Henry Christian (c.1809-91), the grandfather of the photographer, was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Orlando and his wife Elizabeth had four children of which Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) was the eldest.An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian family of Pakington Street, Kew, comprising professional and amateur photography, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Many of the photographs vividly capture the worlds of three generations of men - Henry Christian, his son Orlando Henry Beater Christian, and his grandson of Henry Christian. The most important photographer was the youngest, Henry Christian, who was a keen explorer, not just of his immediate environment but also of the Victorian wilderness. His major opus is contained in two albums in which he records, sometimes in majestic detail and on other occasions the intimate features of the natural world. His photographic travels during the 1920s, often in solitary ramblings but on other occasions with companions, recall the heroic landscape photography of an earlier era, pioneered by Nicholas Caire. In addition to their aesthetic value, the albums are historically significant records within the State of Victoria, of what is now a distant point in time, and of places that have become radically altered through human intervention.Black and white photo of the rear view of a man in a hat standing under a tree on a hill looking across the Yarra River (unseen) towards Melbourne. The exhibition building and the spires of St Patrick’s Cathedral can be seen on the skyline. The man may be Orlando Henry Beater Christian. If all the spires are intact it must postdate 1939 when work begun in the early 1930s on the spires began. He may be standing on the edge of the Yarra Boulevard.melbourne skyline - 1930s, yarra boulevard -- kew (vic.), christian-washfold collection

Postcard - Black and White - Valentines "Town Hall Collins St Melbourne" number V62 - looking north west from near Russell St at the Melbourne Town Hall buildings. Has a number of motor cars and trams in the view. In the background is Manchester Unity Building and the Athenaeum Theatre portico. Appears to be late 1940's or early 1950's. On the rear - has a divided back, and "A Real Photograph" " & Produced in Australia" and the Valentine's logo.On the rear has the stamp of Graeme S Breydon - see image i2.trams, tramways, elizabeth st, gpo, post office

A look at Melbourne within a two month span: before and after and opposing views. Discusses Melbourne's good and poor buildings, planning, arts, aesthetics etc. Melbourne does however maintain an image and individuality when compared with other cities.Original manuscript of an article published as ‘Melbourne: The symbol of Australia’s split personality’in "The Australian", 01.09.1964. Typewritten (c copy), pencil edits, quarto, 4 pagesmelbourne, urban character, city, architecture, buildings, australian image, australian culture, robin boyd, manuscript

Belleek was established following the Irish famine of the mid nineteenth century that brought so many Australian families, including the Taffe and Berkery families to immigrate to the Australian colonies. This Belleek porcelain tea set and tray in the Thorn pattern based on the hawthorn bush sprig in flower carries the impressed registration mark for 1878. Belleek was well represented at the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880-81 at Melbourne's Exhibition building and many examples were bought by key Ballarat Irish families including those connected to this family such as the Brophy, O'Malley and Fitzgerald families, Julia Taffe's (nee Berkery) aunts uncles and cousins. Many such examples remain in Ballarat collections although this is not one.Impressed factory mark and registration mark on base of each piece.belleek, porcelain, ballarat, ireland, exhibition building, melbourne, exhibition, thorn pattern, irish famine, tea set, tray, brophy, fitzgerald, o'malley, julia taffe, berkery, australian colonies,

1 - Z3 157 at East Coburg terminus (route 1) - Has adverts for 101.1FM Radio and Cue. Has the PTC logo on the tram. 2 - Z3 212 and W at Brunswick Depot. The Z3 has an advert for FAI home loans 3 - Swanston Trams scrubber 10W in Cameron St, Brunswick 4 - B2 2091 at Coburg tram terminus, route 19 5 - A1 257 at the Port Melbourne terminus, route 109 6 - Tram departing the Port Melbourne terminus with the former Port Melbourne station building in the background. 7 - A2 280 arriving Port Melbourne 8 - SW6 852 (University route 8) at the Toorak terminus.Yields information about Melbourne tram operations in Sept 1999Set of eight white with black back plastic colour slides stamped Sept 99trams, tramways, z3 class, b2 class, tram 157, east coburg, tram 212, scrubber 10w, route 19, coburg, port melbourne, route 109, tram 280, tram 257, tram 2091, a class

In 1920 Michael Taffe was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. This Boosey & Co cornet was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 125. This cornet has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has been at Hymettus for over a century. Boosey & Co joined with Hawkes in 1930 to become Boosey & Hawkes. This cornet forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.Heavily decorated and inscribed.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat, boosey & co

Program for the first opening of Parliament after Federation. Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert (1865–1936), Duke of Cornwall and York was the second son of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The visit was part of an Empire tour and a tribute to the response made throughout the Empire during the Boer War. On their return to Britain the couple were proclaimed Prince and Princess of Wales and, on the death of Edward VII in 1910, became George V and Queen Mary.White coloured folded program, printed in purpleFront page/cover: UK Coat of Arms In Celebration of the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. To meet their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. Reception by His Majesty's Ministers of State for Australia, at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on the 9th May, 1901. Middle pages: Programme (items listed) Back page/cover: Refreshments Will be Served all the Evening on the Ground Floor and in the Galleries 1901, opening of parliament, duke and duchess of cornwall and york, royal visits

This is a facsimile copy, produced by Masters of Architecture Students at the Melbourne School of Design University of Melbourne, 2017. The original magazine was exhibited on the coffee table in the 'House of Tomorrow' designed by Robin Boyd for the Modern Home Exhibition 20 October to 1 November 1949, the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.new yorker, walsh st library

In 1920 Michael Taffe was awarded Junior Cornet Solo Champion at Ballarat's South St competitions, The Grand National Eisteddfod of Australasia. This competition was the premier band contest in Australia with musicians from every state and New Zealand taking part. The large framed studio portrait of Michael together with his cornet and medals was on display in the window of Allan's Music store Melbourne when the building was severely damaged by fire but these items were saved. Part of a large family collection of local & family history items at Hymettus Cottage, home to the same Ballarat family for the past 125. This portrait has a well documented provenance and a known owner and has hung in this historic house for the past 102 years. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection that reflects Ballarat's local history from a family perspective. It contributes to our understanding of social and family life in Ballarat from the 19th to the 21st century and provides interpretative capacity for family, local, and social history themes.cornet, music, michael taffe, south street competitions, ballarat

Colour poster on glossy white paper advertising a new stamp issue on Australia's Historic tramways, 1989. On the poster's background is a Melbourne cable tram set on the Prahran route, printed in black and white, has "Australia Historic Tramways" as a banner, "New Stamp Issue" in the form of a cancellation stamp with a Melbourne tram in the centre and featuring in enlarged full colour reproductions the following 41c stamps that were the special issue: Adelaide Horse Tram - 1878 Sydney Steam Tram - 1884 Melbourne cable tram - 1886 Hobart double deck electric tram - 1893 Brisbane combination electric tram - 1901. On the base of the poster is an announcement concerning the stamp show at the Melbourne Exhibition buildings 18-22 October. 1989. See Reg. Item 3143 for an example of the Melbourne cable tram stamp and 8545 for collector's cards and an envelope.trams, tramways, stamps, australian trams, steam trams, horse trams, australia post

Rose Series postcard No. P 1718, titled "Swanston Street, showing Manchester Unity Building, Melbourne", Photo looking north along Swanston Street from Flinders Lane. Has a one W2 class, one W5 class and one W4 class tramcar in view. The Manchester Unity Building, Capital Theater and the Century Building all dominate the streetscape between Collins and Little Collins Streets. The Champion Building on left of the photo was built around 1923 and demolished around 1972. Yields information about an aerial view of Melbourne late 1930sPostcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.tramways, trams, swanston st, manchester unity building, w2 class, w5 class, w4 class

Book - five sections - 80 pages, side stapled, glued within light green card covers with title "Centenary Souvenir - Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board - 1934-5". Has an introduction, a preface that gives a brief history of the tramway system in Melbourne, 20 buildings and points on interest in Melbourne and how to get there, with sketches by Clive Fink, a list of electrified routes and a cable routes at the time with details of terminals and points of interest along the route. Printed by The Mail Publishers, 264 Barkly St Footscray. See Related documents for a route listing. See Reg Item 79 for a reprint version of 1967. 2nd copy added 29-8-2015 - donation of Ian Bryant. 3rd copy from the McComb Collection added 30-12-2016. Copy 4 donated by Kevin Tiernay - 11-06-2022 Pdf copy added 5/5/2019 as image i2 and images i2 to i4 removed.Has "19" in red ink on inside title page, Copy 3 - has H. S. McComb in pencil along the top of the front cover.trams, tramways, mmtb, melbourne, routes, cable trams

Creamy Coloured Card folded in half. Marvellous Melbourne Bicentennial Ball The Royal Exhibition Building Carlton 29th April 1988. Order of Programme. 8.00pm Arrival 8.30 Welcome to Guests Dancing. 9.30 Dinner Dancing. 10.30 Announcement of Prizes. Addresses Dancing 2.00 am Close Music provided by the Wedderburn Old Timers. Menu Hot Chicken Entrée Selection Cold Meats & Salads Tipsy Cake Dinner Mints & Coffee. Acknowledgements Artwork - The Scriptorium Patricia Barth Hose Glassware Seppelt's Wines Trustees of the Exhibition Building Melbourne Parks and Gardens Proudly sponsored by 3AK.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Elaine Mann was married to David Mann, a successful Wodonga businessman and community leader who passed away in Wodonga in June 2012. David was a member of the Mann family who began their business in Wodonga in 1920. Elaine was a teacher in Wodonga for many years and an active member of the community.This photo collection is of significance as it documents how the businesses and buildings in Wodonga have evolved and contributed to community throughout the late 20th century.Melba Hall/old Shire Offices and Dr. Grant’s Surgery located on the corner of High Street and Melbourne Road. The building was constructed in 1890. Dr. Grant Sr.'s Surgery was in the house on the left. These were Wodonga’s second shire offices. The Wodonga Council operated from these chambers from 1890 until 1957 when they moved to Woodland Grove building. The Gas Company then took over the old Shire Hall. The entrance to the Melba Theatre is on the far right. The Melba Theatre screened its last film in 1968. The building was demolished in 1971 to make way for a Safeway supermarket and car park.On front of the building above door "GAS SUPPLY/ CO."wodonga businesses, high st wodonga, dr. grant, melba hall

Description of first grid drawn of Melbourne by Robert Hoddle and design impetus; naming of gridiron streets; Charles Troedel prints/The Melbourne Album, F. Cogne drew Melbourne scenes on lithographic stones; Harold Freedman drew same scenes of Melbourne 1964/65; comparative discussion of Melbourne then and now; between 1865-1965 substantial buildings erected and demolished; cable tram; strength and delicacy of Melbourne style; first tree planting; first electric tram 1927; lifting of building height limits 1956; list of representative buildings; Melbourne unlike other capitals as it was not conceived as a capital city.Published as a chapter titled 'The Town at Port Phillip' in 'The Book of Melbourne and Canberra', The Griffin Press, Adelaide 1966Typewritten (c copy), quarto, 14 pagesjohn batman, john fawkner, robert russell, robert hoddle, charles troedel prints/the melbourne album, f. cogne; cable trams; building height limits; tree planting; electric tram 1927; representative buildings, robin boyd, manuscript

Typed copies of correspondence dated 21/7/1910, from the Federal Storage Battery Company to the Mr H Milner, Managing Director of the Beaumaris Tramway Co. at the Equitable Building Melbourne. Gives extensive details and comparisons of the battery storage system compared to the electric tramcars. Known as "Beach Cars" - see reference. Notes the work of Edison, batteries. Signed by R. H Beach, the Company Secretary. Has notes on car (streetcar or tramcar) performance, report from the Atlantic City and Shore Railroad Company, comparison report from the Board of Railroad Commissioners for the State of Massachusetts, and cost comparisons. Yields information about the "Beach Cars" battery powered trams of 1910.Set of six typed blue foolscap sheets titled - "Beach Cars" - Edison Storage Batteries 1910tramways, trams, battery tramcars, battery systems, beach cars, beaumaris tramway co. ltd, edison

This opera coat was made for Louisa Jane Cam, nee Rust, born 24/6/1873. Her parents were John Rust born in Hamburg, Germany and Jane Mc Meekin from Port Patrick, Scotland. In 1892 Louisa married John Cam the director of the Hawthorn Brick Company. It is understood Louisa wore the coat to the opening of the first Federal Parliament in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne in 1901.This item being an early nineteenth century opera coat has aesthetic interest. It is also important because of its provenance being worn by Louisa Cam at a significant event in Australia's history.A three quarter length Mandarin styled gold threaded brocade, lined coat dress with long sleeves. The fabric is black with gold patterns of leaves and circles. Large circles feature gold, red, yellow, pale and dark blue flower like images surrounded by gold fringes. The yolk section finishes with a small pleat over the flared bottom section. Edging around the neck is black lace. It is understood a fur collar was previously in place. The cuffs of the sleeves are pleated and have a wide frill above the pleating. The lining is pale blue silk . At the end of the sleeves the lining has hand ruched binding. Nil

This is an album of Australian official photographs of Australian participation in World War One. Enlargements of the photographs could be obtained in the 1920s from the Australian War Museum in the Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. World War One (1914-1918) was a highly significant event, not only in world history, but also in Australian history – a time when Australia participated to a strong degree, with a great number of Australian men and women dying in the war. These photographs were important in the 1920s as they showed war scenes and military activities that were not available to the public when the war was in progress. They are still important today showing Australian military action in World War One, a signal event in Australia’s history. The number of World War One War Memorials in most Australian towns and small settlements is an indication of the effect on the Australian people of the sacrifice of the lives of so many young people. Warrnambool was just one place in Australia that built a war memorial in the 1920s and continues today to remember World War One heroes as well as those from later wars. This is a brown photograph album containing 72 black and white photographs of Australian soldiers in World War One (Gallipoli, Palestine, France etc). The photographs have been commercially produced. There are four photographs to each page mounted on card. The cover is cardboard and the pages are bound with multi-coloured string. The cover has an imprint of a lady (ancient Greek style).Stamp of Warrnambool & District Historical Society world war one, history of warrnambool

'BUILDING THE MELBOURNE-BENDIGO RAILWAY'' ( P J MILLAR). Copied from ??? With pages numbered from 19 to 42. Detailed coverage under sections: The builders and designers of the Railway; Some of the bridges along the line (viaducts and tunnels); Ordering of materials and plant; Transport of material; The strikes along the line; Riots on the line; Darbyshire's resignation; Conclusion. Includes 12 figures (poor quality reproduction photos and one map (Contracts for the Main Trunk Lines). One copy without stapling; oneP. J. Millarbendigo, history, bendigo railway, bendigo railway, j. p. millar, captain andrew clarke.

This album containing 50 photographs depicts a year at the Mission in 1928: Wedding of the Dora Walker with Harry Simpson on 14 February. Picnic at Riversdale Hawthorn, 1 January 1928 Ships in Port Melbourne in November: HMAS Australia, HMAS Brisbane, and destroyers Anzac, Success, Swordsman Wharfs, Victoria Dock, Stevedores Picnic in Finhaven, Kew, the Buchan's Property for Cup Day (6 November) Views of Port Melbourne from 1888 building Monday 29 October: return of Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Harrington Lees), who had spent a 10-month holiday in England with his wife. Arrival on the RMS Maloja Two photographs are missing.Pre Great Depression, 1928 was a difficult year in Melbourne and also for the Mission. Ships were rare on the wharfs meaning seamen were also rare in the missions. However they started the fundraising for the extension of the 1888 Port Melbourne building which was becoming too small. At the end of the year, Reverend Weller announced he was appointed assistant in London. He and his wife Alexina left in January 1929 after five years. They sailed on the Osterley on the 22 January 1929.Embossed yellow font on cover reads: ALBUMfan, strikes, police, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), alexina weller (nee caley), freda oxley, hmas australia, hmas brisbane, great depression, unemployment, port melbourne, station pier, sugar cane, queensland, dora simpson nee walker, weddings, cup day, finhaven, kew, the ducketts, mrs john buchan, flinders street extension, gasworks, wharfs, victoria dock, motorboat, southern cross, success, destroyers, football, sports, rms maloja, lhlg, fan album, anzac, swordsman, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934

Two copies of the Austakasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil .1) 30 June 1884 Includes articles on Archbishop Moran, Children's Hospital, Sherbourne Sheppard obituary, the Tichborne case Includes images of the Most Reverand P.F. Moran, Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, New Sandridge Dock, Cricketing news from home, sketches from the Children's Hospital, View of Napier New Zealand, F. Mills New Warehouse Launceston, Grace Park .2) 01 November 1888 Articles include: Australian animals Images include: Cadbury's cocoa advertisement, A Flemington Picture, Railway Surveying Wangaratta to Mansfield, H.M.S. Nelson Leaving Sydney, New Prince's Bridge, Wilson Hall, Victoria before gold, Fawkner's First Printing Office, Government House Melbourne, Sandridge, Hobson's Bay, Old Supreme Court Melbourne, Melbourne Town Hall, Ballarat in the 50, Geelong in 1840, Ballarat Church of Engand Cathedral, Melbourne Exhibition Building, Flemington Racecourse, the Australian Club, Sir Anthony Musgrave, Fisheries Court at the Centennial Exhibition; Professor Neumayer, Antarctic Exploration, Melbourne Town Hall Organmelbourne international exhibition

A photo Mrs Winifred Fotheringham at the official launch of Legacy Week in 1990. She helped promote the 1990 Legacy week as she was the oldest Legacy widow and had reached 101 years of age. She participated in other events including a trip to 101 Collins St, the tallest building in Melbourne at the time (see 01553). Other photos of the luncheon with Sr John Young speaking are at 01525. Photos were in a scrapbook of photos spanning 1983 to 1991.A record of the type of activities Legacy provided as a social outlet for widows and fundraising for Legacy. Colour photo of Mrs Fotheringham at the luncheon to launch of Legacy Week 1990 and a white paper label.White paper label with black type 'Official launch of Legacy Week 1990. / Legacy widow Mrs Winifred Fotheringham, 101 years young, is a special guest at the luncheon. Guest of Honour : Sir John Young, Chef Justice of Victoria, spoke eloquently on the work of Legacy.'widows, fundraising, legacy week

Postcards, all featuring the cable tram era, left to right, top to bottom: 1 - Town Hall Melbourne - damaged paper 2 - General view of Collins Street Melbourne - from Spring St looking west 3 - Central Railway Station, Melbourne - the principal building is complete though the roof along Swanston St over the other platforms is yet to be completed. 4 - Bourke St Melbourne - looking west from Swanston St - has the Wertheim and Roberts Stores in the view along with the post office. 5 - Bourke St Melbourne - looking east from Swanston St with Morells Orient Hotel and the Royal Mail Hotel on the two corners 6 - Melbourne from St Kilda Road.Demonstrates a set of 6 postcards featuring Melbourne cable trams.Set of 6 cable tram postcards mounted on to light weight boardtramways, flinders st station, swanston st, bourke st, collins st, st kilda road

This screen with embroidered and appliqued panels was entered in the First Australian Exhibition of Women's Work 1907, at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. This landmark exhibition gave women artists and craft workers an opportunity to display their works to a broad audience and gain recognition for the variety and high standard of the works in both traditional and non-traditional fields for women. The embroidery and applique design is based on an original design for a similar object made by British Arts and Crafts Architect and Designer, M.H. Baillie-Scott, which was published in The Studio magazine in the early 1900s,This three-panel draught screen was made by Hilda Leviny in the Arts and Crafts style and entered into the First Exhibition of Women's Work, at the Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne in 1907.Arts and Crafts style three-panel draught screen made from timber(American Oak), linen panels, silk embroidery threads, beaten copper decoration and varnish. The embroidered panels, made by Hilda Leviny, are mounted within the timer framework, depicting a design of birds and trees in the Arts and Crafts style. Pattern Reg. No. 3227.2 and 2503. With copper decoration.hilda leviny, buda, castlemaine, domestic furniture, handcrafts, needlework, art nouveau, 1907, exhibition of women's work, royal exhibition building, woodwork, draught sceen, arts and crafts movement, embroidery and applique

As this blotter came with a collection of dockets etc from the Warrnambool Club it is assumed that it was a blotter used at the Club. It comes from the firm of B.H.Altson, a tobacconist, probably a supplier of goods to the Warrnambool Club. Henry Altson, a tobacconist, built an eight-storeyed building in 1903 at the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets in Melbourne (on the site of the first brick building in Melbourne). Altson’s tobacconist shop occupied the prime corner position for many years. The Warrnambool Club was a gentlemen’s club established in Warrnambool in 1873 and the Warrnambool Club building in Kepler Street erected in 1877 and the Club still exist. This blotter is of some interest as an example of the Melbourne firms patronized by the Warrnambool Club in 1924This is a piece of blotting paper advertising on one side the firm of B.H. Altson, Tobacconists, in Melbourne. It has a calendar for 1924. The printed material is black on a creamy-coloured surface. The blotting paper on the other side has been slightly used (blotted handwriting) There are also some handwritten figures scrawled across the advertisement, the meaning of which is not known.‘B.H. Altson Pty Ltd, Tobacconists, Altson’s Corner, Collins Street, Melbourne, Telephone 2076, With Compliments’.warrnambool club, b.h.altson,, tobacconist

Document. Illuminated request. His Majesty's Ministers of the State for the Commonwealth of Australia request the bonour of the prescence of The Secretary of Mcivor Shire Mr. H. D. Thomas and Lady in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May , 1901, to witness the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Edmund Barton, Prime Minister. At the bottom of the Picture there is a quote. The Young Queen. Authored by Kipling's Commonwealth Ode. Her hand was still on her sword hilt---the spur was still on her heel--- she had not cast her harness of grey war-dinted steel; High on her red-- splashed charger , beautiful, bold, and browned, Bright--eyed out of the battle, the young Queen rodeto be crowned, Loyal she gave the greeting, royal she bowed her head, Crying 'Crown me, my mother,' and the old Queen stood and said.

Map of Australia printed for the Centenary of Federation 1901-2001. Description of the footsteps to federation and starting at left pictures of: John Forrest (first premier of Western Australia) - Edmund Barton (Australia's first Prime Minister) - Charles Kingston (premier of South Australia) - Catherine Helen Spence (first woman to run for political office) - Alfred Deakin ( Australia's first deputy Prime Minister) - John Quick (Force behind the people convention) - Andrew Inglis Clark (Attorney General of Tasmania) - Henry Parkes (Premier of New South Wales) - Robert Garran (helped draft the final version of the Constitution) - George Reid (Premier of New South Wales) - Maybanke Wolstenholme (leading women' s suffrage and Federation campaigner) - Samuel Griffith (former Queensland Premier) - The Exhibition Building, Melbourne - Vaiben Louis Solomon (represented the Northern Territory). On the right the evolution of the colonies and the states from 1788 to 1915.australia, history, centenary of federation

St James Church, "Church of the Pioneers", was the first Church, first Anglican Church, and is the oldest building in Melbourne. The foundation stone was laid in 1839 by the Superintendent of the District of Bourke, Charles La Trobe, later Governor of the Colony of Victoria. The Church was opened in 1842 and the first Bishop Charles Perry was installed in the Cathedral in 1848 when its status changed to that of Cathedral. Its status changed back to that of a Parish church after 1891 when St Paul's Cathedral in Swanston Street was opened. St James is known as the "Church of the Pioneers" as it served as the place of worship, marriage, baptism and burial of many of the first families in the District of Bourke and the Colony of Victoria. St James Old Cathedral is of the most important historic value to the community of Victoria and to the Australian nation as the first Anglican Church founded within 4 years of the settlement of Melbourne. It represents and conserves the very earliest history of white settlement in Victoria and preserves the church associated history of the Pioneer families of Victoria in its collection of original records and artefacts. Late Neo-Georgian style stone church building with bluestone footings. Octagonal upper one storey bell tower housing eight bells supported by two storey square towers. Body of church has sloping roof and 4 stained glass ornamental windows on each of west and east sides with decorative sanctuary window to the north. Decorative Portico with columns on the north outside elevation. National Trust Commemorative plate on outside wall to right of east entry door.