The design of this small disc is from the Australian Colonial period. The cedar wood desk was made in Australian by Foy & Gibson in the 1880s, most probably in the business’s works in Collingwood, Victoria. The heavy brass locks fitted into the desk drawers were made by the famous Hobbs & Co of London, mid-late 19th century. In 1860 the business changed hands but the locks were still branded Hobbs & Co. The desk is branded with the symbol of Victoria’s Public Works Department. There is currently no information on when, where and by whom this desk was used. However, a very similar desk with Hobbs & Co. locks is on site at the Point Hicks Lightstation in Victoria and was formerly used by the Point Hicks head light keeper there. Other light stations also have similar desks from the P.W.D. (see also ‘Desk, Parks Victoria – Point Hicks Lightstation, Victorian Collections’.) HOBBS & CO., LONDON Alfred Charles Hobbs, 1812-1891, was American born. He became an executive salesman in 1840 for renowned lock manufacturer Day & Newell. His technique of exposing the weaknesses of people’s current locks was very successful in generating sales. He represented Day & Newell at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, competing with other lock makers. Through the Exhibition he became famous for picking the best trusted Bramah and Chubb locks. Hobbs’ fame led him to found his own company in 1851 then register it in 1852 as Hobbs & Co., London. Hobbs was awarded the Telford Medal by the British Institution of Civil Engineers in 1854 for his paper 'On the Principles and Construction of Locks'. In 1855 the very successful company added partners and became Hobbs, Ashley and Co. In 1860, it traded under the name of Hobbs, Hart & Co. and was based in Cheapside London, where the business remained. Hobbs then returned to America, having sold the complete company to John Mathias Hart. He briefly returned to attend the 21st anniversary celebrations of the successful business in 1872. Hobbs kept himself busy in America, inventing and manufacturing firearm ammunition, for which he held several patents. He passed away there in 1891, a month after his 70th birthday. FOY & GIBSON Mark Foy wan an Irish draper who migrated to Bendigo, Victoria in 1858, attracted by the gold rush. He lived and worked in the area, establishing a drapery business. In the 1870s he moved to Melbourne where there were better prospects for expansion. He chose a place in Smith Street, Collingwood, a suburb of Melbourne, and started his business at the rear. In 1883 Foy retired, bringing in William Gibson as a partner, and then transferred his own share of the company to his son Francis Foy. Not long afterwards Francis sold his half share to Gibson, and the business continued under the name of Foy & Gibson. Francis Foy and he and his brother Mark Foy (junior) moved to Sydney. They established a business there in 1885, named after their father, Mark Foy. Gibson added to his business by starting his own manufacturing works from 1887, producing clothing, millinery, furniture, bedding and hardware for his stores. The factories, warehouses and stores complex became one of Victoria’s largest employers. He set up branches of his stores in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide and two more branches in Melbourne. Foy & Gibson (usually referred to as Foys) became one of Australia’s largest retail department stores. In 1931 Foy’s little house in Collingwood was still part of the entrance to Foy & Gibson Emporium. In 1955 the company was bought out by Cox Brothers. Later on the stores were sold to various businesses such as David Jones, Woolworths and Harris Scarfe. In 1968 Cox Brothers went into receivership, ending almost 100 years of the business known as Foy’s. The former Foy & Gibson Complex is registered by Heritage Council Victoria. “Designed by William Pitt, this magnificent 19th and early 20th century complex of factories, warehouses and showrooms saw the production of a remarkable range of goods for Foy & Gibson, Melbourne’s earliest department store chain”. (Quoted from the Plaque erected by the Collingwood Historical Society 2007) P.W.D. – Public Works Department, Victoria The desk is stamped “P.W.D,” signifying that it is from the Public Works Department in Victoria, which operated from 1855-1987. The department was responsible for, among other things, the design and supply of office furniture and equipment for public buildings and organisations. This desk is significant historically as it originated from Foy & Gibson, a colonial Australian company that had a positive and strong impact on employment, manufacturing and retailing in Melbourne, Victoria and Australia. The significance of Foy & Gibson to Victoria’s and Australia’s history is marked by the Collingwood Complex being registered in both Heritage Victoria Register (H0755, H0897 and H0896) and National Trust Register (B2668). This locks on this desk are significant for their connection with their manufacturer, Hobbs & Co, who invented a lock that surpassed the security of any other locks produced in the mid-19th century. Desk; Australian Colonial cedar desk, honey coloured. Desktop has a wooden border with a rolled edge and a fitted timber centrepiece. The four tapered legs are tulip turned. Two half-width drawers fit side by side and extend the full depth of the desk. The drawers have dovetail joints. Each drawer has two round wooden knob handles, a keyhole and a fitted, heavy brass lever lock. Inscriptions are on the desktop, drawers, desk leg and lock. Made in Australia circa 1880 by Foy & Gibson, lock made by Hobbs & Co, London.Impressed into timber frame of one drawer “FOY & GIBSON” Impressed into lock “HOBBS & CO / LONDON”, “MACHINE MADE”, “LEVER” Impressed along the front edge of the desktop [indecipherable] text. Impressed into the timber of right front leg “P. W. D.” below a ‘crown’ symbol Handwritten in white chalk under a drawer “206” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, desk, cedar desk, colonial desk, 1880s desk, australian colonial furniture, furniture, office furniture, office equipment, australian made furniture, colonial furniture, colonial hardware, foy & gibson, alfred charles hobbs, hobbs & co london, hobs & co lever lock, cabinetry lock, machine made lever lock, p.w.d., public works department victoria, day & newell, great exhibition of 1851, bramah lock, chubb lock, telford medal 1854, cheapside london, mark foy, mark foy – bendigo draper, smith street collingwood, william gibson, foy & gibson emporium, foy & gibson complex, cox brothers

Collector says: I'm intrigued to know why this 1930s & 1940s fashion of blanket - with panels of stripes on each end - only came in the colours of pink, baby blue and mint. Over the years I gathered many 'panel' blankets with labels from over a dozen different mills and yet they are all in these 3 colours only.Note from collector- "For more than 100 years blankets were made all over Australia in over 100 woollen mills. My aim, is to preserve 100 examples of these wonderful pieces of history. Ten years ago I started collecting the iconic Onkaparinga travel rugs, so that on movie nights at home there would be plenty to go around. Everyone had their favourite; even the cat had his own – a small red tartan one. Keeping an eye out for those travel rugs at op-shops and markets, collectable stores and bazaars, led to noticing vintage blankets. I'd never really thought about them before or paid much attention though of course I had grown up with them at my grandmother's. When I discovered my first Laconia cream blanket with blue stripes, my eyes just went gaga. Well that was it, I was hooked and since then over 500 blankets have passed through my hands. These common, everyday items, found in all households for so many decades, were traditional engagement gifts. Pairs were prized wedding presents turning into family heirlooms. They were fashionable dressers of beds, givers of warmth, bestowers of security and reliability. The comfort found in these objects resonates with almost all of us; we grew up with them ourselves or fondly recall them in a grandparent’s home. There is no modern replacement with the integrity of these old blankets, many of them now older than most of us. They are romantic, sensible, special, familiar, nostalgic and nothing else feels so appropriate in so many situations. No offense to the great Aussie doona, but from hippie to hipster, at a music festival, picnic, campsite or couch, a vintage blanket is something coveted by all. This industry that employed tens of thousands and must have been such a huge contributor to the economy is almost completely lost now. Blanket Fever is an ode to everything that came before: the land, the sheep, the shearers, the hands, the mills, the weavers, the designers, the distributors, the department stores. To the grandparents that gave them, the people that received them, the families that kept them; thank you. I’m passionate about my collection of Australian blankets manufactured in mostly Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the 1930s to the end of the 1960s. The collection has blankets from each of these four decades representing the styles and fashions of their time and includes dated advertisements which help determine the eras the blankets are from." Double sized blanket with mint stripes Made Expressly for Mark Foy's Ltd/Sydney/The Laconia Blanket/Guaranteed Odorless and Free From Filling/Made in Australiablanket, blanket fever, wool, laconia mills

Black and white of the City of Chelsea Municipal Chambers, the Baby Health Centre and the Memorial Hall.There are five boys on the footpath.On the back of the photo is written: Mrs Nicholson's bungalow, later council chambers, Mrs Nicholson was the widow of Mark Foy. Chelsea Municipal Chambers (previously Mrs Nicholson's home).city of carrum municipal chambers, memorial hall, borough of carrum memorial hall, baby health centre, frankston road, station street, chelsea, mrs nicholson

Manilla file folder, Railways of Australia Committee with a blue tape on the left hand side, preprinted file containing six sets of photograph sleeves with a sheet of white paper between, marked "Tram Pix ex Slides". Clipped into the folder with brass foldback clips. Sheet 1 front: MMTB Christmas Tram - 16W - Swanston St - 1963 T181 at Footscray Depot c1960 Brisbane Dreadnought 178 Sheet 1 rear VR 6 on an AETA Tour Brighton line Brisbane 358 and baby dreadnought and a group of 4 people Ballarat 35 and three other trams in City Loop - pre 1960 Sheet 2 front Ballarat 30 in bound in Albert St Sebastopol pre 1960 Bendigo 12 leaving depot, pre 1960 Bendigo 26 at Eaglehawk pre 1960 Sheet 2 rear Bendigo 29 pre 1960 Bendigo 28 with a group of enthusiasts standing in front - mid to late 1960's Sydney - coupled set of crossbench cars at a beach terminus Sheet 3 front Sydney - with Mark Foys in background Sydney - 2057 Sydney - trams being scrapped c1960 Sheet 3 rear Sydney - trams being burnt VR 30 at St Kilda Station Sheet 4 front VR36 and 6 on the Brighton line VR53 at St Kilda Station Sheet 4 rear VR 51 at Sandringham VR 51 on Sandringham Black Rock line VR 50 at Black Rock terminus Sheet 5 - not used Sheet 6 - front - photograph of a steam tram locomotive???trams, tramways, swanston st, myer, christmas trams, footscray depot, brisbane, st kilda brighton, ballarat, bendigo, sydney, scrapped trams, st kilda railway station, sandringham, black rock, tram 16w, tram 181, tram 178, tram 6, tram 358, tram 35, tram 30, tram 12, tram 26, tram 29, tram 28, tram 2057, tram 30, tram 36, tram 53, tram 51, tram 50

This is an original Argus in a maroon leather folder. The paper itself is a 32 page broadsheet which slides inside the folder for protection. A certificate of authenticity is glued to the inside cover of the folder.non-fictionThis paper contains mostly news items and advertisements of the day. However some items contained within are fictional in nature.warrnambool, the argus 1925, winslow, o'keefe, o'keeffe

WALTER THORNHILL SP London The firm established in 1734 by Joseph Gibbs changed its style in early 19th century to Morley & Thornhill. The firm changed to Thornhill & Co (1820), Walter Thornhill (1850), Walter Thornhill & Co (1875) Walter Thornhill & Co Ltd (1895) and Walter Thornhill & Co (1905). Advertisement in The Argus, Saturday January 22 1921 FOY & GIBSON'S Pty Ltd. Smith Street Collingwood Summer Fair Bargains Thornhill. Bednal, and Co.' Ivoride Handle TABLE KNIVES, stainless steel blades, 35/- per ½ dozen. Per TROVE A butter knife with stainless steel blade and bone handle on blade ; TRADE 'ORIS' MARK / THORNHILL, BEDNAL & CO. / SHEFFIELD ENG. / STAINLESS STEELbutter knife, sheffield england, cheltenham, moorabbin, bentleigh, early settlers, pioneers, cutlery, stainless stell, thornhill bednal & co

xv, 197 pages : illustrations, portraits, facsimiles ; 25 cm.non-fiction'My life in the ragtrade' is the story of the famous Australian brand names, many developed from humble beginnings yet made in clothing factories employing thousands of people, and the grand retail stores and clothing shops that stocked those brands. In 'My life in the ragtrade', author Fred Wilkinson takes us on a trip back in time to the days of Sidney Myer's beginnings in Bendigo, to Flinders Lane, Melbourne ('The Lane'), travelling salesmen and hawkers, and names and slogans which we've all but forgotten: Anthony Squires, Sutex, Keith Courtenay, Pelaco, Crestknit, Chesty Bond, Love Me in my Glo-Weave, Hard Yakka, He's so good he thinks he's King G, and more. Then there were the retailers - Winns, Farmer's, Anthony Hordern, Mark Foy and more. Shopping back then was an adventure, it was a pleasure to be served and customers were treated like royalty. There is a useful chronology of take-overs and closures of Australian department stores.clothing trade, fred wilkinson, clothing workers, ragtrade, sidney myer, sutex, keith courtenay clothing, flinders lane, robert reid & company, paterson laing & bruce, paterson reid & bruce, anthony squires, sax altman, myer emporium, ken fogarty, jon bentley's, maurie blackman, sidney sinclair, louis klein, don collier, stafford ellinson, levi strauss, levi jeans, amco, louis epstein, hiscocks saddlery, just jeans, jeans west, general pants, glo-weave, comfort shirt company, saul same, pelaco, pearson & law, james law, james pearson, david laidlaw, d k laidlaw & sons, yakka, chesty bond, george bond, bond industries, bob adcock, king gee, king gee clothing co, jack stahmer, d & w murray, commercial travellers, commercial travellers' association, james davies, fletcher jones

Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea. Sepia photograph of Mr Alfred Morton with his brothers in law and friend at Carrum in the 1890's, some perched in a tree others grouped at the base of the tree, bikes in the foreground.bike riding, picnic, morton, morton grove, chelsea, carrum

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photograph of a of Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. bike riding, picnic, morton, morton grove, chelsea, carrum, camping

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Black and white photo of postal works in front of the South Yarra Post Office. Members of the Morton family are in the group.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family camping at Carrum (now Chelsea).morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, camping, tents

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family camping at Carrum (now Chelsea). Tents and a wagon in the backgroundmorton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, camping, tents, wagon

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of nine postal workers at South Yarra Post Office. They are wearing hats each with a different number, some have postal bags and some with letters in their hands. Mr Morton is the only one not wearing a hat.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo Mr Morton in Fireman Uniformmorton, chelsea, carrum, fireman uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of postal workers at South Yarra Post Office, corner of Toorak Road and Osborne Street, South Yarra. Mr Morton is standing at the counter, other workers are in the background .morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family on the verandah of Mrs William's house, Foy Avenue Chelsea.morton, chelsea, carrum, verandah, mrs williams

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of Mr Alfred Morton and his friend, Mr Doug Campbell at his holiday house, in what was to become Morton Grove, Chelsea. morton, chelsea, carrum, morton grove, holiday house

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of members of the Morton family sitting on their land after the fires in Chelsea, 1913.morton, chelsea, carrum, verandah, fires

Mr Alfred Morton with his sisters, brothers and friends camping at Carrum in the 1890's. This area was later called Chelsea. Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea.Sepia photo of South Yarra Post Office, corner of Toorak Road and Osborne Street, South Yarra. Mr Morton and three other postal workers are standing at the front.morton, chelsea, carrum, post office, south yarra, postal workers, postal uniform

Alfred Louis Morton (known as Louis) was born in Geelong in 1866, the fifth of eleven children of Mark Morton and Eliza nee Heard (married 1898). Alfred began work for the Post Office at South Yarra in the 1890s. In the late 1800s it was common for people from Melbourne and north of the city to travel to Chelsea area beaches for their holidays and many liked the area so much that, like the Mortons, they moved here permanently. In the 1890s Alfred’s sister, Mrs William Ashmore, built a weekend house at the foot of what is now Foy Avenue in Chelsea. The Morton family, including Alfred, visited the area often, camping on the foreshore during the 1890s. In 1911 Alfred moved his family permanently to a house on the corner of Morton Grove and Main Road Chelsea (now known as the Nepean Highway) on property that extended from the main road to the beach. This house was destroyed in the fire of 22 December 1913 which raged amongst the ti-tree on the foreshore between Aspendale and Chelsea. Many buildings were destroyed in this fire. The Argus newspaper reported on Wednesday 24 December that 94 houses were burnt with glowing embers blown a mile and half inland. According to the Argus but for the wide break provided by the Point Nepean Road (now the Nepean Highway) and the railway line, the scrub on the other side might have caught. The Morton children, Elsa and Ivan, attended Chelsea State School (now Chelsea Primary School) and Mrs Morton was active in the establishment of St Chad’s Church of England in Chelsea. At the age of 80 in 1945 Mr Morton was concerned about reports that English children had lost their toys due to the war and so he made (as part of a wider effort in Australia) 100 toy engines that were sent to England. He died in 1946 in Chelsea. Sepia photograph of Mr Alfred Morton as a baby, on the lap of his mother, Eliza, sitting on a chair, and his aunt, standing.morton, mr alfred louis morton