The Lioness Club of Kew operated between 1978 and 1992. Items from its collection were deposited with the Kew Historical Society in 2000.The Lioness Club of Kew was the first Lioness Club in the Melbourne area. As such its records are of Historic and Social Significance as a record of post-war community organisations run by women. As the records were donated to the Kew Historical Society as a place of deposit, they are well provenanced. They comprise albums, objects, and a history of the Club so provide a complete picture of the Club's operation.Nine small fabric banners promoting the Lioness Club of KewLioness Club / District 201VI / Kew Victoria Australia. Nine small fabric bannerslioness club of kew, kew lionesses

The biographical profiles of members of the Lioness Club of Kew in the scrapbook include: Shirley Van Scoy, Marjorie Rogers, Lucy Weber, Prue Molnar, Joyce Ward, Thelma Battaini, Lois Baker, Ruth Finger, Norma Finley, Pam Rowe, Jan Watkins, Kathleen Holgate, Leby Stone, Lorna Patching, Dorothy Cameron, Glad Kenner, Edna Cartwright, Jean Franklin, Valerie Newbegin, Thelma Leech, Debbie Davis, June Jerrett, Edna Glover, Gloria Grey, Jessie Watson, Helen Joyce, Shirley Gates, Lynette Skues, Pam Dewar, Babe O'Neill, Liza McLaine, Sandra Murphy, Gretta Murphy, Marie McGonigal, Barbara Barker, Joy Bridgeland, Judy Dent, Margaret Allen.Kew has had a number of women's organisations of national significance. The Lioness Club of Kew was the first such organisation in Melbourne and its records are consequently of historic significance. The scrapbook has added social and spiritual significance as it provides a key resource for profiling often unknown women in women's community organisations during the 1980s in Kew and Victoria. The scrapbook was deposited with the Kew Historical Society for safekeeping. It is complete and comprehensive allowing for interpretation.A scrapbook, compiled by members of the Lioness Club of Kew containing photographs and typed profiles of members dating from 1982-7. The profiles were added at monthly intervals under a heading "Lioness of the Month". The scrapbook also contains some annual reports and president's reports. At the back of the scrapbook are two newspaper cuttings (The Free Press, March 19, 1980), profiling the new president, Mrs Helen Joyce, and the Club. The photographs taped into the inside of the front cover are identified as those that were reproduced in the publication 'Where Violets First Grew', the Lioness Club of Kew's partial history.lioness club of kew, women's groups -- kew (vic.), kew lionesses

The certificate is part of a larger collection of material once belonging to the Kew Lioness Club, which was donated to the Kew Historical Society for safekeeping.The Lioness Club of Kew was the first Lioness Club in the Melbourne area. As such its records are of Historic and Social Significance as a record of post-war community organisations run by women. As the records were donated to the Kew Historical Society as a place of deposit, they are well provenanced. They comprise albums, objects, and a history of the Club so provide a complete picture of the Club's operation.A framed certificate presented to the Lioness Club of Kew in 1978 officially recognising the Club under the sponsorship of the local Lions Club. The certificate lists the original members Helen Joyce (President), Thelma Leech (Secretary), Beryl Mainon (Treasurer) and Dorothy Cameron, Arleen Ekberg, Ruth Finger, Norma Finley, Jean Franklin, Cherie Kinnear Wells, Valerie Newbegin, Lorna Patching, Marjorie Rogers, Shirley Van Scoy, Joyce Ward and Jan Watkins.lioness club (kew), women's groups -- kew -- melbourne (vic.), women's clubs

The Lioness Club of Kew operated from 1979 to1992. Eight years after it was disbanded, a number of its albums and records were donated to the Kew Historical Society as a place of safekeeping. The donor was Prue Molnar.The Lioness Club of Kew was the first Lioness Club in the Melbourne area. As such its records are of Historic and Social Significance as a record of post-war community organisations run by women. As the records were donated to the Kew Historical Society as a place of deposit, they are well provenanced. They comprise albums, objects, and a history of the Club so provide a complete picture of the Club's operation.8 copies of 'Where Violets Once Grew: A short history of the Lioness Club of Kew' by Helen Joyce. The 32 page book includes chapters based on those years of the Club's operation dating from 1979-1988. The book includes photographs of Lionesses. lioness club of kew, prue molnar, helen joyce

Black and white photograph of members of Ambulance Auxiliary and Lioness Club, planting a tree to honour past member of both organisations, Mavis Lapham, with plaque in garden at Ambulance Station. Lakes Entrance Victoriaemergency services, community services, lionesses

Certificate reads "Certificate of Appreciation: May it be known that this certificate has been presented to The George Vowell Centre by Karingal Lioness Club in appreciation of the invaluable services and cooperation extended." Signed by the President Stephanie Johnson and Secretary Patricia Goodwright on 20th December 1985. 1 certificate of appreciation with black writingassociation for the blind, george vowell centre (mt eliza)

The official records of the Lioness Club of Kew, of which this object is a part, are held in trust by the Kew Historical Society.The Lioness Club of Kew was the first Lioness Club in the Melbourne area. As such its records are of Historic and Social Significance as a record of post-war community organisations run by women. As the records were donated to the Kew Historical Society as a place of deposit, they are well provenanced. They comprise albums, objects, and a history of the Club so provide a complete picture of the Club's operation.Brass Bell, with attached wooden gavel. The bell was used in meetings of the Kew Lioness Club from about 1978 to 1992. The wooden gavel was made by Ray Boothroyd. The bell is engraved with the names of past presidents of the Kew Lioness Club."Lioness Club of Kew / Past Presidents / Helen Joyce 1978-1979, 1979-1980 / Dorothy Cameron 1980-1981 / Valerie Newbegin 1981-1982 / Prue Molnar 1982-1983 / Edna Cartwright 1983-84 / Helen Joyce 1984-1985 / Kathleen Holgate 1985-1986 / Deborah Davis 1986-1987 / Lynette Bell 1987-1988 / Prue Molnar 1988-1989 / Judy Brown 1989-1990 / valerie Ayres 1990-1991 / Deborah Davis 1991-1992"lioness club of kew, women's groups - kew - (vic), bells

banners, lioness club eltham, trestle bridge

In recognition of the support from the Lions and Lioness Clubs, the Royal Blind Foundation of Queensland named a meeting room in their honour at the Kent Street offices.Digital image of plaque with Lions logo in cornerThe Lions Room So named on 20th March 1991 In recognition of the years of support by numerous Lions and Lioness Clubs in the State of Queensland and in appreciation of their collective effort in financing the refurbishment of our office facilities.royal blind foundation of queensland, nameplates

Colour photograph Lioness President Margaret Cahill and Lioness Marie Wright, making presentation to two staff members of Library. Lakes Entrance Victoria lions club, volunteering, fundraising, library

Black and white photograph, Rose Hudson Lioness Secretary, Jenny Baker Lioness President, planting a tree and plaque in memory of member Mavis Lapham, in the garden of the Ambulance Station. Lakes Entrance Victoria community services, volunteering

Green Collins Analysis Books 61 Series book used as an account book for the Lioness Club of Kew.lioness club of kew, kew lionesses, women's clubs - kew (vic)

see page 5 Lakes Post Newspaper 21 June 2000Colour photograph Lioness President Margaret Cahill presenting cheque to Aaron Shroud of Skateboard Group. Lakes Entrance Victorialions club, volunteering

see page 5 Lakes Post Newspaper 21 June 2000Colour photograph Lioness Club President Margaret Cahill making presentation to Dr Elizabeth Bakewell of Womens Health Centre. Lakes Entrance Victorialions club, health services

see page 5 Lakes Post Newspaper 21 June 2000Colour photograph Lioness Club President Margaret Cahill making presentation to Primary School staff Russell Matthews and Sue Harmer in school library. Lakes Entrance Victorialions club, volunteering, schools

These Bannerettes are exchanged with other Lions ClubsMitcham Lions Club Bannerette - lemon silky material with picture of tree, lion and lioness resting beneath. Emblem of Lions Club on the tree. A gold looking wooden stick for hanging. Green cord with tassels attached to gold stick. The base of bannerette has green fringing.Mitcham Lions Club - Australia - 201 - VItrophies & awards, public events

HUTCHINS, Mervyn Arthur Thomas VX27912 Born in Mornington, Victoria, October 1906, Mervyn joined the Australian Armed Forces in Caulfield in June 1940. Mervyn was posted with the 2/23rd Battalion and was sent to Tobruk. He died at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in the 1970's.Mervyn Thomas was a patient at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital Four medals with ribbons. Star (.1), Star (.2), Silver (.3), Silver (.4) awarded to Mervyn Hutchins56.1 Front Crown Emblem. GRJ / VI / The 1939 - 1945 STAR 5.1 Back VX27912 M.A.T. HUTCHINS 56.2 Front Crown Emblem. GRJ / VI / The AFRICA STAR Back VX27912 M.A.T. HUTCHINS 56.3 Bare head effigy King George VI facing left. GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP. Back shows the Royal Crown resting on an oak sapling, flanked by a lion and a lioness above waves. At the top left is the year "1939" and at the top right the year "1945". The exergue has the words "THE DEFENCE MEDAL" in two lines. 56.4 Front crowned effigy of King George VI, facing left and signed "PM" below neck. Around the perimeter is the legend "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:" Back The reverse shows a lion standing wanton on the body of a double-headed dragon. Top right are the years "1939" and "1945" in two lines. "ECRP" near the rim at the nine o'clock positionmervyn hutchins collection, rats of tobruk, heidelberg repatriation hospital, caulfield, 2/23rd battalion, vx27912, 1939-1945 star, star of africa, defence medal, war medal, wwii

Corporal John Francis Kennedy of the 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion died on September 30th, 1945 in Avonsleigh, Victoria aged 27 after returning home from the Second World War but while still designated to the Victoria Line of Communication Recruit Reception and General Details Depot. He died in a car accident, when the car he was driving struck a tree stump. He was the last survivor of his brothers (Geoffrey and Laurence), both of which also tragically died young - Laurence (whose medals are also in our collection under VEMU2307) in Malaya during the war, and Geoffrey gored by a bull at home.J. F. Kennedy was a member of a local family who served in the Second World War and died tragically like his brothers, forming an important story of local community history.A set of five medals, including the 1939-45 Medal (a), the Defence Medal (b), the Rising Sun Badge (c), the 1939-1945 Star (d), and the Pacific Star (e). a) 1939-1945 Medal: A round, silver-coloured cupronickel medal 36 millimeters in diameter with a red, white, and blue vertically striped ribbon. The obverse relief shows the crowned effigy of George VI surrounded by a Latin legend text. The reverse relief shows a lion standing atop a defeated two-headed dragon. Lettering is also present on the edge. b) The Defence Medal: A round, silver-coloured cupronickel medal 36 millimeters in diameter with a green, orange and black vertically striped ribbon. The obverse relief shows the uncrowned effigy of George VI surrounded by a Latin legend text. The reverse relief shows the Royal Crown resting on an oak sapling, flanked by a lion and a lioness above stylised waves. Lettering is also present on the edge. c) Rising Sun Badge: The 1904-49 edition of the rising sun badge - a brass lapel badge centered on a crown with a semi-circle of sun rays radiating up from it. Below the crown is a scroll with text. d) 1939-1945 Star: A six-pointed star struck in yellow brass to fit in a 44 millimetre diameter circle. The obverse centres on the Royal Cypher, surrounded by a legend with a crown at the top. The reverse features the recipient's name and enlistment number. The ribbon is vertical stripes of (left to right) dark blue, red, and light blue. e) Pacific Star: A six-pointed star struck in yellow brass to fit in a 44 millimetre diameter circle. The obverse centres on the Royal Cypher, surrounded by a legend with a crown at the top. The reverse features the recipient's name and enlistment number. The ribbon is vertical stripes of (left to right) red, light blue, green, yellow, green, dark blue, red.a) Obverse, Legend: "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP:" (George 6th, by the grace of God, King of all the Britains and Emperor of India) Obverse, small text below the effigy: "PM" (the initials of Percy Metcalfe, the designer) Reverse: "1939 / 1945" Reverse, small text, left: "ECRP" (the initials of Edward Carter Preston, the designer) Edge: "VX38502 J. F. KENNEDY" b) Obverse Legend: "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX F:D:IND:IMP." (George 6th, by the grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India) Obverse, small lettering below the effigy: "HP" (the initials of Humphrey Paget and Harold Parker, the designers) Reverse, exergue: "THE DEFENCE / MEDAL" Reverse, top-left: "1939" Reverse, top-right: "1945" Edge: "VX38502 J. F. KENNEDY" c) Scroll: "AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH / MILITARY FORCES" d) Obverse, Royal Cypher: "GRI / VI" Obverse, Legend: "THE 1939 - 1945 STAR" Reverse: "VX38502 / J. F. KENNEDY" e) Obverse, Royal Cypher: "GRI / VI" Obverse, Legend: "THE PACIFIC STAR" Reverse: "VX38502 / J. F. KENNEDY"kennedy family, world war ii, world war two, second world war

Bendigo Easter Fair Festival Program, 26-31 March, 1997. Festival Features, Evening of Art & Classical Music, Rotary Club of Bendigo. VicHealth Easter Fest, Victorian Health Promotion Foundation & Bendigo Community Health Services. Fine Food Fest. Free Stage. Free Evening Concert & Fireworks, Zaire. Torchlight Procession, sponsored by Prime TV & Coca Cola, Bendigo Market Place. Fireworks Spectacular, Sponsored by Bendigo Market Place & Prime TV. Street Fiesta, sponsored by Arts Victoria. Street Extravaganza, Coca Cola Carnival, Sponsored by Coca Cola. Star for a Day, Power Audio Visual & Prime Television. Handcraft Bazaar, Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst Art & Craft Market. Cosmopolitan Street Café, Arts Victoria. Awakening of the Dragon, Bendigo Chinese Association. Gala Parade, Prime Television & Coca Cola. Firewalking by the Australian Skeptics, Discovery Science & Technology Centre. Up In Flames, Discovery Science & Technology Centre. Barry Kenny's Country Roundup, Nadort Promotions. School's Day. Teddy Bear's Picnic, Dragon City Marshals. Fire Brigades Children's Carnival. Family Event, Bendigo Minister's Fellowship. Bendigo Easter Antique Fair. Historic Photographic Exhibition, Burt Sargent Circa 1900. Open Garden at Nanga Gnulle (''nanga nully''). A parade of Quilts, Strathdale Bendigo Quilters Inc. Tasting the Life, Gail Tavener Studio. Snakes Alive Dangerous Australians, BRIT. Y's Men's Club of Bendigo Book Fair, YMCA. Bendigo Camera Club, BRIT. Bendigo Woodcraft Exhibition, Woodturners Bendigo Inc. Autumn Bonsai, Bendigo Bonsai Club. Convocation, National Trust Bendigo. Arms & Collectables, Golden City Collectors Assoc. In. Rotary Art Show. Rotary Pottery Exhibition. Women's Vision For The Church, Provincial Council of Mothers Union. Historic Toorak House, Lioness Club of Golden City Bendigo. White Hills Cemetery. Bendigo Cemetery. Festival of Flowers, Craft & Garden, Bendigo Jockey Club. Shannons Corporation Motorfest, City Drive Through, Static Display, Motorkhana, Time Trial. Bendigo Bank Dragon Mile. Volkswagen Car Show, a part of the 28th National Bug-In. Repco Cycles, Australian Veteran Cycling Council Inc. Championships. Under 17 Australian Badminton Championships. Palm Sunday, Bendigo Symphony Orchestra. Way of the Cross, Bendigo's Combined Churches. The Easter Story, Kangfluca Music. Sunrise Church Service, Bendigo Ministers' Fellowship. Map of CBD Advertisements: Bendigo Easter Antique Fair. Austar. Bendigo Art Gallery. Bendigo Visitor Information Centre. Prime. Golden Dragon Museum Inc. Bendigo Heritage Tours. Discovery Science & Technology Centre Bendigo. Sponsors: Sandhurst Trustees, Prime, Vic Health, ABC Radio, Arts Victoria, Coca Cola, Events Bendigo, City Of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Community Health Services, Shannons., Morris Design PH 5448 8777Morris Designevent, easter fair, bendigo easter fair, bendigo easter fair festival program, 26-31 march, 1997. festival features, evening of art & classical music, easter fest, . fine food fest. free stage. free evening concert & fireworks. torchlight procession. fireworks spectacular, street fiesta, street extravaganza, coca cola carnival, star for a day, handcraft bazaar, art & craft market. cosmopolitan street café, awakening of the dragon. gala parade, firewalking australian skeptics, discovery science & technology centre. up in flames, barry kenny's country roundup, nadort promotions. school's day. teddy bear's picnic, fire brigades children's carnival. family event, bendigo minister's fellowship. antique fair. photographic exhibition, burt sargent circa 1900. open garden nanga gnulle a parade of quilts, strathdale bendigo quilters inc. tasting the life, gail tavener studio. snakes alive dangerous australians, brit. book fair, ymca. bendigo camera club, brit. bendigo woodcraft exhibition, woodturners bendigo inc. autumn bonsai, bendigo bonsai club. convocation, national trust bendigo. arms & collectables, golden city collectors assoc. art show. pottery exhibition. women's vision for the church, provincial council of mothers union. historic toorak house, lioness club. white hills cemetery. bendigo cemetery. festival of flowers, craft & garden, bendigo jockey club. motorfest, drive through, static display, motorkhana, time trial. dragon mile. volkswagen car show, national bug-in. repco cycles, australian veteran cycling council inc. championships. under 17 australian badminton championships. palm sunday, bendigo symphony orchestra. way of the cross, bendigo's combined churches. the easter story, kangfluca music. sunrise church service, bendigo ministers' fellowship. map of cbd advertisements: antique fair. golden dragon museum inc. bendigo heritage tours. discovery science & technology centre bendigo. sponsors: sandhurst trustees, vic health, abc radio, arts victoria, coca cola, events bendigo, city of greater bendigo, bendigo community health services, shannons., morris design. prime tv. austar. bendigo art gallery. bendigo visitor information centre. prime, victorian health promotion foundation, zaire, sponsored by bendigo market place & prime tv, sponsored by arts victoria, sponsored coca cola, power audio visual, rotary club of bendigo sandhurst, bendigo chinese association, y's men's club of bendigo

Australian Service Medal issued for military service during World War IIA replica set of 4 medal Court Mounted that were issued to Sydney P Howe. (The original medals held by the family)Replica set WWII court mounted War Medals in order from left to right Australian Service Metal, 1939-45 War Medal, Defence Medal, Africa Star with 8 Army Clasp and the 1939-45 Star1939 -45 Star "A six‑pointed yellow copper‑zinc alloy star with the Royal and Imperial cypher on the obverse and a ribbon of dark blue, red and light blue representing the Navy, Army and Air Force": Africa Star - A six‑pointed yellow copper‑zinc alloy star with the Royal and Imperial cypher on the obverse and a ribbon of a sand‑coloured ribbon with red, dark blue, and light blue stripes; Defence Medal A circular, silver medal (80% pure), 1.42 inches in diameter. The British issue medals were made of cupro-nickel. Mounting includes a plain, straight, non-swivelling suspender with a single-toed claw. The obverse shows the bareheaded coinage effigy of King George VI, facing left, and the legend: GEORGIVS VI D: BR: OMN: REX F: D: IND: IMP: On the reverse, the Royal Crown rests on the stump of an oak tree, flanked by a lion and a lioness. At the top left is the date 1939, and at the top right, the date 1945. In exergue, though not ruled off, is the wording: THE DEFENCE/MEDAL. The light green ribbon is 1.25 inches wide with a central stripe of orange and a narrow black stripe in the middle of each green stripe. The orange represents the enemy attacks on the green land of England while the black represents the blackouts against air attacks; The War Medal 1939 - 45 is a disc 36millimetrein diameter. The non swivelling straight bar suspender is attached to the medal with a single-toe claw mount and a pin through the upper edge of the medal. The British issued medals were struck in cupronickel. The medal is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "Victory Medal: of the Second World War. Around the perimeter is the legend "GEORGIVS VI D:G:BR:OMN:REX ET INDIAE IMP"" The reverse shows a lion standing wanton on the body of a double-headed dragon. The dragon's head are those of an eagle and a dragon, to signify the principal occidental and oriental enemies during the Second World War. At the top, just to the right ot centre are the years "1939" and "1945"in two lines. The initials ËCRP" of designer Edward Carter Preston are near the rim at the nine o'clock position. Australian Service Medal 1939 45 The medal is in form and of nickel silver, an alloy pf copper, nickel and zinc, and on the obverse bear the Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign, and on the reverse the coat of arms of the commonwealth of Australia, surrounded by the words "The Australian Service Medal 1939-45. The ribbon has a wide central stripe, flanked by to two narrow red stripes, which are in turn flanked by two outer stripes, one of dark blue and the other of light blue. The khaki represents the Australian Army, and the red, dark blue and light blue represent the Merchant Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force respectively. The rim of the medal bears the name and service number of the recipientworld war ii, wwii medals, court mounted medals

Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to zoo B42" Published: The Age, Tuesday 26 June 1934, page 11. Published title: VICE-ROYALTY GREETS THE KING OF THE BEASTS AT THE ZOO. Published caption: “Lord Huntingfield experienced a pleasant “induction ceremony” as Patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society yesterday, when he made a tour of the Zoological Gardens. The picture shows the Governor, accompanied by Lady Huntingfield, inspecting the King of the Beasts, who is submitting to a little playful treatment from the Director of the Gardens, Mr. Wilkie, while the Director whispers in his ear that a distinguished visitor has come to see him.” Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204818472 Description: A man wearing a hat and suit strokes a caged lion, observed by a man in a hat, scarf and overcoat who is leaning on a walking stick, and a woman in a hat and coat, holding a handbag. They stand behind a protective rail. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: Andrew Arthur Wellesley Wilkie, 1853-1948, was Director of the Melbourne Zoo from 1923 to 1936 and was associated with the zoo for 70 years. He first worked as a horticultural assistant to Government botanist Baron Ferdinand von Mueller at the Botanical Gardens at the age of 13, along with his older brother David. One of Andrew’s jobs was to capture moths for the National Herbarium. In 1857, a group of prominent Melburnians assembled at St. Patrick’s Hall to form the Zoological Society of Victoria, with the aim of introducing animals and plants from overseas. It was conceived, “For the purposes of science and for that of affording the public the advantages of studying the habits of the animal creation in properly arranged zoological gardens.” The Victorian Government granted 32 acres (13 hectares) of land to the Zoological Society at the southern end of Richmond Paddock on the opposite bank to the Botanical Gardens. (This is where AAMI Stadium and Collingwood Football Club now stand.) In 1861, the Zoological Society of Victoria was renamed The Acclimatisation Society of Victoria. Unfortunately the Yarra River frontage was damp, swampy and subject to flooding, so the animals were briefly housed at the Botanical Gardens until in 1862, the City of Melbourne donated 55 acres (22 hectares) of land at Royal Park for the fledgling zoo. Baron von Mueller secured employment at Royal Park for Andrew and David and they helped to lay out the gardens, plant trees and take care of a collection of deer, pheasants, hares and partridges. Initially the zoo was used for the acclimatisation of animals recovering from the long voyage to Australia and for breeding them for sport. In 1872, the zoo bought two lions, a leopard and a cheetah that had been seized from circus showmen Keith and Phillips when they were unable to pay the bill of butcher Mr T K Bennet of Bourke Street. The first zoo director, Mr. Albert Le Souef, negotiated with captains of ships to buy animals at overseas ports they visited and soon a multitude of exotic species arrived, including a ten-year-old Indian elephant in 1878. In 1923, after being head keeper for some years, Andrew was appointed director of the zoo. By 1933, the zoo had 110 different species of animals, 200 species of birds and 72 species of reptiles under Andrew’s care. He had personally planted all but six trees and laid out the garden beds. As director he lobbied authorities for funds to build more humane enclosures for the animals. In June 1928, Table Talk magazine wrote of Andrew Wilkie: “Up at the Zoo there is a humble gentleman who is a lion among the lions, who knows the proper specific to employ when the boa constrictor has chilblains, and who is a friend and confidant of Queenie the elephant. His fount of zoological lore has never been plumbed. It is bottomless, like his good fellowship and geniality. Every day he may be seen somewhere in the grounds of that growing sanctuary for the strange and arresting fauna and creeping things of the world, and I assure you as one who is privy to his passion that that area and its inhabitants are rarely out of his thoughts.” Andrew retired from the zoo in 1936 at the age of 83 and in 1948 died at his home in Brunswick aged 94. He and his wife Josephine had six children. Roy, aged 28 in 1934, was a former Wirth’s circus lion who had been left at the zoo at 10 years of age. Andrew visited Roy every day on his rounds and the pair formed a close and affectionate bond. Wireless Weekly magazine in February 1933 reported, “Roy was delighted to see Mr Wilkie, and in a docile manner, approached the bars of his cage and had his head vigorously rubbed by the director, who daily carries out this act of kindness.” As reported in The Herald on 27 October 1936, “Mr Wilkie has also found the old lion docile. He has not shown the animal any particular favouritism, but the lion has shown him a faithfulness that none of the keepers can claim. When Mr Wilkie approaches the bars the lion rolls over and lets the director stroke him and pull his tail. He gets very excited if Mr Wilkie passes without climbing over the protecting rail for a little game.” A 1930 newsreel film shows Andrew stroking Roy’s mane through the bars and the blissed out big cat lying on his back while lifting his chin for a rub. Another newsreel film from the time shows Andrew stroking a lioness and playfully pulling her tail. The Victorian Acclimatisation Society was founded in 1861 by Edward Wilson, 1813-1878, then owner and editor of The Argus newspaper. He said that Australian indigenous animals were practically useless, providing only “a little sport and an occasional meal”. The Society believed that Australia’s plants and animals were vastly inferior to those in Europe. They wanted to introduce and acclimatise to Victoria “all innoxious animals, birds, fishes, insects and vegetables, whether useful or ornamental” for sport and for the table, and to spread indigenous animals and plants from the colony around the world. Their motto was “if it lives, we want it”. The Society was primarily responsible for introducing sparrows, starlings, sambar and hog deer, ostriches, brown trout, blackberries, and carp to the Murray River. They released the European songbirds, thrush and blackbird to quell the homesickness of British settlers. The Society also sent Australian animals like platypus, echidnas, kangaroos and koalas to Europe for scientific and novelty purposes. Thomas Austin, a wealthy sheep farmer of Barwon Park, Winchelsea (property now owned by the National Trust) was a member and in 1859 he introduced hares, blackbirds, thrushes and partridges onto his property. He is probably best known for introducing 24 breeding rabbits onto his estate as game for shooting parties. Thomas quipped, “The introduction of a few rabbits could do little harm and might provide a touch of home, in addition to a spot of hunting." In 2022, genomic data confirmed that Australia’s feral rabbit population is entirely descended from these rabbits. Biological control has brought the rabbit population down from an estimated high of 10 billion rabbits in the 1920s to approximately 200 million today, inhabiting 70% of Australian landmass (5.3 million square kilometres). In 1872, the Acclimatisation Society was renamed The Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and they focused on importing exotic animals for display purposes to the zoo. In 1937, the Royal Acclimatisation Society of Victoria was recreated as the Zoological Board of Victoria with a focus on research of native animals threatened with extinction. In an editorial for The Argus newspaper, 16 March 1856, Edward Wilson lamented: "…this country has been shamelessly stolen from the blacks. Had they been like the New Zealanders or the North American Indians, we should have bought their land, and supplied them with the means of living when we took it... In less than twenty years we have nearly swept them off the face of the earth. We have shot them down like dogs. In the guise of friendship we have issued corrosion sublimate in their damper, and consigned whole tribes to the agonies of an excruciating death. We have made them drunkards, and infected them with disease which has rotted the bones of their adults, and made such few children as are born amongst them a sorrow and a torture from the very instant of their birth. We have made them outcasts on their own land, and are rapidly consigning them to entire annihilation. There are but a few of them left, comparatively. This is what we would do for that few. We would feed and clothe every one of them.” [Note: this last sentence is italicized in the original newspaper article text]. Lord Huntingfield, (William Charles Arcedeckne Vanneck) 1883-1969, Governor of Victoria 1934-1939, was a British Conservative Party politician and the first ever Australian-born Governor of an Australian state (although he was always considered British). He was patron of the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria and was acting Governor-General for six months during the absence of Lord Gowie in 1938. Lady Huntingfield (née Margaret Eleanor Crosby) 1884-1943, his American-born wife showed great interest in social welfare and the advancement of women and children. She was president of the City Newsboys Society and Patroness of the Girls Friendly Society. In 1937, rose breeder Alister Clark named a yellow hybrid tea rose for her. In 1940, the City of Melbourne opened the Lady Huntingfield Free Kindergarten in North Melbourne, now the Lady Huntingfield Early Learning and Family Services Centre. Lady Huntingfield died in London in 1943 after her house was bombed during a German airstrike. The Lady Huntingfield Memorial Scholarship was established after the City of Melbourne raised £1000 in a public appeal conducted in her memory for students undertaking a Social Work degree at the University of Melbourne. It is awarded annually to this day. The Queen Victoria Hospital named a bed in her honour. References: VICE-ROYALTY GREETS THE KING OF BEASTS AT THE ZOO. (1934, June 26). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204818472 Prominent Personalities ANDREW WILKIE (1928, June 7). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 15. Retrieved August 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146562949 'Thomas Austin (pastoralist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_(pastoralist) 'Edward Wilson (journalist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(journalist) THE WOMAN'S WORLD (1934, June 26). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 14. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article243164806 MR. WILKIE CAN PULL THE OLD LION'S TAIL (1936, October 27). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248551307 Director Of Zoo Will Retire Tomorrow--With White Kitten (1936, December 30). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved August 18, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244655203 LIGHT CAR CLUB IN CARICATURE (1931, August 25). The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), p. 24. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article276250310 'The Acclimatisation Society was driven by misguided ideals about 'fixing nature' in Australia', ABC News, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-04/acclimatisation-society-introduced-species-history-listen/101588262?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=safari 'Dr Andrew Wilkie Director Of Melbourne Zoo, With Lion (1930) Video', Pond5 Inc., https://www.pond5.com/stock-footage/item/155691351-dr-andrew-wilkie-director-melbourne-zoo-lion-1930 'Kodak Cinegraph Compilation No 12', ACMI Collection, YouTube.com [Zoo footage at 8.33 minutes, Mr Wilkie at 11.04 minutes], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZZqgSNsP0k THE ABORIGINES. (1856, March 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4833244Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to zoo B42".1930-1939, melbourne zoo, animals, hunting, wildlife, royal park, gardens