The recipient of the testimonial, Thomas O’Grady (1824-90) had migrated to Melbourne in 1854, practising the trades of building and contracting. The Australian Dictionary of Biography records that he became a Councillor of the City of Melbourne in 1868. It lists one of his major achievements as the construction ‘with Leggett & Noonan [of] the fifty-six-mile (90 km) railway from Essendon to Seymour’. He was chairman of the Tramways Trust from its formation in 1884. His obituary in the Melbourne Herald (29 Apr 1890) reported: "DEATH OF ALDERMAN THOMAS O'GRADY. Today we have the sad duty of recording the death of two old colonists, who for many years, havo occupied very, prominent positions in building, commercial and municipal circles. The first of these is Alderman Thomas O'Grady, who died last night at his residence in Carlton. Mr O'Grady has been ill for some time, and at one period his death was expected any moment. Then he rallied, and strong hopes of his recovery were entertained; but he had a relapse, and expired as stated. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest members of the City Council, in which he has held the various positions of Councillor, Alderman and Mayor. At the time of his death he sat as alderman for Victoria Ward. Mr O'Grady also at one time represented the City Council on the Harbor Trust, and was chairman of that body. He has been the council's representative on the Tramway Trust and was chairman of that body for some considerable time." As late as 1951, the Advocate (11 Oct 1951) stated that: "To Alderman Thomas O'Grady, Lord Mayor of Melbourne in 1872-3, is due the credit of the successful inauguration of Hospital Sunday. Alderman O'Grady was the first Catholic Lord Mayor of the city. He was elected a councillor for Smith Ward in 1868, and an alderman in 1869. In private life he was an extensive contractor, being a member of the firm of O'Grady, Leggett and Noonan, the contractors for the first section of the Northeastern Railways (between Melbourne and Seymour)."This is a unique civic document, illustrating the life and contribution of Thomas O’Grady (1824-90), Melbourne City Councillor and first Chairman of the Melbourne Tramways Trust. It is historically significant in its recording of the development of Melbourne's public transport system. The design of the certificate and particularly the ebonised frame are artistically and aesthetically significant.An illustrated testimonial presented to the first Chairman of the Melbourne Tramways Trust in 1886. The Testimonial is encased in an ebonized frame of the period. It includes the coat-of-arms of 12 cities, corporations, boroughs and towns, including that of Kew. At the head of the testimonial the engines used to drive the cable systems are illustrated. At the foot of the testimonial there is a picture of two cable trams.The testimonial reads: ‘At the meeting of the Melbourne Tramways Trust held on the Fifth Day of February 1886, the following resolution was unanimously carried. That the thanks of the Melbourne Tramways Trust are due and are hereby accorded to Alderman Thomas O’Grady Hon. JP, the first Chairman of the Trust for the ability, courtesy and impartiality with which he has discharged his duties during the past two years, and the Trust heartily congratulates him on the successful opening during his term of office of the Richmond Tramway (the first Cable line constructed in Australia) and tenders him its earnest wishes for his future prosperity and welfare.’ melbourne tramways trust, thomas o’grady (1824-90), cable trams, lord mayors of melbourne

"In 1928 the land on the east side of Johnson Street was subdivided in 60 lots for the ‘Heart of Richmond Estate’. The houses in the subdivision, along the east side of Johnson Street, and in the newly created Hollick, Cole and Kennedy streets were constructed from 1928 to 1937." (Source: City of Yarra Heritage Gaps Review One 2013)Portion of subdivision plan pasted on to cardboard. Area includes Johnson Street, Victoria Street, Kennedy Street, Cole Street, Hollick Street, Bennett StreetTitle Certificate Vol.2381, Folio 476130 Phillips, Fox & Masel, 440 Little Collins Street, Melbourne (Local estate agent: Jas. R. Mathers & McMIllan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew)subdivision plans - richmond (vic.), heart of richmond estate

Sports Clubs in Kew in the final decades of the 19th century and in the early 20th century were often umbrella organisations with facilities for a number of sports. Typically in Kew, this included teams in lawn bowls, tennis and croquet. The Kew Bowling Club was formed in 1880 while the privately owned Auburn Heights Recreation Club was opened in 1904. By 1998, the two Clubs decided to amalgamate at the Auburn Heights site in Barkers Road, forming the Kew Heights Sports Club. The combined club was itself taken over by the Melbourne Cricket Club in 2012 becoming MCC Kew Sports Club. In 2017 MCC Kew closed and its landholding was subsequently sold to Carey Baptist Grammar School. Both the Kew and Auburn Heights Clubs assembled important collections. These historically significant and large collections were donated to the Society in 2020. The collections include manuscripts, pictures, trophies, plans, honour boards etc. References Barnard FGA 1910, 'Sports and Pastimes' in Jubilee History of Kew Victoria: Its origin & progress 1803-1910. Nixon NV 1980, The History of the Kew Bowling Club 1880-1980. Reeve S 2012, City of Boroondara: Thematic Environmental History, p.216.The combined collections of the four sporting clubs making up the collection number hundreds of items that are historically significant locally. They are also significant to the sporting history of the greater Melbourne area and to the sports of lawn bowls and tennis in Australia in the 19th and 20th centuries. The collection illuminates two of the Victorian historic themes - 'Building community life' through forming community organisations and 'Shaping cultural and creative life' by participating in sport and recreation.Wood, brass and white metal VBA President's trophy. While the names of the winners have been partially abraided, contemporary press reports confirm the details and the significance of the trophy. An article in The Australasian (30 Jan 1937 reports: V.B.A. OFFICIALS' TROPHIES The three competitions involved in this title have now been concluded. Commenced on December 12, they occupied two Saturdays, and then were played on Tuesday afternoons to the conclusion. The president's trophy - the oldest competition in bowls, dating back to 1873 is for a two-rInk team of A pennant players; while the vice-president's B trophy and the vice-president's C trophy are also confined to two-rink teams in their respective grades. In the semi-final ot the president's trophy Kew, 34, defeated Richmond Union, 23, and Oakleigh defeated City of Hawthorn by 45-35. In the final Kew defeated Oakleigh, the scores being Kew, 39 (Cummins, Hambleton, Wood, Vance, 14; Taylor, Troon, Fraser, Rigg, 25), and Oakleigh. 20 (Cameron, Sumsion, Gronow, Walker, 12; Emmett, Skjellerup, Pakes, Geggie, 8). Kew had to wait 35 years to win its second president's trophy. That club was runner-up in 1890. Oakleigh has been twice runner-up (in 1924 and 1937), but has never won it. [The item is part of the historic Kew Bowling Club collection (1880-1988) gifted to the Kew Historical Society in 2020].VBA / VICTORIA BOWLING ASSOCIATION / PRESIDENT'S TROPHY / PRESENTED BY *** SIR WM BRUNTON / WON BY KEW BOWLING CLUB / TEAMS / JP CUMMINS, LH HAMBLETON, CG WOOD, P VANCE, / AD TAYLOR, RLR TROON, HE FRASER, FH RIGGkew bowling club - wellington street - kew (vic), clubs - lawn bowls - kew (vic), trophies - lawn bowls

In an era predating the computerisation of equipment on public transport, where trams in Melbourne were driven by drivers and conductors sold fares, destinations were shown at the front and rear of the tram within a glazed box. A driver adjusted the roll to select each new trip destination. Given the length of rolls, in this case approximately nine metres, this could be a time consuming process. In addition to the named destination roll, each tram included a separate roll listing the route numbers.The roll was purchased at a Leski Auction in Armadale as part of a large group of tramways memorabilia including tram 'rolls' from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The auction house described the collection as "The collection of destination blinds or rolls that forms the core of the Railways Trams & Buses Section (Lots 655 – 732) is the best we have ever offered and represents a life-time of collecting by an Adelaide enthusiast, now deceased." Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board Tramways Destination Roll. Black and white paint on linen roll. Forty-eight named destinations including four depots - Camberwell, Hanna Street, Hawthorn, Kew. Multiple destinations in what is now the City of Boroondara (Kew, Hawthorn and Camberwell); including East Kew, Kew, Kew Post Office, Kew Depot, and Cotham Road.Named destinations beginning to end: “Olympic Park / Special / Football / Racecourse / Richmond / Burnley / Riversdale / Wattle Park - Warragul Rd / Wattle Park - Elgar Rd / City / Burwood / Hartwell / Bowen St / Camberwell Depot / Camberwell Jucn / Leura Grove / Gardener / Glenferrie Rd / Chapel St / St Kilda Rd / Camberwell / City / Lonsdale St / University / City via William St / Domain Rd / Hanna St Depot / South Melb & St Kilda Beach / Prahran / North Richmond / Windsor / Hawthorn Depot / Hawthorn / Spencer St / Toorak Rd / Swan & Church St Cnr / North Balwyn / City Flinders & Spencer Sts Corner / City - Market St / Swanston St / Simpson St / East Kew / Kew / Kew Post Office / Kew Depot / Cotham Rd / Malv Tn Hall"melbourne & metropolitan tramways board

Considered a ‘worthy’ councillor, William [Bill] Wishart was ‘blunt’ in words and actions during his period of civic service. He was concerned with a picturesque Kew. This included street lighting, macadamised roads and improved access to Melbourne. Often accused of being German, he asserted his Australian birth and Scottish heritage. He was a strong advocate for women’s rights, believed in compulsory voting, favoured prison reform, opposed religious instruction in State schools, betting including horse racing, Home Rule, alcohol and sought to establish a tourist bureau. Cr. Wishart was ‘unanimously’ supported to nominate for the vacated seat of Richmond in Victoria’s Legislative Council. He narrowly lost the vote. After a sudden death, he was buried with Presbyterian rites in the Boroondara General Cemetery.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.Admission ticket to a musical and bioscopic entertainment in the Recreation Hall, Wellington Street, Kew, on Empire Day, Friday 24 May 1907. The ticket was tendered to schools of the district, presumably students and teachers, by the Mayor of Kew, Cr. W. Wishart.arthur dear collection, empire day - kew (vic.), kew recreation hall -- wellington street -- kew (vic.), cr william wishart, mayors of kew

Despite the plans claims that it is a subdivision near the Richmond Bridge, Section 115 was located at what is now Camberwell Junction. While the plan only lists government roads rather than named streets, the section was located on the east side of Burke Road, stretching up the hill from the current Junction. Research on Trove, conducted by Kerry Fairbank, discovered an advertisement for unsold lots in Section 115 which clarifies the extent and location of subsequent land sales in the original section. The original article can be viewed through the link in the catalogue record. The interesting link to Kew is the reference to James Beavan as the purchaser of lots 14 and 15. The historian Gwen McWilliam has notes that a Mr Beavan changed his name from Bevan. The Bevans were descendants of the Derricks family of Kew. This subdivision plan is the earliest original map or plan in the collection which shows parts of what is now the City of Boroondara, dating from circa 1853. It provides important information for researchers on subsequent subdivisions following the original land sales in [Camberwell] Boroondara. The site, on the east side of Burke Road is a highly-significant and historic site. This is believed to be the only extant copy of the subdivision in public collections.A small plan on parchment listing 28 lots, between one and two acres each, for sale in Section 115 in the Parish of Boroondara, dating from 1853 when the portion was subdivided.Obverse: Lot 16 "Joseph Duval", Lots 14 & 15 "James Beavan". Other annotations (measurements) are unreadable. Reverse: "KH-981 / Section 115 in the Parish of Boroondara / Near Richmond Bridge / 1640T. / J Duval / 14-15 J. Beavanparish of boroondara, subdivision plans - camberwell, section 115 - boroondara, subdivision plans -- camberwell (vic), riverscape road, burke road, camberwell junction

The campaign to save the Yarra Valley from powerlines was a significant environmental campaign in multiple suburbs in the 1980s.White tee-shirt with an image of a man being electrocuted which was produced and sold to raise funds for the campaign to save the Yarra Valley from a proposal to build a massive power line between Richmond and Brunswick. The black and white cartoon printed on the front of the tee-shirt is a cartoon by Jeff. The tee-shirt was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Jill O'Brien, ex councillor and Mayor of the former City of Kew, who was one of the leaders of the campaign.RICHMOND-BRUNSWICK POWER LINErichmond-brunswick powerline, community campaigns - 1980s, yarra valley, jill o'brien

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). The absence of buildings and or property in Kew facing the Yarra is the most notable feature of this plan. Walmer Street and its bridge stretched, then and now, from Studley Park Road to Victoria Street, Richmond. On the Richmond side of the Yarra, there was evidence in 1904 of industry (‘Wool shed’; Soap Works’) and entertainment (‘Skittle Alley’). In reality, another Plan (No.1303) shows Chinese Gardens bordering the Yarra on the Kew side and buildings in Young Street.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1302, cartography

The Programme was made on the occasion of the Civic Service to mark the granting of Armorial Ensigns and City Banner to the City of Caulfield. The cover states that the Ensigns were presented by J.P. Brooke - Little, Esq., Richmond Herald of Arms. There are three other known copies of the this Programme.Programme, white paper card cover with a representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms, 4 paper pages inside with printed text on the front and back of each page and a colour representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms on Page 3. The pages have been stapled to the cover with two staples.

The Programme was made on the occassion of the Civic Service to mark the granting of Armorial Ensigns and City Banner to the City of Caulfield. The cover states that the Ensigns were presented by J.P. Brooke - Little, Esq., Richmond Herald of Arms. There are three other known copies of the this Programme. Programme, white paper card cover with a representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms, 4 paper pages inside with printed text on the front and back of each page and a colour representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms on Page 3. The pages have been stapled to the cover with two staples. The cover has a City of Caulfield Library stamp and a red sticky dot in the upper corner, rhs.Stamped on front cover in black ink: "CITY OF CAULFIELD / LIBRARY"

The Programme was made on the occassion of the Civic Service to mark the granting of Armorial Ensigns and City Banner to the City of Caulfield. The cover states that the Ensigns were presented by J.P. Brooke - Little, Esq., Richmond Herald of Arms. There are three other known copies of the this Programme.Programme, white paper card cover with a representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms, 4 paper pages inside with printed text on the front and back of each page and a colour representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms on Page 3. The pages have been stapled to the cover with two staples. This copy of the Programme has been covered with transparent contact, has a sticker with a Caulfield Library Reference number on the front cover and a Glen Eira Library Service stamp on the inner cover.

The Programme was made on the occasion of the Civic Service to mark the granting of Armorial Ensigns and City Banner to the City of Caulfield. The cover states that the Ensigns were presented by J.P. Brooke - Little, Esq., Richmond Herald of Arms. There are three other known copies of the this Programme. Programme with white cardboard cover with the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms in black and white on the front. Four double sided pages and a colour representation of the City of Caulfield Coat of Arms on Page 3.

Subsequently the area was not fully developed in this manner following flooding in 1863. Some remnants remain.Plan on paper with cloth backing. Inscription, "Designed by Alfred Lynch. Landscape Gardener, Prahran. Printed by De Guchy & Leigh." An inset plan shows position of Experimental Gardens related to the City of Melbourne and Bay. Plan shows layout and plantings of the designated area - fruit, vegetables: the conservatory, nursery, exhibition buildings. This plan was owned by E.E. Pescott. Inscription on cover, "Burnley. E.E.P.." "Ed. E. Pescott." Subsequently the area was not developed in this manner. See inscription on copy made for Centenary Exhibition B92.633. Other copies given to College by N. Lothian (graduated 1934). Jim Sanders, a friend of his, gave them to Dr. G. Moore in 1991. A larger copy, inscribed on reverse, '1861', 'Early proposals for Horticultural Gardens for Horticultural Society of Victoria (now Royal). The lithograph was included as an insert in the Farmers Journal and Gardeners Chronicle 21 June, 1862. It is only in one of the copies held by the State Library of Victoria. 1 large and 1 small photographs of plan. Several photocopies of the plan.Inscription, "Designed by Alfred Lynch. Landscape Gardener, Prahran. Printed by De Gruchy & Leigh." / Inscription on cover, "Burnley. E.E.P.." "Ed. E. Pescott."alfred lynch, experimental gardens, conservatory, nursery, e.e. pescott, n. lothian, jim sanders, dr. g. moore, horticultural socoety of victoria

Shows changes in ownership of various parts of Richmond Park and Burnley Gardens by University of Melbourne, Amrad, Melbourne City Link, etc. from gazettal in 1873 to 1996Photocopy of plan of 19.11.1886 with University of Melbourne land acquisition 13.10.1994 hand drawn on it, dates Act revoked and Gazette numbers. Plan of Jika Jika R(19)3. Allan & Tuxen Plan of Melbourne and Suburbspublic parks, recreation reserve, richmond

Model of an electric pump (No. 7121-4511 Type U21) and Asahi flow meter bolted on to a wooden block. Electric cord. Used for teaching Arboriculture.Oklahoma City, Okla. Little Giant Pump Company U.S. Patent No. 3411450 Clipsal (electric cord.) Asahi Water Meterarboriculture, motor, teaching, ahahi meter, little giant pump company, flow meter

Georgina Whitehead-who is producing a book on public gardens of Melbourne City Council - believes it to be Sinclair's Cottage in the Fitzroy Gardens. Note by T.H. Kneen 19 November 1991, "subject of an excursion."Black and white photograph. View through canopy of trees to house in background.trees, georgina whitehead, sinclair's cottage, fitzroy gardens, excursion