Kew was gazetted as a Municipality in 1860, as a Borough in 1863, as a Town in 1910, and as a City in 1921. Under a conservative Victorian Government, led by premier Jeff Kennett, Councils across Victoria were amalgamated, including the City of Kew, which was joined with the Cities of Hawthorn and Camberwell to form a new City of Boroondara (1994- ). This is one of two photographs recording the last Kew Council in 1994. Laminated photograph of City of Kew Final Councillors, taken in 1994, during the year that Council amalgamation led to the demise of the City of Kew. The photograph was laminated a number of years before its donation. CITY OF KEW / 1994 FINAL COUNCILLORS / FROM LEFT: / BACK ROW: ALLEN MARTIN, PHILIP SLOBOM, ROGER STREETON, JAMES TUTT, DARYL OLDAKER, GERARD PETRIE / FRONT ROW: MICHAEL MONTALTO, PAUL VALLIS, TOM INDOVINO (MAYOR), JOAN LAMB, JOHN MURRAYcity of kew councillors, kew council - 1994

Kew was gazetted as a Municipality in 1860, as a Borough in 1863, as a Town in 1910, and as a City in 1921. Under a conservative Victorian Government, led by premier Jeff Kennett, Councils across Victoria were amalgamated, including the City of Kew, which was joined with the Cities of Hawthorn and Camberwell to form a new City of Boroondara (1994- ). This is one of two photographs recording the last Kew Council and senior corporate staff in 1994. Laminated photograph of City of Kew Final Councillors, taken in 1994, during the year that Council amalgamation led to the demise of the City of Kew. The photograph was laminated a number of years before its donation. CITY OF KEW / 1994 FINAL COUNCILLORS AND CORPORATE MANAGEMENT GROUP / FROM LEFT: / BACK ROW: PETER HUGGINS, ALLEN MARTIN, PHILIP SLOBOM, ROGER STREETON, JAMES TUTT, DARYL OLDAKER, GERARD PETRIE, IAN POULTER / FRONT ROW: NEIL HOCKING, MICHAEL MONTALTO, JUNE DUGINA, MALCOLM HUTCHINSON, TOM INDOVINO (MAYOR), JOAN LAMB, JOHN MURRAY, PAUL LAMBcity of kew councillors, kew council - 1994, city of kew corporate staff

Jack Gervasoni was a newsagent at 93 Willsmere Rd Kew for 17 years and a City of kew councillor for 9 years. The naming of the pavilion honoured his work within the community, particlularly with youth and recreation. Colour photographs of the Gervasoni Pavilion, North Kew. .1) John Hogan (Jack) Gervasoni and his father, Gus Gervasoni, in front of the Jack Gervasoni Pavilion .2) Cr Allan Hitchinson, Premier Rupert Hamer, Jack Gervasoni and Kew Town Clerk Les Fell beside as sign at the newly opened Jack Gervasoni Pavilion.kew, sport, facility, ground, dick hamer, jack gervasoni, gus gervasoni, pavilion, alan hutchinson, les fell, willsmere park, jack gervasoni pavilion

Jack Gervasoni was a newsagent at 93 Willsmere Rd Kew for 17 years and a City of Kew councillor for 9 years. The naming of the pavilion honoured his work within the community, particularly with youth and recreation. Colour photographs of the Jack Gervasoni Pavilion, Kew. This photograph was taken before the 2024/2025 renovations. kew, sport, facility, ground, dick hamer, jack gervasoni, gus gervasoni, pavilion, alan hutchinson, les fell, willsmere park, jack gervasoni pavilion

Items given by the City of Kew to city councillorsA black enamelled rounded cornered rectangular badge with a gilt outline of the City of Kew crest filled in red enamel having a swivel back pinCity of Kew with crest and mottocufflinks, city of kew - souvenirs

The former Kew Town Hall was used for an Op Shop for a number of years before it was demolished for a supermarket.City of Kew Councillors at the last Meeting in the Kew Town Hall, Walpole Street. Left to right going around the table: Cr Dick Cremin, Cr Ivan Wade, Cr Dorothy Buchanan, Cr Jack Ryan, Cr George McKenzie , Cr Gerard Petrie, Cr Jack Gervasoni, behind these councillors sits Brian Robinson, Laurie Johnson (Town Clerk), Cr Leo Hawkins (Mayor), George Russell (City Engineer) , ?, ?, Cr Gladys "Bon" Fink, [possible Cr Percival "Percy" Watts?]' Cr Phyllis Hore, [Possibly Cr Frank O'Brien?], Cr Alan Hutchisoncity of kew, councillors, kew town hall, dick cremin, ivan wade, jack ryan, gerrie petrie, jack gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, alan hutchinson, gerard petrie, jack ryan, george mckenzie, brian robinson, laurie johnson, leo hawkins, george russell, gladys "bon" fink, bon fink, percival watts, phyllis hore, frank o'brien

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

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

This object relates to Charles Ben French. He was born on 17 November 1904 in Melbourne, Victoria. Charles French served in the NZ Merchant Navy as a Merch. Navy Non-Commissioned Baker (BAKER). He was not taken as a prisoner of war.Gold engraving - City of Kew, Victoria Insignia, Presented by The Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Kew to C B French on enlistment for Active Service Abroad 1941second world war (ww2), 1939 - 1945, personal items, ballarat rsl, ballarat

The recipient of the testimonial, Thomas O’Grady (1824-90) had migrated to Melbourne in 1854, practising the trades of building and contracting. The Australian Dictionary of Biography records that he became a Councillor of the City of Melbourne in 1868. It lists one of his major achievements as the construction ‘with Leggett & Noonan [of] the fifty-six-mile (90 km) railway from Essendon to Seymour’. He was chairman of the Tramways Trust from its formation in 1884. His obituary in the Melbourne Herald (29 Apr 1890) reported: "DEATH OF ALDERMAN THOMAS O'GRADY. Today we have the sad duty of recording the death of two old colonists, who for many years, havo occupied very, prominent positions in building, commercial and municipal circles. The first of these is Alderman Thomas O'Grady, who died last night at his residence in Carlton. Mr O'Grady has been ill for some time, and at one period his death was expected any moment. Then he rallied, and strong hopes of his recovery were entertained; but he had a relapse, and expired as stated. The deceased gentleman was one of the oldest members of the City Council, in which he has held the various positions of Councillor, Alderman and Mayor. At the time of his death he sat as alderman for Victoria Ward. Mr O'Grady also at one time represented the City Council on the Harbor Trust, and was chairman of that body. He has been the council's representative on the Tramway Trust and was chairman of that body for some considerable time." As late as 1951, the Advocate (11 Oct 1951) stated that: "To Alderman Thomas O'Grady, Lord Mayor of Melbourne in 1872-3, is due the credit of the successful inauguration of Hospital Sunday. Alderman O'Grady was the first Catholic Lord Mayor of the city. He was elected a councillor for Smith Ward in 1868, and an alderman in 1869. In private life he was an extensive contractor, being a member of the firm of O'Grady, Leggett and Noonan, the contractors for the first section of the Northeastern Railways (between Melbourne and Seymour)."This is a unique civic document, illustrating the life and contribution of Thomas O’Grady (1824-90), Melbourne City Councillor and first Chairman of the Melbourne Tramways Trust. It is historically significant in its recording of the development of Melbourne's public transport system. The design of the certificate and particularly the ebonised frame are artistically and aesthetically significant.An illustrated testimonial presented to the first Chairman of the Melbourne Tramways Trust in 1886. The Testimonial is encased in an ebonized frame of the period. It includes the coat-of-arms of 12 cities, corporations, boroughs and towns, including that of Kew. At the head of the testimonial the engines used to drive the cable systems are illustrated. At the foot of the testimonial there is a picture of two cable trams.The testimonial reads: ‘At the meeting of the Melbourne Tramways Trust held on the Fifth Day of February 1886, the following resolution was unanimously carried. That the thanks of the Melbourne Tramways Trust are due and are hereby accorded to Alderman Thomas O’Grady Hon. JP, the first Chairman of the Trust for the ability, courtesy and impartiality with which he has discharged his duties during the past two years, and the Trust heartily congratulates him on the successful opening during his term of office of the Richmond Tramway (the first Cable line constructed in Australia) and tenders him its earnest wishes for his future prosperity and welfare.’ melbourne tramways trust, thomas o’grady (1824-90), cable trams, lord mayors of melbourne

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

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

The Kew Advertiser was a major local Kew newspaper founded in 1926. It was owned by William David Vaughan who was a prominent member of the Kew community. Vaughan also served as a Councillor in the City of Kew for many years, and as Mayor in 1937-38, 1947-48 and 1961-62.Broadsheet newspaper printed in black ink, front page shows advertisements for local businesses on outside edges, has cross-shaped fold creases where the paper has be folded into quarters.newspapers -- kew (vic), w d vaughan, kew advertiser, newspapers -- kew (vic.) -- 1940s

The plaque to Henry Kellett was originally mounted in the vestibule of the Kew Town Hall in Walpole StreetThe plaque was once part of the Municipal Collection of the former City of Kew and was presented to the Kew Historical Society before the move from the Walpole Street (Kew) Town Hall to new Civic offices in Charles Street in 1971.Bronze funeral plaque commemorating the life and death of Sir Henry de Castres Kellett, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1924. The plaque bears an extensive dedication and is mounted on a wooden mount that was previously attached to a wall in the Walpole Street [Kew] Town Hall ."City of Kew Victoria [logo] / Erected in Memory of / Cr. Sir Henry de C. Kellett Bart. / Accidentally Killed Whilst Engaged / On Municipal Duty 20th June 1924 / A Tribute to His Faithful Service as / Councillor for Forty Years 19884-1924"sir henry de castres kellett, mayors of kew (vic), councillors of kew (vic)

Cr. Marie Dalley was the first female mayor of Kew in 1954-55. The photograph shows the interior of the Council Chamber in the 1950s.An original photograph of Cr. Marie Dalley and councillors in 1955. The photograph was once part of the Municipal Collection of the former City of Kew and was presented to the Kew Historical Society in 1989.Framed photograph of the Kew City Council at a meeting in the Council Chamber of the Walpole Street {Kew] Town Hall in August 1955; the Mayor Cr. Marie Dalley chairing the meeting. Names of the councillors and council staff are inscribed on the mount. mayors of kew (vic), kew city council - 1955, council chamber - walpole street (kew) town hall, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

The Kew Civic Centre (A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall, 1972) was built next to the Kew Civic Hall (A C Leith & Bartlett, 1960) on the site of the former mansion Ordsall (later renamed South Esk). Whereas the entrance to the Civic Hall was positioned off Civic Drive, the main entrance to the Civic Centre faced Cotham Road, as shown in the undated perspective drawing of the proposed building. The Civic Hall was used for public functions and performances, while the Civic Centre was used for civic offices. It also contained the Council Chamber. The building opened in 1972, following the relocation of the councillors and council officers from the former Town Hall in Walpole Street (now a Woolworth's supermarket). Following the amalgamation of the former City of Kew into the City of Boroondara in 1994, the Civic Centre was sold to Trinity Grammar School. The exterior of the Centre has been modified by Trinity Grammar.A report for Heritage Victoria (date) describes how two architectural firms dominated the designs for new civic buildings in Victoria during the post war period. The report claims that: "An interesting sub-theme in the erection of post-war municipal offices in Victoria is that a considerable proportion were designed by the same three or four Melbourne-based architectural firms, who established themselves as the leading specialists in this type of work. The two most prolific firms in this regard were A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall, and A C Leith & Bartlett; both, in fact, had made names for themselves as designers of local government offices prior to the Second World War. Lines' office, for example had designed the Eltham Shire Offices in 1941, while Leith's firm had been responsible for the celebrated Heidelberg Town Hall in 1937). Both practices parleyed this early experience into a lucrative post-war career, designing numerous municipals offices well into the 1970s." (Survey of Post-War Built Heritage in Victoria, Built Heritage Pty Ltd, 2010.) The perspective drawing importantly captures the original design and function of the exterior of the building and its public entrance.Hand-coloured perspective sketch of the new Kew Civic Centre, completed in 1972 to designs by A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall; and located on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew. The sketch represents the front elevation of the building and its relation to the preexisting Kew Civic Hall at right. The three storey building features strong vertical concrete buttresses that extend across the three levels. KEW CIVIC CENTRE / A K LINES, MACFARLANE & MARSHALLkew civic centre, a.k. lines, macfarlane & marshall, architectural drawings, civic buildings -- kew (vic.), town hall -- kew (vic)

Cuff links, key rings and badges were issued to Councillors of the City of Kew.A ring with a clip fastener to which is attached a close linked chain with an enamelled medallion with a black background, a gilt outline of the City of Kew crest with red enamel infill, in it's original packaging x 2City of Kew and Council Crestkey rings, civic souvenirs, city of kew

Hugh George Ferguson was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Second AIF. In 1945, he was reported to be the ACF (Australian Comforts Fund) Commissioner in Borneo [Kalimantan]. After the Second World War, he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and as campaign director for Arthur Rylah in Victorian politics. He directed the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including ‘Australia Makes It Exhibition’ in 1947, the ‘Australian Industrial Fair’ in 1949 and 1950, the ‘Modern Home Exhibition’ in 1949, and ‘Made in Australia’ in 1952. The funds raised during the latter were earmarked for a ‘bankrupt’ Queen Victoria Hospital. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor in 1959. Hugh Ferguson died in 1975, aged 75. He was buried on 2 September in Grave 201, Special (Non- Denominational) Compartment A, Boroondara General Cemetery.City of Kew identification badge issued to sitting councillors. The City of Kew cost is surrounded by a blue enamel band with City of Kew Council picked out in gold cloisonné.Front: City of Kew to top, Crest in middle with Council below Rear: Cr H. G. Ferguson 27-8-1955mayors of kew - cr hg ferguson, kew council, city of kew

James Robbie Mathers was born in Pleasant Creek [Stawell] in 1867 to James Allen Mathers, a storekeeper and former councillor. He was later to become a storekeeper in Gippsland and then at Heywood, near Portland. Following a move to Melbourne, he established a real estate business. He initially lived in Hawthorn, before moving his business to Kew where he traded as Mathers & McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, and later at 283 Burke Road. For a short time, the family resided at Landene, in Cotham Road. They were to finally move to Rosalea, in Dale Street, Deepdene. Following the death of Cr Henry Kellett in 1924, Mathers was elected unopposed as representative of College Ward. Elected Mayor in September 1930, he convened a meeting of citizens in the Town Hall in Walpole Street to form a local unemployment relief committee. His social initiatives included handing over council-owned premises in Brougham Street, the building re-purposed as a workshop for the unemployed, who were also granted free use of the Kew Municipal Baths. The Mayoress, Jean Mathers, set to work raising funds through charity balls, and also raised funds for St Anthony’s Orphanage in Wellington Street. James Robbie Mathers died on 8 April 1945. He was buried at Box Hill Cemetery. This rare civic testimonial is historically significant, especially locally, as it contains the signatures of all present councillors and parliamentarians representing the City of Kew as well as the names and signatures of leaders of local churches, schools, public officials and leaders of community groups.Boxed presentation folder and correspondence presented to the retiring Mayor of Kew, James Robbie Mather, in 1931. The book is leather bound with gilt lettering on the front. The 4 page testimonial includes and hand written statements about his contribution to Kew and its civic life. Other pages are signed by councillors, parliamentarians and community leaders.james robbie mathers, mayors of kew, civic testimonials