At the beginning of the 1890s, the Kew businessman and Town Councillor, Henry Kellett, commissioned J.F.C. Farquhar to photograph scenes of Kew. These scenes included panoramas as well as pastoral scenes. The resulting set of twelve photographs was assembled in an album, Kew Where We Live, from which customers could select images for purchase.The preamble to the album describes that the photographs used the ‘argentic bromide’ process, now more commonly known as the gelatine silver process. This form of dry plate photography allowed for the negatives to be kept for weeks before processing, hence its value in landscape photography. The resulting images were considered to be finely grained and everlasting. Evidence of the success of Henry Kellett’s venture can be seen today, in that some of the photographs are held in national collections.It is believed that the Kew Historical Society’s copy of the Kellett album is unique and that the photographs in the book were the first copies taken from the original plates. It is the first and most important series of images produced about Kew. The individual images have proved essential in identifying buildings and places of heritage value in the district.Hyde Park is now a small recreation reserve bordered by Willsmere and Kilby Roads and White Avenue. In 1982, Hyde Park was cut off from the Yarra River by the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The building of the latter was to transform the natural landscape, including the Yarra, as well as Hyde Park. The construction of the Freeway makes it difficult to view the scene with the photographer’s eye. Today’s Hyde Park is located on land purchased in 1847 by John Cowell, and in 1851 Catherine Cowell, yet the scene selected by the photographer may well have been located on farmland owned by the Wills family. Farquhar’s point-of-view emphasises both the pastoral and recreational elements of the scene: the grazing cows, three boys, and in the distance two figures, seated on the bank with a parasol. By 1891, an environmental consequence of human activity, including farming, was deforestation, leading to the erosion of the south bank of the Yarra. In contrast, the land on the Alphington side of the river in 1891 included remnant bushland.The Yarra in Hyde Parkkew illustrated, kew where we live, photographic books, henry kellett, yarra river

At the beginning of the 1890s, the Kew businessman and Town Councillor, Henry Kellett, commissioned J.F.C. Farquhar to photograph scenes of Kew. These scenes included panoramas as well as pastoral scenes. The resulting set of twelve photographs was assembled in an album, Kew Where We Live, from which customers could select images for purchase.The preamble to the album describes that the photographs used the ‘argentic bromide’ process, now more commonly known as the gelatine silver process. This form of dry plate photography allowed for the negatives to be kept for weeks before processing, hence its value in landscape photography. The resulting images were considered to be finely grained and everlasting. Evidence of the success of Henry Kellett’s venture can be seen today, in that some of the photographs are held in national collections.It is believed that the Kew Historical Society’s copy of the Kellett album is unique and that the photographs in the book were the first copies taken from the original plates. It is the first and most important series of images produced about Kew. The individual images have proved essential in identifying buildings and places of heritage value in the district.A unique Illustrated book, comprising a series of twelve plates of panoramic and landscape photographs of Kew, commissioned from the Melbourne (and Kew) photographer JFC Farquhar, by the Kew stationer Henry Kellett. The book was published in 1891, so it is presumed that the photographs provided by Farquhar were taken in 1891 or in the previous year. Photographs from the cloth bound book were offered by Kellett for sale separately; hence a number are in public collections. The book is in very poor condition, the leaves having separated from the spine. The cover is suffering from red rot while the mounts of each book plate are dirty and frequently suffering from foxing. The actual silver albumen plates variably suffer from foxing and iridescence caused by the deterioration resulting from the photographic process. Each part of the book can be viewed in this record in sequential format.KEW WHERE WE LIVE / KEW ILLUSTRATED / THE ACCOMPANYING ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS OF KEW AND ITS SURROUNDINGS, EXECUTED BY THE "ARGENTIC BROMIDE PROCESS", WHICH ENSURES ABSOLUTE PERMANENCY OF THE PHOTOGRAPH. IN A FEW YEARS HENCE WHEN MOST OF THE OLD LANDMARKS WILL HAVE DISAPPEARED THESE VIEWS WILL BE A VALUABLE MEMENTO OF KEW AS IT WAS IN 1891. ANY OF THESE ILLUSTRATIONS GAN BE OBTAINED FROM MR. H. KELLETT, HIGH STREET, KEW, IN SINGLE COPIES, IN THE SAME SIZE AS THOSE HEREIN AT 2s PER COPY. THEY MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING SIZES FOR FRAMING:- / ACTUAL SIZE OF PHOTOGRAPH 15 INCHES X 12 INCHES @ 8. 6d EACH / 22 INCHES X 16 INCHES @ 15s EACH / PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND ESTATES / SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE FOR TAKING VIEWS OF PRIVATE RESIDENCES - INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR - AND FOR GROUPS, &C., IN ANY SIZE UP TO 40 INCHES BY 30 INCHES BY THE "ARGENTIC BROMIDE" PROCESS UPON APPLICATION TO / MR H. KELLETT / HIGH STREET, KEW.kew illustrated, kew where we live, photographic books, henry kellett, jfc farquhar - photographer

Register of Historic Buildings in Victoria published by the National Trust of Victoria in 1973.non-fictionThe Heritage Act 2017 replaced the Heritage Act 1995, which established a legislative framework for heritage protection in Victoria that replaced the Historic Buildings Act 1981, the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 and part of the Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1971. Before Statewide legislation, heritage assessments were conducted and published by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria).heritage - (vic.), historic buildings - (vic.), national trust of australia (victoria)

A copy of the earliest known photograph of the former Kew Post Office on the corner of Cotham Road and High Street, Kew. The Post Office was opened in 1888. The original architectural drawings are held at the Public Record Office Victoria.The photograph is significant as the earliest known image of this Heritage Victoria designated historic building.The Kew Post Office on the corner of High Street and Cotham Road, Kew. The photograph includes the Queen Victoria Jubilee fountain at left. The image predates the large fig tree planted on the corner and the later Kew War Memorial (1925). What are presumed to be government employees stand beside the horse and buggy.

Witness Box, sourced during the period of renovation of the Kew Court House, believing that it was an original item of furniture from the building. Based on an examination of the woods in the item by heritage consultants, it was deemed not to be original to the building. As the item had been donated, the item could not be returned. For many years, it has been stored in teh basement of Kew Library.An original witness box from a Victorian Court House.Large and heavy wooden witness box from a Victorian court house.kew court house, court house furnishings

The National Trust (Victoria) citation on the Heritage Victoria Database describes Lalla Rookh as charming and rare example of a substantial domestic building from the depths of the depression of the 1890s. It was Classified by the Trust on 22/04/1971. The first Kew Urban Conservation Study established that the house was built in 1897 for John Duncan, civil servant. By 1910 William Robert Frayne, chemist, had purchased the property. When the building was listed by the National Estate the building was described as: '... Single-storied, the symmetrical, stuccoed house features a central porch with an arched opening and pedimented consoles and a bull-nose verandah which returns down both sides and is constructed with cast iron columns and friezes. A balustraded parapet crowns the main walls of the house. The encaustic tiled verandah is distinctive.'"Lalla Rookh", 41 Fellows Street, Kew, is of architectural interest as a representative example of a villa house of the period and also forms pan of the townscape of Kew. In a late version of Boom Style Classicism, the basically modest and conventionally planned house is proportioned to emphasise the porch and heavy balustrade, contrasting with the verandah and plain wall surfaces. The parapet may have had urns originally. The encaustic tiled verandah is of note. ... Of local significance.'Photographic print positive of the facade of Lalla Rookh at 41 Fellows Street, Kew.lalla rookh, houses -- fellows street -- kew (vic.), boom style architecture, architecture -- melbourne -- 1890s

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View through the old wire gates into the parking lot behind the former Kew Police Station and Court House. This was the entrance from Cotham Road with which supplies, prisoners, and police cars would enter.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Former court room of the Kew Court House. By 1993 when this photograph was taken, the room had been taken over by the Kew Police Station and used for police lockers and as a briefing room. In the foreground the edge of the magistrates' desk can be seen and in the distance the railing used to separate the public gallery from the main section of the court. This railing was repositioned to the foyer during the renovations of the Court House from 2007-11. The magistrates' desk was destroyed. kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View through the Cotham Road carpark towards High Street of the southeast corner of the former police station. The use of red brick, tall brick chimneys and slate roof were representative of the Queen Ann Style used in the construction of the Kew Public Offices in 1888.public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of old weatherboard outbuildings, including a toilet, constructed in the formerly open area behind the Post Office, Court House and Police Station. In the distance is a wall of the former Post Office.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station, kew post office

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Side wall, facing Cotham Road of the former Kew Post Officekew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station, kew post office

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Dione McIntyre, Kew architect and member of Kew Historical Society, standing in front of a window in the former court room of the Kew Court House.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Photograph of tall leadlight windows in the former Court Room (now the Just Theatre) of the Kew Court House. The photograph in the lower right corner shows part of the magistrates bench (now removed). Other items in the room include police lockers, as at that stage, in 1996, the room was occupied by the Kew Police Station and used as a briefing room and locker room.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic.), court room -- victoria, kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Photograph of the rear of the former Kew Post Office, Court House, and Police Station showing outbuildings constructed within the formerly open court yard. These were service buildings for the workers in the Police Station.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station, kew post office

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Panoramic photograph of the entrances from Cotham Road to the Kew Post Office, Court House and Police Station. At centre front is the public toilet block, erected in the twentieth century by the City of Kew to designs by Rowland Chipperfield.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station, kew post office, cotham road -- kew (vic.)

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of the Kew Post Office, opened in 1888 which sits at the intersection of High Street and Cotham Road.The extension of the building at right was constructed in circa 1941. This view is of of the Cotham Road elevation.kew post office, cotham road -- kew (vic.), public offices -- kew (vic.)

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of south wall of the former Kew Court House, which when the photo was taken had been converted into a section of the Kew Police Station, and used as a briefing and locker room.kew court house, kew police station -- high street -- kew (vic.), public offices -- kew (vic)

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of south wall of the former Kew Court House, which when the photo was taken had been converted into a section of the Kew Police Station, and used as a briefing and locker room.Nilkew court house, court room -- victoria, public office - kew (vic.)

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of the carpark at the rear of the Kew Police Station which faces Cotham Road. The garage is a twentieth century addition.Nilkew police station, kew court house, public office - kew (vic.)

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.View of the rear of the former Kew Police Station in High Street, Kew. In the foreground is a red brick garage; a later addition to the building. Immediately behind that is the back of the cell block. The two storey building facing High Street was originally the Police Sergeant's residence. public offices -- kew (vic.), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Original print positive photograph of two buildings on Cotham Road at the rear of the Kew Court House. On the left is a red brick public toilet block, designed by Roland Chipperfield. On the right is a red brick garage; a later addition to the Court House complex.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), public toilet -- kew (vic.), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.Colour print positive photograph of the rear of the Kew Police Station before its acquisition by the City of Boroondara. The wooden addition was demolished at the time of the renovation.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), kew police station

A civic campaign for new public offices developed in Kew in the 1880s. After much deliberation, the location chosen was the junction of Bulleen and Cotham Roads. The buildings were designed by George Watson and John Henry Harvey, architects within the Department of Public Works (Victoria). Building was commenced in 1887, and after one year, the buildings were opened. The Post Office was transferred to the new Commonwealth Government in 1901. The Police Station and Court House, sold by the Victorian Government to the City of Boroondara in 2007, are now a community cultural centre and performing arts venue.The buildings were listed on the Victorian Heritage Register Register (HO885) in 1991. They are historically and architecturally significant to the State of Victoria because Watson and Harvey's designs exhibit diversity in integrating civil offices, they accommodate the apex of road junctions, and they demonstrate a departure from the contemporaneously favoured High Victorian Classical to the Queen Anne style in the design of civic buildings.The sole means of heating the Court Room of the former Kew Court House was this open fire place (now no longer useable). The fireplace was located on the south wall of the Court Room.kew court house, public offices -- kew (vic), court houses -- victoria