On 22 June 1994 the City of Kew ceased as a municiplity and was absorbed into the City of Boroondara as a result of local government restructuring. The City of Kew has a rich history as a commnity based local government and was widely revognised as a leader in the provision of local government services. Colour photograph of a plaque showing the names of the City of Kew Chairmen and Mayors plaque at the entrance of Alexandra Gardens, Kew.kew, alexandra gardens, city of kew, kew municipality, council amalgmation, h.e. wiltshire, ivan wade, l.f.i. hawkins, jack ryan, j.d. ryan, gerrie petrie, dick cremin, r.j. cremin, alan hutchinson, p.n.v. wallinga, noel whiting, martin solomons, j.l. mccue, john hogan gervasoni, kaye cole, s.k. o'brien, r.e. saunders, phyllis hore, joe ormando, j.l. tutt, a.a.b. martin, m. montalto, d.g. oldaker, r.a. streeton, t. indovino, f. barnard, s.s. argyle, j.l. carnegie, f.r> ratten, a.j. mcconchie, jack gervasoni, j.h. gervasoni, s. kellett

Copy of black and white photograph showing City of Kew Mayor Cr Jack Gervasoni, and Mayoress Kathleen Gervasoni being introduced to people at the Kew Festival.mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, mayoress, fesitval, dinner, kew festival, city of kew, kew mayors, jack gervasoni, kathleen gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni

Member for Kew and Premier of Victoria Rupert Hamer outside the Kew Town Hall (later the Kew Library)Copy of colour photograph of Kanga Cop with Premier Dick Hamer and City of Kew Mayor Cr John H. Gervasoni during a Kew Festival event.kew, gervasoni, john, jack, jack gervasoni, mayor, premier, dick, rupert, hamer, dick hamer, rupert hamer, victoria, kew town hall, city of kew, kew mayors, kanga cop, premier of victoria

Copy of a black and white photograph of City of Kew Mayor John H. Gervasoni. mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, coat of arms, cresco, city of kew, kew mayors

Jack Gervasoni was born in Dayledford. After a football career with Fitzroy Football Club he ran the North Kew Authorised Newsagency, at which time he was elected to the City of Kew Council. Colour photograph of City of Kew Mayor John H. Gervasoni in mayoral robes. This photograph was taken in the top floor of the Kew Civic Centre outside the council chamber. This buildinglater became part of Trinity Grammar School.mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, city of kew, kew mayors, mayoral robes, john hogan gervasoni, mayors of kew

Copy of a black and white photograph of City of Kew Mayor John H. Gervasoni. He stands in front of the Kew Coat of Arms on the exterior marble of the Kew Civic Centre.mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, coat of arms, cresco, city of kew, kew mayors

110 pages : illustrations, portraits ; 29 cm.non-fictionFrom Municipality to City: Chairmen & Mayors of Kew 1861-1994 is the result of a collaborative history project completed by members of the Kew Historical Society. Th text includes a contextualised series of illustrated biographical and autobiographical profiles of the former civic leaders of Kew. The profiles explore the political, social, cultural and economic history of Kew from the earliest years of European settlement to the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara in 1994.kew (vic.). council -- history, mayors -- victoria -- kew -- biography, kew (vic.) -- history

Born in Bendigo and trained as a nurse in the 1950s, Sonia Jill O’Brien devoted a lifetime to social and environmental issues at both the state and local level. From her work in the 1960s with the Family Planning Association of Victoria, of which she was a founding member, through to the 1990s as a member of the Ethics Committee of the Department of Health, she supported efforts to improve women’s health and reproductive rights. At the local level she was most active on committees that worked to save the natural and built environment. The Power-line Action Group, the Studley Park Conservation Society, and the Yarra Bend Park Trust all benefitted from her indefatigable endeavours as well her vision. In 1980, Jill O’Brien successfully stood for the Kew City Council and served as Mayor in 1983 and 1984. With an eye to preserving the past as well as guarding the future, she had the Mayoral robes restored and in 1980 and 1981 was president of the Kew Historical Society. The preservation and restoration of Villa Alba in Walmer Street owes much to her determined efforts throughout the 1980s. On Council, she chaired a number of committees involved in the saving of the Kew River Parklands from the proposed transmission line of the SEC. To this end, she was the Council representative on the Merri Yarra Municipal Protection Committee.Rare colour photograph, used as the official mayoral portrait of Cr Jill O'Brien.Formal civic portrait of Cr Jill O'Brien in red mayoral robes wearing lace jabot and cuffs. The portrait is part of the larger Jill O'Brien Collection donated by her daughters.cr jill o'brien, city of kew -- mayors, mayoral portraits -- city of kew

Copy of black and white photograph with City of Kew Mayor John H. Gervasoni and Phillip Brady with children of Preshill.portrait, kew, gervasoni, phillip, brady, phillip brady, john, jack, jack gervasoni, preshil, mayor, kew mayors

Each mayor purchased their own link for the Mayoral Chain Digital copy of colour photographs showing the mayoral link for Mayor John H. Gervasoni, in the city of Kew Mayoral Chain.jack gervasoni, chain, gold, link, mayor, mayoral, mayoral chain, kew, city of kew, john hogan gervasoni

Copy of black and white photograph showing the City of Kew Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor John H. Gervasoni and Kathleen Gervasoni.mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, coat of arms, cresco, city of kew, jack gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, kathleen gervasoni, kathleen carroll

Chellowdene was an architect designed triple fronted 1950s brick dwelling with an Edna Walling garden at 37 Wills Street, Kew. It was demolished by the subsequent owner.Copy of a colour photograph showing City of Kew Mayor John H. Gervasoni and Mayoress Kathleen Gervasoni in the front of their Kew property 'Chellowdene', 37 Wills Street, Kew. mayor, mayoral, portrait, kew, gervasoni, john, jack, k, mayoress, chellowdene, wills, kew mayors, wills street kew

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.CITY OF KEW / MAYORAL DINNER ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE CITY OF KEW / CR H F MOGG MAYOR / MASONIC HALL, KEW / 13TH OCTOBER, 1939civic ephemera - city of kew, mayoral dinners -- kew (vic.), civic events - programmes

Jack and Kathleen Gervasoni ran the North Kew Authorised Newsagency at 93 Willsmere Road for 17 years. Peter Cooper and Niall McAllister where two of a multitude of paperboys who worked at the newsagency.Copy of colour photograph of two North Kew Rovers Footballers with City of Kew Mayor Cr John H. Gervasoni. Left to right: Peter Cooper, Jack Gervasoni, Niall McAllister at Stradbroke Park, Kewkew, gervasoni, jack gervasoni, mayor, team, sport, football, cooper, stradbroke park, peter cooper, neil mcalister, paperboys, j.h. gervasoni, niall mcalister

Identification badges were issued to mayors and past mayors by the City of Kew. They included the Council logo in enamel and the names engraved on metalOne of two identification badges owned by Cr Phyllis Hore, Mayor of Kew 1985-6."City of Kew, Phyllis Hore, Mayor"mayors of kew (vic), cr phyllis hore, city of kew -- badges

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.CITY OF KEW / MAYORAL DINNER/ ON THE OCCASION OF THE / ANNUAL INSPECTION / OF THE / CITY OF KEW / TOWN HALL, KEW / 14TH OCTOBER, 1938 / CR J T GAZZARD / MAYOR / TOWN HALL, KEW / 14TH OCTOBER 1938 civic invitations -- kew (vic), mayoral dinners -- kew (vic.), j t gazzard

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.CITY OF KEW / THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS / REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / Mrs FGA Barnard / AT TH EOPENING OF THE / EASK KEW BABY HEALTH CENTRE / civic invitations -- kew (vic), mrs fga barnard, east kew baby health centre, countess of stradbroke, social services -- kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.CITY OF KEW / THE MAYOR, CR W A COMEADOW OBE JP / EXTENDS TO YOU A CORDIAL INVITATION TO BE PRESENT AT / OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE GLASS CREEK KINDERGARTEN / BY THE HON E P CAMERON MLC MINISTER OF HEALTH / WEDNEDSDAY 24TH OCTOBER, 1956, AT 2.45 P.M.civic invitations -- kew (vic), glass creek kindergarten

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.CITY OF KEW / THE MAYOR, CR W A COMEADOW OBE JP / IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE KEW ELDER CITIZENS' ASSOCIATION EXTENDS TO YOU A CORDIAL / INVITATION TO BE PRESENT AT THE OPENING OF THE / KEW ELDER CITIZENS' CLUBROOMS / 'SOUTHESK' CR, OF COTHAM ROAD AND CHARLES STREET / BY / THE HON E P CAMERON MLC, MINISTER OF HEALTH / MONDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER, 1956, AT 2.45 P.M.civic invitations -- kew (vic), kew elder citizens' association, southesk

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.ON THE OCCASION OF ADMITTING THE DISTINGUISHED PERSONAGE OF / SIR ROBERT GORDON MENZIES KT, CH, FRS, QC / TO / HONORARY FREEMAN OF THE CITY OF KEW / THE MAYOR, CR G F PETRIE JP, AND COUNCILLORS OF THE CITY OF KEW / REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / ______________ / IN THE CITY HALL / ON SUNDAY, 11TH AUGUST, 1974 / RSVP MRS E BENNETT 31ST JULY, 1974 86-6292 / INVITATION TO BE PRESENTED AT DOOR / DRESS : LOUNGE SUITcivic invitations -- kew (vic), freemen of the city of kew, sir robert gordon menzies, cr gerald petrie

WADE, Ivan Mayor 1969-70, 1970-71 Ivan Wade grew up in Bendigo and Brunswick, one of eight children. After his marriage, he moved with his wife and young family to Kew in 1951. In 1959, he took a year’s sabbatical in 1959 to build a new family home for his wife and four children at 222 Cotham Road, Kew. He worked professionally in the Meat Industry, successfully building a small chain of retail butcher shops, and a meat exporting business. He worked for improvements in the Trade through involvement in the Meat and Allied Trades Federation, of which he was the first State, and then Federal President. He was to be awarded an OBE for his services to the Meat Industry in 1979. Having been a long-time member of Melbourne Lions Club, he helped start Chadstone Lions’ Club as an inaugural tenant of the Chadstone Shopping Centre in 1979. He was also a tireless worker for charity, making his home available for functions raising funds for local groups. His passion for the community led him to stand for Kew Council as a representative of College Ward. As a councillor, he was elected mayor for two terms. During his term of office, new Kew Municipal Offices were constructed in Cotham Road. An active worker for the Kew Elder Citizens Association, he was involved in the establishment of an Opportunity Shop in Walpole Street to raise funds for the development of a new Centre in High Street. The Opportunity Shop was used to train locally unemployed youth skills such as furniture repair. (GW)Silver presentation trowel associated with the opening of significant civic projects in the former City of Kew.Commemorative, inscribed silver-plated presentation trowel given by the City of Kew to the Mayor, Cr Ivan Wade, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the new Kew Civic Centre on the corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, now part of Trinity Grammar School. The silver trowel was presented in a black leather case lined with blue velvet. The trowel was to be used a second time in 1982 when Cr Wade and his wife laid the foundation stone of Hamer Court. The trowel was later donated to Kew Historical Society Inc by Gwlad Wade, the wife of Cr Ivan Wade, on 20 August 2000. Front: "Presented to Cr Wade J.P. / Mayor of / the City of Kew / at the laying of the / foundation stone / of the / Kew Civic Centre /20-8-1971." Reverse: This trowel was also used / by / Cr Ivan Wade OBE JP & Mrs Gwlad Wade / at the laying / of the foundation stone / of / "Hamer Court" / Hostel for the Aged / 22nd August 1982"cr ivan wade, hamer court, commemorative trowels, kew civic offices, city of kew 1860-1993

Henry (Harry) William Tompkins was a renowned Melbourne architect, former City of Kew councillor and sometime Mayor of the municipality. He was president of the Melbourne Institute of Architects in 1914-15. In partnership with his brother, Frank Beauchamp Tompkins, he designed the Myer Stores in Bourke and Lonsdale Streets in 1933. Locally he was the architect of the Kew War Memorial (opened 1925). At the time that the gravure plate was made, the couple lived in 'Fenwick', a house on the corner of Stawell Street and Fenwick Street, Kew, which has since been demolished.Copper (on steel?) gravure printing plate made for Mr & Mrs Harold Tompkins, 'Fenwick', Fenwick Street, Kew. Engraved in reverse script. It is assumed that the acronym PPC may stand for 'Please Present Card'. "Mr & Mrs H.W. Tompkins, Fenwick, Fenwick Street, Studley Park / PPC 1st Friday"harry tompkins, gravure printing plates, business cards

Set of three Newspaper clippings abut the W class trams and their withdrawal. .1 - Editorial, the Age 26-4-1992 - titled - "Trams: making the most of the city's assets" - W class are a Melbourne icon, with their future is secure, finances, sale to the US, recommends that they should be saved. .2 - The Age - 18/51992 - titled - titled - "Protesters turn out in support of W class trams in Fitzroy" - written by Jacqui Macdonald, about a protest march in Brunswick St following publication of plans for replacement of W class in Brunswick St. Supported by workers from Preston Depot and the Public Transport Users Association, Patrick O'Connor. Also quotes Ms Angela Ireland Mayor of Fitzroy, Pat Wilson PTC, and Michael Norbury National Trust. .3 - Progress Press - 8/7/1992 - "Save Trams" about the withdrawal of W class trams from Kew Depot since 1985. Quotes Michael Wilmot and David Clark of the National TrustSome have publishing dates in ink on the cutting.trams, tramways, w class, maintenance, national trust, withdrawn trams, stored trams, sale of trams, kew depot, brunswick st, protest, ptua

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). This plan, which covers parts of High Street, Pakington Street and Derby Street is dominated by two historic Kew mansions: ‘Konetta’ and ‘Ramornie’. Ramornie was constructed in 1890 for James Maitland Campbell, three times Mayor of Kew. Sold in 1940, it became a boarding house known as ‘The Towers’. Now a private residence again, it has only one of its three balconies remaining. The location of the missing two balconies can be seen on the plan. In 1903, the grounds of Ramornie included a large tennis court fronting Pakington Street. The rear of the property is shown as extending to Cobden Street. One of Kew’s oldest hotels, the Prospect Hill Hotel on the corner of High and Cobden Street was established in 1858. The outline of the hotel shown on the plan represents the second building on the site. During the 19th century it was often used for electoral meetings. The Prospect Hill Hotel was to be redeveloped again in 1928, by the local architect Robert McIntyre. Since the 1980s, the hotel has been a live music venue, the home of the Melbourne Jazz Club, a restaurant and a liquor outlet.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1585, cartography

Kew, in Melbourne, Victoria, was declared a Borough in 1859, following which the first Council was elected in 1860. Kew became a Town in 1910, and a City in 1921. It was amalgamated into a new City of Boroondara in 1994. The centenary celebrations of 1860 marked 100 since the first Kew Council was established.This reel-to-reel tape, now digitised, is both rare (ie unique) and historically significant. While the recording clearly has local significance, it is also of national and international significance due to the content of the Prime Minister's address. The focus of his speech is the nature of Australian democracy and its strengths, deriving from universal suffrage and the acceptance of democratic values by the Australian population, gained through historic participation in democracy at local, state and federal levels. RG Menzies mounts a strong case for each level of government having value in the development of Australian democracy. He also describes the emerging democracies of Africa in the period following decolonisation, and suggests that the success of these countries is dependent on democratic institutions not being imposed from above by colonial powers. City of Kew Centenary 1860-1960 Speeches by The Hon RG Menzies, MHR for Kew, and Cr WHS Dickinson, Mayor of Kew. Recorded on 13th December 1960 at the Kew City Hall 34 minutes 29 seconds From the archives of the Kew Historical Society Inc Copyright Kew Historical Society Inc Timings 00.14-17.00 The Right Hon RG Menzies MHR 17.07-32.33 Cr. WHS Dickinson 32.38-33.10 The Right Hon RG Menzies MHR 33.30-33.50 Cr. WHS Dickinson 33.51-34.25 Song - 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'Label on original boxcity of kew, centenary of kew 1860-1960, robert gordon menzies, william henry shorey dickinson, bill burrell, mayors of kew, town clerks of kew, australian prime ministers, australian democracy, democracy

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Plaque commemorating the opening of a new town hall in KewMetal plaque recording the official opening of the Kew City Hall, 23rd April 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.Kew City Hall / Opened by / The Hon. H.E. Bolte M.L.A. / Premier of Victoria / 23rd April 1960 / Cr. H.G. Ferguson J.P. - Mayor.kew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), sir henry bolte, local government -- kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Historically significant commemorative plaqueMetal plaque relating to special Council meeting to mark centenary of Kew, 13th December 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.A Special Meeting Of The / Kew City Council Was Held In / This Hall On 13th December 1960 / To Commemorate / The Centenary of Kew / Cr. W.H.S. Dickinson, M.B.E., J.P., / Mayorkew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), cr. w.h.s. dickinson, local government -- kew (vic.)

In 1940: "Kew Council decided ... to give wallets as mementoes to members of the Second A.I.F. who enlist from the municipality. The selection of the type of wallets to be given was left to the Mayor (Councillor H. F. Mogg)." (The Argus, 21 Feb 1940, p.11). In the event, this wallet like others were predated to 1939 on the front.This item contains two parts: a letter from the City of Kew to Pte Martin and a wallet with which he was presented. The dark brown leather wallet is embossed on the front with the seal of the City of Kew and a citation. The interior of the wallet contains a steel mirror. The letter includes the seal of the City.Wallet: "City of Kew Victoria. Presented by the Mayor, Councillors & Citizens of Kew to M.H. Martin on his Enlistment for Active Service Abroad, 1939". second world war 1939-1945 - kew (vic), m h martin, wallets