Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of the Kew Swimming Club. Verso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of a swimmer of the Kew Swimming Club.Verso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of two swimmers of the Kew Swimming Club. Verso: 'Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of a number of swimmers of the Kew Swimming ClubVerso: 'Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of three swimmers of the Kew Swimming ClubVerso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of three swimmers of the Kew Swimming ClubVerso: 'Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot a man, possibly a coach of the Kew Swimming ClubVerso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot a man, possibly a coach, and two children.Verso: 'Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of a coach and two junior swimmers learning how to swim.Verso: 'Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of a swimmer at the Kew Swimming Pool in High Street, Kew. Other swimmers, officials and audience can be seen in the background. Verso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

Founded in 1925, the Kew Amateur Swimming Club launched alongside the opening of the Kew Municipal Baths on High Street. Starting with just twelve members, the club grew rapidly to over two hundred swimmers by 1932. As the seventh oldest swimming club in metropolitan Melbourne, it immediately affiliated with the Victorian Amateur Swimming Association and the Royal Life Saving Society. Before World War II, the club established itself as a local pillar, training generations of residents in competitive racing and life-saving. It successfully transitioned community swimming from the nearby Yarra River into a structured, safe, and modern aquatic sport environment.Small, undated black and white snapshot of a swimmer at the Kew Swimming Pool in High Street, Kew. Other swimmers, officials and audience can be seen in the background. Verso: "Kew Swimming Club"kew swimming club, aquatic sports, swimming, public swimming pools

W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) has a chapter (XXII, pp.103-105) on the Kew Swimming Pool (aka Kew Baths). In the chapter he recounts debate in Council from 1912 about the need for a swimming pool. The first concrete step toward achieving this occurred in 1914 when Council purchased the Tramways Sheds on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in 1914. Further adjoining land in High Street was compulsorily acquired in 1923. The final plans were accepted in 1925 and following public tender, Messrs. Weavill and Keast were appointed to construct the pool at a cost of 5,418/9/-. The baths were formally opened on 18 November 1925 by George Ramsay, Mayor of Kew. (The Kew Swimming Club was founded in the same year.) Vaughan notes that "mixed bathing was not permitted at the Kew Baths until January, 1928, when it was allowed every evening (except Sundays) and Friday afternoons. A few years later these restrictions were removed altogether".Small B&W photograph of a crowd of onlookers watching swimming events in the old Kew Swimming Pool in High Street. The photograph can be dated to the years 1929-33, as the wooden grandstand was not erected until 1929 and it was before a new high swimming platform was erected in 1933."Old Swimming Pool. D1. 92"kew swimming pool - kew (vic), sport and recreation - kew (vic), kew baths - kew (vic), mayors of kew - cr. george ramsay - kew (vic), kew swimming club

W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) has a chapter (XXII, pp.103-105) on the Kew Swimming Pool (aka Kew Baths). In the chapter he recounts debate in Council from 1912 about the need for a swimming pool. The first concrete step toward achieving this occurred in 1914 when Council purchased the Tramways Sheds on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in 1914. Further adjoining land in High Street was compulsorily acquired in 1923. The final plans were accepted in 1925 and following public tender, Messrs. Weavill and Keast were appointed to construct the pool at a cost of 5,418/9/-. The baths were formally opened on 18 November 1925 by George Ramsay, Mayor of Kew. (The Kew Swimming Club was founded in the same year.) Vaughan notes that "mixed bathing was not permitted at the Kew Baths until January, 1928, when it was allowed every evening (except Sundays) and Friday afternoons. A few years later these restrictions were removed altogether".Small B&W photograph of the old Kew Swimming Pool showing seating at right. The photograph can be dated to the years 1929-33, as the wooden grandstand was not erected until 1929 and it was before a new high swimming platform was erected in 1933."D3. 92"kew swimming pool - kew (vic), sport and recreation - kew (vic), kew baths - kew (vic), mayors of kew - cr. george ramsay - kew (vic), kew swimming club

W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) has a chapter (XXII, pp.103-105) on the Kew Swimming Pool (aka Kew Baths). In the chapter he recounts debate in Council from 1912 about the need for a swimming pool. The first concrete step toward achieving this occurred in 1914 when Council purchased the Tramways Sheds on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in 1914. Further adjoining land in High Street was compulsorily acquired in 1923. The final plans were accepted in 1925 and following public tender, Messrs. Weavill and Keast were appointed to construct the pool at a cost of 5,418/9/-. The baths were formally opened on 18 November 1925 by George Ramsay, Mayor of Kew. (The Kew Swimming Club was founded in the same year.) Vaughan notes that "mixed bathing was not permitted at the Kew Baths until January, 1928, when it was allowed every evening (except Sundays) and Friday afternoons. A few years later these restrictions were removed altogether".Small B&W photograph of two boys standing beside a diving board at the old Kew Swimming Pool while in the distance a woman dives into the pool. The photograph can be dated to the years 1929-33, as the wooden grandstand was not erected until 1929 and it was before a new high swimming platform was erected in 1933."Old Swimming Pool Kew. D4. 92"kew swimming pool - kew (vic), sport and recreation - kew (vic), kew baths - kew (vic), mayors of kew - cr. george ramsay - kew (vic), kew swimming club

W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) has a chapter (XXII, pp.103-105) on the Kew Swimming Pool (aka Kew Baths). In the chapter he recounts debate in Council from 1912 about the need for a swimming pool. The first concrete step toward achieving this occurred in 1914 when Council purchased the Tramways Sheds on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in 1914. Further adjoining land in High Street was compulsorily acquired in 1923. The final plans were accepted in 1925 and following public tender, Messrs. Weavill and Keast were appointed to construct the pool at a cost of 5,418/9/-. The baths were formally opened on 18 November 1925 by George Ramsay, Mayor of Kew. (The Kew Swimming Club was founded in the same year.) Vaughan notes that "mixed bathing was not permitted at the Kew Baths until January, 1928, when it was allowed every evening (except Sundays) and Friday afternoons. A few years later these restrictions were removed altogether".Small B&W photograph of the old Kew Swimming Pool. Girl on diving board at left. The photograph can be dated to the years 1929-33, as the wooden grandstand was not erected until 1929 and it was before a new high swimming platform was erected in 1933."Old Swimming Pool Kew. D2. 92"kew swimming pool - kew (vic), sport and recreation - kew (vic), kew baths - kew (vic), mayors of kew - cr. george ramsay - kew (vic), kew swimming club

W.D. Vaughan in 'Kew's Civic Century' (1960) has a chapter (XXII, pp.103-105) on the Kew Swimming Pool (aka Kew Baths). In the chapter he recounts debate in Council from 1912 about the need for a swimming pool. The first concrete step toward achieving this occurred in 1914 when Council purchased the Tramways Sheds on the corner of High and Disraeli Streets in 1914. Further adjoining land in High Street was compulsorily acquired in 1923. The final plans were accepted in 1925 and following public tender, Messrs. Weavill and Keast were appointed to construct the pool at a cost of 5,418/9/-. The baths were formally opened on 18 November 1925 by George Ramsay, Mayor of Kew. (The Kew Swimming Club was founded in the same year.) Vaughan notes that "mixed bathing was not permitted at the Kew Baths until January, 1928, when it was allowed every evening (except Sundays) and Friday afternoons. A few years later these restrictions were removed altogether".Five black and white photographs of Kew in the 1960s donated by Kerstin Fraser. The photographs include 3 pictures of the Mayor of Kew, Gordon Greer at the Kew Baths and two photographs of the Carmelite Monastery in Stevenson Street, Kew.kew baths - kew (vic), carmelite monastery - stevenson street - kew (vic), cr leo hawkins, swimming

A photo of a class of young legatees in 1951, in a garage, called the East Brighton Group. There are 29 boys, of various ages, in gymnastic gear with the Legacy logo on the chest and 4 men who could be the instructor and a Legacy member. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years, such as gymnastics and swimming classes. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally, as there are several photos of different classes (see 00862 - 00867) perhaps to record Legacy classes for promotion purposes. The notes on the back mentioned there are 6 other groups of boys (perhaps those in Kew, Fitzroy, Footscray, Malvern and Auburn in the other photos mentioned). The names are: From the left, rear: L/. W Blackall, Bob Watson, Leon Wicks, L/. Evans, Bill Luck, Kev Gleeson, David Endean, Rex Mason, Douglas Grigg, Don Paulson, Bernard Hubbard, Bob Lancaster, Neville Trevena, Alan Barrett, Bob Gleeson, Eric Scott, Doug Wylie, Bill Gleeson, Mr G. Nelson Instr., Mr H. Singleton Instr. Front: Don Scott, Peter Luck, Tony Minogue, Gavan Carr, Warwick Leeming, Peter Marsh, John McLennan, Bruce Grigg, Robin Barker, Stephen Westcott, Barry Larkam, Roger Falahey, Tom Cocksam. Absent: J. Paulson (Capt.)A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees.Black and white photo of a class of Legacy boys in a garage.Handwritten in blue ink "East Brighton Group 7 Dec 1951. There are 6 other groups for boys". Stamped '2668' in grey ink Handwritten 'P4 Legacy' in blue pen and 'Reduce to 6 and half " wide' in pencil. Blue ink notes detail the boys' names.junior legatee, boys' classes

A photo of a junior legatees in elaborate ballgowns and old fashioned outfits, and wigs dancing on stage at the Annual Demonstration. Central characters appear to be a queen and a girl in a tutu as part of a dramatic dance routine. Legacy clubs ran classes for junior legatees for many years such as gymnastics, swimming or dancing classes. It was part of providing for the children of their deceased comrades. The skills they learned were show cased in an annual demonstration usually at the Melbourne Town Hall. It appears to be photo taken professionally of the Annual Demonstration. Year unknown.A record of a way Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo of junior legatees in ball gowns dancing on stage at Melbourne Town Hall.Stamped "Leslie Thomspon / 8 Keystone Cres / East Kew WL 3078" in purple ink. Handwritten 'Legacy P2' in blue pen.junior legatee, annual demonstration

Henry Christian (c.1809-91) 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: Henry Beater (1886-1962), Ada Susannah May (1888-1962), Orlando Julius (1891-1917) and Lilian Adelaide ( -1956). Ada married George Herrick Washfold, and had four children: Lilian Mavis, Orlando George Barnard, William Edwin and Henry Clifford (the husband of the donor).An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian family of Pakington Street, Kew, comprising professional and amateur photography, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Many of the photographs vividly capture the worlds of three generations of men - Henry Christian, his son Orlando Henry Beater Christian, and his grandson of Henry Christian. The most important photographer was the youngest, Henry Christian, who 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. Photographic positive on mounting board. The image depicts a woman and three young children in a buggy drawn by a donkey. The road on which they pause is surrounded by fenced and cleared farmland, stretching away to the distant hills. It is presumed that the subject of the photo is Elizabeth Christian (nee Schoberg) and three of her four children. The photographer may have been her husband, Orlando Henry Beater Christian.christian family, washfold family, kew pioneers, christian-washfold collection

Henry Christian (c.1809-91) 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: Henry Beater (1886-1962), Ada Susannah May (1888-1962), Orlando Julius (1891-1917) and Lilian Adelaide ( -1956). Ada married George Herrick Washfold, and had four children: Lilian Mavis, Orlando George Barnard, William Edwin and Henry Clifford (the husband of the donor).Photographic positive on mounting board. The image depicts ten deaconesses posed in two rows for a formal photoshoot. Deaconesses Camberwell Baptist Church / Back row, 2nd on right, Ada Washfold [nee Christian].christian family, washfold family, camberwell baptist church, ada washfold (nee christian), christian-washfold collection

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 eldest.An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.View of grounds of Macauleys boathouse. Gum trees and willows. Stacked embankment. Person rowing boat. Others sitting on bank.macauley's boathouse, yarra river -- kew (vic.), christian-washfold collection

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 eldest.An item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian family of Pakington Street, Kew, comprising professional and amateur photography, depicting individuals, natural and settled environments and the interactions between these worlds. Many of the photographs vividly capture the worlds of three generations of men - Henry Christian, his son Orlando Henry Beater Christian, and his grandson of Henry Christian. The most important photographer was the youngest, Henry Christian, who 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.Black and white photo of the rear view of a man in a hat standing under a tree on a hill looking across the Yarra River (unseen) towards Melbourne. The exhibition building and the spires of St Patrick’s Cathedral can be seen on the skyline. The man may be Orlando Henry Beater Christian. If all the spires are intact it must postdate 1939 when work begun in the early 1930s on the spires began. He may be standing on the edge of the Yarra Boulevard.melbourne skyline - 1930s, yarra boulevard -- kew (vic.), christian-washfold collection