Kew achieved independence from the Boroondara Roads Board in 1860. As a new municipality, its first three leaders were designated as chairmen. On becoming a borough in 1863, its leaders were identified as mayors. The earliest photographs date from ca.1906, when the Town of Kew commissioned the noted local photographer Josiah E Barnes to produce standardised portraits of former mayors to be displayed in the Mayoral Chamber of the Town Hall. The collection also includes photographs by other well-known photographic studios such as Burlington Studios, Melba – Melbourne, Stuart Tompkins, Spencer Shier and Talma & Co. The majority of mounts identify the photographer. Eighty photographs are housed in their original frames.This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of mayors and town clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series.Framed portrait of Cr. W. D. Vaughan, Mayor [of Kew] 1937-38, 1947-48, 1961-62. [This is the second mayoral portrait of Cr. Vaughan in the collection] The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the mayor and the year/s that he/she served.Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Mayor / 1937-38, 1947-48, 1961-62 Stuart Tompkins Studiosmayors of kew (vic), cr. w. d. vaughan, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Kew achieved independence from the Boroondara Roads Board in 1860. As a new municipality, its first three leaders were designated as chairmen. On becoming a borough in 1863, its leaders were identified as mayors. The earliest photographs date from ca.1906, when the Town of Kew commissioned the noted local photographer Josiah E Barnes to produce standardised portraits of former mayors to be displayed in the Mayoral Chamber of the Town Hall. The collection also includes photographs by other well-known photographic studios such as Burlington Studios, Melba – Melbourne, Stuart Tompkins, Spencer Shier and Talma & Co. The majority of mounts identify the photographer. Eighty photographs are housed in their original frames.This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of Mayors and Town Clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew, for the period 1863 to 1969. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series. Framed portrait of Cr. W. D. Vaughan, Mayor of Kew 1937-1938 and 1947-1948. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the mayor and the year/s that he/she served.Cr. W.D. Vaughan / Mayor 1937-1938 and 1947-1948 C Stuart Tompkins / ARPS / Camberwellmayors of kew (vic), cr. w. d. vaughan, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Kew Library history: 1860: Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. 1884: Kew Town Hall was extended and the library transferred to a room on the upper floor. This was not an ideal arrangement as the room was required for Council purposes. 1904: A cottage adjoining Kew Town Hall was purchased for use as a library. 1937: The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. 1973: When the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. 1987: Kew Library moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Gardens. The library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987 by the Mayor of Kew, Cr James Tutt.An historically interesting photographic record of investment in public infrastructure and services by municipal councils during the 1950s. Framed photographic collage showing the opening of Extensions to the Kew Municipal Library by The Hon. L.W. Balvin M.L.A. Chief Secretary on 19 August 1954. The photos are in their original mount and frame.[Inscription] "Kew Municipal Library: Opening of Extentions by The Hon. L.W. Balvin M.L.A. Chief Secretary 19.8.1954, with Cr. A.S.C. Stevens J.P. Mayor and Cr. W.D. Vaughan J.P. Chairman Library Council". [Photographer] "Stuart Tompkins Studios."kew library, cr a.s.c. stevens, cr w.d. vaughan, australian photographers - stuart tompkins studio

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)Small teddy bear with only one eye remaining and with a number of repairs. The bear was used by children at the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.toys - teddy bears, denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic)

In 1948, the citizens of Kew presented this jewellery box to the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr & Mrs W D Vaughan. In 2021, it returned to Kew, thanks to the generous donations of our Friends of the Collection. William David Vaughan to whom the jewel box was presented in 1948 was a publisher, politician and historian, born in 1897 at Heathcote. By 1922, he had become a publisher and Secretary of Victorian Newspapers Ltd. In October 1922, he married Muriel Gladys Frazer in Bendigo. He purchased 'Elsfield' in Cotham Road, renamed it 'Carramar', and resided there for almost fifty years. His wife, the Mayoress, was an accomplished pianist and entertained the wives of councillors and supported many charitable works from her home. In 1926, Vaughan founded a local newspaper, the Kew Advertiser. During his second term as Mayor, he was elected president of Melbourne Suburban Newspapers’ Association, In April 1947, he was appointed to and later became chairman of the Free Library Services Board. In 1960, he published his history of Kew - 'Kew's Civic Century'. Vaughan’s third term as Mayor in 1962-63 saw the erection of the pavilion at Victoria Park and the final clean-up of the Outer Circle Railway. He died in September 1976. This inlaid and engraved jewellery box was part of a larger donation made to the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew in 1948 by the citizens of the municipality. It is the only 'civic award' in the collection given to a former civic leader and complements the large collection of civic portraits in the collection. The box is additionally significant because of its association with William David Vaughan - newspaper proprietor, local politician, and local historian. A presentation jewellery box, she-oak with barber pole inlay adorned with an Australian silver plaque.Engraved inscription on silver plaque - "Presented to Cr & Mrs W.D. Vaughan With The Esteem And Appreciation Of The Citizens Of Kew And In Recognition Of their Services As Mayor And Mayoress 1947-48. 28th July 1948"w d vaughan, mayors of kew, kew advertiser, kew (vic.) -- history

Cr. W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic History' (1960) records that: "In connection with the Melbourne Centenary Celebrations in 1934, the Kew Council decided to organise a strong post as an appropriate gesture of welcome to H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. Also that the municipality be represented by a symbolic floral float in the Royal pageant. This was a striking entry and won first prize, and evoked much comment on account of its originality and truly Australian motif." The photograph of the Kew Strong Post 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.Historic photograph of participation by the City of Kew in celebrations for a royal visitFramed and glazed photograph on its original inscribed mount and original frame of the Kew "Strong Post" in St Kilda Road on the occasion of the visit to Melbourne of the Duke of Gloucester. The photograph has two components, at the upper left is a photo of the royal carriage while the man photo shows the people of Kew on a decorated 'Strong Post' on St Kilda Road, along which the procession progressed. T"Centenary Celebrations / Kew "Strong Post" St Kilda Road / On the occasion of the visit of / H.R.H. The Duke of Gloucester / October 18th 1934."royal visits - melboure - 1934, duke of gloucester, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Cr. W.D. Vaughan in his civic history of Kew includes a chapter (XXXII, pages 132-3) to Town Clerks and Surveyors. He states that H.H. Harrison began his career with the Borough of Kew in 1888 as his predecessor's assistant, becoming Town Clerk on the latter's death in 1901. On his retirement, The Herald on 30 Jul 1938 reported that: "H.H. HARRISON, Town Clerk of Kew, was entertained last night by members of the Metropolitan Institute of Town Clerks and presented with a walking stick and case of pipes, on the occasion of his retirement after 50 years' service with Kew City Council. He began his municipal career as a youth with the Bendigo City Council, and in 1888, was appointed Assistant Town Clerk at Kew. Appointed Town Clerk in 1901, he has held the office for 37 years."This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of Mayors and Town Clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew, for the period 1863 to 1969. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series. Framed portrait of Henry Hirst Harrison, Town Clerk of the City of Kew from 1901 to 1938. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that it each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the town clerk and the year/s that he served.H.H. Harrison, Town Clerk 1901-1938h.h. harrison, town clerks - kew (vic), kew (vic.) — municipal collection

This indenture once formed part of the City of Kew's Municipal Collection. Cr. W.D. Vaughan in his history 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) records on page 194 that: "The original deed of conveyance of the land being all of Crown Portion 86, Kew, purchased by John Quick, James Venn Morgan, Samuel Derrick and William Derrick was presented by the Historical Society of Victoria on behalf of Mrs Fryer, a daughter of the later J.V. Morgan, to the [Kew] Council on August 5, 1941. Crown Portion 86, comprised all the land between Cotham Road and High Street to an alignment opposite the east boundary of Glenferrie Road. On it the first residential house was built by Mr. J.V. Morgan in 1852." Following the donation, the Indenture was surrounded by other original related text and explanatory notes and framed. The resulting framed documents are the largest framed objects in the collection.The Indenture and the accompanying contextual documents are some of the most historically significant manuscripts to have survived since the settlement of Kew in the 1850s. They provide a link to Kew's most famous pioneering families.Framed 1952 Indenture recording the sale of land in Kew to pioneering Kew families.james venn morgan, john quick, william derrick, samuel derrick, kew (vic) - history, kew (vic) - pioneers, samuel watts, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

In Kew’s Civic Century (1960), Cr. W.D. Vaughan described William Dickie Birrell M.B.E. (1899-1974) as follows: “Mr. W. D. Birrell, who had been on the staff of the Country Roads Board after his return from active service with the First A.I.F., was appointed assistant town clerk on February 15, 1921. On Mr. Harrison’s retirement he was appointed town clerk and city treasurer, and has given outstanding service. His knowledge of municipal administration has been acknowledged by the Government calling on his services to advise on amendments to the Local Government Act. He is a past president of the Town Clerks Institute, and on the nomination of that body was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen in 1958 with the award of the M.B.E. He still occupies the position and is held in the highest esteem not only by the Kew Council, but also by local government administrators throughout the metropolitan area.” (page 132) He died on 7 May 1974, and his ashes were interred at the Boroondara General Cemetery. This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of Mayors and Town Clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew, for the period 1863 to 1969. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series. Framed portrait of W. D. Birrell - Town Clerk of the City of Kew from 1936 -. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that it each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the town clerk and the year/s that he served.W.D. BIRRELL / TOWN CLERK 1938-town clerks - kew (vic), w.d. birrell, photographers - stuart tompkins studios - camberwell (vic), kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Kew : W.D. Vaughan, 1960 208p. : ill. 22cmnon-fictionCivic History of Kew by Cr WD Vaughan. Published at the time of Kew's Centenary. Gift of the author's daughter in 1979kew -- history, local government -- kew (vic.)