F.G.Barnard, writing in 1910, recorded that Ernest Ingle opened a boys' school in a private house in Cotham Road, Kew, in 1872. The school was later moved to larger premises in Charles Street, where suitable school rooms were added. Ingle's career was cut short by a fatal attack of typhoid fever in 1875. The school then passed into the hands of Mr. J. Henning Thompson. Under Thompson's management the school speedily became a strong rival to the neighbouring Hawthorn Grammar School. Barnard also lists in his Jubilee History of Kew, that Dr N.C. Vance [winner of the trophy for the 440 yards running event] was a notable alumnus of Kew High School. It is assumed that N.C. Vance was the son of Rev G.O. Vance who was appointed vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Kew, in 1870. This is a tangible memento of the first Kew High School, awarded to a pupil eight years after the school's establishment. The trophy is historically interesting as it was presented to N.C. Vance by Ann Bon, a notable Kew resident and a supporter of Indigenous People in Victoria, particularly William Barak and his family.Silver plated trophy in the form of a cup on a pedestal with two arms, each surmounted with pine cones. The trophy has a range of design features including convex and concave decorated surfaces created by repoussé (i.e.hammering). Specific decorative aspects include scrolling at the top of the cup and floral sprays at front and the rear of the trophy. There is a single inscription identifying the school, the event, the winner and the identity of the person presenting the trophy. The metal used in the cup section of the trophy is heavier and thicker than that used in the rest of the trophy.There are no compositional or maker marks on the trophy.Inscribed: "Kew High School / Old Boys Cup / Presented by / Mrs John Bon / Won by / N Vance 1880"dr n vance, kew high school -- kew (vic.), private schools -- kew (vic.), sports trophies -- kew (vic.), n.c. vance

The Kew Historical Society holds a nationally significant Fashion & Design collection. In 2023 this collection was augmented by a donation by descendants of Francis Henty of nineteenth and early twentieth century costumes and costume accessories. These rare and aesthetically significant acquisitions increased the importance of the nineteenth century costume collection held by the Society. Following their accession, the Henty costumes were exhibited with other notable examples of fashion and design, previously donated by descendants of the Coombs and Weir families.28 x Exhibition photos of Fashion in the Age of Elegance 1840-1900, held at Villa Alba Museum during the 2023 Australian Heritage Festival. The exhibition showcased items drawn from the Henty, Coombs and Weir Collections.fashion -- nineteenth century, exhibitions -- kew historical society, henty collection, coombs collection, weir collection