An inter-club memorandum advising of the Board's approval to establish a hostel for Junior Legatees, later to be known as Holmbush, and ultimately as Blamey House. Holmbush was the first residential accommodation operated by Melbourne Legacy, and was established in 1942. It accommodated boys aged between 9 and 19, usually attending secondary school. In 1956, Holmbush became known as Blamey House. It was located not far from another Legacy home, Stanhope (1245 Burke Road). Residents of Holmbush and other Legacy homes were the children of deceased ex-servicemen. Sometimes residents at Legacy homes were both children of ex-servicemen and wards of state. In 1956, Blamey House, another Legacy children's home formerly in Beaumaris moved into the Holmbush property in Kew, and it was renamed Blamey House. Location 1942 - 1956? Address - Holmbush was located at 1267 Burke Road, Kew. Location: Kew Early record of the establishment of one of Melbourne Legacy's residences.Typed memo, black on white with blue letterhead outlining the agreement of the JLC board to proceed with the hostel for boys.residences, holmbush initial negotiations

The care of children was a major part of Legacy work in the 1950s, many of whom would have lost their fathers in WWII. The minutes document the fostering of children by individual legatees, and their living conditions at Holmbush. It is clear that the children made do with whatever clothes could be afforded, and they were strongly encouraged to to study. Discipline was commensurate with what was acceptable at the time, and the children were expected to do their share of chores around the home.Complete set of minutes for the year 1955 with details of the children in care at Holmbush, their environment and activities.Foolscap typed sheets, black type on faded white paper 00279.1 26.1.1955 00279.2 7.2.1955 00279.3 8.3.1955 00279.4 20.4.1955 00279.5 26.5.1955 00279.6 27.6.1955 00279.7 26.7.1955 00279.8 13.8.1955 00279.9 7.9.1955 00279.10 10.10.1955 00279.11 10.11.1955 residences, holmbush initial negotiations, committee, holmbush

Initial rules for the running of Holmbush and for the intended residents, with the aim of providing a 'private family residence of the best type' for Junior Legatees admitted by the Management Committee, including a list of clothing each resident was expected to bring.Details of how the Melbourne Legacy residence was to be run reveal how much work and time the Legatees invested in looking after Junior Legatees and how seriously they took this responsibility in 1943.Quarto carbon copy of typed rules, black on faded white'Approved J.L.C. 1943' handwritten in blue ink.residences, holmbush administration, holmbush initial negotiations, rules

Retrieved from a file marked "Holmbush (later Blamey House)" Refers to the needs of Legacy children which led to the establishment of Melbourne Legacy residences, and gives an indication of costs at that time as well as the attitudes of the times. Although it is undated, it must have been written before 1943. One of the earliest documents relating to the Melbourne Legacy residences.Two typed quarto sheets, black on white, undated, two punched holes for filing,"Original memorandum prepared by L/Craig and circulated among J.L.C."holmbush initial negotiations, residences

Notes from the meeting of the Junior Legatee Committee held on 28 September 1942 reveal how Legatees perceived the need to establish a residence for juniors. The notes detail the type of residence which would be appropriate, and how it should be funded and run in broad outline. These views were informed by an interview with the Headmaster of Box Hill Grammar School, a co-educational boarding school.It is interesting to note the different attitudes towards boys and girls at that time; girls required sewing and music rooms to replace the workshop and gym for the boys. The impetus to provide safe accommodation for children exemplify Legacy values.5 quarto carbon copies, black on white, two punched holes for filing.Pages 4 and 5 hand written numbers '4' and '3' Date on Page 1 underlined in pen.holmbush initial negotiations, committee

Initial thinking about the establishment of Holmbush 'for boys whose earnings and family circumstances are insufficient to enable them to pay full rates for Board & Lodging; and to extend to them the supervision benefits, and comradeship of Legacy."Further documentation on the practicalities of establishing a Legacy residence for boys. The then current costs are detailed.3 carbon copied foolscap sheets, tattered at the foot, and typed onto paper previously used for a schedule of works for Spicer Detmold. Two punched holes for filing.00297.1 Item 2.a "Day, Fullarton (2) Priest, (illegible)" 00297.2. Item 2.e "+ Churches, Sports Grounds, Swimming Pool & (illegible)" holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Notes from Methodist Homes for Children detailing staffing, costs and charges for their Hostel for Boys on the first page, then following pages deal with possible Melbourne Legacy hostel. Dated 17.12.42.Example of research carried out for the establishment of Holmbush.Two foolscap sheets, carbon copies, torn at bottom left corner. Two punched holes for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Details the issues discussed by the Board and J.L.C Committee regarding the establishment of a children's home.A valuable insight into the thinking, social values and prevailing difficulties of the time.Two typed quarto sheets, carbon copies, black on white, two punched holes for filing. Undated."Submission to Club - Luncheon Meeting" handwritten in pencil.holmbush initial negotiations, residences

Anonymous undated notes pertaining to the establishment of Holmbush. Forms part of the documentation and research for this project and indicates the type of staff required for a boarding house at that time.Contributes to the documentation still in existence for the establishment of Melbourne Legacy residences.Faded blue ink handwritten note on white paper, two holes punched for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Notes on the reasons and implications for the establishment of a Melbourne Legacy residence for children, identifying the need for a safe environment for post-war childrenMore early documentation on the thinking behind the first of the Melbourne Legacy residences.Three quarto carbon copies, black on white, two holes punched for filing.'L/ Wilkinson. Please return when convenient (signature illegible) 21/12/??' Page 1 Handwritten changes Page 2 including the addition of 'It is estimated that the initial capital cost will be (Pounds) 7,000' Handwritten changes Page 3.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Detailed measurements of the rooms, but the plan of the land noted as being enclosed is not included. The details had been requested in a previous telephone conversation between the parties, indicating early interest in purchasing the property which ultimately became Holmbush. Despite being from a real estate agent there is little in the way of a sales pitch.As well as indicating the extent of the rooms, it also notes that the property had a coke hot water system, which would have been typical of the 1940s, as would the elaborate letterhead.Typewritten undated letter on letterhead of Geo.M.Hume Pty Ltd., black on white, addressed to Mr. D.N. CraigSignature illegible.holmbush initial negotiations, properties, holmbush

Letter dated 10 December 1942 to the President of the Legacy Club with the Hostel Committee's recommendation to purchase 1267 Burke Road as a hostel. He advises that there was only one dissenting committee member (Legatee Carleton) who felt that the property was too far from the city for convenience. The price of £5,500 is considered to be favourable following a formal valuation of £6,633, and he estimates that the property would accommodate at least 23 children plus staff with only minor alteration.Records the Hostel Committee's official decision and submits it to the then President of the Legacy Club, Legatee H.M. James.White quarto letter with black type on Legacy Club letterhead (blue), four holes punched for filing.Signed and initialled by Legatee Eric Russell, Chairman, Hostel Committee.holmbush initial negotiations, properties, holmbush

Formal identification of the property to be bought as the first Melbourne Legacy residence sent to Legatee E. Russell, Chair of the Hostel Committee. The survey is hand drawn and meticulously measured.The documents demonstrate business practices in the 1940s with regard to the purchase of property, as well as being an important record of the first property to be purchased by Melbourne Legacy as a residence for children.00310.1 Letter from Dudley A. Tregent, Solicitor, dated 15 January 1943, to Legatee E. Russell, Chair of the Hostel Committee, enclosing the survey sketch plan. White paper, black letterhead and typing, two holes punched for filing 00310.2 Survey sketch plan by Meudell, Gillespie & Co, dated 13 January 1943. Black type and printing, with some red shading and writing, on white foolscap paper. 00310.3 Letter from Meudell, Gillespie & Co to Mr. D.A. Tregent, Solicitor. Quarto, black typing, red underlining, on white.00310.1 Signed by D.A. Tregent 00310.2 Signed by Percival A. Jordan 00310.3 Signed by Percival A. Jordanholmbush initial negotiations, properties, holmbush

The initial valuation of Holmbush was revised from £6,633 to £6,921 in light of the fact that on reflection the valuer, Angus McIntyre, thought he should increase the allowance for depreciation because of the property being 20 years old.The documents demonstrate business practices in the 1940s with regard to the purchase of property, as well as being an important record of the first property to be purchased by Melbourne Legacy as a residence for children.00311.1 black type and printing on white foolscap letterhead punched with 2 holes for filing 00311.2 black type on white foolscap punched with 2 holes for filing 00311.3 black type on white quarto punched with 2 holes for filing 00311.4 black type on white quarto punched with 2 holes for filing00311.1 Initialled in blue ink, illegible 00311.2 'Yeo. Crossthwaite & Co A. McIntyre F.C.I.V. (illegible) Valuer" in black ink 00311.3 Initialled by Legatee E. Russell in red ink holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush, properties

Confirming the details of the purchase of the Holmbush property.Official record of the negotiated price, fixtures and sewerage installation.Quarto copy paper, black and white, two hole punched for filing."M. Craig" hand written in faded blue inkholmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Transport options, fares and frequency in the Burke Road, Kew area to aid discussion on the suitability of the site.Shows the possible transport routes from the site to places of learning and employment and that it was well situated. Quarto copy paper, black and white, two hole punched for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Letter from Dudley A Tregent, Solicitor showing an outline of the final payment required for purchase of the Holmbush property, including stamp duty, transfer of Title fees and Council Rates. A record of the costs of acquiring property as well as being an important record of the first property to be purchased by Melbourne Legacy as a residence for children.Quarto copy paper, black and white, two hole punched for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush, properties

A letter from the Chairman of the Hostel Committee dated 5th March 1943 to the President of Melbourne Legacy outlining the expenditure to acquire and modify Holmbush to become the Hostel. Mentions purchase price, fees, furniture and furnishing costs. Also outlining the maintenance of the property until the Hostel is operational and handed over to the new Hostel Committee.Shows the business practice of Committees providing internal correspondence to record important expenditure and decision making, as well as being an important record of the first property to be purchased by Melbourne Legacy as a residence for children.Quarto copy paper, black and white, two hole punched for filing.Initialled (illegible) copy.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

00331.1 A copy of the letter from the solicitor to the real estate agents that handled the transaction to claim for the return of items included in the purchase of the Holmbush property that were removed by the previous owner. 00331.2 A note to accompany the copy of the letter.Business practices in the 1940s around the purchase of the first property by Melbourne Legacy as a residence for children.00331.1 Quarto white copy paper, black type, two hole punched for filing. 00331.2 White note paper, black type, two hole punched for filing.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Interview with Mr. McVilly, Secretary of the Charities Board, by the President of the Legacy Club of Melbourne and E. Russell, Chairman of the Hostel Committee re. Melbourne Legacy's intention to start a hostel.Record of the connection between the Charities Board and Legacy under the Charities Act.Quarto paper, black and white.Signed in ink by E. Russell, Chairman of the Hostel Committee.holmbush initial negotiations, holmbush

Letter requesting permission to accept a donation of 60ft of hose; presumably rubber was a controlled item during the War.Illustrates that approval was required from the Government to obtain certain items in 1943 even as donations.Quarto green copy paper, black type, two hole punched for filingInitialled in ink by E. Russell, Chairman Hostel Committeeholmbush initial negotiations, holmbush administration, donations

Many items had to be purchased or supplied when setting up the first Legacy hostel, and these documents record the variety of equipment needed for such a project. Melbourne Legacy ran three residences: Blamey House (purchased 1947) , Stanhope (purchased 1945) and Harelands (purchased 1950), to take care of children whose fathers were servicemen, and who may have been left orphans, or whose mother may have been unable to care for them herself. Harelands accommodated boys and girls under the age of 14, Blamey House looked after boys over 14, and Stanhope looked after girls over 14. The children were cared for until they were old enough to become independent.As well as detailing the items themselves, the lists identify Myers as a major supplier. Prices give an interesting insight into the times, as does what are seen to be necessities.Faded white copy paper with black type, 2 holes punched for filing.00520 Black ink handwriting added at bottom 00520.1 Numeral 5 in pencil, pencilled date 4/3/43 00520.1(2) Numeral 6 in pencil, pencilled alteration to total 00520.2 Numeral 7 in pencil, pencilled ticks 00520.2(2) Numeral 8 in pencil, pencilled item additions and prices 00520.3 Numeral 10 in pencil, pencilled item additions and prices, 'For L/ Cash" in ink top left hand side.residences, holmbush initial negotiations