The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Framed and titled black and white photograph taken on the occasion of a visit by members of the Kew Elder Citizens Club to Lyons "Mountain Grand" Warburton, in February 1978.community groups -- kew (vic.), senior citizens clubs -- kew (vic), club tours

Alan J. McConchie, a manufacturer’s agent, was elected to Kew Council in 1924, serving as a councillor for 21 years. He was elected Mayor of Kew in 1927-28, and again in 1945-46. During his second term as Mayor, he gained the support of Council for a pre-school plan which was the first of its kind in Victoria. The scheme established nursery schools and kindergartens as an extension of the existing baby health centres. Alan McConchie was active in Methodist Church work, and was one of the founders of the East Kew church, of which he was a trustee for 29 years. He was well known in the district as a cricketer and was a founder and past president of the East Kew Bowling Club. A Resident of Strathalbyn Street, he died in 1945 aged 60, while attending morning service at the East Kew Methodist Church. He is buried in the Burwood Cemetery. Handmade illuminated invitation to a notable Kew Mayor and MayoressAn illuminated invitation sent to the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr. and Mrs. McConchie, by a Citizens Committee to a Ball in the Kew Recreation Hall on 26 July 1928. The double page invitation is encased in an embossed maroon leather cover. The invitation was donated to the Society by a descendant of the McConchies in 2014.Inscription Cover: "To Councillor A.J. McConchie and Mrs McConchie". Inside cover in watercolour: "The Chairman Councillor George Ramsay and Members of the Citizens Committee desire the honor of the Company of HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF KEW AND MRS. McCONCHIE at a BALL to be held in the Kew Recreation Hall Tuesday 26th July 1928 at 8 P.M. Tendered to them as a mark of recognition of the services rendered to the City during their Mayoral Year 1927".cr. a. j. mcconchie, mayor of kew (1927-28, 1945-46)

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Historic early photograph from the archives of the Kew Elder Citizen's ClubFramed photograph of six women who it is presumed were the candidates or finalists in a competition to be the Queen of Southesk. At this time, Southesk in Cotham Road was home to the Kew Elder Citizens Club, now known as Kew Senior Citizens Centre Inc.Front mount: "Queen Competition 1967 - South Esk - Won by Mrs Harkansee." Reverse: "L-R: -. Miss Knox, Mrs Emmerson, Mrs Higgins, Mrs Moyle, Mrs Harkansee"kew elder citizens club, kew senior citizens centre inc., southesk, miss knox, mrs emmerson, mrs higgins, mrs moyle, mrs harkensee

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Framed, inscribed photograph of the opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Club at Southesk in 1954. The ceremony would appear to be conducted on the western side of the house.‘Opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Clubrooms “South Esk” by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, 12.11.1956. Cr. W.A. Comeadow O.B.E., J.P. (Mayor).’southesk, kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Historic founding photograph of the Kew Senior Citizens AssociationFramed photograph of a meeting at Southesk in Cotham Road to form the Kew Elder Citizens Club. None of the individuals are named. The meeting was not held in the Drawing Room or Ballroom at Southesk as there is an absence of frescoes on the ceiling. The ceiling in the photograph is a cove ceiling however like that in the front two rooms.Handwritten caption: "Public Meeting to Form Kew Elder Citizens, 1951"kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club, southesk

Part of a collection of objects relating to the service of Lieutenant Russell Jones, 13th Battalion. The collection gives an interesting insight into the social life of a young officer during and immediately following the end of the war. Regimental No 3350 later Lieutenant Russel Norman Jones was a 20 year old linotype operator when he enlisted in the 13th Battalion AIF 6 August 1915. He had 4 years cadet service and two years CMF prior to enlistment. He was wounded in action on two occasions and returned to Australia in September 1919 on SS Suevic. Example of community support for men serving overseas in World War 1 (1914-1918). Letter from Neutral Bay Parents' & Citizens' Association dated October 1917 to 3350 Corporal R N Jones D Company 13th Battalion AIF advising him that a parcel has been forwarded to London to be delivered to him for Xmas. The parcel was one of 100 sent by the Association following a successful fund raising "Entertainment & Gift Evening". Attached to the letter is an envelope addressed to Corporal Jones with a one penny postage stamp affixed.jones russell n, neutral bay parents' & citizens' association

13th (Gippsland) Light Horse Regiment was a unit of the Citizen Military Forces or Militia with its Headquarters in Sale Victoria and depots throughout Gippsland. The regiment in 1939 was still horse mounted but converted to armoured vehicles soon after becoming the 13th Armoured Regiment.Fine example of a document setting out the program of parades and training obligations for a citizen soldier in the immediate pre-Second World War period.White three fold card being Programme of Parades for Half-Year ending 31st dec 1939 for 13th (Gippsland0 Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. Commanding Officer Lieut Col WG Hopkins13th light horse, gippsland, hopkins wg lieutenant colonel, parade card

This Planter was presented by the City of Caulfield in 1928 to Mrs E.F.S, England, in appreciation of her role as Mayoress of the City. Sliver bowl shaped planter with handles, wire insert and a separate wooden stand. Hallmark on side of planter."Presented to MRS E.F.S. ENGLAND by the COUNCILLORS, RATEPAYERS and CITIZENS TO COMMEMORATE HER OFFICE AS MAYORESS OF THE CITY OF CAULFIELD IN THE YEAR 1928."city of caulfield, mrs e.f.s.england, mayoress

This Plaque was presented by the City of Caulfield to both Mr and Mrs E.F.S England, to commemorate their term of office as Mayor and Mayoress of the City. Councillor Egbert Frances Scott England was Mayor of the City of Caulfield in 1927.Silver shield attached by one screw to an irregular oval shaped segment of varnished Australian Mulga tree trunk. Label on the back of the tree trunk segment with a map of Australia and in the middle the words, "GENUINE AUSTRALIAN MULGA. S&D PRODUCT". Head of screw visible in the middle of the back of the plaque."PRESENTED TO to CR. E.F.S. AND MRS ENGLAND by the COUNCILLORS, RATEPAYERS AND CITIZENS of the CITY OF CAULFIELD TO COMMEMORATE THEIR TERM OF OFFICE IN THE YEAR 1928"

Two elderly citizens seated in front of Deep Lead Pioneers Memorial. Gentleman on right is 100 year old Mr Edward Stephens and Mrs Stephens. 1937stawell monument memorial

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: acknowledgement of the work on Thomas Luxton as foundation president, having a stand at the Royal Melbourne Show, acknowledgement of Joan Cunnington for working 50 years as a transcribing and producing the most volumes (789) of any transcriber, display of a thermoform map designed by 2nd year Architecture students of the Melbourne University campus, Sir Paul Hasluck winning the Braille Book of the Year award, first edition of Library Talk audio magazine, congratulations from the Federation of Blind Citizens on providing 2 track cassettes, retirement of Alice McClelland and Geoffrey Wilson, and a delegate attending the Australian and New Zealand Association of Teachers of the Visually Handicapped conference,1 volume of illustrations and textbraille and talking book library, annual reports

Articles in annual report includes: President's report, treasurer's report, Association for the blind balance sheet, life governors, Ballarat home report, Bendigo home report, Brighton home report, Blind citizens community centre, volunteers, auxiliaries, youth serves, facts about blindness. In this report, the three broad aims of the organisation (assist with readjustment, retain people in their own home, provide accommodation) is discussed with the need for more government support, the death of Hamish Mackenzie who was highly respected and represented Australia at the World Forum in August 1964, the visit by Sir Rohan and Lady Delacombe to the Ballarat home, opening of a hostel for 5 people at 25 New Street - at the rear of the Brighton Home, Granny Carson celebrated turning 102, approval for extension of Blind Citizens Community Centre is complete and building of the two storey building will finally progress at the end of the year, and the existing clubhouse modernised and painted.1 volume of text and black and white illustrationsassociation for the blind, h.m. lightfoot, hamish mackenzie, hubert opperman, sir rohan delacombe, granny carson, annual reports

Articles in annual report include: branch committees, President's report, finance report, balance sheet, hospital homes, blind citizens community centre, welfare, auxiliaries, senior staff, life governors, historical and current photographs of Ballarat, Bendigo, Brighton and the Blind Citizens Community centre, establishment of an ophthalmological clinic at Elanora, demand for more nursing beds and funding for nursing support, need for hostel accommodation for short stay or respite for carers, renaming of Brighton Blind Home to Elanora, 20 bed nursing wing to be opened at Mirridong next year, a second block of flats facing Glenferrie Road has been purchased due to demand for expansion at Kooyong Blind Citizens Community Centre, plan for a memorial garden with a sensory section in front of the club house, appointment of a hairdresser at Kooyong and two holidays at Cumberland House in Lorne have been organised and were a huge success1 volume of text and photographsassociation for the blind, elanora home (brighton), mirridong home (bendigo), kelaston home (ballarat), annual reports

Introduced in 1974, the Braille Book of the Year was created to both acknowledge excellence in writing as well as raise the profile of Braille books. In 1991, the award was won by Trevor Hay for his book 'Tartar City Woman: scenes from the life of Wang Hsin-ping, former citizen of China'. The Narrator of the Year award went to Paul Karo for 'The Rise and Fall of Alan Bond'. Presentations were made by Wilma Bedford (Director of Life Be In It), John Blackman, Rose Blustein, Ross Gibbs, Paul Cotter (?), Trevor Hay and Paul Karo. 14 colour photographs, 3 black and white and 1 proof sheet of negativesawards, braille & talking book library, wilma bedford, paul karo, trevor hay, wang hsin-ping, john blackman, rose blustein, john cook, peter walsh, ross gibbs, paul cotter