The Peace Palace was officially handed over in the presence of the Dutch Royal Family in 1913. Australia was part of the international community watching the inauguration of this new headquarters of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Australia's contribution to this symbol of international peace was the donation of an office desk made of Australian Blackwood, Silky Oak and Queensland Opals, with a matching ink stand. The offer from Sir George Reid, former Prime Minister, was accepted, delivered and installed in 1914 shortly before the outbreak of World War II.(Blackwood, Silky Oak, and Queensland Opals)This bookmark and invitation to the world to visit the Peace Palace is a reminder that Australia was one of the nations that contributed to the establishment of the Peace Palace, contributing a commissioned desk and inkwell for furnishing the Palace. These items were designed and made by leading Australian designers and craftsmen and used Australian materials.Printed massage 'Holland welcomes the World in1913' with border printing 'Come and see the Peace Palace'.bookmark, peace palace, holland, invitation, tourism, carnegie, arbitration, gifts

The original Kew Town Hall offices were located in Walpole Street, Kew. Before 1960, even though it had been much discussed over a number of decades, Kew did not have a 'civic hall'. When required, events such as balls, exhibitions or theatrical events were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in Walpole Street. A new City Hall was to be opened by Sir Robert Menzies in 1960. It was located beside the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road. It is now used as the Kew Library. Cr Hugh George Ferguson (at right) was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Australian Imperial Forces. After the war he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term. He died in 1975, aged 75, and is buried in Boroondara Cemetery.An item of historical interest donated by members of the Dods family in 2006. The Dods-Ferguson Collection includes a number of items once in the possession of the families related to or descended from two mayors of Kew: Cr. Hugh Ferguson and Cr. Frederick Dods.Publicity photograph of two men and a woman inspecting architectural models for a new Kew City Hall. The man at the right of the photograph is Cr Hugh George Ferguson, Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The Hall, now occupied by the Kew Library, was opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte MLA, Premier of Victoria in 1960.Herald Sun Feature Service / Hugh G. Ferguson & Associates / New Kew City Hall. kew city hall, hugh g. ferguson & asociates, architectural models - kew, cr hugh george ferguson