Empire Day (Town 1905?B/W Photo a large group of people in a square formation with soliders in the centre., Facing a dais draped with the Union Jack flag. with people upon dais.On Reverse First Celebration of Empire Day 24th May 1905stawell

Empire Day had been initiated following the death of Queen Victoria and was held throughout the Empire from 1901-58. The main day of celebration was on 24 May, the date of Queen Victoria’s birthday. The Balwyn fundraising button was created for an appeal three days before the official date. Frances Rigg was a local business identity in Kew, at one stage managing the local branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank at 175 High Street from c. 1920 until the 1940s. After Francis Rigg’s death, the collection of buttons and medallions was inherited by his son, Ken Rigg (1922-2014). The collection was subsequently donated to the Kew Historical Society in 2015 by Francis' grandson, Adrian Rigg, at the time of the Gallipoli & Beyond Commemoration in 2015. The collection covers a period of almost 40 years. The majority of the buttons are patriotic buttons, issued and sold during and immediately after the First World World War (1914-1918) to raise funds for national and overseas causes. The collection also includes a number of locally significant sporting event buttons and sporting club medallions, issued in the 1920s and 1930sPatriotic and other pressed tin buttons and badges were produced in large numbers in the first decades of the twentieth century. By nature, insubstantial and ephemeral, they have not always survived. The collections of badges, buttons and medallions in the Kew Historical Society collection is homogenous and yet diverse, ranging from buttons sold to raise funds for the war efforts in 1914-18 and 1939-45, to those used at festivals and sporting events. Because of the manufacturing process, many surviving buttons and badges have been affected by inadequate storage, suffering from oxidisation and physical damage. These survivors are now historically and socially significant artefacts, revealing much about the attitudes and values of the period in which they were produced. Their widespread distribution means that they are frequently significant at a local, state, national and international level.An Empire Day fundraising button from 1921. The white enamelled button depicts in the centre an image of the Balwyn War Memorial in Beckett Park surmounted by a red ensign."Balwyn Empire Day Celebrations, Appeal for the Blind, May 21st 1921"patriotic buttons, empire day, balwyn war memorial - beckett park

Held along Neill Street. Show Wotherspoon & Co Drapers.beaufort, empire day, celebration, neill steet, wotherspoon & co, public

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. The children are identified as (L to R) Julian Ethinney, Geoff Ethinney - from Sydney, Joyce Harris, Ken Moritz, Scoppy (the dog), Keith Harris, Ivan Moritz. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons taxi decorated for Empire Day celebrations in the 1930s with paper flowers. Beside it are 6 children - 5 boys and 1 girl with a dog. transport, empire day celebrations, children, fred lyons, (mr) frederick alphonsus lyons, julian ethinney, geoff ethinney, joyce harris, ken moritz, keith harris, ivan moritz

Empire Day celebrations were held from 1908-1912. Prior to the opening of the railway in 1893 the only public transport to Surrey Hills was the Melbourne-Lilydale horse coach which travelled to Surrey Hills down Victoria Street and Mont Albert Road. The fare to Union Road was 9 pence. Photo 16-4a was the number given to the original print provided by the State Savings Bank. Ken Hall made a negative from it, and the reprint of this was given the number 1459. This number was chosen as the catalogue number to avoid confusion with SHP4a. Photo provided by Surrey Hills branch of State Savings Bank of Victoria in 1978 for launch of Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and was one of the first photos in the collection. The inscriptions on the reverse may indicate it was used in the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood News.Black and white photo of Union Road looking south towards Canterbury Road. The street is decorated with lanterns and the Union Jack and other flags for Empire Day celebrations. There is a young girl in the foreground looking towards the railway crossing where there is a horse drawn cab and a horse drawn cart. Business signage includes that for a butcher, Sneddon's Real Estate and Otto Preuss, Economic Undertaker.On rear: "113% "; "Enlarge to 172 mm" and 2 arrows, all in blue biro.union road, empire day celebrations, horse drawn vehicles, undertaker, sneddon real estate, businesses, union road shops, otto preuss

Information from the donor, Natale Cerini's daughter: He was a retired accountant who commenced the Surrey Hills Observer, one of the early free local papers, in about 1933 at the request of the Surrey Hills Progress Association of which he was a member. He regarded his solo effort in creating, editing and publishing the paper as a community service for which he received no remuneration. The Observer was self-funding through its advertisements which Mr Cerini personally collected throughout the area. The Observer was issued fort-nightly and printed by the Johnson family at the Triumph Press in Sunbury Crescent until about 1946 when Mr Cerini relinquished it to one of the newly-established post-war local papers. Photo thought to have been taken in 1936 when Mr Natale would have been 69, as he retired in 1932 at 65 years of age. Electoral rolls give the following addresses: 1919: 293 Dandenong Road (accountant) and 1919 Boondara, Croydon (accountant); both with Ethel May also listed. 1924: 167 Union Road, Surrey Hills (accountant) 1931 and 1943: 215 Union Road, Surrey Hills (accountant). Marriage: Natale Benjamin Cerini; Spouse Name: May Ethel Swan; Marriage Place: Victoria; Registration Place: Victoria;Registration Year: 1918; Registration number: 5787. Ethel May Cerini: Death Place: S Hills, Victoria; Age: 69; Father's Name: Ernest Harrison; Mother's Name: Frances Ann Clark; Registration Year: 1951; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 10736; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882. Natale Benjamin Cerini: Death Place: Glen, Victoria; Age: 89; Father's Name: Joseph Natale; Mother's Name: Sarah Cooke; Registration Year: 1954; Registration Place: Victoria; Registration number: 10612; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865.Black and white photo of a hatted gentleman with a walking cane and a pipe and wearing glasses. He has a rosette in his suit buttonhole and a ribbon on his lapel. The background is blurred but is reliably identified as the Surrey Gardens during Empire Day celebrations. SH368 on rear in pencilempire day, festivals and celebrations, surrey gardens, newspapers, surrey hills progress association, surrey hills observer, triumph press, natale cerini

Date is approximate; early Empire Day celebrations were held in May each year between 1906 and 1911 to commemorate Queen Victoria's birthday. Headmaster, George Bennett was later headmaster at Balwyn State School, which his son Gordon (later General Gordon Bennett) attended. Miss Amy Wise was a teacher at Surrey Hills State School for her entire career. (There is information in filing cabinet re Amy Wise). Note (undated) from John Reaburn states that an issue of SHNN claimed Major General Bennett was a pupil at SHPS. He stated: "I very much doubt this, as he was 19 years of age when his father was headmaster in 1906. Before that the whole family attended Balwyn State School. The statement should be substantiated or corrected".Black and white photo copied from a postcard of staff and students assembled outside Surrey Hills Primary School for Empire Day celebrations. Some children carry Union Jack flags. The cadet corps of the school stands in line on the path against the picket fence of the school carrying drums and 'rifles'. The male students are assembled in line at the edge of the road and the female students are assembled in the middle of the road. There are a number of adults in the background, presumably teachers and parents; two are identified. Centre is headmaster, Mr George Bennett and at the right is teacher, Miss Amy Wise. The photo is taken in Beatrice Avenue looking towards Canterbury Road. An Edwardian or Victorian style house can be seen on the corner of Beatrice Avenue and Canterbury Road.Within the original image: State School, Surrey Hillssurrey hills primary school, empire day celebrations, education, primary education, schools, cadets, beatrice avenue, post card, mr george bennett, miss amy wise, mr john reaburn

Jean Boucher was the daughter of Wally Ives and she was an early active member of the History Nook at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and the Surrey Hills Historical Society. The Ives family were associated with the Wyclif Church Tennis Club so this is possibly the Wyclif float.Black and white photo of a float created on the tray of a truck for the Empire Day celebrations in 1935 or 1936. The side of the truck and the cabin are decorated in palm leaves and 2 sets of crossed tennis racquets and the word 'tennis' appear on the side of the tray. The tray has been decorated with foliage, a table and seating, an umbrella and tennis balls. tennis, sports, empire day, parades and processions, wyclif church, (miss) jean ives, (mrs) jean boucher

The donor, Jean Boucher was the daughter of Wally Ives and she was an early active member of the History Nook at the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre and the Surrey Hills Historical Society. The Ives family were associated with the Wyclif Church Tennis Club, so this is possibly the Wyclif float.Black and white photo of a float created on the tray of a truck for the Empire Day celebrations in 1935 or 1936. The side of the truck and the cabin are decorated in palm leaves and 2 sets of crossed tennis racquets and the word 'tennis' appear on the side of the tray. On the tray there are 2 men and 3 women seated in a casual setting, some under an umbrella. tennis, sports, empire day, parades and processions, wyclif church, (miss) jean ives, (mrs) jean boucher

"The bonfire at Beckett Park was the culmination of the EMPIRE DAY/CELEBRATIONS in Surrey Hills in 1935 and 1936. In 1937 vandals lit the fire prematurely but residents hastily rebuilt it - about / 100 tons including old tyres. A volunteer fire-watcher had his caravan close by until lights-up time on Saturday night. / Courtesy Ian Barkla. / see 180 (handwritten on backing board)." / "BONFIRE BUILDING at BECKETT PARK/EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS IN 1930s/ The celebrations were centred on the/ shopping centres in Surrey Hills and/Mont Albert to boost local business (and/ the spirits of residents) after the Depression./ - from a glass negative - Mr Ian Barkla."Image depicting the building of a large bonfire made primarily from rubber tyres, supported by a wooden frame c1937/8. There is a significant crowd of people watching the erection of the pyre from ground level. Several members of the crowd are seated or holding bicycles. There are multiple persons situated on the pyre or on a ladder propped up against the mound of tyres. The area containing the pyre has been fenced off with rope (?). A white coloured caravan in situated to the right (facing) of the bonfire in close proximity to a dark coloured car. Two stone towers and a park bench are also visible in the image.Black and white, W 25.3 cm x H 20.3 cm, landscapeparks and reserves, beckett park, balwyn, bicycles, crowds, empire day, depression 1929-1939, economic depression, frank leslie barkla, bonfires

The building was erected in c 1913 as a home / surgery for Dr James L Blakie (1868-1937), who originally lived / practised across the road. It was designed by architect Arthur William Plaisted (1890-1965) and is an early example of attic-style Californian bungalow style. Dr Carrington ( 1900-1970) succeeded Dr Blakie and practised at 174 Union Road from 1930-1970. Now known as the Surrey Hills Medical Centre.Black and white photo of the surgery and home of Dr and Mrs William Langley Carrington at 174 Union Road on the corner of Guildford Road, Surrey Hills.. The exterior of the building is decorated with paper lanterns around the windows and veranda for the Empire Day celebrations in 1935. The building is 2 storey, of brick construction with a tiled roof and front porch. It has a bay window front right. Shadows indicate the photo was taken early morning in winter.medical services, guildford road, union road, dr william langley carrington, mr arthur plaisted, dr james landells blakie, californian bungalow, dr bill carrington

The dress was made by Miss Mary Ryan, a pupil at Lilydale Convent (now Mt Lilydale College) in 1902. It was worn to the Annual Empire Day Celebrations in Lilydale. Accompanying photo shows dress worn by Monica Ryan (no. 5089). The outfit also includes two hand made pockets for handkerchiefs and ties (nos. 735 & 736) Empire Day Dress; Cream silk, cotton lined, embroidered with kangaroos and emu holding shield, with Southern Cross stars above rising sun emblem. Banner below reads 'Advance Australia', embriodered with silk and cotton thread; also gold metalic braiding. Bodice of dress decorated with embroidered Australian and British flags, wattle branches and eucalyptus leaves, cotton, leather leaves(?); centre of dress and sleeve cuffs decorated with red, blue and white ribbons. Thin gold braiding around neckline. back of dress closes with hook and eye fasteners. 'Advance Australia' in gold metalic thread, bottom of dress. costume - childrens, costume - female ceremonial, lilydale

CELEBRATING CORONATION OF KING GEORGE V 1911. UNION JACK FLYING ON FLAG POLE. AUSTRALIAN FLAG ON TOWN HALL. POST OFFICE IN BACKGROUND.1 ORIGINAL BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH MOUNTED ON CARDBOARD, CROWD SCENE IN FRONT OF CLUNES TOWN HALL, BAILEY STREET. .2 BLACK AND WHITE COPY OF ORIGINAL PRINTED ON MATTE PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPER .3 BLACK AND WHITE REPRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL PRINTED ON GLOSS PHOTOGRAPHIC PAPEROn Front; Handwritten in black ink "Empire Day Celebration - About 1910" crossed out, replaced by "Coronation of George V June 1911" On Back; Sir Alexander Peacock in dress & with plumed hat is on the dais at front of hall A.J. (Pakeha) Kemson is just at near of Sir Alex, Phil Rowe is next. J. F. Weickhardt in light hat near pillar at rightevents and celebrations, coronation, king george

Ref: Mr & Mrs J Davies, Greensborough - Alfred Davies took over this store in 1904. He lived with his wife, Lucretia and 5 children above the store. His son Cyril recalled sleeping on the corner balcony on hot nights. Alfred Davies was a strong Temperance man and gave up the store when clients pressured him to collect their beer from the hotel opposite and deliver it with their grocery orders. The pharmacy moved across the road to this corner in 1936 when acquired by Dartnells. The corner shop in Woodheads building was a store and other businesses over the years. The "Druggist" on right, in Hansen's Exchange building, was established in 1889. From 1910 Percy Cathcart conducted the pharmacy there until 1936 when he was joined by Vic Dartnell, his cousin. In 1940, Vic transferred the business to Woodheads corner. His son John followed as a pharmacist until his daughter Amanda became the pharmacist. After the Dartnell family sold the business, the pharmacy continued in a similar manner as a compounding pharmacy and retained 'Dartnell' in its name.This documents the importance given to celebration of the British Empire in the Surrey Hills area in the first half of the 20th century. It also documents the earliest centre of business activity in the area with 2 major sets of dual occupancy residential and retail terraces - the Woodhead buildings and Hansen's Exchange, the later set of terraces having been demolished c1971.Sepia photo of the corner of Canterbury and Union Roads in 1906 or 1909 festooned with flags and lanterns for Empire Day celebrations. On the SE corner is Alfred Davies grocery store with advertising signs for Rosella jams and Southern Seas soap. There are people standing on a balcony above the Rosella advertising sign. Other adults and children stand in the street and there is a cab outside the draper's further east in Canterbury Road. On the opposite corner to Alfred Davies is a druggist and on the north-west corner is McNeil's Family Hotel.mcneil's family hotel, empire day, festivals and celebrations, grocers, pharmacists, alfred davies, businesses, woodhead's buildings, john woodhead, percy cathcart, hansen's exchange, hansen's folly

Item believed to be from Empire Day celebrations held in Surrey Hills. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and a meeting of Surrey Hills residents on 24th May 1906, pledged to do all in their power to make the day a success. Founding members included Arthur 'Empire' Brooks, James 'Rule Britannia' Sneddon and Harry 'Mafeking' Garrett, whose nicknames stemmed from their activities. Empire Day celebrations from 1906-11 attracted tremendous enthusiasm as reported at the time with 40,000 people attending the procession. The procession included horse drawn floats from local businesses, a torchlight parade headed by mounted troopers and local school bands. Rows of lamps and paper Chinese lanterns strung across the streets and lit at night by candles, while every dwelling had it's own decorations. The Progress Association revived the celebrations between 1933 and 1938 and while the route of the procession varied between these years, it would end with a 'monster bonfire' at Beckett Park.Handkerchief from Empire Day, made from silk or thin cotton. Navy blue with red then white edging. Crowns on each corner and numerous circles on handkerchief with red, blue and crowns. Colour faded in one corner.empire day, empire day celebrations, surrey hills progress association, mr james sneddon, mr arthur brooks, mr harry garrett, beckett park, canterbury road, union road, surrey gardens, handkerchief, festivals and celebrations

Frank Leslie Barkla was a keen amateur photographer and member of the Melbourne Camera Club. This is an almost identical shot to SH0379, however this is a better print with greater contrast.Black and white photo of a decorated vehicle owned by Mr Wally Ives outside his fruit and vegetable shop at 154 Union Road, Surrey Hills on occasion of Empire Day celebrations in 1937. The truck is decorated with the foliage of palm trees, ribbons, strings of round balls, which are also arranged in coronets, pumpkins and strings of carrots and Union Jack flags. The wheels of the vehicle are decorated with flowers. Wally Ives' name is on the side of the truck; THE EMPIRE is written on the door of the truck and in balls attached to its side.transport, empire day, parades and processions, wally ives, frank leslie barkla, greengrocers, fruiterer

The photo was taken on Empire Day 1930, which was then celebrated on 24 May. The assorted fancy dress probably represents the various countries belonging to the British Empire. One girl (wearing the stovepipe hat?) has the same surname as the donor, presumably the donor's daughter. The information regarding the identities of the other children is therefore trustworthy.The photograph shows how Empire Day was celebrated and by implication how it was understood. The rear of the photograph is highly informative about families resident in the district at the time. B/W Photograph of a group of 17 schoolchildren in various kinds of fancy dress. Includes: American Indians, "pilgrim father"(?), blackened faces. A girl in the centre is holding a Union Jack.Rear: very faint, under darker overwriting: "Empire Day Celebrations 1930" Darker: "G A'Vard Emerald Concert Preparations 1930" "Back ?J Fulford?? Moyra Sherriff Alma MacKeller F Kennedy Edith A'Vard Molly Young Elsie Scott Thelma Holloway "Front Vic Fyffe Ron Stuart George Hail Rory Nichols standing Les Cook Front Des Gleeson?" Stamped number "604" empire day, sherriff, a'vard

Butcher’s Delivery Cart belonging to Edward Tacey, butcher of 629 Canterbury Road which has been decorated for Empire Day Celebrations of 1930s. Driver: Keith…….? Photographed at corner of Canterbury Road and Alexander Avenue, the Tacey shop was just to the left. The donor's grandfather was Edward's brother, William. Her father Albert Arthur took over the business from his brother Joseph, who took over from his uncle Edward.A black and white photograph of a decorated horse and cart. There is a man sitting in the cart. The cart is decorated with flowers and a cut out shape of a sheep.butchers, transport, carts and wagons, horse drawn vehicles, empire day, festivals and celebrations, edward tacey

The bonfire at Beckett Park was the culmination of the EMPIRE DAY/CELEBRATIONS in Surrey Hills in 1935 and 1936. In 1937 vandals lit the fire prematurely but residents hastily rebuilt it - about/100 tons including old tyres. A volunteer fire-watcher had his caravan close by until lights-up time on Saturday night. From glass negative taken by Ian Barkla's father, Frank Leslie Barkla of 37 Grovedale Road, who was a keen photographer and a member of the Melbourne Camera Club.Image depicting the building of a large bonfire made primarily from rubber tyres, supported by a wooden frame c1937/8. There is a significant crowd of people watching the erection of the pyre from ground level. Several members of the crowd are seated or holding bicycles. There are multiple persons situated on the pyre or on a ladder propped up against the mound of tyres. The area containing the pyre has been fenced off with rope (?). A young boy in the image (second from left with bike) has been identified as Alex Walker.Black and white, W 25.3 cm x H 20.4 cm, landscapeparks and reserves, 1937, beckett park, bicycles, crowds, empire day, bonfires, alex walker, frank leslie barkla

Original has been given to Box Hill Historical Society. Celebration in about 1912 in the Surrey Hall. May have been a Festival of Nations or part of the Empire Day Celebration held each year on or about 24th May. Photograph by W.V.Hill (1854-1940) who was a leader in the 1st Surrey Hills Scout troop and who may be in this photo (compare SHP0991). William Valentine Hill, clerk, lived in (10) Pembroke Street, Surrey Hills in the early years of the 20th century. Post WW1 he moved to 27 Broughton Road, Surrey Hills and later to Spencer Street, Camberwell.William Valentine Hill was a keen photographer There are many copies of his photos in this collection, donated by his nephew, William (Bill) Dempsey. His work is significant in documenting the early history of the scouts in this area and the social life of the congregation of the Wyclif Congregational Church in Norfolk Road.A black and white photograph of a large group of people gathered in a hall decorated with flags and lanterns. Some people are wearing Scout hats and uniforms.scouts, 1st surrey hills scouts, festivals and celebrations, empire day, clothing and dress, 1912, uniforms, (mr) w v hill, (mr) william valentine hill, festival of all nations

Lyons family history: From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised from 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Street parades featuring decorated business vehicles and bonfires were a feature. This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911 and revitalised by the Surrey Hills Progress Association from 1933-1938. The evening parade of floats, and vehicles both horse-drawn and motorised, proceeded along Union Road to the Surrey Gardens beneath festoons of candlelit lanterns, bunting and flags. The paper flowers used extensively on trade and business vehicles were the result of hours of work by families and friends. The Empire Day Celebrations were a great community event, in some years augmented by bonfires, including the ones in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Fred Lyons' taxi decorated for Empire Day. The cab is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Three women stand beside the cab. There are houses in the background. motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, empire day, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons

Date is approximate. Donor's connection with Armitstead's Woodyard was that Frank Foley was a long term employee. The Empire Day movement was instituted in England in 1904 and on 24 May 1906 a group of Surrey Hills residents pledged to make Empire Day a success. From 1932-1938 large Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills and business and commercial vehicles were decorated to take part in large processions held in May each year. These attracted large crowds from all over Melbourne. The truck is parked outside Nethercourt Hospital at 15 Barton Street. The Armitstead family had a business in Union Road which supplied wood in winter and ice in summer. Photos such as this one are evidence of the importance once attached to celebrating Empire Day, which was held on 24 May (Queen Victoria’s birthday). From 1905, a range of patriotic activities across Australia were performed on this day. There was a focus on schoolchildren, who were given a half-holiday, and the occasion was often highlighted with bonfires and fireworks in the evening - in this area at Beckett Park. The parade down Union Road was famous throughout Melbourne and attracted large crowds. Floats in the parade were often decked with British flags. The pro-Empire sentiment in the Surrey Hills area in part reflected the background and strong ties of many families.Black and white photo of a delivery truck with bunting and ferns over the cabin and back. The wheels have straws around the rims and more foliage is on the cabin roof and bonnet. The back of the tray is up and boxes, foliage and possibly a lion's head decorate the tray. Behind is a 2 storey (?) rendered building with an external timber staircase broken in 2 by a landing. The house sits behind a simple picket fence.On the cabin door of the truck: "S ARMITS ....[remainder in shadow] / Surrey Hills / phone 10X1816 / [undecipherable]" On back of the original in pencil in top centre left "446a" in Jocelyn Hall's handwriting; centre on a piece of paper stuck on with tape "Mrs D Foley / 39 Sunbury Cres., / Surrey Hills / Phone 8301163".empire day, festival and celebrations, woodyard, parades, processions, hospitals, nethercourt hospital, stephen godfrey armitstead, frank foley, mrs d foley, barton street

This document is a speech titled "Empire Day 1933. A message to the children at Olinda School from their member". It is signed G H Knox. It was written by Sir George Hodges Knox and read to the children at Olinda School as part of the Empire Day celebrations in 1933. Sir George Hodges Knox (1885-1960) was a veteran of WW1 and was elected to the Ferntree Gully Shire Council in 1922. He held this post until 1927.The City Of Knox is named after him. He won the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat for Upper Yarra in 1927 for the Nationalist Party. He became Speaker for the Victorian Parliament in 1942 and remained there until 1947. Between 1945 and his death in 1960 he held the seat of Scoresby. He was knighted in 1945. The celebration of Queen Victoria's birthday on May 24 was renamed Empire Day in 1903 after her death in 1901. Empire Day was observed in state schools from 1905 with a program of addresses, pageants and patriotic songs, with children swearing allegiance to King and Empire with a loyal declaration. The last celebration of Empire Day in Australia took place in 1958. Five sheets of unlined paper that appear to have been torn from a writing pad with a speech handwritten in thick, black fountain pen commemorating Empire Day.olinda school, sir george hodges knox, empire day, speech, city of knox, knox, olinda, school, celebration

Frank and Blanche Cornell had their home built in 1904. Mr Cornell was a keen gardener, usually doing 2 hours’ work before going to work. He was a director of Buckley & Nunn, Bourke Street, having worked up from a position as shipping clerk. Frank was a great supporter of and worker for the Empire Day celebrations in the 1905-1911 period and also of the bowling club. He was also a keen photographer. Frank Cornell was first listed in Surrey Hills in 1906 at (6) Lorne Parade. In 1908 the listing gives his occupation as a clerk. He was born in 1869 in Richmond, Victoria and died 15 April 1917 in Surrey Hills from a stroke. His wife Blanche Annie Parsons Cornell (nee Bracher) was born in 1869 in Hokitika, New Zealand; she died on 21 January 1940. Children were: Gilbert Frank Cornell (b1894, Hawthorn; d1908, at Frankston beach, an accidental drowning) Ruth Amelia Cornell (b 1899, Kew; d 29 May 1977, Kew) Lorna Amy Cornell (b 1906, Surrey Hills; d unknown) Patience Blanche Cornell (b1907, Surrey Hills; d unknown). Frank and wife Blanche are buried in Box Hill Cemetery - CE-*-1058. Ruth Amelia married David Ellis, c1922 in Surrey Hills. David was a dentist who practised in Surrey Hills for many years. Patience (Pat) Blanche married Norman Henry Brewer (1893–1975) in 1931 in Surrey Hills.A black and white photograph of a man dressed in a 3 piece suit with flowers in his buttonhole, and a bow tie. He is also sporting a moustache.(mr) frank cornell, buckley and nunn, empire day celebrations, house names, lorne parade, surrey hills, (mrs) blanche amy parsons cornell, box hill cemetery, surrey hills bowling club, 'casallenroc'

This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons. From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960. Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived just around the corner at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915). Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to. Empire Day celebrations were held in Surrey Hills from 1906-1911; they were revived between 1933-1938 by the Surrey Hills Progress Association. They featured street parades with highly decorated vehicles provided by local businesses and bonfires, including the one in Beckett Park.Black and white photo of Mr Fred Lyons with his taxi decorated for Empire Day. The tourer car is parked in the street and is festooned with flowers and ribbons on the hood, bonnet radiator, running board and in the tyre spokes. Mr Lyons stands by the driver's side door. He is wearing a suit with a winged collar and tie. A small child is watching from the footpath on the left just behind a mature tree. There are houses in the background. empire day, motor vehicles, festivals and celebrations, taxis, fred lyons, frederick adolphus lyons