Considered a ‘worthy’ councillor, William [Bill] Wishart was ‘blunt’ in words and actions during his period of civic service. He was concerned with a picturesque Kew. This included street lighting, macadamised roads and improved access to Melbourne. Often accused of being German, he asserted his Australian birth and Scottish heritage. He was a strong advocate for women’s rights, believed in compulsory voting, favoured prison reform, opposed religious instruction in State schools, betting including horse racing, Home Rule, alcohol and sought to establish a tourist bureau. Cr. Wishart was ‘unanimously’ supported to nominate for the vacated seat of Richmond in Victoria’s Legislative Council. He narrowly lost the vote. After a sudden death, he was buried with Presbyterian rites in the Boroondara General Cemetery.Arthur Henry Dear was an employee of the City of Kew, acting as Hall Keeper of the Kew Recreation Hall in Wellington Street, and later the new Kew City Hall in Cotham Road. The Arthur Dear Collection contains memorabilia - tickets, programmes, invitations - as well as his identification badge.Admission ticket to a musical and bioscopic entertainment in the Recreation Hall, Wellington Street, Kew, on Empire Day, Friday 24 May 1907. The ticket was tendered to schools of the district, presumably students and teachers, by the Mayor of Kew, Cr. W. Wishart.arthur dear collection, empire day - kew (vic.), kew recreation hall -- wellington street -- kew (vic.), cr william wishart, mayors of kew