The Honor Roll and Shrine in the Surrey Gardens were opened on Sunday 7 April 1918, prior to the cessation of fighting. Mrs Charles H D Steele (MS: Sarah Margaret Russell), president of the local Patriotic League, is credited with the idea of building The Shrine as a fitting memorial to the soldiers of the district. The Surrey Hills Progress Association coordinated raising funds from local residents. John Kendrick Blogg carved the beautiful honor roll in Indian teak and Australian white mahogany and the design of The Shrine was by architectural firm Gawler & Drummond. John Stevens Gawler was a partner in the firm, lived locally and also enlisted. Although he may have been overseas during some of the design process he is often credited with the design. Both men donated their services. The 2 cannons in the gardens were acquired by Mr Arthur Brookes in 1901 to commemorate the end of the Boer War. He was popularly known as 'Empire Brooks' and the cannons as 'Brooks' Babies'. They were originally placed in the grounds of the Guildford Road Recreation Oval. Arthur Brooks was an active community member and one of the founding members of the Surrey Hills Progress Association. Original photo was contained in a booklet printed by Camberwell Council in 1933.This is one of the earliest known photos of 3 elements important in designating the Surrey Gardens as one of the City of Boroondara's heritage gardens, now protected by a heritage overlay. The Shrine was one of the first WW1 memorials to be built in Australia and possibly the first in Victoria. It was unveiled prior to the end of hostilities and was built entirely through local community effort. The design of The Shrine, reflective of domestic architecture, is unusual. Its Honor Roll is also a noted example of sculptor John Kendrick Blogg's work and valued especially for its incorporation of Australian motifs, wattle blossom and gum leaves. The boomerang over the full width of the monument was said to be symbolic of both those who did and did not return. Black and white photo of part of the Surrey Gardens, located between Union Road and Norfolk Road, Surrey Hills. It shows The Shrine, the cannons installed to commemorate the end of the Boer War and the Memorial Cross. Taken from within the park looking east. surrey gardens, shrine of remembrance, monuments and memorials, boer war, mr john kendrick blogg, mr arthur brooks, mrs charles steele, mrs sarah steele, miss sarah margaret russell, cannons, mr john gawler

Nancy (Margaret Dillon) Steele born 1906 and Hattie ( Harriette Vevers) Steele were daughters of Charles Henri Dillon Steele (1869-1935) and Sarah Margaret Russell (1873-1944),he was a pioneer of dentistry in Victoria who was in practice in 1890 and later in Collins Street for 40 years. The family lived at ‘Dalriada’ (dem.) on the corner of Bona Vista Avenue and Union Road. Sarah Margaret Steele was President of the local Patriotic League during WW1 and is credited with starting the move to raise funds for the WW1 memorial in the Surrey Gardens. Nancy and Hattie were graduates at Melbourne University in Dentistry and Agricultural Science respectively. They continued their studies in Toronto and obtained their Doctorates. In 1923 Nancy and Hattie started the first girl guide group in Surrey Hills at Holy Trinity Church. Both married and had families. Nancy married Dr William Brayshaw Woodhouse and, while he took up army duties during World War II, Nancy continued his practice. Their son Anthony became a dentist, while Peter was known locally when he became a councillor and Mayor of Camberwell. Their daughter Margaret married Herbert Andrewartha and lived in NSW.A black and white photograph of two portraits of two young ladies. Their dress and hair styles are suggestive of a 1920's date..(miss) nancy (margaret) steele, (miss) hattie vevers steele, dalriada, house names, bona vista avenue, union road, surrey hills, dentists, first girl guide group, 1923, holy trinity church, world war, 1939-1945, mayors, councillors, (miss) margaret brayshaw-woodhouse, dr william brayshaw woodhouse, peter brayshaw woohdhouse, dr charles henri dillon steele, dr anthony brayshaw woodhouse, (miss) nancy steele, (mrs) nancy andrewartha, (miss) hattie steele, (miss) harriette vevers steele, (mrs) margaret brayshaw woodhouse, (miss) margaret dillon steele, (miss) sarah margaet russell, (mes) sarah margaret steele

‘Dalriada’” at 77 Union Road, on the corner Bona Vista Avenue has been demolished. It was the home of Mr Charles Henri Dillon Steele, a dentist of Collins Street, his wife Sarah (nee Russell) and daughters Harriette Vevers (Hattie) and Margaret Dillon (Nancy). They are pictured with grandmother Mrs Sarah Ann Vevers Russell (nee Lasslett), who with her husband Alexander lived at 'Clifton', Union Road, Surrey Hills from prior to 1903. He died in 1903 at Clifton. She was still living there in 1919. A black and white photograph of a group of people in their garden, enjoying the sun. The man is standing, two older ladies are sitting on deck chairs and the two younger girls are sitting on the grass playing with a kitten.(mr) charles steele, dalriada, house names, surrey hills, bona vista avenue, (mrs) sarah steele, clothing and dress, union road, (miss) harriette vevers steele, (miss) hattie steele, (miss) nancy steele, (miss) margaret dillon steele, (mrs) sarah ann vevers russell

The photo comes from a souvenir brochure printed for the dedication of The Shrine on 7 April 1918, a copy of which is also held in the collection.. The Shrine was opened on Sunday 7 April 1918. Mrs C H D Steele, President of the local Patriotic League, is credited with the idea of building The Shrine as a fitting memorial to the WW1 soldiers of the district. The Surrey Hills Progress Association coordinated raising funds from local residents. John Kendrick Blogg carved the beautiful honor roll in Indian teak and Australian white mahogany and the design of the Shrine was by John Stevens Gawler, architect of Gawler & Drummond. Both men donated their services. It was one of the first WW1 memorials to be built and is noted for its use of Australian motifs, wattle blossom and gum leaves. The boomerang over the full width of the monument was said to be symbolic of both those who did and did not return. Surrey Hills Progress Association coordinated fundraising to build the memorial. There is a bound copy of a history of The Shrine by Robin Doble in the collection.Black & white photo of the artist's impression of The Shrine in the Surrey Gardens. surrey gardens, john kendrick blogg (mr), surrey hills progress association, john stevens gawler, gawler and drummond, the shrine, war memorials, sarah margaret russell (miss), sarah margaret steele (mrs), mrs charles henry dillon steele