In the early 1900s, Melbourne builder Charles Keefer was hired by the Moorabbin Council to build the municipal baths at Beaumaris. In 1903, Keefer took over the Beaumaris Boat House and enlarged it to form Keefer's Boat Shed where day trippers and holiday makers could hire boats and venture out into the bay. Although rebuilt following the devastating storms in 1934, Keefer’s Boat Shed was completely destroyed by fire in 1984.Realismkeefer's, boatshed, bayside, coast, beaumaris, fence, water, bay, charles keefer, pier, mike green

In 1977, artist Annette Meikle undertook a commission to illustrate a book recording stories of places and people in the Bayside area. It was published in 1978 as Sandringham Sketchbook, with text by Elizabeth Waters. The sketches were intended to record remaining examples of Bayside’s early architecture and environment, as well as reflect newer architectural changes. Meikle went on to donate 22 of these sketches to Bayside City Council in 2003. Charles Keefer established this landmark boat hire business in the early twentieth century, shortly after he had built municipal baths at Beaumaris. The original boat shed was damaged in a storm in 1934 and burned down in 1984.Annette Meikle, Keefer's boat shed 1977, ink and watercolour, 33 x 53.5 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by the artist, 2003annette meikle, sandringham sketchbook, elizabeth waters, port phillip bay, coastline, beaumaris, keefer's, keefer's boat shed, jetty, boat shed