. The subject of this photograph is identified as 'V.C.C. Studley Park' with its single storey weatherboard club house on the banks of the Yarra River."V.C.C. Studley Park"victorian canoe club, river yarra, studley park, boat houses, canoe clubs

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in the photograph is of the front of the house, minus the first floor verandah that had been removed some decades before and preceding the reinstatement of the verandah sometime after 1988. Prue Sanderson, in the City of Kew Urban Conservation Study, Vol.2 (1988) stated that: 'The house originally had a fine cast iron verandah to two facades, however despite its removal, it remains as a most preposessing structure, The small cast iron perch is not original. Overall the design is in Italianate styling and the walls are clad in render, with extremely fine incised medallions in the render at both levels. The treatment of the tripartite windows with rounded upper corners is also atypical and is repeated in the joinery of the front entrance.'"Photo one / Trinity Grammar Project 1978 / Form 3R / "Otira" Walpole St"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in the photograph is of the panelled entrance hall."Photo 2 / Otira entrance / Trinity Bays Project"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- entrance halls -- 1880s

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view in of a fire surround and overmantel in the house."Photo 3 / Walnut mantle Otira / Trinity Form 3R"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- overmantels -- 1880s

Sanderson P (1988): '73 Walpole Street (Kew), 'Otira'. Built 1887. Original use - Residence. Architect - Crouch. Henry Berry, a noted philanthropist and salt merchant of Melbourne, was the original owner of this two-storey, boom-period house. Berry occupied the residence until his death in 1923 while in February the following year, the property was auctioned. Subsequently purchased by the Methodist Church for use as a training college for missionaries, a number of additions and alterations were made at that stage including a memorial chapel that was built on the property in 1957.' Otira is now a private residence. Original colour positive photograph (polaroid) of 'Otira', 73 Walpole Street, Kew, taken in 1978 by students in Form 3R at Trinity Grammar School as part of a project. The view is of the painted glass panels surrounding the main door, viewed from the hall."Photo 4 / Stained glass door panels Otira"otira - 73 walpole street, henry berry, historic houses -- kew (vic.), trinity grammar school, melbourne architects -- crouch, interior design -- front doors -- 1880s, interior design -- painted glass -- 1880s