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. A.J. McConchie, Mayor of Kew 1927-8, 1945-6. 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.[Inscription] A.J. McConchie, Mayor 1927-8 Photographer] "Burlington / Melbourne"mayors of kew (vic), cr. a.j. mcconchie, australian photographers -burlington - melbourne (vic), kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Alan J. McConchie, a manufacturer’s agent, was elected to Kew Council in 1924, serving as a councillor for 21 years. He was elected Mayor of Kew in 1927-28, and again in 1945-46. During his second term as Mayor, he gained the support of Council for a pre-school plan which was the first of its kind in Victoria. The scheme established nursery schools and kindergartens as an extension of the existing baby health centres. Alan McConchie was active in Methodist Church work, and was one of the founders of the East Kew church, of which he was a trustee for 29 years. He was well known in the district as a cricketer and was a founder and past president of the East Kew Bowling Club. A Resident of Strathalbyn Street, he died in 1945 aged 60, while attending morning service at the East Kew Methodist Church. He is buried in the Burwood Cemetery. Handmade illuminated invitation to a notable Kew Mayor and MayoressAn illuminated invitation sent to the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr. and Mrs. McConchie, by a Citizens Committee to a Ball in the Kew Recreation Hall on 26 July 1928. The double page invitation is encased in an embossed maroon leather cover. The invitation was donated to the Society by a descendant of the McConchies in 2014.Inscription Cover: "To Councillor A.J. McConchie and Mrs McConchie". Inside cover in watercolour: "The Chairman Councillor George Ramsay and Members of the Citizens Committee desire the honor of the Company of HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF KEW AND MRS. McCONCHIE at a BALL to be held in the Kew Recreation Hall Tuesday 26th July 1928 at 8 P.M. Tendered to them as a mark of recognition of the services rendered to the City during their Mayoral Year 1927".cr. a. j. mcconchie, mayor of kew (1927-28, 1945-46)