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 area represented in this detail plan has undergone significant change during the 20th century. The widening of High Street in the 1930s and 1950s involved the shops on the south side of High Street being demolished and later rebuilt to fit the widened street. Another significant loss was the mansion ‘Drayton’ fronting Wellington Street, owned at this stage by Susannah Fenton. Her family name would later to be given to Fenton Way, which was to be built over the grounds of the house following its demolition. The plan of the garden is particularly interesting, containing a batten dome fronting Wellington Street, an ornamental pond, a fountain and a brick and glass conservatory. The notes by the plumbing contractor on this plan are particularly detailed. Pink borders delineate the ownership of the varying parcels of land. Some of the better known owners listed include the real estate agent Cr. Henry de Castres Kellett (bt) and John Padbury, the funeral director. This particular plan provides a clear view of the configuration of the Kew Junction in 1903 and the commercial buildings that surrounded it.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1580, cartography

The story of Christopher Gabriel born on April 2, 1746, in Falmouth England is a tale of a poor boy who made good. Shortly before he turned thirteen years of age in 1759 he was apprenticed to a local master carpenter, recorded as a Mr Barnicot the master trained his apprentice well as we can assume by Christopher's later successes. The apprenticeship ended in 1766 after seven years when Christopher reached twenty. Then in 1768, he relocated to London walking the two hundred miles from Falmouth carrying his possessions in a sack. He no sooner arrived in London when he met Alice Trowell who became his wife in March 1769. They set up house on Albermarie Street Clerkenwell and by the first of 1770, Gabriel had begun his business of plane making. It has been speculated that Gabriel took over the shop of John Cogdell aided with an investment from his in-laws of 131 pounds. He went on to prosper as a plane-maker and lumber merchant over the next forty years. His business did well and in 1774 Gabriel moved to a house in Golden Lane, London and 1779 moved again to a home in Ould Street London. By now Gabriel was making a name for himself and his business at this time was located at 32 Banner Street Golden Lane, the following year he purchased another home in Banner Street and 1793 purchased the house next door. At the time of his death in 1808, he owned twenty-seven houses and commercial building. Christopher Gabriel s descendants became quite prominent in England and his grandson, Sir Thomas Gabriel became the Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1859 and the Lord Mayor of London 1866 and 1867. Gabriel was an extremely prolific plane-maker with a lot of examples made in the 18th century can still be found today. He made good quality tools and was an innovator of several new plane designs. A vintage tool made by a well-known plane-maker, this item was made commercially for firms and individuals that worked in wood and needed a tool that could give a decorative finish to timber. These planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve a finish to timber surfaces and came in many sizes. A significant Christopher Gabriel plane from the mid to late 18th century that after 200 years can still be used today. Planes made by Gabriel are eagerly sought after by collectors. The tool gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other finishes were created on timber by the use of cutting edged hand tools. Tools that were themselves hand made shows the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce a decorative or even finish that was needed for the finishing of timber items. Moulding multi patterned plane has a "5" long bladeStamped Maker C Gabriel (owner JB).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, side rabbet plane, gabriel m hobling

The story of Christopher Gabriel born on April 2, 1746, in Falmouth England is a tale of a poor boy who made good. Shortly before he turned thirteen years of age in 1759 he was apprenticed to a local master carpenter, recorded as a Mr Barnicot the master trained his apprentice well as we can assume by Christopher's later successes. The apprenticeship ended in 1766 after seven years when Christopher reached twenty. Then in 1768, he relocated to London walking the two hundred miles from Falmouth carrying his possessions in a sack. He no sooner arrived in London when he met Alice Trowell who became his wife in March 1769. They set up house on Albermarie Street Clerkenwell and by the first of 1770, Gabriel had begun his business of plane making. It has been speculated that Gabriel took over the shop of John Cogdell aided with an investment from his in-laws of 131 pounds. He went on to prosper as a plane maker and lumber merchant over the next forty years.   His business did well and in 1774 Gabriel moved to a house in Golden Lane, London and 1779 moved again to a home in Ould Street London.    By now Gabriel was making a name for himself and his business at this time was located at 32 Banner Street Golden Lane, the following year he purchased another home in Banner Street and 1793 purchased the house next door. At the time of his death in 1808, he owned twenty-seven houses and commercial building.   Christopher Gabriel s descendants became quite prominent in England and his grandson, Sir Thomas Gabriel became the Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1859 and the Lord Mayor of London 1866 and 1867.  Gabriel was an extremely prolific plane maker with a lot of examples made in the 18th century can still be found today. He made good quality tools and was an innovator of several new plane designs.   A vintage tool made by a well-known plane maker, this item was made commercially for firms and individuals that worked in wood and needed a tool that could give a decorative finish to timber. These planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve a finish to timber surfaces and came in many sizes.  A significant Christopher Gabriel plane from the mid to late 18th century that after 200 years can still be used today. Planes made by Gabriel are eagerly sought after by collectors. The tool gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other finishes were created on timber by the use of cutting edged hand tools. Tools that were themselves hand made shows the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce a decorative or even finish that was needed for the finishing of timber items. Plane Moulding Reverse Ogee with two squares type Maker stamped Gabriel also stamped JB & No 9flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

The story of Christopher Gabriel born on April 2, 1746, in Falmouth England is a tale of a poor boy who made good. Shortly before he turned thirteen years of age in 1759 he was apprenticed to a local master carpenter, recorded as a Mr Barnicot the master trained his apprentice well as we can assume by Christopher's later successes. The apprenticeship ended in 1766 after seven years when Christopher reached twenty. Then in 1768, he relocated to London walking the two hundred miles from Falmouth carrying his possessions in a sack. He no sooner arrived in London when he met Alice Trowell who became his wife in March 1769. They set up house on Albermarie Street Clerkenwell and by the first of 1770, Gabriel had begun his business of plane making. It has been speculated that Gabriel took over the shop of John Cogdell aided with an investment from his in-laws of 131 pounds. He went on to prosper as a plane-maker and lumber merchant over the next forty years. His business did well and in 1774 Gabriel moved to a house in Golden Lane, London and 1779 moved again to a home in Ould Street London. By now Gabriel was making a name for himself and his business at this time was located at 32 Banner Street Golden Lane, the following year he purchased another home in Banner Street and 1793 purchased the house next door. At the time of his death in 1808, he owned twenty-seven houses and commercial building. Christopher Gabriel s descendants became quite prominent in England and his grandson, Sir Thomas Gabriel became the Sheriff of London and Middlesex in 1859 and the Lord Mayor of London 1866 and 1867. Gabriel was an extremely prolific plane-maker with a lot of examples made in the 18th century can still be found today. He made good quality tools and was an innovator of several new plane designs. A vintage tool made by a well-known plane-maker, this item was made commercially for firms and individuals that worked in wood and needed a tool that could give a decorative finish to timber. These planes came in various shapes and sizes to achieve a finish to timber surfaces and came in many sizes. A significant Christopher Gabriel plane from the mid to late 18th century that after 200 years can still be used today. Planes made by Gabriel are eagerly sought after by collectors. The tool gives us a snapshot of how furniture and other finishes were created on timber by the use of cutting edged hand tools. Tools that were themselves hand made shows the craftsmanship used during this time not only to make a tool such as the subject item but also the craftsmanship needed to produce a decorative or even finish that was needed for the finishing of timber items. Side Rabbet Plane Stamped Maker Gabriel (owner M Hobling).flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, side rabbet plane, gabriel m hobling

Richard Hartley Smith Abbott was the step son of Joseph Henry Abbott and inherited his families business interests, building successful commercial enterprises such as Abbott Supply Co. He was elected a representative in the Mandurang riding in the Shire of Strathfieldsaye in 1887, served as Mayor of the City of Bendigo from 1917 - 1918 and a member of the legislative Council of Victoria. He was Secretary of the Bendigo Art Gallery for over 20 years.Small envelope with RHS Abbott address printed on front. Open at back. R. H. S. Abbott, / Market Square, / Bendigo.mayor rhs abbott, shire of strathfieldsaye, bendigo art gallery, city of greater bendigo commerce

Looking south along Main Road from the south side of the intersection of Bridge Street with Main Road. Post Office (Anne Hunniford Postmistress) on left then the Commercial Bank of Australasia building. The house on the right, 'Derril,' was purchased by Walter Gahan in 1924 and was demolished in 1968 when Main Road was widened. In the distance on the left is Watson's Hotel and on the right (opposite side of the main road, Morris's Hotel Cross Ref: 0624This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image Print 14 x 24 cm 35 mm B&W negativeanne jane hunniford (1855-1928), bridge street, commercial bank of australia, derril, eltham, gahan house, main road, morris's hotel, post office, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, watsons hotel

Hampshire Road became Sunshine’s main shopping centre in the early 1900s, expanded rapidly through the 1920s–1930s, flourished as a social hub in the post‑war decades, and remains the suburb’s central commercial strip. Early 1900s – First commercial strip forms The section between 72–98 Hampshire Road began trading in the first part of the 1900s, with early businesses including hairdressers, fruiterers, grocers, confectioners, newsagents, fishmongers, and tobacconists. 1920s–1930s – Rapid expansion of shops Multiple shop rows were built during this period, including: 68–70 Hampshire Road (built 1925) 72–98 Hampshire Road (shops operating by 1926–1930) 107–117 Hampshire Road (shops built 1923–1925) Businesses included grocers, butchers, confectioners, wood yards, dairies, and general stores—typical of a growing working‑class industrial suburb. 1930s–1940s – Social and civic hub emerges The strip became a major meeting place, especially around Homewood’s Café at 107–109 Hampshire Road, famous for its jukebox and proximity to the Sunshine Theatre, Town Hall, and Masonic Hall. It was a magnet for teenagers, servicemen, and families. Post‑war era – Consolidation as Sunshine’s main centre After WWII, Hampshire Road remained the suburb’s busiest commercial spine. Key features included: Cafés and milk bars Butchers and grocers Newsagents Timber yards Small specialty shops This period cemented Hampshire Road as Sunshine’s civic heart. 1960s – Renaming and redevelopment The section near the Town Hall (107–117 Hampshire Road) was renamed Sun Crescent in the 1960s, reflecting changes in road layout and civic planning Late 20th century – Modernisation Some older shop rows were demolished or redeveloped into service stations, townhouses, or new commercial buildings. Examples include: Demolition of the shop at 72 Hampshire Road (formerly Ted Whitten’s Foodland) Redevelopment of timber yards into townhouse complexes 2000s–present – Contemporary Sunshine CBD Hampshire Road continues as the primary retail and civic axis of Sunshine, hosting: Restaurants and cafés Grocers and specialty stores Medical clinics Banks and services Civic buildings and public spaces It remains the anchor of Sunshine’s designated Major Activity Centre.These photographs show the section of Hampshire Road between Devonshire Road and Service Street.Sunshine Shopping Centres 492.3sunshine shopping centre, hampshire road, sunshine

Hampshire Road became Sunshine’s main shopping centre in the early 1900s, expanded rapidly through the 1920s–1930s, flourished as a social hub in the post‑war decades, and remains the suburb’s central commercial strip. Early 1900s – First commercial strip forms The section between 72–98 Hampshire Road began trading in the first part of the 1900s, with early businesses including hairdressers, fruiterers, grocers, confectioners, newsagents, fishmongers, and tobacconists. 1920s–1930s – Rapid expansion of shops Multiple shop rows were built during this period, including: 68–70 Hampshire Road (built 1925) 72–98 Hampshire Road (shops operating by 1926–1930) 107–117 Hampshire Road (shops built 1923–1925) Businesses included grocers, butchers, confectioners, wood yards, dairies, and general stores—typical of a growing working‑class industrial suburb. 1930s–1940s – Social and civic hub emerges The strip became a major meeting place, especially around Homewood’s Café at 107–109 Hampshire Road, famous for its jukebox and proximity to the Sunshine Theatre, Town Hall, and Masonic Hall. It was a magnet for teenagers, servicemen, and families. Post‑war era – Consolidation as Sunshine’s main centre After WWII, Hampshire Road remained the suburb’s busiest commercial spine. Key features included: Cafés and milk bars Butchers and grocers Newsagents Timber yards Small specialty shops This period cemented Hampshire Road as Sunshine’s civic heart. 1960s – Renaming and redevelopment The section near the Town Hall (107–117 Hampshire Road) was renamed Sun Crescent in the 1960s, reflecting changes in road layout and civic planning Late 20th century – Modernisation Some older shop rows were demolished or redeveloped into service stations, townhouses, or new commercial buildings. Examples include: Demolition of the shop at 72 Hampshire Road (formerly Ted Whitten’s Foodland) Redevelopment of timber yards into townhouse complexes 2000s–present – Contemporary Sunshine CBD Hampshire Road continues as the primary retail and civic axis of Sunshine, hosting: Restaurants and cafés Grocers and specialty stores Medical clinics Banks and services Civic buildings and public spaces It remains the anchor of Sunshine’s designated Major Activity Centre.Sunshine Shopping Centre Hampshire Road 497.2sunshine shopping centre, hampshire road, sunshine

Yields information about the appearance of Sturt St c1950 and the Lydiard St intersection.Black and white photograph of a single trucker west bound in Sturt St at Lydiard St North. Note the bus alongside the tram. Has the National Mutual building and Commonwealth Bank buildings. Sign on the National Mutual building advertising Commercial Union Insurance and Doepel and Lilley Real Estate. Bracket arms are of the type that required the pole to be cut into. c1950. Item donated comprised negative 1095, A4 print and laminated A4 print. Negative scanned at 2400dpi. On the top edge of one of the prints "same as 1094"trams, tramways, ballarat, sturt st, secv, lydiard st, tram 30

Albion No. 5 Explosives Factory was one of Australia’s major WWII munitions sites, built rapidly from 1939–40 in Deer Park and operated by ICIANZ for the Commonwealth. It produced propellants, explosives and later commercial fertilisers. Each building on the site was given an identification number (Note: Over a period of time, some of the building numbers did change) The first numerical of the building number represented the area it as location in. 1 - Administration & Service Area 2 - Propellant Area 3 - Acid Area 4 - T.N.T. Area 5 - Armament Chemicals Area 6 - Propellant Powder Area 7 - Fused Powder Area 8 - R.D.X. Area 9 - Synthetic Ammonia AreaThere were over 400 buildings in the Albion Explosive Factory complex and the only remaining building on the site is building No 745, the Mill House (T.R.F. Powder) located in the former Fused Powder Area. The building is heritage listed and owned by the Brimbank City Council. It is now known as the Black Powder Mill.Albion Explosive Factory Building Numbers (No 5 Explosive Factory)albion no 5 explosive factory, albion explosive factory, ballarat road, deer park

Photograph of Melbourne MMTB No. 117 - now unnumbered - in Sturt St, 16-12-1945, Photo Wal Jack. See also Reg Items 7590 and 7595 for other photos of this car running, probably the same date. Has the National Mutual and Commonwealth Bank buildings in the background. Not the sign on the side of the National Mutual building, advertising Commercial Union and Deopel Lilly & Taylor. See image i2 for rear of photograph. See image i3 for hi res scan of print. See image i4 for hi res scan of negativeYields information about the first trip of a bogie tram in Ballarat following its arrival in Ballarat and other commissioning trips in a series of photographs within the Wal Jack album.Negative and Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat AlbumIn ink on rear " SEC Ballarat Tramways bogie tram (running without a no. (No. 22, Ex M&MTB 117, (Tram Centre), looking east (City - Gardens Run) - 16-12-45" with number "T538" within Wal Jack photo stamp.trams, tramways, sturt st, bogie trams, tram 117, tram 22

The Albury Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Club traces its origins back to the Albury and District War Services Hall Appeal Committee. This group of the World War I diggers, service groups and parents of men serving in World War II set out to raise 14,000 pounds for a Services Memorial Hall. After the war ended, the Memorial Hall Fund was far short of its target. Also, different attitudes prevailed when the boys came home. Instead of a memorial hall, the idea of a licensed club gained favour. This was to be not merely for RSL men who had served overseas, but for many ex-servicemen who had not left Australia. Using the Memorial Hall Fund, the RSL bought the old Commercial Club buildings at 611 Dean Street, which had been a Service Rest Room throughout the war and up to February 1946. The SS&A Club was formally opened in October 1946 and was registered under the Liquor Act in 1947. The foundation stone of the new building in Olive Street was laid by Lt General Sir John Northcott, May 2, 1959. The building was opened July 15,1960 by Governor of NSW, Sir Eric Woodward. It has since undergone many extensions and developments to become a modern facility but still continues to honour its origins with the inclusion of its War MemorialThis badge is representative of the role played by licensed clubs in the local community.Enamelled membership badges for the S.S & A. Club in Albury. Many people from both Albury and Wodonga hold membership the club which provides employment and social activities for people from both sides of the Murray RIver.Red Badge, around the centre image of the Albury War Memorial: "ALBURY S.S.& A CLUB LTD/ 1981-82" On reverse: "MEMBER/NOT TRANSFERABLE/2302/PERFECTION BADGES/SYDNEY/770775" Yellow Badge, around the centre image of the Albury War Memorial: "ALBURY S.S.& A CLUB LTD/ 1980-81"albury s.s & a club, social clubs, licensed clubs albury

The Commercial Bank of Australia building was constructed by J. F. Taylor in 1907 and shortly after commenced operations as a bank. The building was in use as a CBA bank until 1976 when it was demolished and a new building erected. The CBA continued its operations at this location; subsequently, various banks, such as the Bank of Melbourne and Westpac operated there. Part of the new building is now in use as a newsagency. The original architectural plans for this building designed by Walter Butler are held by the State Library of Victoria and can be viewed online through the Library's website: Citation: Butler, W. R., & Taylor, J. F. (1906). Design for banking premises at Bacchus Marsh for the Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd. URL: http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/473561 Black and white photographic print. Photograph of the Commercial Bank 138 Main Street Bacchus Marsh. On the left is a smaller brick building adjoining the bank. On the right there is a partial shot of a shop called The House of Hodgson. The bank building itself is shown as a substantial two-story brick building, the top storey appearing to be a dwelling with three ornamented windows furnished with curtains and blinds. The storeys are divided by a white panel bearing the words "The Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd". The lower storey has a central entrance with a panelled door. The door is flanked by two windows with reinforced lattices. The windows and door are surmounted by decorative arches reminiscent of Spanish Moorish architecture. A car (possibly a 1937 Dodge) is parked on the street. A lone girl stands on the footpath waving at the photographer.On the back: In pencil: 1937 Dodge?shops bacchus marsh vic., main street bacchus marsh vic., banks bacchus marsh vic., commercial bank of australia bacchus marsh

BHS CollectionPhotocopy of a newspaper article and photo of Eaglehawk Road with a tram outside a two story newsagency. On the right is a dilapidated timber fence. Written on the back is: approx 1966 ? One of the last trams No. 18 to run up Main Street of Long Gully (Bond Street) now known Eaglehawk Road. On Left Post Office - now Gents Hairdresser & Rose of No. 3 Australia Hotel. On right Les & Marie Norris Newsagency & Mixed Business. 2 story Building was Commercial Hotel. No. 26 Tram was the last To Run between Bendigo , Long Gully & Eaglehawk still running as a Tourist tram in Bendigo 1987. Donated by Alan Crossley 1985.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - eaglehawk road, mr l w norris, country roads board, mr g marshallsea, rose of australia hotel, les & marie norris, commercial hotel, alan crossley

In 1894 the Victorian Braille Writers Association was established in order to create a braille lending library. Such an endeavor also meant a need of space for storage. At first the library was accommodated in the home of Mrs May Harrison before moving to the home of Mrs Dickinson two years later. Eventually, with the help of donors, a space was rented in the Block Arcade to house the 1300+ volumes it held and the yearly increase produced by its braille transcribers. Fortunately in 1918 the Trustees of the Edward Wilson Estate provided 4000 pounds to pay for a new building in Commercial Road. Despite some misgivings from the RVIB at the time, this building was home to both braille volumes and talking books (albums and cassettes) for many years. In this picture, Tilly Aston is given the key to the building by Senator Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust.1 b/w photograph of people on a stageFree Lending Library for the Blind. Senator G. Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust, presenting the key of the building to Miss Aston, a Braille reader, representing the Braille Writer’s Association. 26th April 1919. (Label on mount board)victorian association of braille writers, tilly aston, george fairbairn, buildings

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years. This item contains the following: Twenty Australian postcards collected by Mrs. James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.041 This black-and-white card shows water cascading over a broad rocky ledge; on the card is printed “Weeping Rock, Wentworth.” 1405.042 This black-and-white card shows ships berthed beside railway yards and wharves; on the card is printed “RAILWAY YARDS NEWCASTLE 612.” 1405.043 This coloured card shows a garden pavilion beside lawns and palm trees overlooking the harbour; on the card is printed “Botanic Gardens, Sydney, N. S. W.” 1405.044 This black-and-white card shows a calm tree-lined creek; on the card is printed “MULLET CREEK, DAPTO. Series 19—Illawarra.” 1405.045 This coloured card shows a large crowd gathered along a broad seaside promenade; on the card is printed “1768 - The Corso, Manly, Sydney.” 1405.046 This coloured card shows two views of the coastal cliffs at The Gap; on the card is printed “Sydney!”, “The Gap, Watson’s Bay”, “1849”, “Sydney”, “The Gap, Watson’s Bay” and “1906”. 1405.047 This black-and-white card shows a narrow rocky passage through bushland; on the card is printed “THE ROSE SERIES P. 7557 HYAM PASS, SHOWGROUND RESERVE, NOWRA. COPYRIGHT”. 1405.048 This black-and-white card shows waves breaking on a beach below a coastal headland; on the card is printed “Ex.184. NEWCASTLE N.S.W. ‘Nobby’s’ from the Beach.” 1405.049 This black-and-white card shows the Commonwealth Bank building with a large crowd and procession in the surrounding streets; on the card is printed “COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA, SYDNEY.” 1405.050 This black-and-white card shows a broad coastal beach backed by wooded hills; on the card is printed “Beach, Stanwell Park.” 1405.051 This black-and-white card shows a horse-drawn carriage travelling along a winding road through forest; on the card is printed “Stroud Cutting". The handwriting says “This is near the old home where I was born.” 1405.052 This black-and-white card shows a person rowing on a calm river between wooded banks and hills; on the card is printed “THE DERWENT AT NEW NORFOLK” and “BEATTIE HOBART 359”. 1405.053 This black-and-white card shows an iron bridge leading into a town street; on the card is printed “C. N. Howard, Photo. Hume Bridge and Cooma St., Yass. Will. Thomson, Publisher.” 1405.054 This black-and-white card shows a calm river framed by large trees and dense vegetation; on the card is printed “Yass River.” 1405.055 This coloured card shows a path through dense tree ferns; on the card is printed “In the Fernery, Blackheath, Blue Mountains”. 1405.056 This black-and-white card shows a calm river bordered by trees and reeds; on the card is printed “A. J. Shearsby, Photo. Will. Thomson, Publisher. Yass River at Kenilworth.” 1405.057 This coloured card shows a railway bridge crossing a broad river with a steamer below; on the card is printed “HAWKESBURY BRIDGE.” 1405.058 This coloured card shows a city street lined with large commercial buildings and a horse-drawn cart; on the card is printed “Market Street, Sydney” and “Oceanic Series (Copyright).” 1405.059 This coloured card shows a busy city street with a tram, motor vehicles, horse-drawn carts and pedestrians; on the card is printed “1792 - George St. from Margaret St., Sydney.” 1405.060 This black-and-white card shows a small boat on calm water beneath dramatic clouds; on the card is printed “‘NEATH SOUTHERN SKIES.”postcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

Thought to have originated in Austria in 1869, postcards first gained popularity in Australia in the 1890s.They were used to send short messages to friends and family. This collection was generated by Mary Emma Elliot of Talgarno. Talgarno is a rural locality in Victoria, Australia, situated on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume, about 23 km east of Albury-Wodonga. The collection contains postcards from across the world. Mary Emma Sibley was born in Ironbark, Bendigo in 1859. She married James Elliot in 1893 and they settled at “Kelso”, Talgarno. They had two children – Mona and Sibley. Mary Emma Elliot died in Melbourne in 1944, aged 84 years. This item contains the following: Twenty Australian postcards collected by Mrs. James Elliot between 1898 and 1915. 1405.061 This coloured card shows an ornate brick public building; on the card is printed “Mechanics’ Institute, Albury”. 1405.062 This black-and-white card shows an elevated view of a coastal town and harbour with a lighthouse in the distance; on the card is printed “THE ROSE SERIES P. 7523 COPYRIGHT. PANORAMA OF KIAMA, N.S.W., No.1”. 1405.063 This black-and-white card shows a broad town street lined with shops, motor vehicles and a clock tower; on the card is printed “THE ROSE SERIES P.6184 COPYRIGHT. DEAN STREET, LOOKING WEST, ALBURY, N.S.W.” 1405.064 This black-and-white card shows the Union Bank and Post Office buildings; on the card is printed “Wm. Nixon, Publisher. UNION BANK AND POST OFFICE, TEMORA.” The hand-writing appears to read ""Greeting - all good wishes from Pamela" 1405.065 This coloured card shows a rocky harbour inlet with several small boats; on the card is printed “MIDDLE HARBOUR, SYDNEY.” and “[Star Photo. Co., Copyright.” 1405.066 This coloured card shows the main building of Sydney University; on the card is printed “SYDNEY UNIVERSITY”. 1405.067 This coloured card shows formal garden paths, lawns, flowerbeds and visitors among trees; on the card is printed “General View in Botanic Gardens, Sydney”. 1405.068 This coloured card shows a broad city street lined with commercial buildings, pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles; on the card is printed “Bridge St.”, “Sydney Streets Series 50.” and “Kerry (Copyright) Sydney.” 1405.069 This coloured card shows visitors walking along a formal garden path bordered by flowerbeds, statues and ornamental urns; on the card is printed “BOTANICAL GARDENS, SYDNEY.” and “[Star Photo. Co., Copyright.” 1405.070 This black-and-white card shows two bridges crossing a rural valley with buildings and trees; on the card is printed “C. V. Jackson, Newsagent, Yass, No. 6809” and “THE TWO BRIDGES, YASS”. 1405.071 This black-and-white card shows a courthouse with an arched colonnade behind a garden and fence; on the card is printed “C. V. Jackson, Newsagent, Yass, No. 6810” and “COURT HOUSE, YASS”. 1405.072 This black-and-white card shows the interior of a church with pews facing an altar; on the card is printed “EXAUDI PRECES NOSTRAS DOMINE”, “C. V. Jackson, Newsagent, Yass, No. 6807” and “CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE, YASS”. 1405.073 This black-and-white card shows a stone grotto containing a statue of the Virgin Mary; on the card is printed “C. V. Jackson, Newsagent, Yass, No. 6805” and “THE GROTTO, CHURCH OF ST. AUGUSTINE, YASS”. 1405.074 This black-and-white card shows a tall obelisk monument in a rural landscape; on the card is printed “HUME AND HOVELL PASSED HERE NOV 22ND 1824 ERECTED BY RESIDENTS OF ALLAN’S FLAT NOV 1924”. 1405.075 This coloured card shows a man seated on a rocky hillside overlooking a wooded harbour with a ferry; on the card is printed “Flat Rock, Middle Harbour, Sydney”. 1405.076 This coloured card shows a person reclining beside a rowboat on a calm, tree-lined lake; on the card is printed “The Dam, National Park, New South Wales” and “N.G. 58.” 1405.077 This black-and-white card shows an obelisk monument in a garden; on the card is printed “EXPLORER HAMILTON HUMES MONUMENT ALBURY GARDENS.” and “THE DEPENDABLE SERIES M 5172”. 1405.078 This black-and-white card shows water cascading over a weir in a rural valley; on the card is printed “C. V. Jackson, Newsagent, Yass, No. 6812” and “THE WEIR, YASS”. 1405.079 This black-and-white card shows a bridge crossing a broad river framed by trees and rock; on the card is printed “Lane Cove River, Sydney, N.S.W.” 1405.080 This coloured card shows a suspension bridge spanning a wooded river valley; on the card is printed “Suspension Bridge, North Sydney”.postcards, collecting, collections, talgarno

Yields information about tramway operations in Sturt St c1970.Set of 7 digital images of trams in Sturt St, c1970 - Photos by Chris Phillips. .1 - No. 26, in bound near Armstrong St - destination of Mt Pleasant St. Has the Commercial Bank of Australia building in the background - CBC .2 - No. 26 in bound to City, near Hospital Corner. .3 - No. 17 near the Doveton St intersection, has a roof advert "Make Bliss Not Love". Has the State Savings Bank, CAGA Finance, CBC bank buildings in the background. .4 - No. 12 in bound with the destination of Gardens via Sturt St West, at the corner of Dawson and Sturt St. Shows the tram stop. Has the R. E. Hayden Real Estate building in the background. .5 - No. 39 inbound at Hospital corner. .6 - No. 39 at the City terminus with the Post Office in the background. .7 - No. 43 outbound to the Gardens Via Sturt St west near Drummond St. Has the Marshall battery centre, Morris Ellis & Sons, Pope Mowers and The Ballarat Modern Diary in the background. Also a sign for AWA car radio.trams, tramways, sturt st, hospital corner, doveton st, dawson st, tram stops, tram 26, tram 17, tram 12, tram 39

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

Copy of a newspaper photo titled To Make Bend Safer. Photo shows a tram passing a newsagent shop. On the right is a dilapidated picket fence. Allso hand written paper on one side is: Approx 1966 ? One of the last trams No 18 to run up Main Street of Long Gully (Bond Street) Now known as Eaglehawk Road. On Left - Post Office - now Gents Hairdresser & Rose of No 3 Australia Hotel. On Right - Les & Marie Norris Newsagency & Mixed Business. 2 story building was Commercial Hotel. No 26 Tram was the last to run between Bendigo, Long Gully & Eaglehawk. Still running as a Tourist. Donated by Alan Crossley. tram in Bendigo 1987 1985. On the other side is written: One building has already been demolished and the proprietor of the Newsagency & mixed business Mr. L W Norris, will also demolish and rebuild further back from the road in preparation for eventual re-alignment of the Long Gully bend by the Country Roads Board. The Board declared an alignment some years ago for the corner - a severe traffic hazard - but, the assistant Divisional Engineer, Mr G Marshallsea said yesterday the Board had no immediate plans. These were one of the last Trams to run through Long Gully.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - eaglehawk road - long gully

Annual report of the Braille & Talking Book Library including Minutes of the AGM, Board of Director's Report, President's report and financial statements. Items also included are: a rocking chair gifted to Alice McClelland on her 60th year of involvement, retirement of Merle Griffin, 'Please Touch' exhibition at National Gallery of Victoria, creation of the Benalla Studio - funded by the Benalla Auxiliary and able to accommodate 3-4 people in a session, Margaret Ingham appointed Children's Book Specialist, renaming of existing studios to R Graeme Orr Studios (to honour former President), Library Talk commended at Public Relations Awards given by Australian Library Promotions Council, visit by children's television character 'Norm the Kangaroo' who filmed a segment of 'Shirl's Neighbourhood' around the building, thanks for Joyce Nicholson, Barrett Reid and Dr Stephen Murray-Smith as Award Selection Panel for Braille Book of the Year, need for newer building as Commercial Road premises are expensive to heat and light and all available space is occupied, book bounty scheme available for braille and audio books, Louis Braille Productions Ltd set up as a subsidary company, book reading broadcasts by ABC shows will be donated free of charge, inaugural children's catalogue of Braille books produced, resignations of Dr Simon Haskell and David Hume, appointment of Elaine Leahy and Norm Fidge, and death of Maxene Hewitt and establishment of children's book collection known as 'The Maxene Hewett Collection for Children' in her honour. There is also a photograph and staff listing as part of the annual report.1 volume of text and illustrationsbraille & talking book library, hector bathurst, maxene hewitt, alice mcclelland, alison forbes, jan smark, norm the kangaroo, nick gleeson, john poliness, andrew turk, merle griffen, gladys fanning, e.e. haynes, janene morrison, beverley jackson, dianna martin, margaret komen, penny crawford, merrie handbury, shirley robinson, sue hanson, faye donnelly, jane grimwade, jennifer spry, iris whittaker, john cockayne, martin nicol, jan odle, peter sellars, paul korsten, blanche d'alpuget, luu ngac hua, sir brian murray, warren horton, robert miller, sydney alderson

The Garfield Picture Theatre was built in 1924 for Martin Donohue, and according to Mr H. Arnold, who wrote a history of the theatre, it was leased to J. Taylor. It was said to have seated 800 people, and dances were held on Friday evenings with pictures shown on Saturday nights. The theatre was one of the many movie-viewing venues constructed during the Australia-wide boom in cinema building in the 1920s. The Garfield Picture Theatre was Cardinia Shire’s first cinema in the region, followed by Kooweerup’s Wattle Theatre and Pakenham’s King’s Picture Theatre which opened in mid to late 1927. The theatre is significant to the area as it’s one of the few picture theatre buildings remaining in the shire. The Garfield Picture Theatre was not only the main entertainment hub for the area, but it was the town’s first source of electricity. The theatre closed in 1962 and reopened in the 1980s as the Garfield Trading Centre, owned by Sam Jensen, who used to sell used furniture, bric-a-brac and antiques. The theatre stayed that way until 2001, when renovations began by owners Fred and Susan Perez. The theatre was in need of some serious repair and improvement. Fred and Susan spent 17 years relaying and polishing the original floorboards, installing roof insulation, as well as building a commercial kitchen, inside toilets with a disable toilet, upstairs living quarters, full verandah, and drainage and decking around the whole outer edge of the theatre. ​The theatre is a well-preserved and gabled red brick building, with internal renovations creating a grander experience than the original. The front facade still has its original raised cement letters `Garfield Picture Theatre' and sits above a deep cantilever street verandah which extends the front of the building. The Garfield Picture Theatre made a triumphant return as an entertainment venue on Sunday 03 July 2016, and now hosts various music events and is a great venue for weddings, corporate events and dances. The theatre seats 250 and has a lovely outside area with beautiful gardens including piano. Colour photographs of the Garfield Picture Theatre.garfield, garfield theatre

The pupils of Falconer Street Central School No.3918 in North Fitzroy rehearse with conductress Miss Ida Park for their performance at the Temperance Hall, Russell Street Melbourne with proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s Fund. The house on the right of the photograph is Jubilee House, 126 Michael Street North Fitzroy and is extant. Photographer notations on slide: Choir At Fitzroy State School 1933 B5 While this photograph appears not to have been published, a photograph taken from a different angle of the same event was published in The Age 21 July 1933. SCHOOL CHILDREN SING IN THE OPEN AIR. “A choir of children at North Fitzroy practise their songs for a Pantomime, to be given in the Temperance Hall for the Lord Mayor's Fund on Wednesday next. On the extreme left is the conductress of the Choir (Miss Ida Park).” Reference: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204368572 Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: Children of The Falconer Street Central School Choral Society, trained by conductress Miss Ida Park, along with dance and gymnastics pupils of Misses Dorothy Gibb and Inez Ellis, performed in the “Cinderella” pantomime at the Temperance Hall in Russell Street, Melbourne on 26 July, 1933. The proceeds went to the Lord Mayor’s Fund. Conductress Miss Ida Park (1904- 1952) lived in the North Fitzroy and Clifton Hill area all her life. She was immersed in the music world of Melbourne and was a member of the Musical Society of Victoria. Ida graduated from Melbourne University Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1929 before departing for London where she studied piano and organ at the Royal Academy of Music. Ida returned to Melbourne in 1931, and billed as “The Gifted Young Australian Pianist”, held pianoforte recitals of classical music at Assembly Hall, Collins Street. She also played the organ for services at St Paul’s Independent Church in Delbridge Street, North Fitzroy and later St Luke’s, North Fitzroy. Ida conducted the children of the Falconer Street Central School Choral Society as they competed in the State School Choral Championships and the 85 children of the Fitzroy City Centenary Choir who sang at Melbourne’s Centenary celebrations of 1934/35. In 1945, Ida married Charles Hazeldine, a tenor and returned digger who had served in two world wars. The pair performed together in many concerts over the years. Tragically, both Ida and Charles were badly injured when struck by a car while crossing Queens Parade Clifton Hill in June 1952, with Ida dying from head injuries at St Vincent’s Hospital soon after. She was 48 years old. Charles wrote on Ida’s death notice - “Called home.” The choir were pupils of Falconer Street Central School No. 3918 in North Fitzroy which was built in 1915 to provide upper primary education for grades 5 to 8 for the area. In 1957 it became Fitzroy High School. In 1992, the Kennett Government swept to power, embarking on a program of fiscal austerity and privatisation of government services. 390 government schools were closed, with the land proposed to be sold to developers. 7000 teachers were sacked: 10% of Victoria’s public school teachers. Auxiliary school staff also lost their jobs. Amongst the first to close was Fitzroy High School. Fearful that the land would be sold, hundreds of students, parents, teachers and local residents occupied the building around-the-clock in four hour shifts and overnight for 14 months, sleeping on gym mats in the principal’s office and administrators’ wing. The blockade was lifted when a arrangement was reached to allow Kangan Batman TAFE to use the school from 1993 until 1998. With the election of the Bracks Government in 1999, and construction of new buildings, Fitzroy High School was reopened in 2004 after a 12 year battle. Temperance Hall, at 172 Russell Street, where the children performed “Cinderella”, was built in 1872 by the Melbourne Total Abstinence Society as a venue for lectures, meetings and alcohol-free community concerts and events. From 1934, Temperance Hall was fitted out as a cinema and renamed the Imperial Theatre, showing popular Hollywood films, before closing in 1939 for renovations and reopening as the Savoy Theatre, Melbourne’s first “Continental” talkies cinema. At this time, Australian cinema programming was dominated by American and British films. The lessees, Continental Film Art Theatre began negotiating for theatre properties in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland to screen foreign language films, hoping to present the finest productions from France, Germany, Holland and Italy. At the cost of £6000, the theatre was fitted with the latest Mirrophonic sound and projection system and enlarged to seat 800 patrons with luxurious, ultra modern fittings and furnishings in a colour palette of rust and beige. Instead of usherettes, General Manager Peter Dawson, hoping to bring a sophisticated European atmosphere to the theatre, employed attractive, multilingual “Continental hostesses” to assist guests (not patrons) and answer queries relating to the films. Collectively the hostesses spoke English, French, Dutch, German, Russian and Italian. The Age 20 May 1939- “Atmosphere is a very important part of the theatre's scheme. Ushers in the ordinary sense will not be employed; hostesses will look upon patrons as guests. They will be dressed in full evening dress, and the only indication that they are not guests is the little medallion pinned to their evening dress, on which their names are inscribed.” The hostesses were dressed in evening gowns of olive-green velvet, the full skirts embroidered with gold loops, wine velvet bolero jackets and long white kid gloves with silvery tiaras in their hair. For guests worried that they may not understand the plot, the management assured patrons that- “By means of superimposed English translations on the bottom of the screen, the dialogue is perfectly understandable and the whole witty story can be followed with ease.” The Gala opening of the Savoy Theatre, on 31 May 1939 was attended by a “who’s who” of Melbourne Society, the women wearing beautiful gowns, headdresses and furs. Amongst the guests were former premier Sir Stanley Argyle and Lady Argyle, former Lord Mayor Sir Harold Gengoult-Smith and his wife Cynthia, Field Marshall Thomas Blamey and Lady Blamey and Miss Jessie Brookes. The Vice Consul for France, Monsieur Frank Puaux and his wife attended, Madame Puaux dressed in a black satin gown and a musquash fur cape. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of scarlet carnations and lily of the valley tied with the tricolour of France. In his speech Monsieur Puaux stated that “from the cultural, linguistic and artistic points of view it was excellent that the Australian public should have an opportunity to see foreign film in the original language.” “Letty” writing in Table Talk magazine described the atmosphere of “Continental” gaiety that had permeated Melbourne - “The Letters of Letty”, Table Talk 8 June 1939 “The “foreign influence” is definitely obtruding itself into the even tenor of Melbourne life these days…. but in the pleasantest manner possible! Included in the great number of Continental people who have recently made their homes here, we have stars of the Russian ballet settling in our midst…. and now… we have been presented with our own Continental picture theatre in the attractive shape of The Savoy, which opened its doors on Wednesday night for the exclusive release of foreign films. One could hardly recognise the old Temperance Hall in its adaptation to the smart, comfortable and thoroughly-intriguing Savoy Theatre. Where once this rather draughty old building stood in Russell Street there now greets us an unmistakable “Continental” edifice, living up to its exterior by sustaining within its walls its overseas’ atmosphere. Indeed, one feels as though one has crossed the threshold into a European city, stepping out of the unmistakably Australian street that is Russell into The Savoy lounge to be greeted by polite “messieurs” from the attractive, Continental-looking usherettes and to gaze upon a film as delightfully French in story and presentation as “La Kermesse Heroique.” But successful though “La Kermesse Heroique” proved on its initial presentation inside the theatre, the debut was no more triumphal than that made by the winning and pretty little French lass who had charge of the booking office outside in the foyer. With her attractive accent and Continental flair for making one “feel at home” she was undoubtedly one of the hits of the night-especially with the susceptible males, who spent very much longer in the lounge than is customary, racking their brains for excuses for making conversation with the attractive Parisienne! Those French girls certainly have a way with them!” The opening film, the 1935 French comedy “La Kermesse Heroique”, (The Heroic Sex) starring Francoise Rosay and Jean Murat (film now called “Carnival in Flanders”) was the winner of the Grand Prix du Cinema Francais as the finest picture of 1936 and described in the advertisement as “The Gay French Comedy of Laughter and Romance” The film is set during the 17th century Spanish occupation of Flanders in the Flemish town of Boom at the time of their annual festival. Hearing news of a pending visit to Boom by the commander, the Duke of Olivares and his army, and fearing rape and pillage, the boorish burgomaster feigns his own death, hoping the Spaniards will bypass the grieving town out of respect. The army arrives and the cowardly men of the town flee. The womenfolk decide on a different approach. Lead by the burgomaster’s beautiful wife Cornelia, they set out to to preserve the peace with grace and hospitality only to find the Spaniards attractive and virile, unlike their own husbands. The Sun newspaper described the film as “Mellow as a Stilton cheese, and as ripely suited to adult taste.” Preceding “La Kermesse Heroique” was a Gaumont British newsreel of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth departing for a tour of Canada and the Soviet documentary “Nine Months on a Drifting Ice Floe” During the war “Continental” films became difficult to source, so the Savoy screened Hollywood movies and held fund raisers for the war effort. After World War Two, the Savoy continued to screen “Continental” films, catering to post-war immigrants from Europe and bohemian Melburnians. In 1953, the Savoy had a wildly popular season with queues winding around the block to see Swedish summer romance “One Summer of Happiness” (Hon dansade en sommar) with its nude swimming scenes. The Chief Commonwealth Censor declined to cut the film on the grounds that although it displayed nudity, it was genuinely artistic. According to Wikipedia, film director Fred Schepisi was first exposed to European films such as “Bicycle Thieves”, “Rocco and His Brothers” and “The Wages of Fear” at the Savoy as a teenager, leading to his long career in filmmaking. In 1955, in response to the massive rise in car ownership, the Melbourne City Council recommended that parking stations be built on every block. The Savoy Theatre and adjacent buildings, which included the Golden Fleece Hotel were demolished in 1963 and replaced with Total House, a Brutalist commercial building consisting of a seven storey car park crowned by a four storey office block, shops at street level, and a basement theatre which housed the Lido Theatre Restaurant-Cabaret from 1965. The building was designed by architectural firm Bogle & Banfield Associates and named for the original tenant of the offices, French oil company, Total Oil Products P/L. The Lido Theatre Restaurant was managed by former Tivoli dancer and promoter David Hamilton McIlwraith, presenting dinner and a glamorous cabaret floor show of showgirls, (some topless) to accompany variety acts by local and international actors, singers, comedians and magicians. The interior of the Lido was opulently decorated in deep, lush green with old world gold trim and chandeliers. Handily, patrons could enter and leave via an elevator, straight from the building’s own car park! A four course gourmet dinner with show and dancing cost $8.00 in 1968. The Lido advertised in 1966 that “Every visitor to Melbourne soon discovers the brightest entertainment spot in the Southern Hemisphere with its million dollar decor, dining delights and spectacular stage productions.” Australian Jewish News - 21 April 1967 - “Superb decor and atmosphere, cuisine and service have been readily recognised as the contributing factors to the excellence of stage presentations, staging, costumes, decor and, of course, the actual choice of artists.” The bedazzling ensemble of 40 high-kicking, feathered and sequinned showgirls were advertised as the “Fabulous Lido girls and the controversial Baretop Lido Goddesses” who were described as “Statuesque Beauty as Nature intended” and “…a host of glamorous gals whose favourite shade is flesh pink.” Some of the acts who performed at the Lido were- -Broken Hill’s own - opera singer June Bronhill -1967. -Versatile singer Lovelace Watkins known as “Black Sinatra - 1967. -“Queen of the five-fingered boogie", honky-tonk and rollicking rag-time pianist, Winifred Atwell - 1967. -New Zealand pop duo, Bill and Boyd -1968. -American actress and soprano Kathryn Grayson -1968. -Denise Drysdale in “Say It With Music” -1968. -“Catwoman” Eartha Kitt -1969. -Internationally recognised female impersonator, Sydneysider Tracey Lee, (Maxwell Richie) billed as "controversial impressionist and singing personality from the famous Carousel Nightspot in Paris". -Frances Faye, American comedienne and show-tune singer and pianist-1969. -“Cry Guy” histrionic singer Johnnie Ray -1970. -Risqué revue “Oh Calcutta!” with some segments and the “four letter” words removed-1970. In 1970, under new management, the Lido was renovated with claret and gold wallpaper, midnight blue ceiling and a computerised fountain with fairy lights and relaunched by “The Tigress from Tiger Bay”, Shirley Bassey. The relaunch was short lived however, as later that year the venue became El Toro Espana, a Spanish restaurant and nightclub offering a four course meal for $4.50 while you watched the floorshow. The venue then briefly became the Red Garter Music Hall Theatre from 1972, then in 1974 the site became the 600 seat Total Theatre comprising of a cinema with a stage for live acts. There were also three bars to choose from - the Crush Bar, the Bleachers and the Snake Pit. Total Theatre had the unusual concept of a live music act, or plays, musicals and magicians followed by a film. In 1975 soprano Suzanne Steele featured, followed by the film “The Voyage” starring Sophia Loren and Richard Burton. In 1975, the Total held a rock film festival showing a Jimi Hendrix documentary, “Monterey Pop Festival”, “Pink Floyd in Pompeii” and more. In 1976, 17 year old Chrissy Amphlett, later of rock band Divinyls, played the role of Linda Lips for nine months in the Australian stage production of R-rated “sexual musical”, “Let My People Come” at the Total Theatre. The Total Theatre closed in 1979 and from 1980 to 2014 the venue became Billboard Nightclub, hosting local and international acts, including INXS, Tina Turner and John Farnham, and in 2009, 18 year old Taylor Swift. The venue is now called 170 Russell and presents hundreds of live local and international acts every year. In 2014, after being under threat of demolition, Total House was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as “a landmark of post-World War II modernist design and…one of the earliest and best expressions of Brutalist architecture in Victoria”. References: RICHARD CROOKS ARRIVES SCHOOL AGAIN VENUE OF ROYAL VISIT (1939, May 31). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205629696 AMUSEMENTS. (1933, July 27). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204378853 https://larzra.wordpress.com/origins/ CONTINENTAL HOSTESSES, (1939, May 31). The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), p. 27. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article278189387 The Letters of Letty (1939, June 8). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 12. Retrieved October 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149320966 SAVOY THEATRE (1939, June 1). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205639035 NEW THEATRE OPENED (1939, June 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134234 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_House Page [?] TOUCH OF SPAIN (1970, December 18). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 35. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262493757 No title (1935, June 11). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244840169 Dine, wine, and watch a stage show (1966, November 16). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 6. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44025050 http://jonathanbollen.net/2011/02/26/tracey-lee/ LIDO ‘ART’ (1967, April 21). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 8. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263003136 THE FABULOUS LIDO (1965, October 22). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 17. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262983995 No title (1939, May 31). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134144 #NEW THEATRE OPENED (1939, June 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134234 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Lee_(female_impersonator) https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/35b-40h-image-of-a-model-for-the-total-house-offices-and-car-park-on-russell-street/ https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/from-the-archives-1990-s-hundreds-of-school-closures-hit-victoria-20190801-p52cwj.html http://jonathanbollen.net/2011/05/29/the-lido-melbourne/Photographer notations on slide: primary schools, schools, music, education, choirs, fitzroy, cars, theatre restaurants, venues, films

Seven seated and fifteen standing men dressed in suits around a long table in a panelled room hung with formal portraits of men. A trophy sits on the long table amongst loose paper sheets. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: The Commercial Travellers’ Association of Victoria (CTA) was formed at a meeting of 40 commercial travellers held at the Duke of Rothesay Hotel, 24 Elizabeth Street on 1 December 1880. Their charter was to advocate for better working conditions for commercial travelling salesmen, including improved accommodation at discounted rates and travel concession fares. At first by locomotive, horse and buggy, steamers and horseback, later also by motor car and motorcycle, “The Man on the Road” went into the back-blocks of the country to extend the interests of commerce to the stores and households of Australian regional towns and isolated settlements. Affiliated organisations existed in all states and New Zealand and in 1895 they integrated to form the United Commercial Travellers’ Association of Australasia (UCTAA). By the turn of the 20th century, the Victorian branch of the CTA had 421 Association Members and 520 Club members. The CTA continued to hold meetings in leased rooms in hotels and offices until 1898 when they commissioned purpose-built premises at 190-192 Flinders Street (extant, now the Macstore, next to former Metropolitan Gas Company Buildings). Designed by leading architectural firm of brothers H.W. & F.B.Tompkins (Dimmey’s Model Store, Swan Street, London Stores, Herald and Weekly Times, Myer building, Diamond House, Centreway Arcade, Manton’s Store) in the Queen Anne Revival style at the cost of £20,000, the four storey building had a facade of red Northcote bricks and an entrance of Pyrmont stone. It was very modern for the time, featuring elevators, offices, bars, kitchen, dining, card and billiard rooms and 31 bedrooms with shared bathrooms for the footsore travellers. However, despite adding two storeys in 1901, and another storey and a basement in 1905, they soon outgrew their premises, and in 1912 the CTA commissioned a new building at 328 Flinders Street. At this time, buildings in Melbourne were constrained by the city height limit of 132 feet (40 metres)- the maximum height of firefighting ladders. The new CTA building was the tallest building in Melbourne until 1932 when regulations changed allowing the Manchester Unity Building to be built. The new CTA headquarters was the epitome of comfort and luxury with cutting edge facilities to ease the fatigued salesman and prepare him for another stint on the road. General Secretary, James Davies travelled to Britain and America to acquire the very best and latest innovations. After visiting the new premises, Punch magazine 11 June 1914 reported “furnishings, appliances, and labour-saving conveniences which were more than up to date- they were up to-morrow.” The Edwardian Baroque style building was again designed by architects H.W. & F.B. Tompkins at the cost of £100,000 and built by contractors F.E. Shillabeer and Sons (Nicholas Building, Kellow-Falkiner Pty Ltd car showroom). The nine storey plus basement building is of steel frame construction with concrete floors. The ground floor facade is of grey granite and above that it is faced with cream glazed bricks chosen to combat discolouration from the pollution emitted by Flinders Street Station trains across the road. The facade is decorated with mascarons, gum leaf trim and balconies with classical style balustrade. The club was entered through revolving doors into a two storey high, circular, domed lobby with white columns, American oak panelled walls and intricate mosaic flooring. The ceiling is festooned with plaster gum leaf and gum nut detail, a theme that is repeated throughout the building. The basement kitchen had modern, labour saving appliances that would be the envy of any Edwardian housewife, including an electric toaster, a potato peeling machine, heated dumb waiter, dishwashing machine and electric refrigeration and cooking. It serviced the commodious second floor dining room which seated 200 people and the cafe/breakfast room, 80 people. Members were permitted to entertain their lady friends there for afternoon tea between the hours of 3 and 5 pm every day, except Sunday. The members’ facilities included a barbershop, clothes pressing machine, boot cleaning chair, pipe and cigar stall with electric humidor, public telephones, lockers and safe deposit. The building was serviced with five elevators, a built in vacuum cleaning plant, hot water radiators and linen and postal chutes. The first floor was devoted to business and relaxing, containing the Board, Writing, Reading and four Business Rooms. The board room had Queensland maple panelling with huge blackwood tables topped with blue morocco and golden tortoise-shell trim and cane bottomed chairs. Large framed photographs of past presidents since 1884 lined the walls. The Reading Room ran the whole width of the building. Arthur Streeton’s painting “Between the Lights, Princes Bridge 1888” and Frederick McCubbin’s “Looking North from Mount Macedon” were hung there, as well as paintings by renowned Australian artists Hans Heysen, Walter Withers, John Mather, Jan Hendrik Scheltema. The Argus 30 May 1914 quipped “Around the walls hang evidences that the commercial traveller's soul has not been killed in his pursuit of commerce”. The blackwood panelled room was furnished with Queen Anne style tables and chairs and green leather armchairs with inviting rocker foot rests allowing weary travellers to relax after traversing the railways and dusty roads of Victoria while planning their next sales trip. “The Australasia Traveller” Volume 10, Number 2, April 1914 page 35 noted “An attendant will be constantly employed on this floor to take care of the stationary supply, to tidy up newspapers, and generally study the convenience of members.” The third floor was for amusements with billiards, a bar and four rooms for playing cards, dominoes and chess. The huge billiard room had seven Alcock billiard tables including a table in a partitioned match-room for tournaments, exhibitions and matches. The walls were lined with members’ cues and for spectators, comfortable lounges with marble topped tables and electric bell pushes for drinks service. There were 150 bedrooms over five floors, each with their own telephone and wash basin and five suites with a private sitting room attached. There were four bathrooms per bedroom floor and capacious, well-lighted shaving rooms. Top rate club tariff for bed and breakfast - 6 shillings, if called for a country train leaving Melbourne before 8am - 4 shillings, suite and breakfast- 9 shillings, sixpence. “The Australasia Traveller” Volume 10, Number 2, April 1914 page 35 reported “All “early calls” will be made from the Club Office to Bedrooms by means of the Telephone, so that instead of waking everybody else up on the corridor, only the member concerned will know that it is his unpleasant duty to get up.” The new CTA premises was widely regarded as the finest club in the Southern Hemisphere. The CTA also built the adjacent six storey Commerce House with 52 sample rooms for travellers to display their wares with the remainder rented to retail businesses and a post and telegraph office. After the CTA moved into their new, larger premises in 1914, neighbouring department store Ball & Welch expanded into the former CTA. The CTA saw themselves in a nation building role and were an influential lobby group to the Government. They advocated for inter city trunk telephone lines, standard gauge railway lines between NSW and Victoria, improved roads and highways, the Murray River water scheme and maintaining the White Australia Policy. They were very active in fund raising for the war efforts. The CTA offered its members support in other ways with benevolent funds for widows and orphans, mortuary, accident, sickness and an annuities fund for members over 65 years. There were scholarships for members’ children and home purchase scheme to assist with home ownership. A secondary membership scheme provided access to non commercial travellers (men only) to its exclusive club premises. They also organised social events and activities such as billiard tourneys, golf tournaments, dances and an annual “Smoke Social” which was a social event where men gathered for a formal dinner, community singing, lectures, speeches and of course, to smoke! Daylesford born James Davies OBE, (1865-1931) worked at the CTA for 50 years, starting as an office boy and working his way up to General Secretary and editor of the monthly trade journal for UCTAA members, “The Traveller” (1890-1905, later “The Australasian Traveller” 1905-1924 and then “The Australian Traveller” 1925-1976) and the annual colour supplement magazine “Australia To-Day” (1904-1973). “The Australasia Traveller” featured commentary on the issues of the day like wars, tariffs and trade, articles on new products and hotel recommendations and their rates and lots of advertising, especially alcohol, tobacco and accommodation in regional hotels. There were regular columns, each illustrated with a line drawing and these included “Our Immigration Record” a state by state summary of arrivals of “desirable immigrants” to Australia, while bemoaning the declining (white) birth rate. The column followed the arrival of British boys sent to Australia as agricultural apprentices to work on rural properties which were short of labour. Between 1913-1928, 1750 “Barwell Boys”, some as young as 14 years of age arrived in South Australia to work. NSW had a similar program known as the Dreadnaught Boys Scheme where 5595 boys immigrated between 1911-1939. The boys were considered of “good British stock”. There was a “Home Page For The Ladies” showcasing the latest fashions in women’s clothing, millinery and hairstyles and tips and trends in home furnishings.“Children’s Corner for Dear Little Folks” which featured puzzles, jokes and stories and members could send in photographs of their children. “Road Echoes” devoted to “The Man On The Road” and his doings. “Face Massage, Smiling is the Best Face Massage”, the humour page full of jokes and funny stories. “Railway Rumbles” news of innovations, timetables, tickets and grumbles about lavatories, food and drinking water on trains and at railway stations. And in case we forget that members had a home away from their CTA home, gardening tips with “The C.T. as Gardener”column. The annual magazine “Australia To-Day” was a vehicle to promote Australia here and overseas as a modern, prosperous country with abundant opportunities and pleasant climate. It sought to showcase its manufacturing, agriculture and tourism and encourage British immigration to Australia. The magazine featured articles about recently arrived migrants at work, quirky native flora and fauna, beach culture, recreation and the Australian way of life in the settler nation. Many of the articles were written by politicians of the day, including Robert Menzies. The UCTAA commissioned original artwork for the front covers and feature articles of “Australia To-day” from leading Australian artists. These included Norman Lindsay, Frederick McCubbin, Napier Waller, Lionel Lindsay, Hans Heysen, C Dudley Wood, Louis McCubbin, Penleigh Boyd, Louis Buvelot, Christian Waller and Ellis Rowan and her Australian wildflowers. Some of the photographs in “Australia To-Day” were provided by state and federal government departments as well as manufacturers, newspapers and mining companies. Amongst of the credited photographers was Helmut Newton who later earned world acclaim as a fashion photographer and architectural and industrial photographer Wolfgang Sievers (unfortunately their photographs remain in copyright and aren’t available online). Also featured was Richard C. Strangman, a professional photographer from Canberra, William Howieson of Melbourne, who has 22 photographs in the collection of NGV, Tasmanian wilderness photographer Frederick Smithies, Athol Shmith, portrait photographer and educator from Melbourne, Gordon de Lisle, a Melbourne commercial, industrial, aerial and society portrait photographer. (One of Gordon’s assignments was as the stills photographer for the 1959 movie “On The Beach” filmed in Melbourne). Photographs taken by acclaimed Antarctic and official war photographer Captain Frank Hurley OBE for Adelaide’s Centenary were also featured. The Australian Government was keenly aware of the influence and quality of the UCTAA publications. On 1 June 1914 The Age reported that to advertise Australia in Great Britain and elsewhere, the Department of External Affairs purchased 6500 copies of “Australia To-Day” magazine for £515 to distribute free to “places where they are most likely to come under the notice of a desirable class of immigrants.” In 1950, the office of Prime Minister Robert Menzies ordered 2550 copies of that year’s issue of “Australia To-Day” for the Department of Commerce and Information to distribute. The CTA donated their archives to University of Melbourne Archives which includes original artworks and photos used in “Australia To-Day” (Melbourne University has digitised 1114 photos) and sundry items including trophies, ashtrays, commemorative souvenirs, menus, a rare “Safechek” sovereign changer, a bust of James Davies and even a CTA embossed wash bowl and chamber pot. After the death of General Secretary James Davies in 1931, the CTA held the annual “James Davies Memorial Cup” golf tournament at various Melbourne golf courses, the winner receiving a splendid silver cup. “Table Talk” magazine photographs from 29 June 1933 depict the travellers beautifully (and I would say correctly) attired in tweedy plus fours, Fair Isle knitwear, flat caps and of course fringed brogues. I have been unable to ascertain whether the trophy in our photo is for golf or another CTA social activity. The CTA Victoria membership peaked in 1951 with 4,672 Aassociation members and 3,693 Club members. In 1959, Hollywood came to Melbourne when film stars Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins and Fred Astaire descended to film ‘On the Beach,’ directed by Stanley Kramer. The film is based on the bestselling Neville Shute novel about the aftermath of World War Three, a nuclear war that has obliterated most of the Northern Hemisphere. Radioactive dust is heading toward Australia and everyone is preparing for death. Scenes with Anthony Perkins were filmed in the CTA billiards room as the exclusive Pastoral Club. Anthony Perkins’ character, Lieutenant Commander Peter Holmes of RAN tells Gregory Peck’s character, Commander Dwight Lionel, that The Pastoral Club is…”A mahogany and polished brass sort of place-some people claim it was the stuffiest club in the Commonwealth” before assuring him that despite shortages, the club is likely to have some Scotch left. In a scene at the Pastoral Club two, old (probably red faced) codgers discuss the challenge of drinking all of the 400 bottles of Gould Campbell vintage port in the club wine cellar before they succumb to radiation sickness in five months time. The NGV has 12 photographs in their collection of wardrobe stills of Ava Gardner modelling costumes designed by the Fontana Sisters of Rome for “On The Beach”, taken by Italian photographer G.B.Poletto. During the filming, Gregory Peck and his family stayed at “Kurneh” 206 Domain Road, South Yarra, the former home of three times Grand Slam winner Norman Brookes. Through the decades, Australian society was changing and in order to stay relevant, the CTA had to change too. In 1971, two women were elected for club membership, although they were only granted limited access to the club’s facilities and in 1972, women were invited for the first time to participate in the previously men only annual “Smoke Social”. In 1975, dwindling membership forced the closure of The Commercial Travellers’ Association building and in 1977, the building was sold, with the CTA ceasing to operate in 2014. It was the end of the road for the “Knights of the Road”. In 1992, the CTA building at 328 Flinders Street was placed on the Victorian Heritage Register in recognition of its architectural and cultural significance. The building has been meticulously restored with many of the original fittings, decorative plasterwork, mosaic flooring, stained glass windows, columns, chandeliers and the panelling made from Australian timbers retained. After renovations the building became first the Euro Asia Hotel, then the Duxton Hotel and in 2005 The Rendezvous Hotel, Melbourne. In tribute to the history of the building and the film “On The Beach”, the Rendezvous Hotel has the Ms Ava Bar, Perkins room, Mr Tompkins restaurant, Commerce Room and the Davies Room. References: COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA. (1899, May 27). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 25. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138615498 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. (1914, May 30). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7272511 NEWS OF THE DAY. (1914, June 1). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189414314 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' "AT HOME." (1914, June 11). Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925), p. 32. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129699692 https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/69669 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/757 http://www.pikitiapress.com/blog/2015/1/26/australia-today Commercial Travellers at Yarra Yarra (1933, June 29). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 6. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149547845 https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/537460 https://viewer.slv.vic.gov.au/?entity=IE7420895&file=FL19171568&mode=browse https://www.history.sa.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Barwell_Boys_Catalogue-compressed-compressed-compressed.pdf Australia Today," 1927 (1926, December 11). Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954), p. 15. Retrieved March 17, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223844810 https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/librarycollections/2020/12/19/an-inhabited-space-helmut-newtons-lovers/ https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/artist/2075/ https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/?s=Poletto+&type=collection https://rendezvousmelbourne.com.au/digital-history-tour/Photographer notations on slide: "Commercial Travellers Group B6".clubs, department stores, 1930-1939, commerce, manufacturing, federation/edwardian style architecture, railways, tourism, games, agriculture

This prospectus contains the history of Leahy's electrical . The objectives of this company were to allow expansion of the present business ( est,1946) , to take advantage of the excellent corner site and to modernise the building and carry all heavy duty electrical and mechanical lines for commercial users and farmers.Attached was a hire car services which operated as Leahy's Hire cars. The service of the the previous business commenced in 1946 at 82 Fairy Street and grew to employ up to 25 tradesmen. However the assets of the business were lost May1, 1950 when building stock and plant was destroyed by fire.In October 1950 Mr leahy purchased the freehold on the corner of Liebig and Koroit Streets Warrnambool The directors of the new company were John James Leahy, John Beynon Dwyer, William John Taggart Walter, William James Croft, Martin White and James Albert Affleck. They aimed to raise 50000 pounds with 100000 shares at ten shillings each. This document shows the beginnings of one of Warrnambool's most successful 20th century companies. It lists the people associated with it from its inception many of whom were and are well known in the district. It therefore has strong social and historical significance.Cream soft card cover with dark blue text. It is stapled together and contains 6 pages on cream paper with black text.back cover is plain.Prospectus of Leahy's Electrical Industries Ltd Warrnambool Vic, 19th April 1951.warrnambool, j j leahy, jim leahy, leahy's electrical industries, prospectus leahy's electrical industries 1951

These items, 1930s bank books belonging to Michael Toohey, a Woodford farmer, come from the estates of the Ardlie family of Warrnambool and appear to have been stored amongst the office material of the prominent Warrnambool lawyer, William Ardlie (1843-1933). He was the son of pioneer Warrnambool settlers, John and Mary Ardlie. William Ardlie established a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1867, initially in partnership with George Barber. Ardlie was a dominant figure in legal and community circles in Warrnambool and continued with his legal practice until the early 1930s. The bank books were issued by the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. A Warrnambool branch of this bank was established in 1927 when it acquired the Bank of Victoria. The Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Victoria at 92 Liebig Street then became the Commercial Bank of Sydney. In 1958 the bank building was demolished and new premises were built. In 1981 the Commercial Bank of Sydney merged with the National Bank of Australia and traded as the National Bank in the building at 92 Liebig Street until the premises were closed in 1985.These items are of minor interest as mementoes of the Warrnambool branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney..1 A bank book with a hard black cover and pages containing ruled black lines. The cover has a white label pasted on. This has black printing and handwriting. The pages contain handwritten debit and credit entries. .2 A bank book with a soft black cover and a white label pasted on. This label has black printing and handwriting. The pages have ruled red lines, some entries in black handwriting and some bank stamps. Most of the pages are unused. Mr M. Toohey Michael Toohey Woodford commercial banking co of sydney, warrnambool branch, michael toohey,, woodford farmer, history of warrnambool

This fire extinguisher was used for commercial purposes in the Nullawarre Post office. The item was made in England by the Pyrene Co Ltd (1914-1971), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fire fighting equipment in the early to mid 20th century. The extinguisher had a pump action and probably contained carbon tetrachloride. Nullawarre is a small agricultural settlement 25 kilometres south east of Warrnambool. The Nullawarre area was settled in the late 1860s and 1870s and today has a store and Post Office and a school. Charles Williams was the Post Master at Nullawarre in the early to mid 20th century and also delivered the mail. His wife, Vida was the Post Mistress. This fire extinguisher is of interest firstly as an example of a common item used commercially in the past and secondly as an item that came from the Nullawarre Post Office, used in this commercial building in the early to mid 20th century. This is a metal fire extinguisher which has been painted but the paint is mostly worn away. It is cylindrical in shape with ridged areas at the base and top. It has a clip handle. The cylinder is empty.‘Pyrene’vintage fire extinguishers, nullawarre post office, warrnambool

This folder came from the photographic studio of Alex Wilkins. For over 35 years in the 20th century he was one of the best-known commercial photographers in Warrnambool. In 1938 he purchased the building known as Jordan Studios (94 Liebig Street) and worked there until the 1960s. In the 1940s he became interested in producing movie films documenting local news and scenes. The name ‘McKinney’ on this folder indicates that the contents belonged to someone in the Warrnambool area as William McKinney had a general store in Lava Street in the 1870s and 80s and there are still McKinney residents in Warrnambool today. This folder is of some interest as it comes from the studio of Alex Wilkins, one of Warrnambool’s most important photographers in the 20th century. This is buff-coloured paper folded in three places to make a folder with sleeves at each end to insert photographs or photograph negatives. The folder is stitched with cotton at the top and the bottom and some of the stitching is coming undone. The inside sleeves have black printed advertising material on them and the front cover has a red and black image of two little girls. The back cover has a red and black advertisement for Kodak Verichrome film.Back Cover: ‘McKinney’ Front Cover: ‘Alex Wilkins, Photographer, 94 Liebig St., Warrnanmbool’ (stamp) alex wilkins, mckinney family, warrnambool

Warrnambool’s first Palais was established in the Hotel Mansions on the corner of Koroit and Kepler Streets and destroyed by fire in 1929. The second Palais was established at the Liberty Theatre in Lava Street. The third Palais was established in the Oddfellows Hall building in Koroit Street in 1939. Dances were held weekly and sometimes more often and attracted musical talent from the Warrnambool district and even from Melbourne with band leaders such as Tommy Davidson and Vin Mills. In 1974 the Warrnambool City Council bought the building and it was used only intermittently for entertainment purposes. Today the building is in private hands and is used for commercial and business purposes. This advertisement is of considerable significance as it comes from the Palais de Danse dance theatre which was important as a social institution in Warrnambool for over 30 years. The advertisement also reminds us of the era (1940s, 50s, 60s) when beauty pageants and Belle of the Ball competitions were popular all over Australia. This is a document in a brown plastic frame with a gold-coloured metal inside edging. The frame has a glass front. The document is a 1954 advertisement for the Palais de Danse dance floor in the Oddfellows Hall in Koroit Street, Warrnambool. The advertisement has black and red printing on a buff-coloured background. The advertisement has an ornamental edge around the printing and a red-coloured photograph of the dance floor. ‘Palais de Danse, Warrnambool, proclaims The Belle of the Western District, The Largest Provincial Competition, Biggest Prizes Ever Offered, The Most Beautiful Girls in the Western District’ etc etcpalais de danse, warrnambool, beauty pageants, warrnambool

These types of folding postcards, showing scenes and buildings in Australian towns, were mass produced for tourists in the 1930s, 40s and 50s and later. Many similar cards of Warrnambool views have survived today. These commercial photographs are of minor interest as there are many other copies available. They show what tourists were buying 60 or 70 years ago and give us some idea of what Warrnambool streets and tourist spots looked like at that time. This is a series of 15 black and white postcards of views of Warrnambool folded into a packet originally designed to be sent by mail but the cover is missing. The photographs have a white background. The word ‘Warrnambool’ is on the front card. Each card has a title eg. ‘The Cliffs at Shelley Point’, ‘Hopkins Falls’. warrnambool, tourism