This architectural drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 43 Fernhurst Grove, Kew by Margaret Picken.43 FERNHURST GVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '89 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 43 fernhurst grove - kew (vic).

This architectural drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 19 Fernhurst Grove, Kew by Margaret Picken.19 FERNHURST GVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '97 / WOODARDS ~ HAWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 19 fernhurst grove - kew (vic).

This architectural drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 31 Fernhurst Grove, Kew by Margaret Picken.43 [sic] FERNHURST GVE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '89 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 31 fernhurst grove - kew (vic).

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Small, black and white photo of Fernhurst in Kew, built for the architect and surveyor George Wharton. (Now demolished)"Probably built in 1860s / Fernhurst"fernhurst -- kew (vic), historical houses -- kew (vic), kew mansions

One of three scrapbooks of photographs and newspaper cuttings taken and or collected by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society, which were donated by her niece, Julie Thomson. The albums include many photographs of Kew from the 1950s to the 1970s. Buildings included in the scrapbook include: Billy Hughes' house - 167 Cotham Road Congregational Church - Walpole Street (c.1978) Country Roads Board - Denmark Street (1960) Dorothy Rogers Reserve - Studley Park Road Ellsmere (also Ellesmere/Ellsmore) - Princess Street Field Place - 3 Henty Court Fernhurst - 13 Fernhurst Grove Kew Civic Centre (1959) Kew Junction (1958) Kew Railway Station (1902, 1959) Kew Recreation Hall - Wellington Street (1960) Neama (Hall) - Studley Park Road Southesk (formerly Ordsall) - Cotham Road (c.1960) St Anthony's Home for Babies (formerly Madford) - 43 Wellington Street (c.1976) Studley House - Nolan AvenueThe scrapbook contains historically significant, rare and sometimes unique images of significant heritage buildings in Kew, including their erection and demolition. 11-page scrapbook of photographs and newspaper clippings with annotations by Eva Grant, a past member of the Kew Historical Society. The pages of the album can be viewed in the image carousel above. Based on the text and known dates of demolition of a number of the buildings, the scrapbook was assembled over a twenty year period between c.1958-c.1978.Includes letter from donoreva grant, billy hughes' house - 167 cotham road, congregational church - walpole street - kew, country roads board - denmark street - kew, dorothy rogers reserve - studley park road - kew, field place - 3 henty court - kew (vic), ellsmere (also ellesmere/ellsmore) - princess street - kew, fernhurst - 13 fernhurst grove - kew (vic), kew civic centre - civic drive - kew (vic), kew junction - kew (vic), kew railway station - denmark street - kew (vic), recreation hall - wellington street - kew, neama - hall - studley park road - kew (vic), southesk - ordsall - cotham road- kew (vic), st anthony's home for babies - madford - 43 wellington street (vic), studley house - nolan avenue - kew (vic)

Cr William Wishart was Mayor of Kew in 1906-7, his wife Lily serving as Mayoress during his term of office. Unique handwritten manuscript about a family pet15-page hand written manuscript, bound in brown leather as a small book entitled 'Rollo My Good Dog'. The undated manuscript is unsigned and was attributed to William Wishart of 'Noranook', Fernhurst grove, Kew (Vic) when donated to the Kew Historical Society in c.2002. The manuscript is part of a collection of Wishart items owned by Lily Clara Wishart (nee Annear), donated by Rosemary McArthur, the granddaughter of Lily's sister, so it may be that the story was written by her rather than by William Wishart. The entire manuscript can be viewed in the carousel.Handwritten title and narrativedogs - kew, william wishart, clara wishart (nee annear), 'noranook', fernhurst grove (kew)

Cr William Wishart was Mayor of Kew in 1906-7, his wife Lily serving as Mayoress during his term of office. Biographical notes about William and Lily Wishart, created by Lily's sister's granddaughter. clara wishart (nee annear), stevenson street - kew (vic), william wishart, gellibrand street - kew (vic), 'noranook', fernhurst grove, kew (vic)

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "View of Fernhurst Home Taken from Street / 10"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "Fernhurst from higher ground level side shot / 7"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "Back view of Fernhurst / 8"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "Fernhurst front view taken from across Fernhurst Grove / 6"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "Front view of Fernhurst showing tower to advantage / 9"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

George Wharton arrived in Melbourne in 1844. An architect and surveyor, he was appointed to lay out the 'Village of Kew' by N.A. Fenwick following the land sales of 1851. A protagonist for Kew's separation from the Boroondara District Road Board, he was elected chairman when Kew achieved municipal status in December 1860. His home, 'Fernhurst', was built in 1866 on eight acres in Studley Park, with a four-storey tower and pyramidal roof. The Italianate home was a prominent Kew landmark. It was demolished in 1979 and replaced by St Paul's College in 1980.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant mansion in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of 'Fernhurst' in 1978. Photographed by Stewart West in May 1978, one year before it was demolished, the photograph gives little idea of the large landholding once surrounding the house. Originally accessed from near the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road, its gardens had been subdivided in the 1900s and its footprint restricted to 13 Fernhurst Grove. Like many other grand houses, by the 1970s it had been converted into apartments. From the photograph, one can see that the house had retained many of its original features such as the distinctive tower and the wide bow-fronted verandah. The slates on the roof (apart from those on the tower) had been replaced by tiles and the cement render of the exterior painted white. Annotated reverse: "Fernhurst corner shot through trees / 12-22"fernhurst, 13 fernhurst grove -- kew (vic.), george wharton, italianate architecture, vila maria society, st paul's school for the blind

This is an aerial oblique image looking north. It shows Kew Junction before construction of VicRoads (Country Roads Board), Murphy's (Leo's) supermarket, and office towers. It also shows a building on the land now known as the Raoul Wallenberg Reserve, the Kew Municipal Offices in Walpole Street, and St Paul's School for the Blind in Fernhurst Grove, and Kew Bowling Club in Wellington Street.An aerial photograph of Kew Junction, showing the intersection of High Street South, Studley Park Road, Princess Street, High Street and Denmark Street. A number of buildings, now demolished can be identified in the photo, including Jellis’ Bakeries on the corner of Princess Street and Studley Park Road." Annotation on reverse: "Kew Historical Society from Mr L. H. Chinner".kew junction, aerial photograph (kew), oblique aerial, st paul's school for the blind, kew municipal offices, high street kew, studley park road, kew war memorial, kew post office, kew police station, kew court house, high street south, kew, wellington street kew, denmark street kew

Lily and William Wishart lived during this period in 'Noranook', Fernhurst grove, Kew. There are numerous contemporary accounts of the social and civic activities of Lily Wishart as mayoress of Kew. In a description of a 'Mayoral At Home' in the Kew Recreation Hall, a report in The Australasian (10 Aug 1907, p.46) described the event thus: MAYORAL AT HOME In the Kew Recreation-hall on Thursday evening the Mayor and Mrs. W. Wishart gave an at home to between two and three hundred guests. ... Prior to the musical programme, the mayor and mayoress held a reception, standing on a dais at one side of the room. Mrs. Wishart was gowned in black glace silk, trimmed with handsome lace applique, and she wore a cream Maltese lace scarf over her shoulders, and held a bouquet of cardinal carnations.' This may be the dress in the collection. Another interesting and relevant report is an account in The Argus (19 March 1907, p.6): 'WOMEN'S WORK EXHIBITION The mayoress of Kew (Mrs. W. Wishart) invited the ladies of the district to meet in the mayor's room, town-hall, Kew, at half past 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, to consider steps to be taken locally in support of the proposed Exhibition of Women's Work.'The dress is locally significant as the work of a skilled home-dressmaker in Kew, who was also a leading civic figure in the municipality. One tends to think of amateur dressmakers as women who could not afford to purchase clothes from a retailer. Clearly, 'women's work' and the skills that educated and wealthy women acquired in the period allowed them to fashion their own garments.Full length evening dress in four parts. Undergarments include two items: a basic black silk petticoat and an upper black silk slip, the latter with two bands of ruffles. The lace dress is in two parts: a bodice and a skirt. The black, high-necked bodice is constructed of silk organza to which guipure lace has been extensively applied. The bodice has long puffed sleeves, gathered on the forearm to form a wide band of lace and ribbon at the wrist. The skirt is constructed of the same black fabric with descending bands of gathered black silk ribbon, used as ornamentation. The skirt also features a long train. Apart from the donor information about its provenance, the style of the dress can confidently be dated to the period 1900-1910. The dress was made and worn to civic functions by Mrs Lily Wishart, Mayoress of Kew in 1906-7. Earlier items belonging to William and Lily Wishart entered the collection as early as 2002. The dress was donated by a descendant of a friend of Lily Wishart in 2020. The photograph of the dress and its components attached to the record needed to be digitally enhanced so that details of the dress could be viewed online, as the fabric of the dress is an intense black. A physical assessment of the dress is included in the condition report.fashion & design collection - kew historical society, australian fashion - 1900s, evening dresses, lily clara wishart, fashion design, fashion -- 1900s

Booklet produced in 1940 for members of the 2nd AIF by the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division. The 128-page pocket-sized book could be carried everywhere and provided Australian soldiers with a wide range of useful information about the requirements of war service and many other important details such as: The Laws and Customs of War - including Geneva Convention guidelines, notes on spies and insignia of rank; Things a Soldier should Know - including over 60 points; Signaling - including flags, morse code, shipboard bell times and time zone; Decorations Awarded to Australians in the Great War; Arabic and Japanese words; First Aid for gas injuries etc.; Australian Historical Events, facts and figures etc.; and Conduct Overseas - including expectations of behaviour when representing Australia. non-fictionaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945, hugh george ferguson

The Victorian-era architect George Wharton, the initial surveyor of Kew. In 1866, he designed and had built Fernhurst in Studley Park, the house a prominent landmark. He resided there until his death, aged 69, on 26 November 1891. He was buried on 27 November in Grave 1520, Church of England Compartment B, Boroondara General Cemetery. Fernhurst Grove is named after his house, which was demolished in 1979.Born digital image of the grave and headstone of the architect George Wharton in the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery, 2013. George Wharton created the first survey of Kew and was elected the Municipality's first Chairman in 1861.victorian architects - george wharton, chairmen of kew (vic) - george wharton, boroondara general (kew) cemetery

The original Kew Town Hall offices were located in Walpole Street, Kew. Before 1960, even though it had been much discussed over a number of decades, Kew did not have a 'civic hall'. When required, events such as balls, exhibitions or theatrical events were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in Walpole Street. A new City Hall was to be opened by Sir Robert Menzies in 1960. It was located beside the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road. It is now used as the Kew Library. Cr Hugh George Ferguson (at right) was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Australian Imperial Forces. After the war he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term. He died in 1975, aged 75, and is buried in Boroondara Cemetery.An item of historical interest donated by members of the Dods family in 2006. The Dods-Ferguson Collection includes a number of items once in the possession of the families related to or descended from two mayors of Kew: Cr. Hugh Ferguson and Cr. Frederick Dods.Publicity photograph of two men and a woman inspecting architectural models for a new Kew City Hall. The man at the right of the photograph is Cr Hugh George Ferguson, Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The Hall, now occupied by the Kew Library, was opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte MLA, Premier of Victoria in 1960.Herald Sun Feature Service / Hugh G. Ferguson & Associates / New Kew City Hall. kew city hall, hugh g. ferguson & asociates, architectural models - kew, cr hugh george ferguson

Hugh George Ferguson was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Second AIF. In 1945, he was reported to be the ACF (Australian Comforts Fund) Commissioner in Borneo [Kalimantan]. After the Second World War, he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and as campaign director for Arthur Rylah in Victorian politics. He directed the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including ‘Australia Makes It Exhibition’ in 1947, the ‘Australian Industrial Fair’ in 1949 and 1950, the ‘Modern Home Exhibition’ in 1949, and ‘Made in Australia’ in 1952. The funds raised during the latter were earmarked for a ‘bankrupt’ Queen Victoria Hospital. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor in 1959. Hugh Ferguson died in 1975, aged 75. He was buried on 2 September in Grave 201, Special (Non- Denominational) Compartment A, Boroondara General Cemetery.A gold plated bar brooch with suspended medallion having a blue enamelled ring surrounding the City of Kew crest in reliefFront: City of Kew, above the city of Kew crest with Council below Rear: Mrs H. G. Ferguson, Mayoress, 1959-60city of kew, mayoresses - kew (vic), mrs hg ferguson

Hugh George Ferguson was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Second AIF. In 1945, he was reported to be the ACF (Australian Comforts Fund) Commissioner in Borneo [Kalimantan]. After the Second World War, he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and as campaign director for Arthur Rylah in Victorian politics. He directed the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including ‘Australia Makes It Exhibition’ in 1947, the ‘Australian Industrial Fair’ in 1949 and 1950, the ‘Modern Home Exhibition’ in 1949, and ‘Made in Australia’ in 1952. The funds raised during the latter were earmarked for a ‘bankrupt’ Queen Victoria Hospital. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor in 1959. Hugh Ferguson died in 1975, aged 75. He was buried on 2 September in Grave 201, Special (Non- Denominational) Compartment A, Boroondara General Cemetery.City of Kew identification badge issued to sitting councillors. The City of Kew cost is surrounded by a blue enamel band with City of Kew Council picked out in gold cloisonné.Front: City of Kew to top, Crest in middle with Council below Rear: Cr H. G. Ferguson 27-8-1955mayors of kew - cr hg ferguson, kew council, city of kew

William 'Bill' Leo Larkin (b. 19.09.1898) was born in Hawthorn (Vic). [His World War I enlistment papers give details of the Hawthorn birthdate, as well as Ballarat, but his birth records state his birth as Hawthorn). After leaving St Patrick's College in Ballarat in 1917, he enlisted in the army serving in England and France. At the time of his enlistment in the army in the Second World War (17 April 1940), he was recorded as living in Kew. His service number was VX11459. The Sands & McDougall Directory of 1938 gives his address as 31 Fernhurst Grove. In the army he served in the Middle East and in New Guinea. He was to attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1942. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in 1946. Enlistment Presentation Wallets were presented by the City of Kew from 1940 to men who enlisted in the war. Typically, these wallets are dated 1939, even though the enlistment may have occurred at a later date.Memento presented to citizens of Kew (vic.) on enlistmentRectangular brown leather single fold wallet with eight internal pockets. The front includes an embossed City of Kew logo and the words ‘Presented by the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of the City of Kew to W. L. Larkin on Enlistment for Active Service Abroad, 1939'.second world war 1939-1945, world war two, city of kew, william leo larkin, bill larkin, presentation wallets

Edward Augustus Atkyns was born in Wiltshire, England in 1840. His family emigrated to Australia in 1852. As a young man he was a keen cricketer and played at the first cricket ground in the district, located between Barkers Road and Hawthorn Grove, on the site of the future Barker railway station. Atkyns was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1861, initially working in his father’s practice. He sat as a local magistrate in both Kew and Hawthorn and acted as solicitor for several shire councils. Elected to the Hawthorn Borough Council in 1863 at the age of 23, he served in that municipality as mayor in 1866-67. By 1877, he had moved to Kew where he lived at Neama in Studley Park Road, a property later incorporated into the St Paul’s School for the Blind.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant house in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of the main house of 'Neama', colloquially known as the 'farmhouse'. Photographed by Stewart West in April 1978 (it was later demolished by the Villa Maria Society).Annotated reverse: "Front view of Neama / Farmhouse on St Paul's School for the Blind Children / Fernhurst Estate"st paul's school for the blind, neama, studley park road -- kew (vic.), historic houses -- kew (vic.), villa maria society

Edward Augustus Atkyns was born in Wiltshire, England in 1840. His family emigrated to Australia in 1852. As a young man he was a keen cricketer and played at the first cricket ground in the district, located between Barkers Road and Hawthorn Grove, on the site of the future Barker railway station. Atkyns was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 1861, initially working in his father’s practice. He sat as a local magistrate in both Kew and Hawthorn and acted as solicitor for several shire councils. Elected to the Hawthorn Borough Council in 1863 at the age of 23, he served in that municipality as mayor in 1866-67. By 1877, he had moved to Kew where he lived at Neama in Studley Park Road, a property later incorporated into the St Paul’s School for the Blind.Rare colour photograph of what was once a significant house in Kew.Original colour positive photograph (Kodak print) of the secondary building at 'Neama', colloquially known as the 'hall'. Photographed by Stewart West in April 1978 (it was later demolished by the Villa Maria Society).Annotated reverse: "Timber hall on Fernhurst land / Transported there approx 1878."st paul's school for the blind, neama, studley park road -- kew (vic.), historic houses -- kew (vic.), villa maria society