Information from the donor, Natale Cerini's daughter: He was a retired accountant who commenced the Surrey Hills Observer, one of the early free local papers, in about 1933 at the request of the Surrey Hills Progress Association of which he was a member. He regarded his solo effort in creating, editing and publishing the paper as a community service for which he received no remuneration. The Observer was self-funding through its advertisements which Mr Cerini personally collected throughout the area. The Observer was issued fort-nightly and printed by the Johnson family at the Triumph Press in Sunbury Crescent until about 1946 when Mr Cerini relinquished it to one of the newly-established post-war local papers. Photo thought to have been taken in 1936 when Mr Natale would have been 69, as he retired in 1932 at 65 years of age. Electoral rolls give the following addresses: 1919: 293 Dandenong Road (accountant) and 1919 Boondara, Croydon (accountant); both with Ethel May also listed. 1924: 167 Union Road, Surrey Hills (accountant) 1931 and 1943: 215 Union Road, Surrey Hills (accountant). Marriage: Natale Benjamin Cerini; Spouse Name: May Ethel Swan; Marriage Place: Victoria; Registration Place: Victoria;Registration Year: 1918; Registration number: 5787. Ethel May Cerini: Death Place: S Hills, Victoria; Age: 69; Father's Name: Ernest Harrison; Mother's Name: Frances Ann Clark; Registration Year: 1951; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 10736; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882. Natale Benjamin Cerini: Death Place: Glen, Victoria; Age: 89; Father's Name: Joseph Natale; Mother's Name: Sarah Cooke; Registration Year: 1954; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 10612; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865.Black and white photo of a hatted gentleman with a walking cane and a pipe and wearing glasses. He has a rosette in his suit buttonhole and a ribbon on his lapel. The background is blurred but is reliably identified as the Surrey Gardens during Empire Day celebrations. SH368 on rear in pencilempire day, festivals and celebrations, surrey gardens, newspapers, surrey hills progress association, surrey hills observer, triumph press, natale cerini

This was erected in 1912 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association to commemorate "one of Surrey Hills most highly respected and revered citizens". The rotunda was demolished in the 1970s. A bronze plaque in tribute to John Gray is now on a stone cairn in the gardens. John Gray was a local citizen very active in community affairs who had died in 1909. The Brass Band rehearsed in the room below which also became a meeting room for many local groups.B&W photocopied image of the John Gray Memorial Rotunda in the Surrey Gardens. The octagonal rotunda has a distinctive domed cupola and is elevated on an enclosed timber base graduated to the slope of the site. A door and 2 windows can be seen in the exposed faces of the base. A group of 4 boys sit on or stand behind the timber railing.surrey gardens, john gray memorial rotunda, rotundas, parks and reserves, gray, john, surrey hills progress association

John Gray was "actively associated with all movements for the benefit of neighbours and fellow citizens". [Quote from the official tribute on his death in 1909.] He was very active in the Surrey Hills Progress Association in the early 1900's. The rotunda built in the Surrey Gardens by the Progress Association in 1912 was dedicated to him. John Gray was born in 1861 in Eldorado. He died on 7 December 1909 in Surrey Hills and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M0472). He married Emma Beckett in 1888 at 'Guildford Villa' in Essex Road, the Beckett home. They are listed in both the 1903 and 1906 electoral rolls in Arundel Crescent; his occupation is given as bootmaker. The Alan Holt property register identifies this as 24 Arundel Crescent, known as 'Tumberumba'. John and Emma had a large family: (Gunner) John Robert Gray (1888, Surrey Hills - 21 June 1917, France) Benjamin Walter Gray (1890, Surrey Hills - 1949, Heidelberg) Herbert Harry Gray (1892, Surrey Hills - 1959, Queensland) William Beckett Gray (1897, Surrey Hills - 1899, Surrey Hills) Norman Douglas Gray (1901, Surrey Hills - 1947, Sydney) Evelyn Lizzie Gray (1906, Surrey Hills - 1983) Evelyn married Reginald Roberts and was the donor of this photo. Black and white portrait photo of John Gray shows a well-dressed, bearded gentleman with a receeding hairline.surrey hills progress association, surrey gardens, surrey gardens rotunda, john gray, john gray memorial rotunda, arundel crescent, box hill cemetery

Includes: viewing penguins in the 1920's; Summerland - AKT Sambell, 1944 Town Planning Act, the Summerland Comunity, and Summerland today. The author is a local resident and foundation member of the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Content is centred on the Phillip Island penguin parade and charts a conservation and development struggle that endured for almost 80 yearsContent is centered on the Phillip Island penguin parade and charts a conservation and development struggle that endured for almost 80 yearsSigned on inside cover page by author: Gregor Buchanan / 18/8/15penguins - phillip island, birds - victoria, wildlife conservation - victoria, phillip island penguin reserve - victoria, summerland estate

Researched by Ken James for the Surrey Hills Historical Society using material in our collection, files at PROV, Trove research and some material from Ancestry.com.au The various iterations of the Progress Association span the period 1889 to 2015 but not continuously and with slightly differing names.There have been eight Progress Associations in Surrey Hills since 1899. This includes details regarding committee members and issues of concern over this period. They included issues around economic, social and civic betterment. Cloth tape binding of 190 pages with illustrations with includes bibliographical references and an index. community organisations, surrey hills, citizen participation, associations, citizens' associations, community development, civic improvement, (mr) ken james, surrey hills progress association, surrey hills association

The Baby Health Centre opened in the Surrey Gardens in 1930 on the site previously occupied by the screen for outdoor pictures. Previously during the 1920s it had operated in the room underneath the rotunda in the Surrey Gardens. The room was also shared by other groups including the Surrey Hills Progress Association (SHPA). The SHPA raised 200 pounds to provide the materials for the building, which was built by voluntary labour under the leadership of Ralph Hayes, a local builder. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs A Latham, Mayoress of Camberwell on 31 March 1930. There is a bottle containing the names of the committee members sealed in the pillar behind the memorial stone. The centre was managed by a committee until 1975. Maternal health nurses associated with the centre included Sister D Thompson, Sister Newnham, Sister Kelsell, Sister Barker, Sister Sharp and Sister Bolton. Ref: Mrs D Lancashire - a long-serving member of the committee. The site of the Surrey Hills Maternal and Child Health Centre was moved to 18 Verdun Street, adjacent to the pre-school, in accord with Council policy to co-locate services and from a concern regarding solo staff working in relatively isolated locations. The building was included in the heritage overlay protecting the gardens and was refurbished by Council for community use. The cairn commemorates the work of Cr Albert Ernest Vine who was a Camberwell Councillor from 1926-1934 and 1937-1944; he was also Mayor on 1940-41. There is a photo of him in Mayoral robes in the City of Boroondara Library Service collection.Black and white photo of a timber building with a tiled roof and a brick veranda supported by brick and concrete pillars. In front of the baby health centre is a small cairn.surrey gardens, baby health centres, monuments and memorials, surrey hills progress association, cr albert ernest vine, sister d thompson, sister d. newnham, sister kelsell, sister barker, sister sharp and sister bolton, mrs a latham, ralph hayes, mrs d lancashire

The rotunda was built in 1912 by Clarence Montgomery for the Surrey Hills Progress Association and the local community and dedicated to John Gray, "a highly respected and revered citizen". Surrey Hills Brass Band regularly gave concerts in the rotunda, provided music for regular 'loyal' celebrations and also for silent films held in the gardens. The rotunda was quite elevated off the ground due to the slope of the gardens and the bioscope was stored in the room underneath. This was later used as the infant welfare centre until the Progress Association built a dedicated facility for these purposes. The rotunda was demolished in 1972. Clarence Montgomery, carpenter, was living in Sunbury Crescent in 1914. By 1916 he had moved to 83 Croydon Road where he lived for the rest of his life. Clarence was born in 1869 in Taradale, son of John Montgomery and Jane Ford. He married Sarah Ann Ingram in Echuca in 1894. Their children were: 1. Annie (Mrs P Paynter) born Echuca in 1895 2. William Henry born Echuca in 1897 3. Christina Mary (Mrs F Meyers) born Echuca in 1898 4. Violet (Mrs G Ewing) born Echuca in 1902 5. Clarence George Ingram born Echuca in 1906 and died aged 7 months. Violet became a tailoress and Christina a dressmaker. William became a carpenter like his father. Sarah Ann Montgomery died at their home in June 1932 aged 62 years. Clarence died in August 1946 aged 77 years. They are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (P-EB-0020). John Gray was "actively associated with all movements for the benefit of neighbours and fellow citizens". [Quote from the official tribute on his death in 1909.] He was very active in the Surrey Hills Progress Association in the early 1900's. The rotunda built in the Surrey Gardens by the Progress Association in 1912 was dedicated to him. John Gray was born in 1861 in Eldorado. He died on 7 December 1909 in Surrey Hills and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M0472). He married Emma Beckett in 1888 at 'Guildford Villa' in Essex Road, the Beckett home. They are listed in both the 1903 and 1906 electoral rolls in Arundel Crescent; his occupation is given as bootmaker. The Alan Holt property register identifies this as 24 Arundel Crescent, known as 'Tumberumba'. John and Emma had a large family: (Gunner) John Robert Gray (1888, Surrey Hills - 21 June 1917, France) Benjamin Walter Gray (1890, Surrey Hills - 1949, Heidelberg) Herbert Harry Gray (1892, Surrey Hills - 1959, Queensland) William Beckett Gray (1897, Surrey Hills - 1899, Surrey Hills) Norman Douglas Gray (1901, Surrey Hills - 1947, Sydney) Evelyn Lizzie Gray (1906, Surrey Hills - 1983) Evelyn married Reginald Roberts and donated a number of photos to the collection. The donor Violet Ewing (nee Montgomery) was Clarence's daughter. She married George Isaac Henry Ewing (blacksmith) in 1934. They inherited the family home at 83 Croydon Road. Although constructed 5 years after their opening, this rotunda was a central feature of the Surrey Gardens which was planted to a design adapted from one suggested by the renowned landscape gardener and botanist William Robert Guilfoyle (1840-1912). Rotundas were a key feature of many late nineteenth and early twentieth century public parks. This particular rotunda was notable for the Chinoiserie influence reflected in its roof. Surrey Gardens are now regarded as one of the City of Boroondara's heritage gardens and this image is significant as evidence of the design of the rotunda which is no longer extant. It is also significant as evidence of the extent of the role of the Surrey Hills Progress Association in the provision of public facilities. A black and white photo of an octagonal rotunda situated within Surrey Gardens taken from the perspective of the main entrance. It is a largely wooden structure with a domed chinoiserie-style roof. The rotunda is enclosed by established gardens. There are 4 people in the photo, with 2 women standing on the steps at the rotunda's entrance. A man and a young person are seated within the rotunda. It has 8 support pillars, which are open with balustrades to 7 sides.rotundas, surrey gardens, union road, surrey hills progress association, surrey hills brass band, parks and reserves, 1925, john gray, clarence montgomery, box hill cemetery, cinema, john gray memorial rotunda, bandstands

Albert Ernest Vine Snr, was a City of Camberwell Councillor from 1926-1934 and 1937-1944. He was also Mayor of Camberwell in 1940/41. There is a sundial in the Surrey Gardens erected in his memory. Known as Ernest, he and his wife Edith (nee Sword) lived at 3 Norfolk Road from 1920-1945. Earlier addresses are on file in Alan Holt card index. He was active in Surrey Hills Progress Association. He was the son of William James Vine (1860-1920) and Sarah Elizabeth Gunner (1859-1941). W J Vine & Co Timber Yards were located at 587-593 Canterbury Road. Elizabeth Gunner's brother was Henry Gabez Gunner (1862-1940), a builder in the Surrey Hills area. Box Hill Reporter (6/6/19) records that Ernest applied to Camberwell City Council for permission to subdivide land in Norfolk Road with a frontage of 85' into 2 equal lots for a dwelling to be erected on each, one for himself and the other for his mother. Albert Ernest & Edith Vine had the following children: Albert Ernest Jnr (b 1904), Robert (b 1908), Edgar (b 1912), Inez (b 1915) and Beth (b 1918). Both No 1 & No 3 were demolished c1970.Black and white photo of a 1920s style single-storey weatherbaord home with leadlight windows, a tiled roof and a wide veranda supported by timber columns on stucco pillars. The veranda has a simple timber balastrade and a flight of timber stairs to it. There does not appear to be front fence. A simple sloped double carport on the RHS and proud of the house is of a later date.norfolk road, californian bungalows, w j vine & co timber yards, mr william james vine, mr albert ernest vine, mrs edith vine, miss edith sword

Donation made on behalf of Surrey Hills Primary School. A second lesser copy was donated at a much earlier date.A 59 page informal history of Surrey Hills State School, No 2778. To quote the authors: "we have not used footnotes, nor a bibliography; and we have used reminiscence without always ensuring that facts and dates are strictly accurate." The book is richly illustrated with photos, excerpts of student work and other ephemera. It is not indexed. Headings are: Beginnings, The Cadet Corps, Head Teacher Bennett, School Days 1900-1925, War Time & Beyond, The Mothers' Club, Childhood Illness, School Days in '30s, Expansion, PWD Problems, Depression and Wartime, Post War Crowding, memories, Mr Wheeler, Migrants, Royal Tours, Pedestrian Crossings, The Canteen, Craft Room, Sports Days, Acquisition of Mr Prior's House, Parents Right to Know, Social Service, School Committee, Concerts & Balls, Mothers' Club to Parents' Club, Library, More PWD Problems, Changes, Camps, Recent Principals. This copy includes a copy of the Centenary Weekend Programme which has been stuck inside the front cover.wekworth, - (miss), reardon, edith, lauchlan, thelma, grant, mavis, higgins, nancy, kellan, coster, joyce, parker, marjorie, dyson, joy, sutton, phyllis, cadmar, gwennyth, mclaughlin, maurine, wendorf, winifred, broadbent, doreen, hawes, hilda, powell, crocker, beatrix, triggs, dorothy, peers, ker, pryde, norma, clemson, kathleen, owen, doris, glasscock, elaine, lovering, w b (mr), dyer, e a (mr), gamble, william, brown, j k (mr), raw, whitfield t, doyle, annie, st stephens presbyterian church, cadets, bennett, george t, brigadier general gordon, cottingham, r v (mr), day, george, greaves, arthur, servan, alice, renkin, anne, lutheran peace memorial home, gourlay, education, schools, doney, - (mr), collins, fyfe, alexander, fire brigades, maypoles, duck, lorraine, hendy, ives, alfred, reaburn, john, walduck, gwyneth, world war, 1914-1918, breeden, horace, horrie, wise, amy (miss), blogg, john kendrick, newington, lily (miss), parents clubs, brookes, - (mrs), lancashire, deans, johnson, herbert, -(mrs), travancore, jamieson, welch, mcdonald, harley, mclean, jack, rex theatre, surrey hills progress association, gamer, ernest, southall, ivan, influenza, barbara, ross, poliomyelitis, scott, moroney, daniel, thwaites, jean, constable, oswell, frank, large, gifford, a e (rev), gillies, j (rev), buxton, porter, jill, morgan, jan, 1939-1945, williamson, joan, cargill, jackson, van ernst, cooke, tyrell's milkbar, plaw, graeme, dairies, chenu, a h, rutzou, peter, bowie, heymann, megan, wilson, ritter, alan, martyn, dawson, l (mrs), mcgregor, d (mrs), e (mrs), fiedler, wheeler, lewis, marsh, rhyll, slater, games, gangell, pam, barrow, ford, henry, mcewan, marion, conlon, kathy, canterbury recreation reserve, surrey park, chatham oval, mooney, neil, kitson, surrey dive, monk, kay, saldineri, macqueen, lyndy, thomson, daley, susan, discombe, diane, hanson, robert, mulvey, albers, angela, tucker, david, glover, bright, lynette, mcinnes, jeanette, nethercott, turnball, eric, smith, roberts, chasemore, lyle, chislett, miss, capon program, k n (mr), fuller, i d (mr), henwood, j w (mr), g (mr), veitch, g (mrs), m (mrs), cheetham, j (mr), gardner, l (mr), d (mr), sepitka, lorna, balfe, win, wells, bob, keith, ian, kett, mr, elizabeth, liney, bruce, macarthur, rob, kelly, paula, neil b, sydenham, shirley, dixon, o'hagan, ros, van someren, fred, norman, burns, roberta, harry, christine, barker, henry j t, nutt, ernest h, richards, benjamin, lievesley, john h, knight, gabriel, clough, john s, hepburn, james, tinney, arthur h, blanchen, bernard j, somerwell, elizabeth j, john t, john m, caldicott, howard t

Item believed to be from Empire Day celebrations held in Surrey Hills. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and a meeting of Surrey Hills residents on 24th May 1906, pledged to do all in their power to make the day a success. Founding members included Arthur 'Empire' Brooks, James 'Rule Britannia' Sneddon and Harry 'Mafeking' Garrett, whose nicknames stemmed from their activities. Empire Day celebrations from 1906-11 attracted tremendous enthusiasm as reported at the time with 40,000 people attending the procession. The procession included horse drawn floats from local businesses, a torchlight parade headed by mounted troopers and local school bands. Rows of lamps and paper Chinese lanterns strung across the streets and lit at night by candles, while every dwelling had it's own decorations. The Progress Association revived the celebrations between 1933 and 1938 and while the route of the procession varied between these years, it would end with a 'monster bonfire' at Beckett Park.Handkerchief from Empire Day, made from silk or thin cotton. Navy blue with red then white edging. Crowns on each corner and numerous circles on handkerchief with red, blue and crowns. Colour faded in one corner.empire day, empire day celebrations, surrey hills progress association, mr james sneddon, mr arthur brooks, mr harry garrett, beckett park, canterbury road, union road, surrey gardens, handkerchief, festivals and celebrations

The photo comes from a souvenir brochure printed for the dedication of The Shrine on 7 April 1918, a copy of which is also held in the collection.. The Shrine was opened on Sunday 7 April 1918. Mrs C H D Steele, President of the local Patriotic League, is credited with the idea of building The Shrine as a fitting memorial to the WW1 soldiers of the district. The Surrey Hills Progress Association coordinated raising funds from local residents. John Kendrick Blogg carved the beautiful honor roll in Indian teak and Australian white mahogany and the design of the Shrine was by John Stevens Gawler, architect of Gawler & Drummond. Both men donated their services. It was one of the first WW1 memorials to be built and is noted for its use of Australian motifs, wattle blossom and gum leaves. The boomerang over the full width of the monument was said to be symbolic of both those who did and did not return. Surrey Hills Progress Association coordinated fundraising to build the memorial. There is a bound copy of a history of The Shrine by Robin Doble in the collection.Black & white photo of the artist's impression of The Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. surrey gardens, john kendrick blogg (mr), surrey hills progress association, john stevens gawler, gawler and drummond, the shrine, war memorials, sarah margaret russell (miss), sarah margaret steele (mrs), mrs charles henry dillon steele

John Colin Reaburn, also known as Jack, (1899 -1987) was an accountant by profession and an early contributor to the historical collection. He was also an active member of the Surrey Hills Progress Association. According to his grandson Peter Reaburn, this photo was taken outside John's home at 92 Belford Road, Kew where his son Robert John (1930-) spent his childhood and youth.John Reaburn was a key figure in the establishment of the Surrey Hills history collection.A coloured photograph of a man standing in a front garden. He is wearing a navy sports coat, light coloured trousers, and a black skivvy.surrey hills, history collection, surrey hills state school, accountant, 1978, clothing and dress, mr john colin reaburn, mr john reaburn, mr jack reaburn, 92 belford road kew

The Box Hill Reporter noted on 22 January 1926 that at the monthly meeting of the Surrey Hills Progress Association the Secretary reported that “the ground had been purchased for the Boy Scout Hall, that plans had been prepared, and accepted by the building committee. As soon as the timber was available the work would be proceeded with. The Boy Scout Hall movement has been taken up by the association to try to secure a permanent meeting place for the boys of the district. Up till now they have no fixed place, nor have they had a qualified scout master. Mr. Bert Chenu, one of the committee, has been appointed to that position, and is carrying out his duties energetically. Having raised enough money to purchase the land (situated in Robinson's road, Surrey-Hills near the Drill Hall) the association's committee is now about to erect the building by means of properly organised working bees.” The Association organised markets, card evenings and dances to raise necessary funds. The volunteer labour included the parents of boys who had become scouts, led by builder Robert Hayes of 186 Union Road and his son, who was also a builder. Early ownership is unclear as it is believed that it was not purchased by the scouting movement until 1955. The hall was used by other groups as well as the scouts. Benmont Kindergarten operated on the site from c1930. This is confirmed by oral testimony, Sands & McDougall entries and the Alan Hold property register (part of the SHNC Heritage Collection.) It was also used as a ballet school and for local dances. The hall was situated on a small block of land, just 410 sq m, and in late 2019 it was put up for sale by Scouts Victoria. Most recently home to 1st Boroondara Scout Group and previously 11th Camberwell Scouts, it was sold for something near $1.3M. During May 2020 the modest hall was demolished. Items of significance were removed before the sale by Scout Heritage. A black and white photograph of a building with a small sign identifying it as 11th Camberwell Central Scout Group.robinson road, surrey hills, scout halls, scouts, buildings, structures and establishments, (mr) robert hayes, union road, builders, surrey hills progress association, benmont kindergarten, dances, ballet schools