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. J. Lewis Carnegie, Mayor of Kew 1908-9; 1924-5; and 1934-5. 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. J. Lewis Carnegie, Mayor [of Kew] 1908-9; 1924-5; 1934-5mayors of kew (vic), cr. j. lewis carnegie, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

The first comprehensive history of Kew, published in 1910 by Cr. F.G.A. Barnard, Mayor of Kew 1920-21.FGA Barnard, The Jubilee History of Kew, Victoria: Its Origins & Progress 1803-1910. Taped reinforced binding. One of the earliest items in the collection donated by Mr. Alfred Williams. Hard Cover 1st edition. Kew [Vic.] : E.F.G. Hodges, "Mercury Office", 1910 121 p. : ill. ; 19 cm. Thursday 8/12/10 J Lewis Carnegief.g.a. barnard, kew (history of), jubilee of kew - 1910

Life Governor certificates were given to those who supported the RVIB either through certain levels of financial contribution or by activities undertaken to support the institute. In this example, E.E. (Edith Emma) Watson was awarded a governorship in 1935.1 x cream coloured page with brown writing and images (front view of St Kilda Road building across top, and pictures of children playing with boat, male working on carpet, female weaving rug and a nurse holding two babies along left-hand edge)Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind St Kilda Road, Prahran Melbourne President: J.L. Carnegie, Esq. Vice-Presidents: L.F. Miller, Esq., P. Warford Mein, Esq. Hon. Treasurer: R.S. Couche, Esq. Members of Board: H.E. Brookes, Esq W.E. Cash, Esq, J.P. Dr W.B. Vance Cr. Baron Marks, J.P. W.C. Willmott, Esq., J.P. Cr. J. McD. Ellis, M.L.A. M.P. Mornane, Esq Geo. A. Maxwell, Esq., K.C., M.H.R. Superintendent & Secretary: S.W. Hedger Industry, Recreation, Education This is to certify that Mrs E.E. Watson has been appointed a Life Governor of the Institute. J. Lewis Carnegie President S. Hedger Superintendent & Secretaryawards, royal victorian institute for the blind, edith emma watson