An inter-club memorandum advising of the Board's approval to establish a hostel for Junior Legatees, later to be known as Holmbush, and ultimately as Blamey House. Holmbush was the first residential accommodation operated by Melbourne Legacy, and was established in 1942. It accommodated boys aged between 9 and 19, usually attending secondary school. In 1956, Holmbush became known as Blamey House. It was located not far from another Legacy home, Stanhope (1245 Burke Road). Residents of Holmbush and other Legacy homes were the children of deceased ex-servicemen. Sometimes residents at Legacy homes were both children of ex-servicemen and wards of state. In 1956, Blamey House, another Legacy children's home formerly in Beaumaris moved into the Holmbush property in Kew, and it was renamed Blamey House. Location 1942 - 1956? Address - Holmbush was located at 1267 Burke Road, Kew. Location: Kew Early record of the establishment of one of Melbourne Legacy's residences.Typed memo, black on white with blue letterhead outlining the agreement of the JLC board to proceed with the hostel for boys.residences, holmbush initial negotiations

Notes from the meeting of the Junior Legatee Committee held on 28 September 1942 reveal how Legatees perceived the need to establish a residence for juniors. The notes detail the type of residence which would be appropriate, and how it should be funded and run in broad outline. These views were informed by an interview with the Headmaster of Box Hill Grammar School, a co-educational boarding school.It is interesting to note the different attitudes towards boys and girls at that time; girls required sewing and music rooms to replace the workshop and gym for the boys. The impetus to provide safe accommodation for children exemplify Legacy values.5 quarto carbon copies, black on white, two punched holes for filing.Pages 4 and 5 hand written numbers '4' and '3' Date on Page 1 underlined in pen.holmbush initial negotiations, committee

A paper which was delivered to the Legacy in Victoria Conference in 1980, detailing Melbourne Legacy's involvement in housing the children of Legacy widows since 1942. By 1950 Melbourne Legacy administered four houses - Holmbush, Stanhope, Blamey House and Harelands - and cared for approximately 100 children. The houses were designed to be as homely as possible, and each one was largely autonomous. Children, many of whom came from country Victoria, would go to their own homes during school holidays and the Christmas season. The stated objectives were to 'pass out into the world young men and women with high ideals of citizenship, who are self-reliant and self-supporting.' Also 'to provide affection, security and a future goal and essential discipline.' The country Clubs and Groups would send provisions such as preserved fruit, cheese, eggs, honey, citrus fruit, butter, and potatoes throughout the year to support the residences. Numbers of residents declined during the 70s, and in 1975 a Residences Committee recommended that Blamey House and Harelands should be closed, leaving only Stanhope in operation, the first Blamey House having closed in 1955 with Holmbush being renamed the second Blamey House. By 1980 the only remaining house was Stanhope with an average occupancy of 20. See Cat. No. 00785 for a first hand account of being a resident at Stanhope.Melbourne Legacy established residences to aid children of deceased servicemen complete their education, take further education and find employment. The document reveals details of the residences through the years. It shows the effort the Legatees invested in looking after Junior Legatees and how seriously they took this responsibility.White foolscap paper x 3 pages, with black type.Some pencilled ticks and bracketing, W.T. Lewis handwritten in blue biro on last page.residences, conference

Photo of two girls that lived at Holmbush. They appear to be in front of some shops. The youngest is wearing a school uniform and hat. These girls appear in other photos in the album. From a photo album which contains photos of Holmbush and some of the excursions and events that happened there, appears to have been put together in the 1940s. Including trips to the zoo and picnics. Holmbush at 1267 Burke road, was one of the properties that Legacy used for Junior Legatees. It was purchased 1942. In 1957 Holmbush was renamed Blamey House until it was sold in 1977.A compilation of photos of junior legatees from the Legacy residences.Black and white photo of two girls from Holmbush pasted to the page of an album.residences, holmbush, junior legatees