Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Pickwick Club, founded in 1897, was an artistic and literary group within Kew who specialised in poems and similar expressions of literature. They published ‘The Pickwick Portfolio’ on an irregular basis. The file includes: Two different editions of the Pickwick Portfolio, two of Volume 1 in 1904, one from Volume 1 in 1912. There is also a letter from a Mr. J. F. Richardson and responses regarding the donation of two of the portfolios, as well as an old Kew Historical Society newsletter regarding the donation of the third.pickwick club – kew (vic.), literature – kew (vic.), poems – kew (vic.)pickwick club – kew (vic.), literature – kew (vic.), poems – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)A collection of the first residents within Kew during the colonial period of Australia. Many owned businesses and played an important role in the early development of the area. The file includes: A newspaper article, letters addressed to and from the Kew Historical Society regarding research on individuals, a list of Kew residents sourced from the Australian Dictionary of Biography, and research done on some of the early pioneers of Kew circa. 1960. This research covers: James F. Roberts, Alfred Hurlstone, A.C. Hurlstone, John Watson, Frederick Derham MLA, Stanley T., Frederick Dunn, Jonathan Pettit, John Pinniger, and Frederick Stowe.pioneers – kew (vic.), james f. roberts – kew (vic.), alfred hurlstone – kew (vic.), john watson – kew (vic.), frederick derham – kew (vic.), frederick dunn – kew (vic.), jonathan pettit – kew (vic.), john pinniger – kew (vic.), frederick stowe – kew (vic.)pioneers – kew (vic.), james f. roberts – kew (vic.), alfred hurlstone – kew (vic.), john watson – kew (vic.), frederick derham – kew (vic.), frederick dunn – kew (vic.), jonathan pettit – kew (vic.), john pinniger – kew (vic.), frederick stowe – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Kew Historical Society was responsible for holding events that commemorated the first settlers of the area that was the City of Kew. The files included all relate to the third commemorative service held, in 1978. This event was attended by scholars and the mayor of Kew at the time and saw the official naming of the Dorothy Rogers Reserve. The file includes: Invites and letters of appreciation addressed to the speakers of the event, addresses and order of proceedings.dorothy rogers reserve – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.), n. j. whitting – kew (vic.)dorothy rogers reserve – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.), n. j. whitting – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Dr. David Pitt (1916-2011) was a paediatrician who grew up in Kew, Victoria. Locally, he is known as working in the Kew Cottages, helping those neglected by society, especially those who were handicapped in their sight and hearing. The file includes: An obituary, excerpts from his book “For the Love of Children”, and a newspaper with his memorial in ‘The Age’.david pitt – kew (vic.), kew cottages – kew (vic.)david pitt – kew (vic.), kew cottages – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Sheila Pitt (1912-2011) was a resident in Kew who has afforded the Kew Historical Society recollections of the period of World War 2 as a housewife. This also includes memories on living in Kew during the 20th century, both personal and wider ranging. The file includes: An obituary, copies of her recollections, and a newspaper with her memorial in ‘The Age’.sheila pitt – kew (vic.), pitt -- kew (vic.)sheila pitt – kew (vic.), pitt -- kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Boyce Pizzey was the director of the Historic Building Preservation Council of Victoria who resided in Kew in a house described as the ‘Kew Opera House’. The file includes: A newspaper article detailing Boyce Pizzey’s creation of the Kew Opera House.boyce pizzey – kew (vic.), pizzey – kew (vic.), historic building preservation council of victoria – kew (vic.)boyce pizzey – kew (vic.), pizzey – kew (vic.), historic building preservation council of victoria – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)In 2005, the City of Boroondara introduced the Plaques Policy, which was to establish guidelines of the use and installation of plaques in the area. The file includes: Letters between the City of Boroondara and the Kew Historical Society regarding the proposed legislation, and a draft of the legislation.plaques – kew (vic.), memorials – kew (vic.)plaques – kew (vic.), memorials – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The file includes: Multiple newspaper snippets of crimes and police activities in Kew, an issue of ‘Police Life’ issued from November to December in 1982, and research done on Alexander Hunt.police – kew (vic.), alexander hunt – kew (vic.), crime – kew (vic.)police – kew (vic.), alexander hunt – kew (vic.), crime – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Allan Pollard (1936-97) was a bus driver and member of the Kew Historical Society. He worked under the moniker ‘Pollard’s Bus Service’. The file includes: A letter addressed to the Kew Historical Society regarding his passing, and an obituary.allan pollard – kew (vic.)allan pollard – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Jeane Pratt, as the widow of billionaire Richard Pratt, plays an important role in Kew, very specifically towards the arts sectors in the area. Residing at Raheen mansion, she regularly hosts shows and parties. Notably, she funded and supported ‘The Production Company’. The file includes: Newspaper articles, a letter from the Kew Historical Society congratulating her for an award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.jeane pratt – kew (vic.), arts – kew (vic.), raheen – kew (vic.)jeane pratt – kew (vic.), arts – kew (vic.), raheen – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Kew Presbyterian Church, located along Cotham Road close to the top of Glenferrie Road. Completed in 1887, the Presbyterian congregation that resided there had been present since 1874, in temporary lodgings. Nowadays, the church is home to a Chinese Baptist community. The file includes: Newspaper articles, letters regarding its heritage status, and three booklets regarding the church’s centenary, one a brochure, and the other two being orders-of-proceedings.kew presbyterian church – kew (vic.), presbyterianism – kew (vic.)kew presbyterian church – kew (vic.), presbyterianism – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Presbyterian Church in East Kew was formed in 1925, with a permanent building constructed by 1939 on Normandy Road. The church, established by Rev. Finlay McQueen was founded to aid those who lived far from the established church in Kew. It underwent extensions that opened in 1960. The file includes: Four copies of a history of the church on its 50th anniversary, and an order of service created to commemorate the opening of the extensions.east kew presbyterian church – kew (vic.), uniting church – kew (vic.), presbyterianism – kew (vic.), finlay mcqueen – kew (vic.)east kew presbyterian church – kew (vic.), uniting church – kew (vic.), presbyterianism – kew (vic.), finlay mcqueen – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Preshil School, also known as the Margaret Lyttle Memorial School, is an independent school known as the first ‘Progressive’ school in Australia. Established in 1931 by the namesake Margaret Lyttle, it hosts both primary and secondary students, and boasts itself as a school that breaks away from the predominant schooling offered by other schools in Victoria. Most notably in 2018, they chose to instead graduate students with an International Baccalaureate rather than a Victorian Certificate of Education, the first in the state to do so. The file includes: Newspaper articles regarding the school and Margaret Lyttle, as well as a 2004 report on the school by the National Trust of Australia.preshil – kew (vic.), margaret lyttle – kew (vic.), schools – kew (vic.)preshil – kew (vic.), margaret lyttle – kew (vic.), schools – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)This file is reserved for information about Prime Ministers who resided in Kew for a time, those without the information for a more complete folder. At present this file includes: A newspaper article regarding the auction for the house at 6 Park Avenue, once lived in by former Prime Minister James Scullin.prime ministers – kew (vic.), james scullin – kew (vic.)prime ministers – kew (vic.), james scullin – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Probus Clubs are maintained for those who have retired and seek ways to stay engaged in the community and keep their social engagement high. Two have existed in the Kew Area: The Kew Gardens Ladies’ Probus Club (now just the Kew Probus Club) and the now defunct Kew East Ladies’ Probus Club. Both involved outings and get togethers with both proving popular. The file includes: Newsletters, the constitution of the Kew branch, a record of minutes for multiple meetings, records of finances for the East Kew branch, as well as letters regarding its formation.probus club – kew (vic.)probus club – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Terrace House at 14-16 Princess Street in Kew, is a historical building that came under threat of acquisition and demolition by the City of Kew during the 1970s. Public opinion strongly favoured the terraces instead of the proposed car park spaces, and publishing in Melbourne’s ‘The Age’ helped to create a compromise. By 1979, the building was confirmed to instead be renovated into office buildings, and now exists as a doctor’s office. The file includes: Letters between the multiple organisations and Jill O’Brien, a notice of sale for the property, plans for the office renovation, and newspaper articles regarding the property.14-16 princess street – kew (vic.), houses – kew (vic.)14-16 princess street – kew (vic.), houses – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The QART Studio & Gallery was opened in 2011 at the Kew Court House, and prides itself on its employment and support of artists with intellectual disabilities. The file includes: Newspaper clippings, a Christmas catalogue, and a newsletter.qart – kew (vic.), gallery – kew (vic.), art – kew (vic.), disability support – kew (vic.)qart – kew (vic.), gallery – kew (vic.), art – kew (vic.), disability support – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Quick family were among the earliest pioneers of Kew, having started with the immigration of John and Ellen Quick in 1849 from England. John would find wealth in the goldfields once worked and would use the money earned to buy land in what is now Kew. In this endeavour with friends found, he sought to name the area ‘Cotham’ but was ousted by an official who preferred its now recognisable name. Cotham Road is a legacy of this disagreement. The file includes: Research notes compiled by Aubrey A. Quick, great grandson of John.quick – kew (vic.), john quick – kew (vic.), cotham road – kew (vic.), pioneers -- kew (vic.)quick – kew (vic.), john quick – kew (vic.), cotham road – kew (vic.), pioneers -- kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Raheen is an Italianate Manor in Kew that was built in 1870s. It has housed some of the most prolific residents of Kew, originally built for Edward Latham, founder of the Carlton Brewery, it now hosts the Pratt Family. It has also housed the Wrixon Family, and was a residence for Daniel Mannix. The property has undergone multiple renovations over the decades and has significance in connection to the Catholic Church through Daniel Mannix. It is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and has been since 1982. The file includes: A scanning of a portrait of Henry Wrixon, resident of Raheen, multiple letters regarding its heritage status, scans of pages with writing related to the history of Raheen, multiple newspaper and magazine articles regarding Raheen and owners both past and present.raheen – kew (vic.), edward latham – kew (vic.), henry wrixon – kew (vic.), wrixon – kew (vic.), daniel mannix – kew (vic.), jeanne prat – kew (vic.), pratt – kew (vic.)raheen – kew (vic.), edward latham – kew (vic.), henry wrixon – kew (vic.), wrixon – kew (vic.), daniel mannix – kew (vic.), jeanne prat – kew (vic.), pratt – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Kew Branch line existed between the years of 1887 and 1957 and served as a railway line that split off from Hawthorn station and went through Barker station and terminated at Kew station. It ran along a single track and was proposed to extend all the way out to Doncaster, and perhaps further. It was decommissioned for passenger rail in 1952, and after serving another five years for freight trains, would be demolished come the next year. The file includes: Copies of the magazine ‘Newsrail’, a copy of ‘The Railway Comes to Kew: 1884-1887’ by Andrew Frost, multiple magazine, and newspaper articles with information regarding the Kew Railway and its history, a poem published in 1882 talking of the trains on the line, pictures of the line, and a collection of old tickets and timetables from the 1940s-50s.kew branch line – kew (vic.), kew station – kew (vic.), barker station – kew (vic.), railways – kew (vic.)kew branch line – kew (vic.), kew station – kew (vic.), barker station – kew (vic.), railways – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Outer Circle Line was a railway service that ran as far as between Oakleigh and Fairfield, and provided services from 1890 to 1897, but sections would re-enter and leave service up until 1942, before it would be demolished and turned into a walking trail. Remains of the railway line exist in the Alamein line, as well as road infrastructure. The file includes: Multiple documents that contain information about the Outer Circle line, especially in regard to the East Kew section, multiple committee reports in the early 1900s regarding the expansion, electrification and the maintenance of the lines, maps of the railway line and surrounding area, many different newspaper and magazine articles regarding the railway lines and their remains.outer circle line – kew (vic.), railways – kew (vic.)outer circle line – kew (vic.), railways – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)Ramornie, nicknamed ‘The Towers’ is a house built in 1890 along Pakington Street. It’s nickname derives from the distinctive two brick towers that flank the house, and remain it’s most prominent feature. The house itself was built for then Mayor of Kew James Maitland Campbell, and remained in possession by the family until the 1930s. Since then, its twenty-five rooms have passed owners, and served as a boarding house. The file includes: A newspaper article talking of the history of the property.ramornie – kew (vic.), the towers – kew (vic.), john maitland campbell – kew (vic.)ramornie – kew (vic.), the towers – kew (vic.), john maitland campbell – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Ratten family were an early pioneer family of the Kew area, arriving from Ireland sometime in the mid-19th century. Richard Ratten, the first of many, was a prominent Kew house builder, responsible for many of the early houses erected in Kew. He and his wife, Fanny, built and lived in the ‘Barrington’ house along Cotham Road where they would have ten children. One of his sons, Fredrick Ratten, would follow his father’s trade before taking part in local government, and serving as the Mayor of Kew in the years of 1914-1916, being known as a generous and philanthropic man. The file includes: A letter addressed to the Kew Historical society from Rosamond Barber, a descendant of the Rattens looking for information regarding her family, and an excerpt from ‘The Birds of Barrington and Beyond’, a book on the history of the Ratten family and other descendants.ratten – kew (vic.), barrington – kew (vic.), richard ratten – kew (vic.), fredrick ratten – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.)ratten – kew (vic.), barrington – kew (vic.), richard ratten – kew (vic.), fredrick ratten – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Kew Recreation Council was a group dedicated to the promotion of recreational activities throughout the Kew area. Formed in 1878, it would eventually be folded into the more encompassing Kew Council Committee in 1982. Activities promoted were pottery, yoga, billiards, gardening, etc. The file includes: A 1978 constitution of the council, letters sent to and from the Kew Historical Society, a newspaper article celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the council, and an advertisement for a family barbeque for members.kew recreation council – kew (vic.), kew council committee – kew (vic.)kew recreation council – kew (vic.), kew council committee – kew (vic.)

Various PartiesReference, Research, InformationArranged by Secondary Values (value of records to users)The Recreation Hall in Kew was built in 1880 and demolished in 1960, owned by the Kew Recreation Council until the financial difficulties of World War 1 led it to being acquired by the Kew Council. The original facility was noted for being a first for the entirety of Melbourne on a municipal level, boasting bowling greens, tennis courts, a cricket ground, and most notably a dance floor. Hosting musical and theatre performances, it served as a pillar of the social community in Kew. It was demolished for the expansion of the Kew Bowling Club but would be spiritually revived in the construction of the Kew Recreational Centre in 1986, an aquatic centre since demolished. The file includes: Two tickets for events at the centre, a newspaper article regarding the history of the hall, and a summarised history of the hall.recreation hall – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.), kew bowling club – kew (vic.)recreation hall – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.), kew bowling club – kew (vic.)