Kew achieved independence from the Boroondara Roads Board in 1860. As a new municipality, its first three leaders were designated as chairmen. On becoming a borough in 1863, its leaders were identified as mayors. The earliest photographs date from ca.1906, when the Town of Kew commissioned the noted local photographer Josiah E Barnes to produce standardised portraits of former mayors to be displayed in the Mayoral Chamber of the Town Hall. The collection also includes photographs by other well-known photographic studios such as Burlington Studios, Melba – Melbourne, Stuart Tompkins, Spencer Shier and Talma & Co. The majority of mounts identify the photographer. Eighty photographs are housed in their original frames.This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of Mayors and Town Clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew, for the period 1863 to 1969. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series. Framed portrait of Cr. H. G. Ferguson J.P., Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the mayor and the year/s that he/she served.Cr. H. G. Ferguson J.P. / Mayor 1959-60mayors of kew (vic), cr. h. g. ferguson, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

Anzac Day Service, Kew City Hall, Cotham Road, Kew, 25 April 1960. Kew City Hall, designed by Harold Bartlett, opened by Premier Hon H.E. Bolte 23 April 1960. The 1939-45 War Memorial is the City Hall itself — memorial wall and symbolic sculpture unveiled by Deputy Premier Hon A.G. Rylah, E.D., M.L.A., Member for Kew, on Anzac Day. Mayor at the time: Cr H.G. Ferguson J.P., Mayor of Kew 1959-60. Colourised photograph of Hon A.G. Rylah speaking at wooden lectern on low platform at right. Brick memorial wall behind, three white flagpoles, bare dirt with patchy grass in foreground, lawn not yet laid. Large crowd standing and seated in front, men, women and children in coats and hats. Large cedar tree behind, Kew Presbyterian church spire at left, Sacred Heart church dome centre back, Bib Stilwell car showroom behind crowd.kew city hall, cotham road, anzac day, 1939-45 war memorial, hon a.g. rylah, cr h.g. ferguson, mayor of kew 1959-60

Anzac Day Service, Kew City Hall, Cotham Road, Kew, 25 April 1960. Kew City Hall, designed by Harold Bartlett, opened by Premier Hon H.E. Bolte 23 April 1960. The 1939-45 War Memorial is the City Hall itself — memorial wall and symbolic sculpture unveiled by Deputy Premier Hon A.G. Rylah, E.D., M.L.A., Member for Kew, on Anzac Day. Mayor at the time: Cr H.G. Ferguson J.P., Mayor of Kew 1959-60. Colourised photograph of Hon A.G. Rylah speaking at wooden lectern on low platform at right. Brick memorial wall behind, three white flagpoles, bare dirt in foreground, lawn not yet laid. Large crowd seated and standing at left, men, women and children in coats and hats. Large cedar trees behind, dome of Sacred Heart at left, cars in Cotham Road. kew city hall, cotham road, anzac day, 1939-45 war memorial, hon a.g. rylah, cr h.g. ferguson, mayor of kew 1959-60

Unveiling of 1939-45 War Memorial sculpture, Kew City Hall, Cotham Road, Kew, Anzac Day, 25 April 1960. Kew City Hall, designed by Harold Bartlett, opened by Premier Hon H.E. Bolte 23 April 1960. Memorial wall and symbolic sculpture unveiled by Deputy Premier Hon A.G. Rylah, E.D., M.L.A., Member for Kew, on Anzac Day. Sculptor was George H. Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of Sculpture at RMIT and former official war artist, winner of separate design competition for the memorial. Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955). The sculptured panel commemorates those who served in World War Two and symbolises the sacrifice of those who served. Mayor at the time: Cr H.G. Ferguson J.P., Mayor of Kew 1959-60. Colourised photograph, close view of brown brick memorial wall, white stone sculptured panel with figures, dark unveiling cloth partly pulled aside to right. Four men in suits holding cords, two white flagpoles in foreground, grass in front of wall, Kew City Hall building behind.kew city hall, cotham road, anzac day, 1939-45 war memorial, george h. allen sculptor, hon a.g. rylah, cr h.g. ferguson, mayor of kew 1959-60

The original Kew Town Hall offices were located in Walpole Street, Kew. Before 1960, even though it had been much discussed over a number of decades, Kew did not have a 'civic hall'. When required, events such as balls, exhibitions or theatrical events were held in the Kew Recreation Hall in Walpole Street. A new City Hall was to be opened by Sir Robert Menzies in 1960. It was located beside the Alexandra Gardens in Cotham Road. It is now used as the Kew Library. Cr Hugh George Ferguson (at right) was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Australian Imperial Forces. After the war he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term. He died in 1975, aged 75, and is buried in Boroondara Cemetery.An item of historical interest donated by members of the Dods family in 2006. The Dods-Ferguson Collection includes a number of items once in the possession of the families related to or descended from two mayors of Kew: Cr. Hugh Ferguson and Cr. Frederick Dods.Publicity photograph of two men and a woman inspecting architectural models for a new Kew City Hall. The man at the right of the photograph is Cr Hugh George Ferguson, Mayor of Kew 1959-60. The Hall, now occupied by the Kew Library, was opened by The Hon H.E. Bolte MLA, Premier of Victoria in 1960.Herald Sun Feature Service / Hugh G. Ferguson & Associates / New Kew City Hall. kew city hall, hugh g. ferguson & asociates, architectural models - kew, cr hugh george ferguson

Hugh George Ferguson was born in June 1900 in Williamstown. After his family moved to Kew, they lived in Fernhurst Grove while his future wife’s family lived in Fellows Street. He married in 1940 and subsequently joined the Second AIF. In 1945, he was reported to be the ACF (Australian Comforts Fund) Commissioner in Borneo [Kalimantan]. After the Second World War, he worked as a Billeting Affairs Organiser for the Dutch Government, resettling migrants in Australia. He also worked in advertising as an account manager, and as campaign director for Arthur Rylah in Victorian politics. He directed the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including ‘Australia Makes It Exhibition’ in 1947, the ‘Australian Industrial Fair’ in 1949 and 1950, the ‘Modern Home Exhibition’ in 1949, and ‘Made in Australia’ in 1952. The funds raised during the latter were earmarked for a ‘bankrupt’ Queen Victoria Hospital. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor in 1959. Hugh Ferguson died in 1975, aged 75. He was buried on 2 September in Grave 201, Special (Non- Denominational) Compartment A, Boroondara General Cemetery.A gold plated bar brooch with suspended medallion having a blue enamelled ring surrounding the City of Kew crest in reliefFront: City of Kew, above the city of Kew crest with Council below Rear: Mrs H. G. Ferguson, Mayoress, 1959-60city of kew, mayoresses - kew (vic), mrs hg ferguson

Hugh G Ferguson (1900–75) worked in Advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term.Advertising promotional photoshoot in the dining room of the so-called 'Laminex House', in Brougham Street, Kew. The room was fitted out with laminex furniture to promote the brand and its products. This photo was later colourised for an advertising campaign. The room was in the home of Cr and Mrs Hugh G Ferguson.advertising -- laminex products, laminex, hugh g ferguson, houses -- brougham street (kew)

Hugh G Ferguson (1900–75) worked in Advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term.Advertising promotional photoshoot in the dining room of the so-called 'Laminex House', in Brougham Street, Kew. The room was fitted out with laminex furniture to promote the brand and its products. This image was a later colourised version for an advertising campaign. The room was in the home of Cr and Mrs Hugh G Ferguson.advertising -- laminex products, laminex, hugh g ferguson, houses -- brougham street (kew)

Hugh G Ferguson (1900–75) worked in Advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term.Advertising promotional photoshoot in the bedroom of the so-called 'Laminex House', in Brougham Street, Kew. The room was fitted out with laminex furniture to promote the brand and its products. This photo was later colourised for an advertising campaign. The room was in the home of Cr and Mrs Hugh G Ferguson.advertising -- laminex products, laminex, hugh g ferguson, houses -- brougham street (kew)

Hugh G Ferguson (1900–75) worked in Advertising as an account manager, and was campaign director for Arthur Rylah is Victorian politics. He organised the first major trade fairs at the Royal Exhibition Buildings after the Second World War, including a World Trade Fair. He built a home in Brougham Street and represented North Ward on Kew Council from 1952 to 1968. He was elected Mayor for the 1959-60 term.Advertising promotional photoshoot in the bedroom of the so-called 'Laminex House', in Brougham Street, Kew. The room was fitted out with laminex furniture to promote the brand and its products. This image was a later colourised version for an advertising campaign. The room was in the home of Cr and Mrs Hugh G Ferguson."Laminex Bird's Eye Maple used for laminating a bedroom suite"advertising -- laminex products, laminex, hugh g ferguson, houses -- brougham street (kew)

Booklet produced in 1940 for members of the 2nd AIF by the Australian Comforts Fund Victorian Division. The 128-page pocket-sized book could be carried everywhere and provided Australian soldiers with a wide range of useful information about the requirements of war service and many other important details such as: The Laws and Customs of War - including Geneva Convention guidelines, notes on spies and insignia of rank; Things a Soldier should Know - including over 60 points; Signaling - including flags, morse code, shipboard bell times and time zone; Decorations Awarded to Australians in the Great War; Arabic and Japanese words; First Aid for gas injuries etc.; Australian Historical Events, facts and figures etc.; and Conduct Overseas - including expectations of behaviour when representing Australia. non-fictionaustralian comforts fund (victoria), second world war 1939-1945, hugh george ferguson