Robin Kelly was born Robin Vandersluys in Mary Street, Kew. As a child, she sang in backyard concerts run with her brother, Leslie. The family moved to Deepdene in 1949 and Robin joined church and school choirs. Later she was to study classical singing with Stella Power, modern singing with Jack White, TV Presentation with Natalie Raine of Crawford Productions and acting/singing with Jessie Matthews. Following her victory in a talent quest at the Orama Ballroom, she was invited to join the Orama Big Band with singers Harry Cox and Arlene Forrest. She also sang with the Kerm Jones Jazz Band at Power House and with Frank Johnson's Jazz Band at Jazz Junction. Robin became resident band vocalist at the historic Federal Hotel in Collins Street with the Rudi Laquer Trio. She also sang at The Savoy Plaza with the George Cadman Trio. A year later she became resident vocalist at the Ress Oriental Hotel with the Lennie Holmes Trio. Later, Robin married pianist Peter Jones, singing under the name 'Robin Vanser' in clubs in Sydney and regional New South Wales. She was booked for a Vietnam War tour and also sang in Tahiti. Returning to Melbourne, her agent booked her to appear in shows in Tasmania including West Point Casino and Melbourne country venues. Another agent, John Bishop, booked her to do floor shows in Melbourne, including Xmas Seasons at the Hampton Hotel where she entertained audiences with her comedy and audience participation routines. In 1971, Robin Kelly retired to run her Robin Hood Antiques business in Canterbury, during which time she was married to tenor Glenn Kelly. Later she joined Sing Australia Camberwell Choir, performing as a soloist at their Melbourne Town Hall Concert.The Vandersluys-Kelly Collection of photographs, costumes and musical performance memorabilia was donated to the Kew Historical Society by Robin Denise Kelly in 2018. The collection is an important record of stage and recorded performances in Australia in the second half of the 20th century. This new nationally-focused and artistically significant collection augments and contextualises the local performing arts materials in our collection.Colour photograph of Robin Vanser performing with the Lee Gallagher Show Band in "The Cockpit", Essendon Airport, September 1964"Lee Gallagher Show Band / Essendon Airport / "Cockpit" Sept '64"robin vanser, lee gallagher show band, "the cockpit" - essendon airport, performing arts - australia - 1960s

The original line to the Essendon Aerodrome was constructed in 1943 to serve the airport and aircraft construction. It was funded by the Commonwealth Government. By 1976, patronage to the airport terminus in Vaughan St had dropped, the crossing of the highway to the Tullamarine Airport opened in 1970, was dangerous, and the highway needed to be widened. The new terminus was a short distance to the north between Mathews Ave and the Highway. This series of photographs show the last day of operations to the original terminus and the changeover, which was done in about 7 hours. No buses were required. It was done by workers of the Melbourne and Metropolitan Tramways Board. The line was later extended to Airport West. .1 - W5 789, (Essendon Airport Route 59) about to turn from Mathews Ave into Vaughan St. Has new track and footbridge in the foreground. .2 - W5 791 on the siding or spur at the airport terminus, the last tram to use this facility. .3 - W2 571, at the Airport terminus alongside Vaughan St on the last morning of the use of this terminus. The Bundy clock can be seen behind the pole on the lefthand side and the Brick passenger shelter. Shows buffer stops, and Forestair hanger behind. .4 - W2 595 turning from Vaughan St into Mathews Ave. Has the tram stop No. 55 in the view. .5 - W5 839 turning from Vaughan St into Mathews Ave. Shows the flashing yellow light that gave some protection to the trams. .6 - W2 247 about to turn into Vaughan St. Driver about to reboard the tram. Note the new copper trolley wire is up for the new track but has been pulled to the west side using rope. .7 - W5 805, turning from Mathews Ave into Vaughan St, to the old Essendon Airport terminus. Has a new track in the foreground, and the overhead for the curves is still in position. .8 - W6 991 turning from Vaughan St into Matthews Ave, at 855am, the last tram from the old terminus. The track gang has commenced work to remove the outbound curve. Would appear four passengers waiting at the tram stop, two with lunch bags. Note the cattle grid in the foreground between the rails. New rails on the ground on the left-hand side. See Reg Item 6163 for further photos of this event.Yields information about the last day of the operation of the original Essendon Airport tram line.Set of 8 Kodachrome cardboard mount colour slides of the relocation of the Essendon Airport tram terminus 7-10-1976, by Ron Scholten.All slides have detailed descriptions on the reartrams, tramways, essendon aerodrome, essendon airport, closure, new tramways, route 59, w5 789, w5 791, w2 571, w2 595, w5 839, w2 247, w5 805, w6 991, w2 class, w5 class, w6 class, mmtb, trackwork

The original line to the Essendon Aerodrome was constructed in 1943 to serve the airport and aircraft construction. It was funded by the Commonwealth Government. By 1976, patronage to the airport terminus in Vaughan St had dropped, the crossing of the highway to the Tullamarine Airport opened in 1970, was dangerous, and the highway needed to be widened. The new terminus was a short distance to the north between Mathews Ave and the Highway. This series of photographs show the operation of a tram service during the changeover. Trams ran from the Niddrie crossover near Keilor Road to a temporary terminus just short of the worksite, with cars running "bang" road or the wrong way for one trip along either line. This would have been controlled by an Inspector at the Niddrie end. The work was done over a 7-hour period, including changing the overhead over. Work would have been completed after the changeover period. .1 - W5 800 at “temporary” Essendon Airport terminus, Cnr Mathews Ave, Vaughan St. after running “bang” road or the wrong way to this point from the Niddrie or Keilor Road crossover. Curves have been removed.. Has an Inspector chatting to a man with a hat standing alongside the tram. The shelter has a City of Keilor logo on it. .2 - W5 684, taken from the overbridge at the TAA stop - during the changeover of the tracks. Tram running “bang” road from Niddrie to the temporary terminus. .3 - SW5 787, temporary terminus in Mathews Ave, about to return to Niddrie as an “up” car on the “down” line. .4 - MMTB Track gang commissioning and placing rails at the new terminus with scrubber 10 waiting. Overhead in position with overhead for the curves partly removed. Mobile Crane on the left-hand side moving a formwork piece into position .5 - 10W cleaning new track at the new terminus. .6 - Rail Scrubber 10W at work cleaning head of rails where new concrete section. Has a TAA bus on the right side. .7 - W5 783 is about to be the first passenger tram to the terminus, at 3.50 pm About 20 workmen are completing the inbound or up track. .8 - W5 783 about to be the first passenger tram to the terminus, at 3.50 pm About 20 workmen are completing the inbound or up track.Yields information about the last day of the operation of the original Essendon Airport tram line and the works done for the new terminus.Set of 8 Kodachrome cardboard mount colour slides of the relocation of the Essendon Airport tram terminus 7-10-1976, by Ron Scholten. All slides have detailed descriptions on the rear trams, tramways, essendon aerodrome, essendon airport, closure, new tramways, route 59, mmtb, trackwork, w5 800, w5 684, sw5 787, scrubber 10w, w5 783, w5 class, sw5 class, taa airlines, city of keilor

Set of 3 photos by Norm Cross of the trams at the temporary Essendon Airport terminus. The terminus was changed from the one within the Essendon Airport grounds to the one alongside the Tullamarine freeway in Oct. 1976 prior to be extended to Airport West in 1992. See item 6162 for other photos. photos 1 and 2 - Tram W5 793 at the new terminus - has side adverts for Park Drive cigarettes, RESI and Le Fag cigarettes. 3 - SW6 tram - photo taken from the overbridge showing the then Tullamarine Freeway.Yields information about the temporary Essendon Airport terminus in 1976Set of 3 colour photos, with rounded corners.trams, tramways, essendon airport, tram 793

967 waits at traffic lights at the junction of Vaughan St and Lancefield Rd (a non-freeway section of the Tullamarine Freeway) to cross to the tramway ROW parallel to Matthews Ave. The driver in shirt sleeves is about to lean out of his left doorway to press the traffic light activation button. The tram displays 'City 59' with run number 'E22'. All right-side windows are closed yet the sliding doors are open which is unusual for a revenue service car. It was, however, normal practice to not shut the left side doors in warmer weather.Yields information about last weeks of Essendon Airport terminusBlack and white print with note on rear.In ink on rear: "Photo by Clive Mottram. Photo taken Feb 14th '76 on Airport section soon to go. 967 is one of the Preston Trams put out to other depots now that Z class tram[sic] are operating at Preston. Other trams including W7 are at Glen Huntly and Malvern Depots. 351 Enlarge to 5 1/2" wide."sw6, tram 967, essendon, airport, vaughan st, lancefield rd, matthews ave, city, route 59, run number e22, tramway row, traffic light activation button, open sliding doors, revenue service

50th Anniversary of Mt Gambier-Melbourne flight, Feb. 1917 (Cherokee aircraft at Essendon Airport), Re-enactment of flight by pilot John Hardingham. A. Cherokee aircraft on tarmac, on back b. Cherokee aircraft with Mrs V I Perkin (Basil's sister), Mr Luscombe (PMG Department) and a mailbag sitting on tarmac. Handwritten ID on backs plus PMG stamp with negative ID number, V1867/2person, individual, basil watson

Black and white photograph of W5 727 in the reserved track section at Mathews Avenue, Niddrie, Essendon Airport line, possibly for an Australian Railway Exploration Association Tour to Tasmania. Possibly during the 1970's. Has the destination of "Tasmania via Essendon Airport" with the crew standing along side.trams, tramways, charters, special trams, tours, essendon airport, tram 727

A black and white photograph of a DC2 aircraft on the runway at Essendon Airport c.1937. There is a group of people in the foreground. In the background there is an aviation fuel truck.on back: DC2 AT ESSENDON c1937cullinan, uraina, eileen, chris, essendon airport, airports, air transport, stanavo, vacuum aviation service, aircraft, 1930s, george evans collection

Black and White photograph, of MMTB No. 52, ex VR tram at the Essendon Airport terminus c1960. Tram has the destination of Toorak, route 8. Probably on a special charter. Has the PTC Copyright stamp on rear, from the VR collection - negative number H590-A.In blue pencil, "590-A"trams, tramways, mmtb, vr, essendon airport, route 8, tram 52

Brown coloured file folder marked "Tramway Acts" containing hand written and type written notes on the various MMTB Acts, generally c1945 to 1948 - multiple copies of the same document involving Land Acquisition, Appeals Board, powers under the Act, WW2 National Security Act (under which the Essendon Airport and Maribyrnong or Munitions tramways were built) repeal, buses, and orders in council.trams, tramways, mmtb, acts of parliament, world war 2, appeals, unions, essendon airport, west maribyrnong, munitions factory

General MONTGOMERY with escorts Drum Major W.A. SIMPKINS and Major General CLOWES inspecting Southern Command Military Band at Essendon Airport in 1947Unframed black and white photograph of soldier with base drum facing three soldiers one wearing slouch hat, one wearing peak hat both behind soldier wearing beretBack of Photograph - General Montgomery at Essendon Airport 1947 - inspecting Southern Command Military Band Escorts - Drum Major W Simpkins and Major General CLOWESgeneral montgomery, major general clowes, drum major w. simpkins, southern command military band, 1947

Former Junior Legatee Brian Edwards set out in September 1993 to complete a flight around Australia in a tiger moth called 'Matilda' as a tribute to Legacy's 70th Anniversary. He was due to arrive at Essendon Airport on 4th October 1993 and a celebratory luncheon was held. The event was supported by Ansett Airlines and Optus Communications. The promotion in The Answer invited anyone to come to the luncheon (cost $25 a head), and greet Brian and 'Matilda'. Many school children also attended the landing. President John Stevenson and Legatee George Woodward were among those attending and are photographed greeting Brian. Brian had previously flown Matilda from the UK to Australia, covering over 12,00kms in 3 months. See also photos at 00980, 00981, 00982. A record of a former Junior Legatee making a contribution to helping Legacy raise funds.Colour photo x 8 of a tiger moth and aviator at Essendon Airport and an article in The Answer.fundraising, answer, john stevenson

Former Junior Legatee Brian Edwards set out in September 1993 to complete a flight around Australia in a tiger moth called 'Matilda' as a tribute to Legacy's 70th Anniversary. He was due to arrive at Essendon Airport on 4th October 1993 and a celebratory luncheon was held. The event was supported by Ansett Airlines and Optus Communications. The promotion in The Answer invited anyone to come to the luncheon (cost $25 a head), and greet Brian and 'Matilda'. Many school children also attended the landing. President John Stevenson and Legatee George Woodward were among those attending and are photographed greeting Brian. Brian had previously flown Matilda from the UK to Australia, covering over 12,00kms in 3 months. See also photos at 00980, 00982, 00983. A record of a former Junior Legatee making a contribution to helping Legacy raise funds.Black and white photo x 11 of a tiger moth and aviator at Essendon Airport and an article in The Answer.Printed labels from Keesing Photographic on the back of each photo.fundraising, answer

Colour slide, Kodak, white cardboard of one of the MMTB Ballast Trailers at the Essendon Aerodrome airport terminus siding. Has the shelter in the background. 9/1/1960. Keith's notes - Ballast trailer (resurrected and reconditioned), Essendon Aerodrome terminus. Slide Number K(q)(283)Extensive handwriting on rear in ink and that it was photographed at 1/125 f5.6.trams, tramways, essendon aerodrome, essendon airport, ballast wagons, shelters

Set of 8 colour laser printed copies of colour 35mm negatives featuring photographs of trams taken by Ron Fluck in Melbourne on 27/1/1979 and 28/1/1979 (1758.6 and 1758.7). 1758.1 - (Negative No. 251) - W2 340 at Airport West terminus. Sleepered track section on inbound track - must have been running single line at the time, following changeover to new terminus from Essendon Airport to Airport west. 1758.2 - NN253 - Z16 at Wattle Park terminus. 1758.3 - NN252 - VR 700 at Footscray terminus. 1758.4 - NN250 - W2 340 enroute to the Airport West terminus. New freeway arrangement being constructed on the left hand side of the tramway. 1758.5 - NN254 - Z1 11 at East Burwood Terminus 1758.6 - NN255 - W2 234 at Batman Ave terminus - one of the trams painted in "Transporting Art Program" 1758.7 - NN256 - W2 234 and SW6 912 at Batman Ave terminus. 1758.8 - NN257 - Z1 88 and W5 726 at corner of Bourke and Spencer St. Melbourne, with the Mail Exchange in the background. See Destination City 5th Editionmelbourne, essendon airport, princes bridge, footscray, east burwood, wattle park, transporting art, tram 11, tram 234, tram 340, tram 700, tram 16, tram 726, tram 88, tram 912

Newspaper clipping, from The Age, Weekender, Friday 8/5/1981 titled "Tram ways to see Melbourne", with a number of writers giving a short piece on a particular line. Has a Map of the Melbourne system with destination and route numbers. Has an introduction written by Phillipa Hawker which looks at the history, its place in Melbourne, and possibilities for the future. Written just before the MTA came into existence. Items: East Malvern, Route 3, Rebecca Batties West Preston Route 10, Phillipa Hawker St Kilda, Route 12, Frank Prain North Balwyn, route 48, Andrew Bolt West Maribyrnong route 57, Rosslyn Beeby Essendon Airport, Route 59, Rosslyn Beeby Carnegie, Route 67, Andrew Bolt Kew Cotham Rd, route 69, Andrew Bolt Wattle Park, route 70, Rosslyn Beeby East Burwood, route 75, Rosslyn Beeby East Preston, route 88, Deborah Forster Has some sketches of trams and people.trams, tramways, melbourne, people and places, tourism, east malvern, west preston, st kilda, north balwyn, west maribyrnong, essendon airport, carnegie, kew- cotham rd, wattle park, east burwood, east preston, route 3, route 10, route 12, route 48, route 57, route 59, route 67, route 69, route 70, route 75, route 88, maps

Series of 15 colour route maps for various tram lines or groups of tram lines for the MMTB. Some have the Transport Information Centre telephone printed on them, others have a label stuck on. Some are finished with a plastic laminate finish on either one or both sides. Show the major cross streets, parks, schools, other tram routes, major stop numbers and railway lines. Two copies of each held unless noted otherwise. .1 - Mont - Albert City - R11/77, shows routes 43. 47. 45. 44 .2 - Malvern, East Malvern, Carnegie and East Brighton Tram Routes (from St Kilda Junction) - R1/79 - shows routes 5, 3, 67, 66, 61, 62 and 64. .3 - Swanston St tram guide - R1/79 - lists all routes and route numbers that branch or cross Swanston St between Grattan St and St Kilda Junction. .4 - St Kilda Rd Tram Routes R12/77 - details South Melbourne Beach, route 1 and route 2 and St Kilda Beach routes 15, 16 and 55 otherwise shows were the various routes branch off St Kilda Road. Copy 1 has "P14909" in pencil in the bottom right hand corner. .5 - Kew - St Kilda Beach - R1/79 - Route 69. .6 - Footscray - Moonee Ponds - R3/81 - Route 82 .7 - Flinders St tram routes - R5/78 - North Balwyn, East Burwood, routes 48, 40, 41, Hartwell, 28, 74 and 75 .8 - William St tram routes - Route 55, 56 and 63 - South Melbourne Depot and Domain. copy 2 has "P14913" in bottom right hand corner. .9 - Toorak Camberwell and Glen Iris tram routes with Camberwell Junction and Malvern Town Hall, R1/79, routes 8, 7, 6, 72 and 73 shown. .10 - Swanston St tram routes - R12/77 - shows all the Swanston St routes, including East Coburg and Moreland. .11 - Bourke St tram routes - R4/77 - East Brunswick Blyth St and East Preston Tyler St and intermediate routes, routes 95, 96, 97, 90, 89 and 88. .12 - as for .11, dated 1/85, showing extension to La Trobe University - has Metropolitan Transit logo. Only 1 copy held. Also shows route 92 and 87. .13 - Batman Ave tram routes - R9/77 - Wattle Park, North Richmond and Prahran - routes 70, 71, 78 and 79. .14 - City route guide - R9/77 - showing all route numbers and destinations that passed through the CBD. .15 - Elizabeth St tram routes - R12/77 - Essendon Airport, West Maribyrnong, North Coburg lines, routes 50, 58, 60, 54, 57, 52. 49, 59, 18, 20 and 19. Copy 1 has "P14905" in pencil in bottom left hand corner.trams, tramways, maps, route guide, route numbers, routes, mont albert, route 43, route 47, route 45, route 44, route 42, malvern burke rd, east preston, carnegie, east brighton, south caulfield, route 5, route 3, route 67, route 62, route 64, route 66, glenhuntly tram depot, swanston st, st kilda rd, south melbourne beach, st kilda beach, route 1, route 2, route 15, route 16, route 55, kew- cotham road, route 69, route 79, route 82, footscray, moonee ponds, flinders st, north balwyn, kew, east burwood, burwood, hartwell, richmond, route 48, route 40, route 41, route 28, route 74, route 75, route 56, route 63, william st, west coburg, toorak, camberwell, glen iris, malvern town hall, route 72, route 73, route 7, route 8, bourke st, route 6, route 95, route 96, route 97, route 90, route 89, route 89, east preston, east brunswick, la trobe university, clifton hill, route 92, route 87, route 70, route 71, route 78, route 79, north richmond, prahran, wattle park, essendon airport, west maribyrnong, north coburg, route 50, route 58, route 60, route 54, route 57, route 52, route 49, route 59, route 18, route 20, route 19, batman ave

Agfa Colour slide, cardboard mount, by Keith Caldwell dated 12 March 1960, of W5 818 running in Mount Alexander Road, North Essendon, crossing the street access for Marco Polo Street. The tram showing route 59, Essendon Aerodrome, has trolley wheels and has a second person in the cab, possibly a trainer. Unusually the tram number is placed above the headlight, In the background are the palm trees in the centre median plantation. The house with the red guttering is one that dates back to the gold mining era. See http://www.esshissoc.org.au/1070%20Mount%20Alexander%20Road.pdf It was relocated to Woodland Park during 2017? Note the Centre poles, overhead construction and street light. Also in the background is a Mobil Service station that later became a garden centre. Now a block of apartments.hand stamped "12 Mar '60"trams, tramways, mount alexander rd, north essendon, essendon airport, essendon aerodrome, route 59, w5 class, tram 818

Set of handwritten pencil notes - 9 sheets - personal research notes on Section 99 of the MMTB Act 1928 re safety and Engineering responsibility, files with references to projects such as Footscray - Maribyrnong connection file of 1947 to 1951, agreements, the Keilor Road extension, William St and Maribyrnong Road extension.trams, tramways, tramways, mmtb, lists, records, personal papers, engineers, safety, essendon airport, maribyrnong

Handwritten draft on foolscap paper, titled "Tramways on Commonwealth Property", to the Deputy Crown Solicitor, Commonwealth of Australia, responding to the letter of 14/8/1959, concerning a draft agreement between the Board and the Commonwealth with suggested changes, indemnities, discharge of drainage, Maribyrnong River Bridge, vehicle or level crossings - has date of 28-4-1960 and initialled by Mr. McComb.trams, tramways, maribyrnong river bridge, agreements, commonwealth government, essendon airport, west maribyrnong

Set of 13 Timetables - printed or photocopied on foolscap paper for weekdays, Saturdays and Sunday and running times. Has various symbols for depot run in etc. In a style for public use. All to the City unless noted. .1 - North Richmond - Prahran - St Kilda Beach - June 1969 .2 - Essendon Aerodrome - Nov. 1968 .3 - East Preston - July 1969 .4 - West Preston - Feb. 1969 .5 - Northcote via St Georges Road - May 1967 .6 - South Melbourne Beach - Oct. 1966 .7 - North Coburg - Feb. 1969 .8 - East Coburg - Feb. 1969 .9 - West Maribyrnong - Nov. 1968 .10 - Essendon (Niddrie) - Feb. 1969 .11 - Moonee Ponds - Footscray - Feb. 1969 .12 - Domain Road - City - April 1967Most have the name of the Depot worked from and the date in the top right hand corner in ink.trams, tramways, mmtb, timetables, buses, trams, north richmond, prahran, st kilda, essendon airport, east preston, west preston, northcote, south melbourne beach, north coburg, east coburg, west maribyrnong, essendon, moonee ponds, footscray, domain rd

Black and white photograph of W5 class tram No. 837 at Essendon Aerodrome. The destination is shown as "City" and the route number appears to be 59. Tram fitted with trolley wheels. 1950c? This tram began as one of 22 W5 class trams built at Preston Workshops in 1938. It began service on 12/11/1938 and is currently stored at Newport Workshops.trams, tramways, w5 class, essendon airport, tram 837