Henry Christian (c.1809-91), the grandfather of the photographer, was one of the first settlers in Kew. He arrived in Victoria with his wife Agnes and son Orlando in 1855 on the Gypsy Queen. He established a rope-making business in Bulleen Road by 1858 but was declared insolvent two years later. In his final years, he was celebrated as one of the oldest living settlers of the district. His son, Orlando Henry Beater Christian (c.1853-1930) became a member of the Hawthorn Band and a foundation member of the Willsmere Swimming Club. Orlando and his wife Elizabeth had four children of which Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) was the oldest.An album of photographs, compiled by Henry Beater Christian (1886-1962) of Pakington Street, Kew, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Henry Christian, was a keen explorer, not just of his immediate environment but also of the Victorian wilderness. His major opus is contained in two albums in which he records, sometimes in majestic detail and on other occasions the intimate features of the natural world. His photographic travels during the 1920s, often in solitary ramblings but on other occasions with companions, recall the heroic landscape photography of an earlier era, pioneered by Nicholas Caire. In addition to their aesthetic value, the albums are historically significant records within the State of Victoria, of what is now a distant point in time, and of places that have become radically altered through human intervention.Digital copy of a 47-page photograph album containing 255 gelatinous silver images, loaned by Diane Washfold with permission given to digitise and hold a copy in our collection. The album contains a groups of photographic positives taken by Henry B Christian (a resident of Pakington Street), of places in Kew and throughout regional Victoria during the 1920s. The mainly sepia photographs, while small, are of a high resolution. Photographs are typically lightly glued onto pages. Locations are frequently identified by white or black ink, which in a number of cases is illegible due to wear.henry beater christian (1886-1962), landscape photography, photograph albums, kew (vic.) — yarra river, kew (vic.) — zig-zag bridge, kew (vic.) — macauley’s boathouse, studley park (vic.) — yarra river, wonderland — grampians (vic.), black spur (vic.), marysville (vic.), maroondah dam (vic.) — construction, warburton (vic.), cockatoo (vic.), bruthen (vic.), swan reach road (vic.), glen hills (vic.), lightning creek (vic.), omeo (vic.), glen wills (vic.), mt wills (vic.), sunnyside (vic), granite flat (vic.), toolangi (vic.), yea (vic, )., flowerdale (vic.), mt white law (vic.), baw baw (vic.), christian-washfold collection

The Mystery of John McMahon's Grave, Big Hill mentions granite stone markers south of the Tunnel. Some believed he was buried there, but further research has found he is buried at the Kangaroo Flat Cemetery in the Roman Catholic section, Grave No. 1134 on 20 May, 1874. Also mentioned is his widow was appointed Gate Keeper at Ravenswood on 2 September, 1874. Also mentioned is the death of Frederick Benton, who died on 24 February, 1860 of peritonitis. There is a sepia? Photo taken of the Big Hill Tunnel (Bendigo side looking south) from Picture Australia c. 1875 and a coloured one of the Big Hill Tunnel Bendigo side (photo taken March, 2008). On page 2 are two coloured views at Big Hill for John McMahon, 850 metres south of Big Hill Tunnel entrance, Melbourne side/east of line (photos taken March, 2008).person, individual, john mcmahon, mystery of john mcmahon's grave, big hill, john mcmahon, big hill tunnel, mrs i marchesi, mr marchesi, mrs ivy irene marchesi (nee bone), sarah mcmahon, sarah mcewan (mckeown/mckeon), ravenswood station, kangaroo flat cemetery, sarah jane mcmahon, frederick benton, pictureaustralia, vic rail, melbourne to mount alexander-murray rail line, stone markers for john mcmahon