The donation was accompanied by the following letter from the donor: "Hi. I found these in with family photos. Taken by family as Mamie McLeod was living in Fellows Street, Kew, so would be near there. Retain (or discard) as you see fit." [Donor's name and address withheld from public view]. To gain an insight into the flood levels at Kew, it is worth reading newspaper accounts of the event. The Age published an article - Valuable Gardens Destroyed at Kew - on 25 September 1916: "VALUABLE GARDENS DESTROYED AT KEW. From the heights of Studley Park, Kew, a splendid view of the flood waters can be obtained, and yesterday afternoon, despite continuous rain, crowds of citizens assembled there to witness the spectacle. There is a vast stretch of water some 300 or 400 yards broad, above the foot bridge connecting Gipps-street, Collingwood, and Studley Park. The river is only about 3 feet from the top of the embankment connecting with the ramp of the bridge on the Studiey Park side. When the upper llood waters come down it is almost a certainty that tne embankment will be submerged and the bridge rendered impassible. Below the bridge the waters again stretch out, and have submerged all the low-lying land on the Collingwood side and invaded the back premises ot the Kodak Co., Phoenix Biscuit Factory, a tannery adjoining thereto, the Shamrock Brewery, and Chinese gardens in the vicinity. At Walmer-street-bridge, at the end of Studley Park, the low-lying land on the Kew side is covered with water to the depth of many feet. Tlie land in question is owned in a great part by Mr Frank Lavers who haa gone in for intense culture on a pretty liberal scale on both the slopes of the hill and on the river flat. On the latter he is cultivating many acres of asparagus, and has at a considerable cost spent three years in preparing the ground and installing an irrigation system, reticulated from the Yan Yean water supply. This year the asparagus was put down, and the plants were in a promising condition. Tlie flood waters are now flowing fast over the land. The crop is ruined, and three years' work and expenditure destroyed. Mr. Laver's private residence fortunately is high above flood level, but two houses he owns off Young-street have been flooded out. Having been warned in time, the tenants removed their furniture hefore the water came down to Mr. Laver's residence, where they themselves have been given accommodation in the meantime. All the river flats in East Kew are under water. One or two low-lying houses have been flooded. Chipperfield's boat shed at Willsmere is nearly covered, and some Chinese gardens in the vicinity are several feet under water."This, and the other three photographs donated of floods in Kew are believed to be the earliest in the collection. Together with our original MMBW River Yarra map showing flood levels, these items, when compared allow researchers to gain a visual perspective of the extent of the flood in 1916. Panoramic view, believed to be looking north towards Fairfield from the Zig-Zag Bridge on the River Yarra. The inscription on the reverese identifies it as taken before 1920.Inscription on reverse in ink "(pre 1920) Flood from Zig-zag bridge Yarra River, Kew Vic."river yarra, kew, floods 1916, zig-zag bridge

Original, small black and white print photograph of crowds lining the Johnston Street Bridge watching the flood waters below. The annotation on the reverse clarifies that Kew is in the distance.Annotated on reverse: "Gift of G.S. Beard / 2nd bridge / Johnston St. Studly Park Rd. Bridge looking towards Kew / 1st bridge 1858–1876, 2nd bridge built (bad bend), 1876–1958, 3rd bridge 1958, lined up Johnston St and Studley Park Rd."johnston street bridge, bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), flood -- 1934

Colourised owl photo postcard entitled;led 'Scene at Kew'. In the background is the Zig-Zag Bridge.Obverse: "Scene at Kew". Reverse: "Zig Zag Bridge adj[acent] Kew Asylum / now demolished / in this era / now called / Donated by Mrs B Challen"bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), zig-zag bridge, postcards -- kew (vic.)

Sepia postcard of the Zig-Zag Bridge at Kew. The bridge was constructed in the 1870s to link the Yarra Bend Asylum and Kew Asylum. Initially it transported bluestone from the west side of the Yarra to the east during the construction of the Kew Asylum.Reverse: "Old Tramway Bridge / erected early 1850s / Zig Zag Bridge below mental grounds / washed away in flood / linked the mental asylums / donated by G.L. Beard"bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), zig-zag bridge

Black and white print photograph of the wooden 'Penny Bridge' at Studley Park. The name was colloquially arrived at as a penny wa the toll one paid to cross the bridge. The copy of the postcard identifies the photographers as McAlpin Bros, Richmond.Reverse: "Studley Pk Toll Bridge / joining Church Street Abbotsford / Penny Bridge"toll bridges -- river yarra, bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), penny bridge

Photographic print of the Walmer Street Bridge. The view of the Bridge is from the Abbotsford side of the Yarra. A section of pipe on the near side of the bridge is a remnant of the irrigation pipes that carried water from above Dight's falls to the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The former bridge, constructed in 1896 was swept away in the 1901 Flood. It has two major brick piers while the remainder of the trestle supports are metal. The original photograph from which this copy was made was taken after 1901 as it shows the second bridge under construction. Houses in Young Street, Kew, can be seen on the far side of the river.Reverse: " Walmer St footbridge 1901 being repaired after flood / Constructed 1892 substantially renewed in 1901 and in 1928 / Rebuilt in 1977 by Kew Council aided by State funding. Won for designer Martin Aylard a New Zealand award presented by the timber Research & Development Assoc / Site of Simpsons Road passenger foot ferry". bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), walmer street bridge -- kew (vic.)

The Pipe Bridge was constructed to bring fresh water from Fairfield to Kew. This bridge was destroyed in the 1934 Flood and later reconstructed.Early sepia real photo postcard of the first Pipe Bridge bringing water from the Yan Yean Reservoir to Kew. The site is upriver of the original Macauley's boathouse. Obverse: "River Yarra near Macauleys' Boat House Kew". Reverse: "(Pipe Water Line) / Kew to Fairfield above boat house / Pipe Bridge / Received from L. Bennett 1980".bridges - kew (vic.), bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.), pipe bridge

Colour-tinted postcard, titled in red upper left: “RIVER YARRA AT STUDLEY PARK, KEW”. On the divided reverse, the card is addressed to “MISS JOLLEY / MELB. TRAM & O[MNIBUS]. CO / BOURKE STREET, MELB”. The sender has dated the card 21.12.08. In the upper right corner, there is a pink Victorian one penny postage stamp; sent from Melbourne on 22DE 08. (The division of the reverse of the postcard, allowing a message to be written on one half and the address on the other, was not permitted in Australia until 1905.) The manufacturer of the postcard is indicated by the initials “W.T.P”, printed in a green floral diamond, printed centre top. This was the trademark of WT Pater, printers & stationers. William Thompson Pater was born in Melbourne in 1861. His business at 271 Little Collins Street offered Christmas cards, booklets, calendars, and leather goods as well as postcards and albums.Hand-tinted postcard of the River Yarra in Studley Park, Kew. The birds-eye view is of a bridge on the Yarra (Johnston Street?) linking Kew and Abbotsford as it appeared in c.1908. On the Abbotsford side of the river, fields lead down to the river, with some remnant trees. The Kew side of the river, in contrast, due to its steep banks, retains its original vegetation. In the distance is industrial development, in what might be Fairfield and Alphington.“RIVER YARRA AT STUDLEY PARK, KEW”river yarra -- kew (vic.), william thompson pater, w.t.p., postcards -- kew, postcards -- studley park, bridges - yarra river -- kew (vic.)

The Zig-Zag Bridge which was constructed in the 1870s to link the Yarra Bend Asylum and Kew Asylum. Initially it transported bluestone from the west side of the Yarra to the east during the construction of the Kew Asylum.Real photo postcard of the Zig-Zag Bridge at Kew. In the middle ground there is a rowboat.Obverse: "River Yarra near Macauleys' Boathouse Kew". Reverse: "Gift from L Bennett"bridges -- river yarra, bridges - kew (vic.), zig-zag bridge

Sepia postcard of the Zig-zaf Bridge joining Yarra Bend and Studley Park. In the foreground is a rowboat in which a man is standing, behind whom are two women in hats and a young child. The man appears to be pushing the boat away from the Bank. In the distance is the wooden Zig-Zag Bridge, constructed in the 1870s to link the Yarra Bend and Kew Lunatic Asylums. [Destroyed by flood, 1929.]Obverse: "River Yarra near Macauleys' Boathouse Kew". Reverse: "Zig Zag Bridge / Gift from L Bennett 1980 / Bridge between Old Asylum & new Mental Hosp. / Kew side"zig-zag bridge -- kew (vic.), bridges -- river yarra, bridges -- kew (vic.)

This photograph forms part of the Eric Sibly collection of images and information relating to the Outer Circle Railway which he donated to the Kew Historical Society in 1974. Heritage Victoria Citation (Abridged) "The Chandler Highway Bridge, a 137 metre wrought iron lattice-truss girder bridge with four spans supported on red brick piers with moulded bluestone cappings. The bridge has a cantilevered walkway along the west side. ...The Chandler Highway Bridge crosses the Yarra River and connects Alphington and Kew. It was completed in November 1890 as part of the Outer Circle Railway Line.Black & white photograph of the railway viaduct over Yarra River looking south towards Kew.Reverse: "Pre 1930. Outer Circle Railway Bridge over River Yarra (now Chandler Highway) - note bridge over line on Kew side for Asylum Farm". KH - 56. Kew Historical Society.chandler highway, railway bridges - kew (vic), sir john monash, outer circle railway, river yarra - kew (vic)

This is a colour postcard of the River Yarra at Studley Park, circa 1905. The postcard, which has handwritten notes on the reverse. It was printed in Prussia as part of the Victoria Stamp Market (VSM) Series. Coloured postcard of the Yarra River looking north from Galatea Point, near the Johnson Street Bridge.Donated by Miss B. Challen. ?Taken from bend above Galatea Point, looking north. Identified by Darcy Dugan, Yarra Bend Parks.river yarra, victoria stamp market (vsm) series, postcards

Valentine's Series postcard, printed in Great Britain by Valentine’s Co. Ltd. (Valentine & Sons 1825-1963) for Australian distributionEarly postcard of the Hawthorn to Burnley Railway Bridge on the River Yarra. Station picnic on left. Tay Creggan on right. Buildings and location identified by Marshall Slattery in 1977. The postcard was printed in Great Britain and was published as one of Valentine's Series. "KH.87. Donated by Mrs B. Challen 2.2.76. Burnley to Hawthorn Railway Bridge. Station Picnic on left. "Tay Creggan" on right. Marshall Slattery 1977".river yarra, railway bridge - hawthorn, postcards -- hawthorn (vic.)

Copy of a painting (or etching) by S.T. Gill showing the Yarra River at Princess Bridge, Melbourne.Inscription reverse: "Eastern side of old Princess Bridge from Yarra"reproductions -- s t gill, princess bridge -- river yarra - melbourne (vic.)

Victoria Bridge is a riveted and welded steel Warren truss bridge over the Yarra River completed in 1884 to a design by Fraser & Chase following a controversial design competition held in 1880. Funds for the bridge's construction were provided by the councils of Collingwood, Hawthorn, Kew and Richmond. The contract was awarded to Mr P. Platt. Charles Rowand was officially appointed Supervising Engineer in 1883. The winning design was based on the theoretical work of William Charles Kernot (1845-1909) who campaigned for economy in public works design and the application of scientific principles in engineering. ... The bridge was widened in 1890 by the addition of a third line of truss on new piers on the up stream side to carry horse trams. Work commenced in 1914 to convert the horse tramway to an electric tramway by the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust, part of the Trust's extension of its tramway into the eastern suburbs between 1913-18. In 1915 the bridge was further strengthened to accommodate the extra weight of electric trams and widened by the addition of two six feet cantilever footpaths. During this period the Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust erected two ornamental gantries over the roadway to support overhead wires for the electric tramway. Further widening and reconditioning of the bridge took place in 1933, including the addition of four new welded trusses, two intermediate and two on the outside. The latter were supported on new cantilevered truss cross beams attached to the top of the piers. (Source: Heritage Victoria)Early and rare postcard of the Victoria Street Bridge linking Victoria Street and Barkers Road.Polychrome postcard of the Victoria Street Bridge which links Richmond and Abbotsford with Kew and Hawthorn.View from Harrison Cres embankment / former Xavier College boatshed on site of tree in foreground. / Chimney left corner - Wool Scoring Mils in Victoria St. / On horizon - Studley Villa, Studley House circa 1880s, Studley Hall / Chinese gardens to be seen behind three set of columns / M.J. Slatterypostcards -- yarra river, postcards -- bridges. -- greater melbourne (vic.), victoria street bridge

Collection of thirty-nine postcards donated by Jillian Rigby which had been owned by her grandparents, George and Edith Weir, who from c.1917 lived at 84 Princess Street, Kew. The mostly 'mint' postcards were purchased in Victoria and while travelling overseas. The sole dated postcard is dated from 1929. The postcards are numbered sequentially from 2017.0058.01-39. The remainder of the collection donated by Jill Rigby which was once owned by the Weirs of Broken Hill and Kew consist of costumes, costume accessories, photographs, and documents.The postcards in the Weir collection, especially those purchased on a trip or trips to the mother country, i.e. United Kingdom, represent a representative sample of sites that were considered significant to those Australians undertaking a reverse grand tour by member of the erstwhile colonies. Those postcards which are early views of Melbourne must have been produced commercially for some decades from the early part of the 20th century.Queen's Bridge, Melbourne. Coloured postcard. Weir collection."Queen's Bridge, Melbourne"postcards, george and edith weir, queens bridge - melbourne , yarra river - melbourne, weir collection, postcards -- melbourne (vic.)

Without bridges, Kew remained cut off from the City of Melbourne, only being accessible by Punt. Private and public bridges were constructed from the 1850s, beginning with the Hawthorn Bridge linking Bridge and Burwood Roads. A bridge across the Yarra at Burke Road was created as early as 1873. Since that first wooden bridge, a number of later bridges, typically on concrete pylons have been built, in 1926 and again during the 1970s.Angle view of the new Yarra bridge [ie. The Burke Road bridge] taken from the Kew side, showing the bridge’s structure. Trees line the river’s edge. In the distance can be seen a distant line of houses stretching to the horizon. The river appears to have an S-shaped bend beyond the bridge. The postcard, No. 227, was produced by the Valentine Publishing Co. Pty Ltd., of Queen Street, Melbourne.burke road bridge - kew (vic), bridges - kew (vic)

At the beginning of the 1890s, the Kew businessman and Town Councillor, Henry Kellett, commissioned J.F.C. Farquhar to photograph scenes of Kew. These scenes included panoramas as well as pastoral scenes. The resulting set of twelve photographs was assembled in an album, Kew Where We Live, from which customers could select images for purchase.The preamble to the album describes that the photographs used the ‘argentic bromide’ process, now more commonly known as the gelatine silver process. This form of dry plate photography allowed for the negatives to be kept for weeks before processing, hence its value in landscape photography. The resulting images were considered to be finely grained and everlasting. Evidence of the success of Henry Kellett’s venture can be seen today, in that some of the photographs are held in national collections.It is believed that the Kew Historical Society’s copy of the Kellett album is unique and that the photographs in the book were the first copies taken from the original plates. It is the first and most important series of images produced about Kew. The individual images have proved essential in identifying buildings and places of heritage value in the district.Completed in November 1890, the railway viaduct (now the Chandler Highway Bridge) linked Kew and Fairfield. The viaduct is significant as the most substantial extant engineering remnant of the Outer Circle Railway Line. Opened in March 1891, the viaduct crossed the Yarra River in a single span, atop three supporting brick pillars. Following the closure of the railway line in 1927, and the construction of the Chandler Highway in 1930, the bridge was used for vehicular traffic. In 1891 when this panoramic photograph was taken, the grounds of what was then the Kew Lunatic Asylum extended down to the River and eastward beyond the viaduct. The landscape surrounding the Asylum was planted with traditional exotic trees such as Oaks, Pines and Cedars, and landmark trees from northern Australia such as the Hoop Pine. Remnant indigenous trees such as the River Red Gum, Yellow Box and Lightwood were scattered around the site, including beside the Yarra River.Railway Bridge Over the Yarrakew illustrated, kew where we live, photographic books, henry kellett, railway viaduct - - kew (vic)

In 1928 a footbridge was erected to link Kew with the public golf course across the Yarra. The total cost of construction came to 250 pounds and the bridge became known as Kane's Bridge. During the 1934 floods the bridge was washed downstream, and was subsequently rebuilt. The present form of the bridge resembles the earlier bridge which crossed from the Yarra Bend Asylum to Kew, further upstream. (VHD)This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.A photographic copy of an older photograph of Kanes Bridge."Kanes Bridge"kanes bridge, yarra river, bridges - kew (vic.)

The heritage listed Fairfield Bridge was originally constructed for the Outer Circle Railway to bridge the Yarra River between East Kew and Fairfield stations. In the 1930s it was converted for vehicular traffic. In the 2010s a new concrete bridge was erected beside it to increase vehicular capacity. Original colour print positive of the (former) Chandler Highway bridge in 2001. The point of view is from the Fairfield side of the river looking towards Kew. The heritage listed bridge was originally constructed for the Outer Circle Railway to bridge the Yarra River between East Kew and Fairfield stations. In the 1930s it was converted for vehicular traffic. In the 2010s a new concrete bridge was erected beside it to increase vehicular capacity. Ink inscription on reverse: "Chandler Highway bridge / (Originally Outer Circle Railway Bridge) / From Fairfield side towards Kew / July 2001"bridges -- kew (vic), fairfield bridge, chandler highway bridge, outer circle railway viaduct

Colourised pictorial postcard of the Zig-Zag Bridge at Kew. In the foreground is a rowboat in which a man is standing, behind whom are two women in hats and a young child. The man appears to be pushing the boat away from the Bank. In the distance is the wooden Zig-Zag Bridge, constructed in the 1870s to link the Yarra Bend and Kew Lunatic Asylums. [Destroyed by flood, 1929.]Text to Mrs Cooper from Grace ? inscription dated to 1907zig-zag bridge, yarra river -- kew (vic.), postcards

Canoeing on the River Yarra at Melbourne was an important and widespread recreational pursuit for Melbournians, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. The Victorian Canoe Club was formed in 1912 at a meeting in Melbourne and its first committee elected in the same year. Records indicate that the Club continued into at least the 1950s .The album has historic and social significance as a record of recreational activities (as well as canoe making) in the early years of the twentieth century. It has local significance as the site of the headquarters of the Club was in Studley Park. A number of photographs in the album provide vistas of Kew on the Yarra that are otherwise unavailable.One of 24 labelled photos in part album, originating from the Victorian Canoe Club, which had its headquarters in Studley Park, Kew. The album includes a photographic record of canoe construction and also locations in Studley Park and Kew where the canoes were used. The subject of this photograph is identified as 'Dight's Falls, Studley Park'.The view is from above and shows an early trestle bridge across the Falls on which people, possibly members of the Club, are walking or standing. The point of view would appear to be looking up river towards Fairfield."Dyghts Falls, Studley Park"victorian canoe club, river yarra, burke road -- kew (vic.), dight's falls -- fairfield (vic.), dight's falls -- kew (vic.), dight's falls -- yarra river

Canoeing on the River Yarra at Melbourne was an important and widespread recreational pursuit for Melbournians, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. The Victorian Canoe Club was formed in 1912 at a meeting in Melbourne and its first committee elected in the same year. Records indicate that the Club continued into at least the 1950s .The album has historic and social significance as a record of recreational activities (as well as canoe making) in the early years of the twentieth century. It has local significance as the site of the headquarters of the Club was in Studley Park. A number of photographs in the album provide vistas of Kew on the Yarra that are otherwise unavailable.One of 24 labelled photos in part album, originating from the Victorian Canoe Club, which had its headquarters in Studley Park, Kew. The album includes a photographic record of canoe construction and also locations in Studley Park and Kew where the canoes were used. The subject of this photograph is identified as 'Dight's Falls, Studley Park'.The view shows an early trestle bridge across the Falls on which people, possibly members of the Club, are standing. The point of view would appear to be looking up river towards Fairfield."Dyghts Falls, Studley Park"victorian canoe club, river yarra, burke road -- kew (vic.), dight's falls -- fairfield (vic.), dight's falls -- kew (vic.), dight's falls -- yarra river

The heritage listed Fairfield Bridge was originally constructed for the Outer Circle Railway to bridge the Yarra River between East Kew and Fairfield stations. In the 1930s it was converted for vehicular traffic. In the 2010s a new concrete bridge was erected beside it to increase vehicular capacity.Print copy, enlarged from original snapshot, of the former railway viaduct crossing the Yarra and linking Kew and Fairfield. The original photo predates the conversion of the viaduct into the Chandler Highway Bridge in the 1930s, when the Bridge was adapted to carry vehicular traffic. The date on the reverse indicates the date of donation rather than the date on which the photograph was taken. CHANDLER HIGHWAY BRIDGE OVER RIVER / (ORIGINALLY PART OF OUTER CURCLE RAILWAY) / OCTOBER 1977railway viaduct -- kew (vic.), fairfield bridge, fairfield railway viaduct, outer circle railway, sir john monash

The heritage listed Fairfield Bridge was originally constructed for the Outer Circle Railway to bridge the Yarra River between East Kew and Fairfield stations. In the 1930s it was converted for vehicular traffic. In the 2010s a new concrete bridge was erected beside it to increase vehicular capacity.Print copy of the Chandler Highway Bridge, [formerly the Fairfield Viaduct of the Outer Circle Railway] showing the original position of the walkway beside the bridge. The POV is from the Fairfield side looking towards Kew. CHANDLER HWY BRIDGE OVER YARRA / OCTOBER 1977 / ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR OUTER CIRCLE RWYchandler highway bridge, outer circle railway viaduct, bridges -- kew (vic.)

The River Yarra was a popular subject for photographic postcards. The postcards provide an interesting perspective of plantings on the banks of the Yarra at various periods. Small, sepia coloured real photo postcard of the River Yarra at Kew. The bird's eye view, presumably taken from Victoria Street Bridge shows the banks of the Yarra in the foreground densely planted with weeping willows. There is also canoe in the foreground. The expanse of lawn in the middle ground is that of 'Swinton', the tower of which can faintly be seen at the top centre of the view. "RIVER YARRA AT KEW / REAL PHOTO SERIES M. 2908 "real photo postcards, yarra river -- kew (vic.), postcards -- 1920s

Land along the Yarra River in Kew is now either designated open space, parkland or public golf links. By the 1930s much of this area remained open farmland, bought at auction for dairy farming in the 1840s.Original, black and white positive print of what is said to be the Yarra Flats near Burke Road Bridge. On the horizon, building can be seen, whereas in the middle ground, farm fencing and a windmill are the main features as well as remnant Eucalypts. Inscribed verso: "Yarra Flats near Burke Rd Bridge 1937" studley park -- kew (vic.)

In 1928 a footbridge was erected to link Kew with the public golf course across the Yarra. The total cost of construction came to 250 pounds and the bridge became known as Kane's Bridge. During the 1934 floods the bridge was washed downstream, and was subsequently rebuilt. The present form of the bridge resembles the earlier bridge which crossed from the Yarra Bend Asylum to Kew, further upstream. (VHD)Original, black and white positive of Kane's Bridge in December 1934, when the 'great flood' of the Yarra caused the bridge's destruction. Inscribed verso: "Kane's Bridge Yarra in flood Dec 1934"river yarra, yarra -- kew (vic.), kanes bridge, 1934 floods

An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Rae series of postcards, otherwise unknown, showing important sites in KewSmall folding postcard including nine black and white postcard views of Kew. Cover depicts Kew War Memorial set within an embossed cardboard frame. Individual postcards include: Studley Park Road, River Yarra showing new Bridge [Chandler Hwy], High Street showing soldier's memorial, River Yarra at Victoria Bridge, The Yarra at Studley Park, Holy Trinity Church, the [Alexandra] Gardens, New Yarra Bridge [Burke Rd], Soldiers' Memorial and Post Office Kewwashfold family, christian-washfold collection, postcards -- kew (vic.)

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 Beater 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.Sepia photograph of the wooden trestle Zig-Zag Bridge across the River Yarra. The bridge was built in the 1870s to transport stone from the west side of the Yarra to the east side. The stone was used in the construction of the Kew Asylum. The bridge continued to link the two asylums on each side of the river. yarra river -- kew (vic), zig-zag bridge -- kew (vic.), henry beater christian, christian-washfold collection