The Junction Dam and Clover Dam Power Station, stages of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, were needed to meet the increased power demands of the wartime industry in Victoria. Clover added 26 megawatts to the grid. Junction Dam was completed and ready to hold water by September 1943, but was emptied in December 1943 and not filled again until May 1944. Construction of Clover Power Station commenced in July 1941 and both turbines were in service by May 1945.Clover Power Station and Junction Dam were part of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme constructed by the State Electricity Commission of VictoriaSet of black and white photographs taken by the official SECV photographer who gave each photo a number prefixed by K (for Kiewa) K1630- 23 Aug 1944 Clover Power Station K1633- no date Clover Power Station K1683- 10 Oct 1944 Weir K1700- no date Tail boy for Clover Power Station K1710- 11 Oct 1944 Part of aqueduct – Clover K1767- 6 Jan 1945 Switchboard in the power station K1769- 6 Jan 1945 Turbine and shaft K1770- 10 Jan 1945 Houses under construction at Bogong Village K1897- 22 Feb 1945 Equipment in the power station K1808- 22 Feb 1945 Equipment in the power station K1910- 31 May 1945 Top of the turbine and the shaft K1964- 16 Jul 1945 Equipment in the power station K1970- 17 Jul 1945 Bogong Village K1983- 30 Jul 1945 Turbine in power station K1984- 30 Jul 1945 Bogong Village K1989- 2 Aug 1945 Turbines in power station K1990- 2 Aug 1945 Equipment in power station K1991- 2 Aug 1945 Bogong village K2011- 28 Aug 1945 Equipment in power station K2015- 28 Aug 1945 Generators in power station K2016- 28 Aug 1945 Top of the turbine and the shaft K2018- 30 Aug 1945 Spiral casing, the turbine and the shaft On the back- each photograph has a handwritten reference number starting with K and the date stamped or writtensecv; kiewa hydro electric scheme; junction dam; clover power station; bogong

The Junction Dam and Clover Dam Power Station, stages of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, were needed to meet the increased power demands of the wartime industry in Victoria. Clover added 26 megawatts to the grid. Junction Dam was completed and ready to hold water by September 1943, but was emptied in December 1943 and not filled again until May 1944. Construction of Clover Power Station commenced in July 1941 and both turbines were in service by May 1945.Clover Power Station and Junction Dam were part of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.Set of 2 large black and white photographs of spiral casing for a turbine being transported to a power station on the Kiewa Scheme. Gentleman in lab coat standing inside casing in photograph 1 On the back – dark grey ink stamp “Photographed by / E.B. Studios / 309 George St., / Tel. SW 7373 Sydney” clover power station, secv

This Anaesthetic Mask 'Schimmelbusch' mask was used to deliver chloroform or ether as an anaesthetic. When this mask was in use most doctors would have delivered the anaesthetic themselves. During the 1940s and 1950s, some nurses may have played an active role in the delivery of anaesthetics, particularly in remote areas and during wartime or doctor shortages. This medical / hospital equipment was the latest available in the 1950s when the Tawonga District General Hospital was built specifically for the increase in population due to the Kiewa Hydro Scheme.Historical: Shows the development of scientific hospital equipment. Provenance: Used in the Tawonga District General Hospital which was remote and therefore required good equipment. Good condition and good interpretation capacity.Metal egg shaped frame with metal pieces crossing longitudinally and across with attached moveable metal piece that holds cloth in when closed and fits into open hollow egg shaped frame. At one end is a flat metal piece that would rest on the forehead. Usually used for children. To add cloth (gauze or muslin) with anaesthetic (chloroform or ether) open the mask and place the cloth onto the frame. It clipped on and the fluid then dripped onto the cloth. CHIRON GERMANY between handle and oval.hospital; tawonga; mt beauty; medical; nurse; medical instrument; face; anaesthetic.

These badges appear to have been issued as part of Wattle Day celebrations in the period 1910 to 1919. The use of wattle as an Australian symbol was strong during the pre-Federation and Federation days and was particularly promoted by the Australian Natives Association, a prominent campaigner for Federation. Wattle Day was established in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in 1910 and the wattle symbol was a strong one for servicemen serving overseas in World War One and wattle badges and pins were used to raise funds for wartime funds for such organizations as the Red Cross.These badges are of interest as an example of the strong national sentiment engendered in Australia by World War One.Five small circular badges in tones of brown and green. .1 light green background with bunch of yellow wattle below. Text in brown at the top. .2 Brown background with yellow wattle flowers and cream text. .3 Dark green background with yellow wattle flowers.Our own for our own.wattle day celebrations, australian natives association, world war one and wattle badges, warrnambool

Helga Griffin, daughter of Austrian engineer father and German mother. Interned aged 6 years and sent to Australia with her parents and young brother. Five years interned in Camp 3 near Rushworth, then released to Melbourne. Helga vividly describes her early childhood in Persia. The mixed emotions of her whole family during the internment experience and postwar, trying to adjust to a new country, new culture, new language. Very evocative memories of wartime dislocation.Blue/green front soft cover, red and white printing, white back cover and spine, black printing.With my very best wishes to the Tatura museum and the sterling work of the volunteers that contribute to its valuable presence. Helga 26.5.06ww2 camp 3, books, autobiography, helga griffin, helga griffin (girschik)

Rose Series postcard No. P 1083, titled "Bourke Street Melbourne", showing a busy scene outside Buckley & Nunn Limited store and the Myer Emporium. In the view are two double-decker buses, two single-decker buses in the wartime livery with white mudguards and white rear panels. one horse-drawn cart is on the opposite of the road. There is a gas producer pack on the back of the car parked on the left-hand side of the photograph. Also in the view are signs for London Stores.Yields information about Bourke St early 1940s.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.tramways, bourke st, buses, world war ii, td5c class, ts8c class, mmtb buses

This field First Aid kit is a mixture of items, some prepared for use in wartime, including World War One and some for use in peace time emergencies. The calico bag, produced by the Red Cross in Kalgoorlie, W.A., has been used by the State Emergency Service and at a later date by a scout group. The name, ‘S. Dempster’ is on the striped calico bag. Samuel Dempster was born in Ireland and was living at Panmure when he enlisted. He was attached to the 6 Ambulance training. He served from 1942-46 This is a calico shoulder bag with the shoulder strap adjustable with the use of metal clips. The bag is frayed and rusted and contains 14 items:-eight flat bandages, five safety pins, six small rolled gauze bandages, three navy blue packages of white absorbent gauze, one rolled package bandage,, rubber hose (broken), two small and one large field dressings, two shell dressings, Armed Forces shell dressing (Commonwealth of Australia), dark blue absorbent lint (yellow label), absorbent cotton wool (navy blue wrapper with red label), striped canvas bag, bottle of aqueous solution Acriflavine, two rolled bandages. ‘S.Dempster VX74418’ ‘Red Cross Society Kalgoorlie West Australia’ s. dempster, world war 2, samuel dempster, first aid kit wwii, warrnambool

Formally Miss Sharlene Barry now Mrs Ron Drager, the great grand daughter of the girl for whom the dress was originally made in England. The wedding was in Ceylon, and later the dress travelled with the happy couple to Australia. In total the dress has been worn four times. It missed one generation and then was sent to Adelaide for the wartime wedding of Sharlene's aunt, Mrs Hubbard. It returned to Melbourne for the wedding of Sharlene's mother Mrs Barry. The elaborately rouched dress with tight bodice and slight bustle effect was altered for the 1941 wedding.Used in 1950's for fourth wedding. Dress altered from the original dress made in 1886. Lace taken from draped overskirt and remade to square neck and long sleeve. Bodice pointed front and 22 satin covered buttons on back. Satin skirt and train edged with lace. Lace and cotton overskirt stiffened and draped and caught to the left side. Brussels lace mounted on satin.costume, female ceremonial

Historical Details: DAP Beaufighter A8-328 was delivered from DAP to the RAAF at Laverton 1AD on 9 September 1945, and consequently did not see any wartime service. Placed into storage at Tocumwal it returned to Laverton 1AD in 1953 for overhaul and preparation as a Target. Description: The Bristol Beaufighter was designed and built in England as a long range fighter but initially saw service as a night fighter. Carrying the newly invented airborne interception radar, it played a major role in ending the Blitz. British-built general purp. Level of Importance: Nationalbeaufighter

Historical Details: The Museum’s Viscount was built in 1958 as a V.818 and was delivered to the Cuban National Airline, CUBANA, as CU-T622 in August 1959. During its Cuban service the Viscount is thought to have acted occasionally as the personal transport of Cuban Dictator. Description: First flown in 1948, the Vickers Viscount was designed to the British wartime Brabazon Committees recommendations on post war airline requirements. It proved to be the most successful British airliner ever with 444 being built. Powered by four Rolls Ro. Level of Importance: National

An article from the Camberwell Free Press in 1987 of an interview with Legatee Dick Wheeler. He tells of the sense of wartime mateship that led him to join Legacy. He was one of 30 Legatees that worked with widows and children in Hawthorn/Camberwell area providing advice and financial and practical assistance with welfare, housing, education and personal development matters. The article was part of an album of past presidents from 1965 to 1989. The folder included biographical details and obituaries, eulogies and death notices of prominent Legatees. The items have been catalogued separately.A record of a newspaper article about Legacy and Dick Wheeler, a past president of Legacy. The information was collected to record the lives of prominent legatees in a folder.Photocopy of an article from the Camberwell Free Press Tuesday 25 August 1987 of an interview with Dick Wheeler.past presidents, dick wheeler

The article and photo report on the poor condition of roads in particular Hayden's Road and the former, short lived Victorian Railways Beaumaris - Black Rock tram line. Has two photos showing the road condition. The second photo shows sleepers from the former tram line and a badly worn road surface that had been placed on top. The item by a staff reporter likens the road to wartime battle fields. The tram line rails were lifted or removed during 1939 - see page 35 of The Brighton Electric Line.Yields information about the road condition in the Beaumaris area in 1955.Newspaper clipping titled - "Seaside tracks are "roads"" - Melbourne Herald 12/11/1955"Melb "Herald" Sat 12 Nov 1955"trams, tramways, vr trams, track maintenance, tram tracks, beaumaris

The volume contains some 68 issues of the MMTB Tramway Topics from 1941 to 1950. Some issues have been typed rather than printed. Possibly copy-typed from the originals to make up a complete set. Finishes soon after the appointment of Mr Risson as Chairman. Provides observations, stories, news and information about the MMTB activities, and news from other tramway systems and buses. Also includes notes on the PCC car, wartime work, and why trams are better than buses.Yields information about the war time activities of the MMTB during the second world war and to 1950.Digital image of a book or bound volume of a set of 68 magazines published by the MMTB 1941 to 1950. Has a letter from Lewis Russell Public Relations Officer stapled into the front page, loose copy of issue 67. Scanned from the copy held in the Peter Duckett Library at the Museum. Scanned into 6 volumes with word recognition software.tramways, news, mmtb, lewis russell

This is an advertising leaflet issued by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. This mill was established in South Warrnambool in 1910 with John Bennett the first Manager. The mill’s production increased during both World Wars with government contracts and wartime demands. In the 1940s the mill employed over 700 people. In 1968 the mill was sold to the multinational company Dunlop which in turn sold the business in 1982 to Onkaparinga Woollen Mill. In 1983 Onkaparinga was taken over by Macquarie Worsteds and in 1994 this group pulled out of Warrnambool. The Warrnambool Woollen Mill closed in 2000 after 90 years of operation. This leaflet is of interest as an example of the advertising mechanisms produced by the Warrnambool Woollen Mill when it was a locally run large-scale business in the city. The business was a dominant one in Warrnambool for many decades, employing many local people. The factory itself was a well-known landmark in the city. This is a sheet of buff-coloured thick paper folded in two places to make a six-page leaflet. The front page has an aerial black and white photograph of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill, two of the inside pages have 12 black and white photographs showing the processes in making woollen blankets and two other pages have advertisements for Warrnambool blankets and dress suiting material. Inside the folder is a sample piece of pink blanket with a card in red and cream colouring showing the factory’s guarantee. The sample has been glued to the paper. There is evidence of silverfish damage on both the blanket sample and the paper. ‘With the Compliments of the Warrnambool Woollen Mill Co. Ltd.’warrnambool woollen mill

In furnishing Holmbush, Legacy needed to be granted a wartime permit to purchase a refrigerator. On getting the permit the firm of New System Telephones Pty Ltd inspected the property and revised the recommended model. Of note is that the shelves were to be made of wood as wire was not obtainable due to the war. The cabinet was custom made in wood. Legacy was offered a significant reduction in cost as New System Telephones Pty Ltd ElecctrICE offers a 12 1/2 c.ft.refrigerator delivered and installed for not more than sixty pounds, where the list price would normally be £137. See also 00496.Despite it being war time, Legacy was evidently held in sufficient regard to be sold items which may have been in short supply at a very reduced price. The letter head itself is of interest as an example of the current telephone numbers and a designated telegram address.Letter outlining the provision of a refrigerator for the Legacy hostel. White quarto letter head, green and navy printing, black type, two punched filing holesSigned in black ink by M. Butler, Managerresidences, holmbush, holmbush administration

Women’s magazines during WWII played a “reflecting role,” meaning they cooperated with government agendas while still including topics of readers’ interests Women’s employment rate skyrocketed during WWII. However, even though the number of women working outside the home grew rapidly most of them were still engaged entirely in homemaking. Therefore women’s magazines centered mostly on the stresses and shortages of wartime. Articles as well as advertisements presented information on “product rationing, tips on keeping the family healthy, guidelines for thrifty shopping and advice on how to look good through it all.This is an example of an English women's magazine published during WW11.It gives practical advice on needlework / knitting and evidences the widespread interest in contemporary fashion. In doing so it shows what were the fashionable, but broadly affordable, women's and children's clothing styles of their day. These magazines also reflect women's interests.A 64 pp magazine, titled Woman and Home and Good Needlework Magazine. The front cover has a a coloured picture of a man in a uniform and woman sitting at a round table drinking tea and photographs of knitted jumpers, the patterns of which are inside the magazine.Handwritten on front cover in pencil -Mehlert

Women’s magazines just after WWII played a “reflecting role,” meaning they cooperated with government agendas while still including topics of readers’ interests Women’s employment rate had skyrocketed during WWII. However, even though the number of women working outside the home grew rapidly most of them were still engaged entirely in homemaking. Therefore women’s magazines centered mostly on the stresses and shortages of wartime. Articles as well as advertisements presented information on “product rationing, tips on keeping the family healthy, guidelines for thrifty shopping and advice on how to look good through it all.This is an example of an English women's magazine published post WW11.It gives practical advice on needlework / knitting and evidences the widespread interest in contemporary fashion. In doing so it shows what were the fashionable, but broadly affordable, women's and children's clothing styles of their day. These magazines also reflect women's interests.A 64 pp magazine, titled Woman and Home and Good Needlework Magazine. On the front cover is a coloured drawing of a fashionably dressed and made-up woman with red hair and holding a bunch of similarly coloured flowers (gerberas?) At the bottom left are knitted baby clothes - pattern inside - as well as a man and woman wearing fashionable clothing - suggesting patterns are inside the magazine. The magazine cost 1/6 and is dated October 1951.magazine-woman-and-home

An address delivered by P.W. Powell (the first Secretary of the Club) in October 1923 to the newly formed Legacy Club. In it he notes that "The most important thing in the development of this Club is to formulate a sound constructive policy that will draw in the best type of member and make the Club a live force in the advancement of this country." The comradeship and cooperation developed by the troops during wartime should be applied in civilian life to the development of Australia. He finishes by calling for the Club to be named the Legacy Club "in token of the heritage that has been bequeathed to us by those who so nobly commended the work that is left to us to carry on."An insight into corporate and political thinking of the 1920s as the country transitioned from wartime to peacetime, and an insight into the thinking of one of the founder members of Melbourne Legacy.4 sheets of white copy paper, black typing.'H45' (see Item 00937)in blue ink on first pagehistory, founding legatee

Rose Series postcard No. P 10456 titled "Complete view of Flinders Street Railway Station, Melbourne", looking from St Paul's Cathedral steps. Two W2 class trams in Swanston Street, one fitted with a white dash panel under the driver's windows indicating a wartime black-out precautions era. There is an MMTB TS8c or TS11c bus eastbound in Flinders Street bound for "Kew" (Kew Junction). There are some cars waiting to complete their hook turns into Flinders Street. There is an advertisement on the station for the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) this organisation was founded in 1941.Yields information about Flinders St station early 1940s.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.trams, tramways, w2 class, swanston st, flinders st station, flinders st, buses, mmtb buses, ts8c class, world war ii

Used by RAAF personell in accommodation quarters 1942 -1946. WWII wartime objects – living in the RAAF camp . They provide evidence of the contents of the RAAF barracks and recreation hut erected in 1942 and occupied until 1945. Some of the items such as cutlery, a wood heater/stove, domestic radio (remnants) were used in daily life by servicemen. Spoons x 3 (WPLS 0101.3; likely provenance); spoon and knife (0148.2 likely provenance)The two metal small spoons, two large spoons and knife without its handle are known to have been used by WWII RAAF or navy personnel in their accommodation quarters 1942-1945. The items, if original to the site, have second level contributory significance for the evidence they provide of the WWII buildings and their use between 1942 and 1945. Metal spoon and a serrated edged knife without a handle. Both items have some corrosion.

Reproduction print of HMAS Sydney in Korean waters launching Hawker Sea Fury fighters. Sydney was a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built for the Royal Navy but was not completed before the end of World War II. The carrier was sold to Australia in 1947, completed and commissioned into the RAN in 1948. From late 1951 to early 1952, she operated off the coast of Korea during the Korean War, making her the first carrier in the RAN, to see wartime service. The Donor, Errol DREHER served with the RAN on board HMAS Sydney during the Korean War.HMAS Sydney was the first of three conventional aircraft carriers to serve in the RAN, and operated as the navy's flagship during the early part of her career. Retasked as a training vessel following the 1955 arrival of her modernised sister ship, HMAS Melbourne, Sydney remained in service until 1958, when she was placed in reserve as surplus to requirements. The need for a sealift capability saw the ship modified for service as a fast troop transport, and recommissioned in 1962. In 1965, she sailed on the first voyage to Vũng Tàu, transporting soldiers and equipment to serve in the Vietnam War. 25 voyages to Vietnam were made between 1965 and 1972, earning the ship the nickname "Vung Tau Ferry". Sydney was decommissioned in 1973, and was not replaced. Brown timber frame containing blue poster with image of ship and plane at seaHMAS Sydney in Korean waters 1951-1952 Painting by Roy Honisett, courtesy Australian War Memorial Royal Australian Navy 75th Anniversaryhmas sydney, korea, royal australian navy

Photocopy per facsimile machine of part of The Courier, Ballarat 27/12/1944 detailing the movement and location of the miniature or Treasure Tram that was used to raise money during the wartime in Ballarat as part of the most popular conductress competition (see also Reg. items 241 and 247 )had been presented to the Bendigo Base Hospital to be used in the Bendigo Easter Fair. In addition is a item concerning the death of Mrs Eeleen Scruse on 25/12/1944. Mrs. Scruse husband was a tram driver. (See Reg Item 1655 for photo of Frank Scruse) Fax dated 14/2/1996. In the file is the Fax Cover Sheet from Alan Bradley who supplied the item.trams, tramways, treasure tram, most popular conductress competition, bendigo base hospital, conductresses

"Homefront" is the name of the group of chainsaw statues in Greensborough's War Memorial Park. Banyule Council initiated the project. The sculptures were designed by Amanda Gibson, carved by Hikaru Kodama and Leigh Conkie. In this sculpture "Vietnam", the soldier is based on veteran Bill Cantwell’s experience in the Vietnam War. The young soldier wears an eye patch – Bill’s legacy of his wartime injury. The base of the statue represents being held down – you can see the hands reaching up the soldier’s legs. Carved by Hikaru. The laser-cut steel shield has a pattern of Huey helicopters flying over rubber trees, Bill’s memory of being evacuated after being shot in the eye. The Homefront project replaces Leigh Conkie's original chainsaw sculptures in War Memorial Park.Digital copy of colour photographsgreensborough war memorial park, war memorials, homefront project

Heel grips are used inside shoes to prevent the feet slipping and rubbing against the leather and so preventing blisters. They also protected the stockings from wear thus giving them longer life - an important factor when nylons were expensive or difficult to obtain eg wartime, depression.Heel grips help obtain a firmer shoe fit, prevents slipping, chaffing and blisters, restores the worn lining of favourite shoes and give extra life to hosiery. In 1912, Wittners Shoes Pty Ltd started as a family business with one Melbourne retail store and has grown to over 75 Australia wide, dedicated to designing high quality fashion footwear. A 'Superb' velvet heel grip insert for a lady's shoesTHE "SUPERB" / VELVET / HEEL / GRIP / ASSURES COMFORT / AND EXTRA WEAR / FOR YOUR HOSIERYshoes, footwear, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, hosiery, stockings

This image shows motorbike despatch riders who were tasked with transporting intercepted Japanese communications from the wartime wireless receiving station established in Chesterville Road, Moorabbin to Queens Road, St Kilda where the Directorate of Naval Communications and the code-breaking unit called FRUMEL (Fleet Radio Unit - Melbourne) were housed. The despatch riders would travel every two hours, all day and night. The wireless receiving station was established in Moorabbin because it was considered an area free of significant electrical interference and was not too far afield from the Melbourne headquarters in Queens Road. Moorabbin was originally established as a rural market gardening community.A secret wartime wireless receiving station was established in March 1942 in Chesterville Road, Moorabbin. The station was established on requisitioned market garden properties, and soon housed WRAN (Women's Royal Australian Navy) personnel and up to 35 US Navy servicemen. The Navy personnel intercepted Japanese coded communications and then despatched these by motorbike riders to Queens Road, St Kilda where the Directorate of Naval Communications and the code-breaking unit called FRUMEL (Fleet Radio Unit - Melbourne) were housed. The information intercepted by the wireless receiving station helped shape the Allied response to Japan's advances in the Pacific. Declassified defence records show that this unprepossessing station handled some of World War II's most sensitive secrets, and the despatch riders were a familiar sight in the Moorabbin area, though few were aware of their purpose. Black and white image of three men in uniform sitting astride three motorcycles in front of cars and buildings. The rider on the right is Jack Barker a local resident. Handwritten in red ink: A 602 / 90% Handwritten in blue ink: SW / 950301111 Handwritten in grey pencil: A 34 CHAP 6 / Spy basemoorabbin, despatch riders, wireless receiving station, world war ii, frumel (fleet radio unit - melbourne)

Document relates to item 199 - Watercolour painting of a Catalina Flying Boat by an unknown artist -tells the history of the Catalina Flying Boat as well as the service histories of Flight Lieutenant Owen Mortimer and his younger brother Flight Sergeant Air Gunner Reginald Roy Mortimer from West Wyalong, New South Wales who served from 1941 to 1945 - relatives of the Donor Dr Owen Campbell Mortimer. Flight Lieutenant Owen Mortimer completed 85 missions in the wartime South West Pacific area. Reginald Mortimer served as a Transport Driver with the Australian Army later remustering to the RAAF to train and qualify as Flight Sergeant Air Gunner.Black frame with gold painted inner edge containing cream coloured paper with black text.Catalina Flying Boat Royal Australian Air Force catalina flying boat, flight lieutenant owen mortimer, flight sergeant air gunner reginald mortimer, ww2, raaf

Envelope with eight snapshots of Bendigo scenes. Personal wartime memorabilia. 1942 -1948, of Lillian Doble. Small blue envelope printed on the front with: Valentine's snapshots. Eight real photographs hand colored Bendigo, Vic No.2. Published by the Valentine Publishing Co. Melbourne and Sydney. In pencil handwritten, 2/4. On reverse: Printed in Great Britain. Inside: eight sepia snapshots that have been coloured, labelled on the front of each snapshot - No. 11 Conservatory Gardens, Bendigo; No 12 Rosalind Park, Bendigo; No.13 Lake Weeroona, Bendigo; No.14 View Point, Bendigo; No. 15 The Coinservatory Gardens, Bendigo; No.16 Deborah Goldmines looking towards Bendigo; No.17 Rosalind Park Gardens, Bendigo; No.18 The Mall, Bendigobendigo, streetscape, world war 2, lillian doble, rosalind park gardens, conservatory gardens, lake weeroona, view point, deborah gold mine, the mall, bendigo 1942-1948

Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes.The Erin Heights Estate in Kew included just seven lots in in Valerie Street. These were all that remained of this wartime subdivision, the other 11 allotments on Balfour and Belford Roads having already been sold. Balfour Road was to be only a temporary name as the street is currently called Windella Avenue. Now, the parkland opposite the subdivision is the reserve created from the route of the Outer Circle Railway. This Railway reached Kew East in 1925, but had been planned as far back as 1873. The development focuses on the benefits of living in Kew: being at the highest of Kew’s ‘suburbs’; being a good residential area; its rapid growth; and the proximity of the Kew East tram in High Street. In 1917, the electric tramline only extended to a terminus at the Harp of Erin hotel. The terminus is clearly represented on the plan.subdivision plans - east kew, erin heights estate