The 1888 Centennial International Exhibition, celebrating a century of Australian settlement, surpassed even the grand scale of the1880 Melbourne International Exhibition. It attracted over two million people, but the Victorian government had to spend £250 000 on it, ten times the amount estimated. The exhibition had a distinctively imperial focus, and a greater emphasis on culture than in 1880, particularly on music and painting (1). (1. https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/273830) S.D. Gadd was appointed Curator of Parks and Gardens in 1874 an lived in residence in Rosalind Park. He resigned in 1905 and moved to Melbourne where he died in 1917. Mr Gadd was a prominent member of the Masonic Lodge. It is not clear why he was awarded this medal.The bronze medal of the Centennial International Exhibition awarded to S.G. Gadd. Obverse - Portrait: bust of Queen Victoria in left profile wearing a crown, veil and 3 medals. Reverse - Field: Victor's wreath consisting of leaves and acorns of British oak and the leaves and acorns of the wattle. The oak and wattle were tied together 'by a true-lover's knot, 'symbolizing the unity and affection between the mother country and the colony'. Southern Cross inside surrounded by a legend. (https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/273822) Obverse - Motto: Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne Reverse - Legend: (Latin) Artibus Dignis Honor Insignis (To the deserving arts, distinguished honor) (Mint) left: Melbourne Mint. (Date) Lower Centre: MDCCCLXXXVIII. (Engraver) Right: Stokes & Martin S.C. Edge - Plain, impressed with S.G. Gadd ESQ.centennial international exhibition melbourne 1888, s.g. gadd, rosalind park, city of greater bendigo medals

Medallion: Melbourne Exhibition Medal. On the front a picture of the Exhibition Building with inscription ' Melbourne Exhibition'. On the Back is a wreath with an inscription 'Advance Australia' The medal has a hole in the top. Box 625Advance Australia. Melbourne Exhibition Buildingnumismatics, medals - commemorative, melbourne exhibition building. advance australia

Colour photograph of a highrise buildings in Melbourne. unisuper, melbourne, highrise, cbd

One of two sets of stereographs donated by the O'Beirne family along with a stereoscope for viewing (Stereoscope is Registration no. 2014-51).Groups of school children dancing around maypoles in front of Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne. Spectators sheltering under umbrellas."12,892. THE AMERICAN FLEET IN AUSTRALIA. State Schools' Demonstration, / Exhibition Oval, Melbourne. The Maypole Dance."stereographs, american fleet

Official record of the Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne 1888-1889 containing a sketch of the industrial and economic progress of the Australasian colonies during the first century of their existence and of the exhibition held in Melbourne, Victoria to commemorate the close of that period, also records of the manner in which the work of the different sections of the exhibition was carried out, the official awards of the executive commissioners, the catalogue of exhibits together with sundry illustrations. Published by authority of the executive commissioners, printed by Sands & Mcdougall Ltd 1138 pages with a pull out map.book, exhibitions, exhibitions, centennial international exhibition, awards

Colour photograph of a highrise building in Melbourne. unisuper, melbourne, highrise, cbd

One of a number of 'real photo' and commercial postcards created by or owned by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew. The postcards are part of a larger collection of photographs, postcards and publications donated to the collection in May 2021.Coloured postcard of the south side of the Exhibition buildings in Carlton, Melbourne. The lake/pond is in front at the lower left of the photo. exhibition building -- melbourne (vic.), postcards -- melbourne (vic.), christian-washfold collection

Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings.carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building, architecture

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA / REQUESTS THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / The Town Clerk and Lady / AT THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT IN / COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OPENING / OF THE FIRST COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENT / IN THE MELBOURNE EXHIBITION / WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY, 1951, AT 8 P.M. / RSVP TO SECRETARY, PREMIER'S DEPARTMENT, MELBOURNE C.2. BY 23RD APRIL. / ON RECEIPT OF ACCEPTANCE RESERVATION CARDS WILL BE FORWARDED.civic invitations -- kew (vic), civic ephemera - city of kew -- government of victoria, commemoration of the sitting of the first parliament, exhibition buildings -- melbourne (vic.)

A competition was announced to design a suitable building for the proposed Melbourne International Exhibition in December 1877. Eighteen entries were received. The winner of 300 pounds was Joseph Reed of the architectual firm Reed and Barnes. The foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir George Bowen on 19 February 1879. Prominent Melbounre builder David Mitchell, father of Dame Nellie Melba, won the tender to construct the main building. Exhibitors were able to move in by May 1880. On 01 October 1880 the Melbourne International Exhibition opened, when over 6000 people entered the main hall to see the Governor, the Marquess of Normanby open the show. Thirty three nations participated and ofver 32,000 exhibits were displayed. At the close of the exhibition on 30 April 1881 over 1.3 million people had visited the exhibition. In 1881 Victoria's population was just over 250,000. The management of the Exhibition Building and eight hectares of the Carlton Gardens was handed to the Exhibition Trustees by the Melbourne International Exhibition Commissioners on 01 OCtober 1881. The Trustees maintained the building for 'future public exhibitions and ... general public instruction and recreation' until 1996 when management of the building was transferred to Museum Victoria. In 1901 when the Australian colonies federated there was no capital and no federal parliament building. The Federal Parliament moved into the Victorian State Parliament building, and the State Parliament moved into the Western Annexe of the Exhibition Building for 26 years. After World War One, on 04 February 1919, the exhibition Building was turned into a hospital to treat Melbournians struck down with the Spanis 'Flu'. Initially housing 500 beds, the hospital grew to accomodate 2000 patients. Femals were located between the concert platform in the western nave and the done; male patients occupied the spaces beyond. The basement was used a a morgue. With the departure of the State Parliament in 1927 the western annexe became home to the Country Roads Board. In 1932 it was joined by the MOtor Registration Branch, and the Transport Regulation Board in 1934. They co-existedin cramped offices until the 1960s. In 1949 the oval at the rear of the ExhibitionBuilding was leased to the Commonealth Government for the establishment of the Migrant Reception Centre. When it closed in 1961-62, the centre comrised 29 bungalows over 1.4 hectare. The centre provided temporary accomodation for thousands of new arrivals from Britain. On 01 July 2004 the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were inscribed on the World Heritage List. It is the only 19th century Great Hall to survive largely intact, still in its original landscape setting, and still used as a palace of industry. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building, royal exhibition buildings

Sepia toned photograph of the Bendigo Wine and Fruit growers Association display at the Melbourne Exhibition buildings. There is a display in a glass case from the ' Emu Vineyard ' proprietor A. Bruhn.Bent, Pall Mall, Sandhurstorganization, wine display, bendigo wine and fruit growers association, exhibition buildings melbourne, emu vineyard, a bruhn

Maroon cover, gold print and trim, 1138 pages. On front of book 'Centennial International Exhibition Melbourne, 1888-9 Official Record' Patrick Payes, Mayor of the City of Sandhurst (Bendigo) was a member of the Commission and listed with other members of the Commission. The International Exhibition of Works of Industry and Art at Melbourne was held to commemorate the centenary ' of the founding of the first Colony of Australia' Some Bendigo exhibits include: Page 631: exhibit 1797, Harry J., Knape Street, American Gully, Sandhurst, Victoria - working model of a gold mine. Exhibit 1810, Percy and Hunter, Wattle street Sandhurst, Victoria - safety fuses for blasting operations. Exhibit 1811, Plainbeck, Hermann, Sandhurst, Model of a mine. The wine exhibits: page 304 - 317 A. Bruhn, EmuCreek page 305 - 306 F.Grosse, Strathfieldsaye page 307 W. Jones, Mandurang, page 309 H. Meyer, Mandurang, page 309 E. Schroeder, Castlemaine, page 310 F.K. Shaw, Goornong, page 310 A. Trinkaus, Muckleford, page 311 Albert Bruhn listed in competitors for Burgoyne Prize Bendigo Pottery Co, page 606.australia, history, centennial international exhibition

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show.melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower abd Garden Show.melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building

Black and white photo of the Slovenian stand at the Royal melbourne Show Exhibition in 1960Traditional Slovenian craft items17 x 20.50 cmexhibition, royal melbourne show

The Melbourne Exhibition was held as part of the centennial celebrations in Australia in 1888. This glass engraved with the purchaser’s name, was a souvenir of the occasion.The Melbourne Centennial Exhibition held in 1888 was a major event covering exhibits of most aspects of life. Large numbers of people attended, in this case a Mr Robb, Joseph Robb, grandfather of the donor.Small clear glass tumbler with etched leaf design .Melbourne Exhibition 1888 Mr Robbwarrnambool, melbourne centennial exhibition, 1888 centennial exhibition, joseph robb

A competition was announced to design a suitable building for the proposed Melbourne International Exhibition in December 1877. Eighteen entries were received. The winner of 300 pounds was Joseph Reed of the architectual firm Reed and Barnes. The foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir George Bowen on 19 February 1879. Prominent Melbounre builder David Mitchell, father of Dame Nellie Melba, won the tender to construct the main building. Exhibitors were able to move in by May 1880. On 01 October 1880 the Melbourne International Exhibition opened, when over 6000 people entered the main hall to see the Governor, the Marquess of Normanby open the show. Thirty three nations participated and ofver 32,000 exhibits were displayed. At the close of the exhibition on 30 April 1881 over 1.3 million people had visited the exhibition. In 1881 Victoria's population was just over 250,000. The management of the Exhibition Building and eight hectares of the Carlton Gardens was handed to the Exhibition Trustees by the Melbourne International Exhibition Commissioners on 01 OCtober 1881. The Trustees maintained the building for 'future public exhibitions and ... general public instruction and recreation' until 1996 when management of the building was transferred to Museum Victoria. In 1901 when the Australian colonies federated there was no capital and no federal parliament building. The Federal Parliament moved into the Victorian State Parliament building, and the State Parliament moved into the Western Annexe of the Exhibition Building for 26 years. After World War One, on 04 February 1919, the exhibition Building was turned into a hospital to treat Melbournians struck down with the Spanis 'Flu'. Initially housing 500 beds, the hospital grew to accomodate 2000 patients. Femals were located between the concert platform in the western nave and the done; male patients occupied the spaces beyond. The basement was used a a morgue. With the departure of the State Parliament in 1927 the western annexe became home to the Country Roads Board. In 1932 it was joined by the MOtor Registration Branch, and the Transport Regulation Board in 1934. They co-existedin cramped offices until the 1960s. In 1949 the oval at the rear of the ExhibitionBuilding was leased to the Commonealth Government for the establishment of the Migrant Reception Centre. When it closed in 1961-62, the centre comrised 29 bungalows over 1.4 hectare. The centre provided temporary accomodation for thousands of new arrivals from Britain. On 01 July 2004 the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were inscribed on the World Heritage List. It is the only 19th century Great Hall to survive largely intact, still in its original landscape setting, and still used as a palace of industry. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show. Four mottoes are painted under teh windows of the dome: Dei Grecia (By the grace of God), Carpe diem (Make the most of the day), Aude sapere (Dare to be wise) and Benigno numine (With benighn power)melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building, royal exhibition buildings

A competition was announced to design a suitable building for the proposed Melbourne International Exhibition in December 1877. Eighteen entries were received. The winner of 300 pounds was Joseph Reed of the architectual firm Reed and Barnes. The foundation stone was laid by Governor Sir George Bowen on 19 February 1879. Prominent Melbounre builder David Mitchell, father of Dame Nellie Melba, won the tender to construct the main building. Exhibitors were able to move in by May 1880. On 01 October 1880 the Melbourne International Exhibition opened, when over 6000 people entered the main hall to see the Governor, the Marquess of Normanby open the show. Thirty three nations participated and ofver 32,000 exhibits were displayed. At the close of the exhibition on 30 April 1881 over 1.3 million people had visited the exhibition. In 1881 Victoria's population was just over 250,000. The management of the Exhibition Building and eight hectares of the Carlton Gardens was handed to the Exhibition Trustees by the Melbourne International Exhibition Commissioners on 01 OCtober 1881. The Trustees maintained the building for 'future public exhibitions and ... general public instruction and recreation' until 1996 when management of the building was transferred to Museum Victoria. In 1901 when the Australian colonies federated there was no capital and no federal parliament building. The Federal Parliament moved into the Victorian State Parliament building, and the State Parliament moved into the Western Annexe of the Exhibition Building for 26 years. After World War One, on 04 February 1919, the exhibition Building was turned into a hospital to treat Melbournians struck down with the Spanis 'Flu'. Initially housing 500 beds, the hospital grew to accomodate 2000 patients. Femals were located between the concert platform in the western nave and the done; male patients occupied the spaces beyond. The basement was used a a morgue. With the departure of the State Parliament in 1927 the western annexe became home to the Country Roads Board. In 1932 it was joined by the MOtor Registration Branch, and the Transport Regulation Board in 1934. They co-existedin cramped offices until the 1960s. In 1949 the oval at the rear of the ExhibitionBuilding was leased to the Commonealth Government for the establishment of the Migrant Reception Centre. When it closed in 1961-62, the centre comrised 29 bungalows over 1.4 hectare. The centre provided temporary accomodation for thousands of new arrivals from Britain. On 01 July 2004 the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were inscribed on the World Heritage List. It is the only 19th century Great Hall to survive largely intact, still in its original landscape setting, and still used as a palace of industry. The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a flower show held annually since 1995 in early April each year, in Melbourne, Australia. It is located in the World Heritage Site of Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building.[1] It is the largest horticultural event in the southern hemisphere, attracting over 100,000 visitors. It is rated among the top five flower and garden shows in the world. (Wikipedia)Colour photograph of the interior of the Melbourne Exhibition Buildings during the 2019 Melbourne Flower and Garden Show. Four mottoes are painted under teh windows of the dome: Dei Grecia (By the grace of God), Carpe diem (Make the most of the day), Aude sapere (Dare to be wise) and Benigno numine (With benighn power)melbourne international flower and garden show, carlton gardens, melbourne exhibition building, royal exhibition buildings

Panoramic photograph of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. royal exhibition building, architecture, carlton gardens

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.melbourne, exhibition buildings

The Exhibition Buildings at Melbourne.royal exhibition buildings, carlton gardens, melbourne international exhibition

Medal, Australia : Victoria. Melbourne International Exhibition 1880, silver.Front: Melbourne Exhibition Building and Southern Cross / Melbourne / Exhibition / 1881 Back: Early "Coat of Arms" showing kangaroo and emu supporting a shield divided into quadrants representing Produce and Transport / rising sun (above) / 1880 (below)stokes melbourne, melbourne international exhibition 1880-1881

Brown cloth-bound hardcover book with leather spine. Title in gold on spine with decorative borders top & bottom. Upper spine torn & detached. First page loose as is page 673, otherwise largely intact. Minor foxing throughout, mostly on front pages.Nilkilmore mechanics institute library.

Photographer notations on slide: At the Leather Exhib. at T. Hall Melb 1933 Age Published: Age (Melbourne, Vic.: 1854- ), 1933 THE EXHIBITS. (1933, September 20). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205109730 Published title: THE EXHIBITS. A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE. Curios, Novelties, Working Displays Published Caption: ONE OF THE NOVELTIES – AN OUTSIZE IN SHOES Research by Project Volunteer, Louise McKenzie: Our photo is dated 20 September 1933, and shows a happy, chubby-faced young girl sitting in a very over-sized girl’s shoe. It is labelled – “Shoe, An Out Size, loaned by Messrs Blackman & Rose”. (1) It is an effective way to capture the attention of the readership and alert them to the Melbourne Leather Show 1933. This show was designed to be a drawcard of extraordinary proportion, and there is no doubt that this leather exhibition was a really big deal for Melbourne. It completely took over the Melbourne Town Hall, and was open from 10.30 am until 10.30 pm. It seemed to contain something for everyone – the military, the man about town, the home handyman, the housewife, the child, the sporting types, the domestic workers, the outdoor enthusiasts, the horseracing fans, car enthusiasts, those wishing to show off the latest fashion – both men and women - and those just intrigued by a lot of fascinating and wide ranging exhibits. One of the most comprehensive descriptions of the Exhibition accompanies the photograph, and is worth quoting in full: “PROMINENT among exhibits which first attract attention in the foyer of the Town Hall is a comprehensive display of leather articles used by the defence forces. A conspicuous legend states that leather plays an important part in national defence, being used for saddlery, tool containers, holdalls, range-finding, surveying and signalling equipment, explosives factories, harness accoutrement, bandsmen's equipment and clothing. Three models of horses and several figures of soldiers wearing leather equipment illustrate the lesson, and a great range of leather goods used in military training and work variegate the display. Nearby are Texas cowboy, buckjumping and breaking-in saddles; whips, a walking stick, made of leather and numerous other curios. The general exhibition occupies the whole floor space of the main Town Hall, and is subdivided by partitions running most of the length of the hall. A bewildering variety, of leather goods presses for close and leisured inspection. Here and there operatives in charge of working machinery give practical demonstrations of factory processes in the production of footwear. Polishing materials are well represented. One attractive exhibit includes two bush huts constructed of leather, with wattle bark for roofing. Opossums, rosellas and a kookaburra add touches of bush realism. Adjacent exhibits include bags, fishing boots, leggings, leather covers in all colours. Factory Processes. One exhibitor has installed an automatic cinema apparatus and screen, which projects various factory processes in making a shoe, the operator being shown at work. Elsewhere an interesting exhibit depicts the five stages in the manufacture of sole leather, and the tanning materials employed. "Very handsome effects are achieved in the interior appointments of motor cars, which are attended by figures of smart chauffeurs in leather coats. Motor-trimming leather is said to be more durable and hygienic than fabric materials, and cheaper. The neat finish of the material, its excellent appearance, certainly make a very favourable impression. It takes the hides of three beasts to cover the cushions, squabs and door panels of a full-sized sedan, while to finish the entire interior, including quarter-panels and head linings would take four or even five. Special Exhibits. Amongst the special sections the display arranged by the handicrafts and home industries- committee of the Country Women's Association of Victoria is a notable one. In all there are about 130 entries which are in four classifications, viz., hand-tooled or embossed leathers, suede, hand-made gloves and undecorated leather. The glove section attracted the most numerous entries, a number being the work of members and craft subscribers of the Country Women's Association. In the leathercraft competition, organised by the Country Women's Association, the judges yesterday awarded the first prize for bookbinding (the only prize given in this division) to Miss M. Alston, of South Yarra. There is also a creditable display of exhibits submitted by boys of the orthopaedic section of the Children's Hospital at Frankston. Amongst the novelties on view in other portions of the exhibition were the following: — Leather coats worn by Sir C. Kingsford Smith on his Atlantic flight. Model Wellington boot, Phar Lap's saddle. Melbourne Cup winner's saddle. Longest whip in world, 108 feet long. (33 metres) [See our photo, to left of Girl in Shoe] Diminutive shoes. Pair of shoes 65 years old. Pair of men's working boots 75 years old. Larwood's, Tate’s and Pataudi’s cricket boots. [Three internationally revered cricketers of the day] (2) Picture frame made of leather bought 63 years ago. [See our photo, to right of Girl in Shoe] Leather frame, powder bowl, &c. Saddle used by world's champion buckjumper in U.S.A. Mexican cowboy outfit. Miniature saddle and bridle. A fireman's helmet made of sole leather. (3) Sample of the leather hat worn by porters at the Billingsgate Fish Market, London. (4) From South Australia there have been obtained sets of harness for donkeys, goats and camels, the equipment being displayed to good advantage on stuffed representations of the animals mentioned. Close to the platform is a glass case containing snow shoes and coats which have been used in Antarctic exploration work. Trade Display. Amongst the trade exhibits may be seen in operation a slipper turn shoe sewing machine, with heeling and channelling facilities, and the various stages in the production of ladies' sandals are shown. There is a wide contrast between sole leather of varying degrees of thickness on view in one stall and the choice samples of ladies' footwear in another — footwear, by the way, which could almost be used as ornaments, so dainty in colour and production are they. Again, there are displays of upholstering leathers of such soft texture that they could he readily mistaken for some of the finest cloth. Those who may be particularly interested in the production of chamois leather may gain an insight into the materials and chemicals used in the "working up” of this variety of leather. Supplies of glace kid (5) are tastefully arranged, and there may also be seen bags of all shapes and sizes, including satchels, suit cases and "sporting" cases, and bags for tennis players and golfers. Further variety is given to the exhibition by the display of antique hides, brightly coloured, with punching balls, boxing gloves and batsman's pads. There are crocodile skins and snake skins so cleverly "Worked up" that one could be almost pardoned for betraying an affection for such unpopular creatures.” “ Another wonderful article on this Exhibition, published the same day in one of the opposition daily newspapers, The Argus, is in the weekly article “Women to Women”, entitled “A Great Victorian Industry: Many Uses for Leather”. This weekly column was penned by Vesta, and she writes, with much purpose: “Yesterday afternoon I paid a hurried visit to the Leather Exhibition now being held in the Melbourne Town Hall and I was disappointed to find that the early visitors to the main exhibition were almost all men. Women, I think, should make a point of seeing every exhibition of our great industries, for women are the buyers of household requisites and goods for their own use and their tastes, and opinion influence also, to a large extent, the purchases of men. So, the welfare of industries is more or less in their hands and it becomes a duty for them to inform themselves fully of the extent and the quality of the manufacturing that is done here. The value of the output of the Australian boot and shoe factories alone was in 1930-31, the latest year for which the figures are given, Stg 3,750,000. Fully two thirds of that amount must have been spent by women on boots and shoes for themselves and their children. In a host of other directions, in the purchase of handbags, travelling bags, belts and straps, cushions, furniture coverings, purses, notebooks, spectacle cases, their annual expenditure must be very high. Their interest, therefore, in this industry is practical, and their support of it should be governed by knowledge of comparable values and qualities of the goods they buy. From the point of view of women, however, the exhibition itself is rather disappointing. There is an amazing collection of good stuff on show, but most of it is not displayed in a fashion that attracts attention. I was surprised, for example, at the range and quality of the leathers displayed, the suppleness of the finer qualities, and the varied range of colours and designs. But they are shown in such a fashion that if one set out deliberately to look for them it would be quite easy to miss most of them.” …It was surprising, too, that no one seemed to have taken advantage of the present fashion of wearing coloured gloves, or the cult of glove making, which the Country Women’s Association has fostered so successfully. Outside the collection of chamois leathers I saw no skins which were suitable to glove making. (6) However, it is perhaps a little unfair to be highly critical of the exhibition, inasmuch as it is the first of its kind. The material is there, undoubtedly, for a splendid show of every phase of this enterprising industry, and I am confident that experience will prove to those concerned that it will be worth while next time to devote a great deal of attention of the method of display.” With further research, it transpires that “Vera” is in fact NZ born Stella May Allen (nee Henderson) (1871-1962), a journalist, the first woman in NZ to begin a law course, in 1890-91). She later worked at a law firm while she completed her degree. Study of the law had always been open to women in NZ, but its practice was still barred to them. Her case “…led to amending legislation in 1896 allowing women to practise as barristers or solicitors. However, on gaining her LL.B. in November 1897 she did not apply for admission to the Bar. Instead, she became the Wellington-based correspondent and leader-writer for the Lyttelton Times. Her appointment, the first for a woman, was not welcomed by the all-male Press Gallery, and special permission had to be obtained from a subcommittee of the House before her presence was accepted. In 1900 she married Edwin Allen, a senior leader-writer for the Wellington Evening Post, and they moved to Australia in 1903 when Edwin Allen took up the post of foreign affairs leader-writer and parliamentary man for the Melbourne Argus. As Patricia Keep notes in her excellent entry of Stella Allan in the Australian Dictionary of Biography: “In 1907 The Argus commissioned her to write a series of articles on the first Australian Women's Work Exhibition held in October. They aroused much interest and next year The Argus invited her to join its full-time staff and begin a weekly section on the particular interests of women. She adopted the nom de plume 'Vesta' and called the column 'Women to Women'. Her work was unique in an Australian daily paper at that time. Her pages extended to cover every aspect of women's affairs, children's interests and community welfare, and 'Vesta' became a household word for authoritative information and advice on such matters. An excellent needlewoman and first-rate cook herself, she thoroughly tutored her staff in the work and needs of women in both country and city, as well as providing the usual training for cadet journalists. She conducted interviews and also visited the country to see at first hand the results of bushfires, mouse plagues, droughts and floods. In 1910 she was one of three women foundation members of the Australian Journalists' Association. “…she found time to become deeply involved in community affairs. She was an original committee-member of the Victorian Association of Crèches and of the Free Kindergarten Union of Victoria, and had much to do with the early days of the Victorian Bush Nursing Association, the Baby Health Centres Association and the Queen Victoria Hospital. She was a member of the National Council of Women, first in New Zealand and then in Melbourne, and of the Country Women's Association from its inception. … in 1924 she was appointed substitute delegate for Australia to the fifth assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva and was a delegate to the second Pan Pacific Women's Conference in Hawaii in 1930. A meeting held in the Melbourne Town Hall in 1938 by representatives of all the main Victorian women's organizations paid special tribute to her work and influence. She retired next year to England where she continued to write for the Argus, contributing articles on the experiences of women and children in wartime.” It is little wonder that “Vesta” was unafraid to take to task both the women of Victoria, and those who created the exhibition! One item which appears to have gone unnoticed, or at least unreported, is a framed article in the background of the photo of the chubby girl in the shoe. The display frame is labelled “Leather from the Human Skin, Tanned and Dressed by French artists.” The exhibition was certainly a cabinet of curiosities! A charming article in The Argus is a nice note on which to end. It gives a quick history and overview of the Australian leather industry and its unprecedented, and possibly unexpected, development and success, and states with pride: “Though Victoria is the largest leather producer in the Commonwealth all tanners in the Commonwealth can look back with pride on the long march of progress.” Footnotes: (1) “Blackman and Rose”. Messrs Blackman and Rose were shoe manufacturers, from 1927 located at 200 Noone Street, Clifton Hill. The Melbourne Circle describes their building as a “fine-looking building in the Federation ‘blood and bandage’ style.” It was built around 1912 for Puttifoot and Bloom, boot manufacturers, and today the building is apartments. (2) These cricketers were household names in the day: Tate: Maurice Tate, “English cricketer of the 1920s and 1930s, and leader of England’s Test bowling attack for a long time during this period. The founder of modern seam bowling. “ Larwood: Harold Larwood, “English right-arm fast bowler and the main exponent of the bowling style known as “bodyline”. Used to considerable effect in the 1932-33 Test series in Australia. Pataudi: Iftikhar A K Pataudi, “an Indian prince who in the 1930s played Test cricket for England, and in the 1940s played Test cricket for India (as Captain) – the only test cricketer to have played for both India and England. (3) “sole” leather “… is the thickest and most resistant material existing in the tanning industry … made from vegetable tanned leathers, usually bovine butts, processed in a special way to make them the hardest type of leather in existence.” (4) The hats worn by porters at Billingsgate Fish Market were also known as a “Bobbin” and look quite squat and rather unsophisticated. They were made of wood and tarred leather, with a “flat, hardened top designed to support large rectangular boxes of fish. The upturned brim protected the porter’s head against fish juice draining from the boxes of fish which would be carried on top of the hat. Some hats featured a small drain hole at the rear to allow this collected juice to drain down the back of the carrier. The hats were made using the ‘cuir bouilli’ technique. The leather was immersed in water which was heated until the leather began to shrink. It was then removed and put on a wooden former. The leather was stitched together to make the hat while still wet, and then held in place until dry.” (See article and photo on the London Museum website) (5) Glace kid – described on the Boston Museum of Fine Arts’ Cameo database as “A smooth glossy leather originally prepared from goat or sheepskin. Early glace kid had a shiny surface that was originally prepared by tawing the skin in a mixture of alum, table salt, flour, and egg yolk. Today, glace kid is prepared from many types of vegetable or chrome tanned leathers. The smooth polished surface is obtained mechanically by shaving, glazing, ironing, and/or rolling the dry leather.” (6) In the 1930s, Melbourne’s glovemaking industry was characterised by local manufacturing, with key producers like Simpson’s Gloves Pty Ltd in Richmond and the Stagg Glove Company in Clifton Hill leading the market. These factories produced high-quality leather gloves, handbags, and specialty gear, often employing a clear gendered division of labour and training young, local women. Museum Victoria holds the Simpson’s Gloves Collection, comprising over 1200 items, and the University of Melbourne Archives holds the company’s business records. References: THE EXHIBITS. (1933, September 20). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 16. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205109730 EXPORT LEATHER. (1929, September 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 17. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4037647 LEATHER EXHIBITION (1933, September 18). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 10. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11693362 (1933, September 23). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 21. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page522766 WOMEN TO WOMEN (1933, September 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11694034 Australian Dictionary of Biography, Stella May Allan (1871–1962) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/allan-stella-may-4998 WOMEN TO WOMEN (1930, January 22). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 13. Retrieved January 19, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4063888 Museums Victoria, Simpson’s Gloves, 486-496 Victoria Street, North Richmond, VIC, Australia https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/articles/2702 The Argus. (1927, October 31). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 20. Retrieved February 7, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3888451 Melbourne Circle: stories from the suburbs: “Boots and all in Clifton Hill” https://melbournecircle.net/2015/11/20/bootmakers-of-clifton-hill/ Wikipedia, Maurice Tate, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Tate Wikipedia, Harold Larwood, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Larwood Wikipedia, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iftikhar_Ali_Khan_Pataudi Buy Leather Online Italy, Sole leather: https://buyleatheronline.com/en/blog/outsole-and-insole-leather-n7 London Museum, Porters hats, https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/v/object-731122/hat-porters-hat/ Cameo Database, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Glace Kid, https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Glac%C3%A9_kid VICTORIAN LEATHER HAS WON RENOWN (1937, September 22). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 31 (March of Progress Supplement). Retrieved February 7, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1108704 Photographer notations on slide: "At the Leather Exhib. at T. Hall Melb 1933 Age B5".displays, melbourne town hall, leather, children, shoes, 1930-1939, industry, hats, gloves

Advertising flyer for World War 1 Centenary Exhibition ( Melbourne only ) Black, red, white and green artwork, soldiers and biplanes in background.event, war, exhibition melbourne, world war 1, anzac, exhibition

Yellow covered booklet 'History of the Bendigo Goldfield from its commencement in 1851 to June 1881' Presented with the Eaglehawk Specimen Case and giving a description of its contents, for transmission with the said case to England. Dedicated to G.D. Peters, Esq, London, by Mr. Hay Kirkwood, Eaglehawk. Inside first page ( un-numbered) 'The Bendigo Goldfield Compiled by Messrs Hay Kirkwood and Wm. Welch. The Rise and Progress. At the latter end of 1851, a few enterprising pioneers, with Captain Harrison, now police magistrate of Castlemaine, made their way from Forest Creek ( Castlemaine ) 30 miles distant, to a place on the Bendigo Creek, now called Golden Square, then a squatter's run, where rich auriferous ground was met with. The new soon spread far and near, and the world was soon startled with the intelligence that another very extensive goldfield had been discovered, the importance of which may be gathered from the fact that in the month of June, in the following year, six months after the first sod was raised, 80,000 ounces of pure native gold was taken by Melbourne.Printer: W. Welch, View Streetbendigo, mining, melbourne exhibition 1880

A Report of the Commissioners, presented to Parliament in 1891, noted that: ‘The great Musical Festival, which was inaugurated and maintained during the time the Exhibition was open, was such as had never before been attempted. In that comparatively short period, no less than 263 orchestral, grand choral, and other concerts were given by the Centennial Orchestra and Choir, numbering nearly 800 performers, under the conductorship of Mr. F. H. Cowen. At these concerts the works of the great masters were performed in a manner hitherto unknown in these colonies, and your Commissioners are encouraged to hope that the stimulus given through their agency to the study of Music will prove strong and lasting. They also desire to return their thanks to the ladies and gentlemen composing the Centennial Choir, who devoted much time to the rehearsal and performance of the great choral works given during the Festival, and whose valuable services were rendered gratuitously.'An illuminated certificate inscribed to Miss L. Wilson in ‘recognition of valuable services rendered as a member of the Centennial Choir during the currency of the Centennial International Exhibition, Melbourne 1888’. The illuminated certificate lists a number of works performed by the choir, at left, and also pictorial roundels of the exterior of the Exhibition Building and of its grand organ. Attached to the card on which the certificate is also attached is a separate Memorandum from the Music Business Manager to Miss Wilson. No other correspondence is extant to explain the reason for her request.Inscription: To Miss L. Wilson / In recognition of valuable services / rendered as a Member of / The Centennial Choir / during the currency of the / Centennial International/ Exhibition, Melbourne 1888. Separate Memorandum: CENTENNIAL INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION MEMORANDUM FROM EXHIBITION BUILDINGS FITZROY 8/10/1888 E. MILLER (MUSIC BUSINESS MANAGER) TO Miss Wilson Dear Madam In answer to your note I have the honor to inform you that you may remove your dress at any time, though you may need to show your choir pass & may have to submit to parcel being looked at - as the Customs officers are obliged to keep a very careful watch on any outgoing parcels. Yours obediently E. Millercentennial choir - 1888, centennial exhibition - melbourne (vic) - 1888, certificates

Image of RAAF Radio & Radar Trainee Mechanics taken at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne in 1941-42. In 1940, in the months after the outbreak of WWII, the Exhibition Buildings complex was requisitioned by the Royal Australian Air Force and used as a barracks and training facility. By 1942 more than 2000 men of the RAAF had been stationed there, alongside members of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force.Brown timber frame and cream coloured mount containing photograph of large group of airmen Plaque -RAAF Radio & Radar Trainee Mechanics 1941-42 at Exhibition Building Melbourneraaf, radio & radar, exhibition building, melbourne, ww2