The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Toy kaleidoscope in multicoloured cardboard tube.toys, kaleidoscopes

Margaret MitchellA rare and vintage gold painted metal Designoscope or Kaleidoscope with a prism and turntable for creating a kaleidoscopic effect. It is very rusted and worn. It has a triangular metal tube and a heavy base. It was designed for artists and illustrators rather than children. It has a coloured separate label."Designoscope British Made"kaleidoscopes, leisure object, optical toys

Small antique wood and glass Kaleidoscope with turning rod.photography, projectors - still

A colour photograph taken of Signpost Corner during Autumn in Marysville in Victoria.A colour photograph taken of Signpost Corner during Autumn in Marysville, Victoria. This corner was known as Signpost Corner. This postcard was produced by the Marysville Post Office as a souvenir of MarysvilleA Kaleidoscope of Colour Marysville Post Office AFFIX/ STAMP/ HERE Postcard by Sandy Berthelsenmarysville, victoria, autumn, postcard, souvenir, marysville post office

Object. Small antique wood and glass Kaleidoscope with turning handle.photography, projectors - still

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Lipton tea) from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Purina 'fancy feast') from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

The 'Cycles' series is an extension of two large scale provisional installations '150 Rotations', Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, and '356 Rotations', AC Institute in New York, which also re-purposed and aestheticised multiple paper units into hundreds of circular motifs.The immediate tactile connection with the material excesses and detritus of contemporary consumer culture informs the theoretical framework and conceptual understanding of Gower's practice, and associates her work with ideas of recovery and re-purpose, sustainable practice and thrift strategies that critique excesses of mass production and the notion of impermanence. This series was made ‘in transit’ during the artist’s recent studio residencies at Point[B], New York and Laughing Waters, Eltham, and at three temporary studios in Rome, Berlin and Collingwood.Kaleidoscope pattern of multiple segments (logos-Lipton 'Green Tea') from commercial (food) catalogues on commercial packaging (cardboard - round lid). No inscriptions and markingscycles, gower, collage, pattern, logos, commercialism, consumerism, repurpose, recycle, riverbend, laughing waters

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991. This image shows the outdoor toilet prior to the opening of the café. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Phil Cleary and Jenny Walker in the outdoor area at the back of the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1992. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Jenny Walker and Annie Hansen at the counter of the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 24 January 1994. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick taken in 1994. The Robur sign is still clearly visible in the Romany fashion shop (formerly a pizza shop). Advertising for chocolates is still visible on the canopy of the shop to the left. The quirky personality of the Kaleidoscope is emphasised by the Noah's Ark and birdcage in the front window and the 'dogs' (complete with water bowl) tied to the bicycle racks out the front. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

This work was completed during Harper's Laughing Waters residency at Boomerang House, 2001. The Laughing Waters Artist in Residence Program was run by Nillumbik Shire Council (in partnership with Parks Victoria) 2001-2015. "This painting is a part of a series based on Rudolph Steiner form drawings. The lines are meant to be drawn in a single continuous and rhythmic movement. I have made the composition a bit more complicated by dividing up the painting into small blocks. The 'form drawing' is the organic looping shape that is a continuous organic line. It becomes meshed into small coloured blocks almost disguising the form." Melinda Harper was the first artist-resident at Boomerang House through this program. Formerly the house was the home and studio of Sue Ford and Gordon Ford. "My painting is about colour and form, and their relationship. I am interested in what one colour does to another colour, the weight of a colour and the feeling of a colour. Colour is very complex; I am looking and responding to what I see and what interests me." Melinda Harper in Artist Profile journal article by Melissa Pesa, 2015.The painting is representative of Harper's artistic practice and the vivid colours and abstraction particular to her work. Small-medium sized oil painting of vivid, bold, coloured shapes arranged in a kaleidoscope pattern. There is an array of colours each placed in proximity to each other to create a vibrant, lively atmosphere. Anna Schwartz sticker on back of canvas. harper, untitled, 2002, contemporary, laughing waters, boomerang, abstract

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991. This image shows another view of the outdoor toilet prior to the opening of the café. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of the area where the former Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick was located. Image taken 5 February 2025. See also P2025.048 which shows the same shops in 1994.

Mary Joyce Abbott made the quilt in 1972 in Bendigo. The quilt was constructed on Mary’s old Singer sewing machine with knee-action drive. Mary gifted the quilt to her daughter Sandra who used it on her bed for about a decade then retired it when she purchased her first doona. Mary was an excellent seamstress and a very early winner of Melbourne Show quilt prize with two single log cabin style quilts. In the mid-1980s Sandra roughly stitched Mary’s name and the date onto the back of the quilt.The quilt is constructed out of crazy quilt blocks, machine sewn, and made from factory offcuts of velveteen in a kaleidoscope of colours. The top end has squared edges and the bottom end has rounded edges.Mary Abbott \ 1972 (sewn into back of quilt)quilts, textiles, bed, sewing

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick taken 24 January 1992. Co-owner Annie Hanson is standing at the counter and customers enjoy their meals. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of a group of 8 people at the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick taken in 1992. Owners Annie Hanson (on left) and Jenny Walker (3rd from left). Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image features an old fireplace, sink area and sash window. Part of a collection of photographs donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows the 'Arabic arch' in the hallway, reminiscent of the former Empire Cafe. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows two workmen putting part of the serving area in place. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows a large stripped back area, almost ready for the transformation to begin. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows a large stripped back area, almost ready for the transformation to begin. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows the transformation of the interior of the cafe. The old glass signage for the Empire is clearly seen. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image shows a woman cleaning the area in front of a fireplace with art deco mirror above. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of the exterior of the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, taken in 1992. A portable coffee maker is set up outside the Café. The old Empire sign is clearly visible in the background. The Roburs sign on the next building is partially visible. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph showing the transformation of The Empire into the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick in 1991. A workman installs the sign for the new cafe while a ghost sign for Robur Tea -- "Goes further - Tastes better' is clearly seen on the building on the right of the image. Part of a collection of photographs donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 1991, showing alterations to the interior of the building prior to the opening of the café. This image features the handsome curving staircase, painted areas visible at the sides of the treads and faded areas where the carpet runner was once in place. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Jenny Walker and Annie Hanson, owners of the Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick in 1991. They are standing in front of the shop before it was renovated. Clearly visible are Herberts Pies signs on the window and a 'Fresh cut sandwiches' sign along the bottom strip of the building. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.

Colour photograph of Kaleidoscope Café, 295 Sydney Road, Brunswick taken 24 January 1992. Co-owner Annie Hanson is standing at the counter. Behind her is a poster advertising the Melbourne Arts Fringe Festival, 1992. Jenny Walker can just be seen on the far right of the image. Part of a collection donated by Annie Hanson Cohen.