Hardback with dust coverFrom the famous Granada TV Series By Brian Inglis & Bill Grundy Orbis Publishing Ltd. London: 1964 ISBN 0 85613 1784

Located in the east Melbourne district of Kew. The Rialto Theatre was opened on 31st August 1921 with Bert Lytell in “A Message From Mars”. It was taken over by Hoyts Theatres in 1926. It was closed on 17th May 1961.Single-side playbill produced by Hoyts Rialto Cinema in Kew for a feature film starring Shirley Temple: Little Miss Broadway. The matinee also included a newsreel, comedies and cartoons.rialto cinema kew, hoyts theatres -- melbourne (vic.)

The theatre, set up in the old shire hall, was run by Bill Schooling and Connie Maugham. A World War 1 veteran, Charlie Croft, was the doorman. The films came down by ferry for Saturday nights, or Bill Schooling collected them in his car, which ran on kerosene. In the summertime, there were also screenings on Wednesdays and Fridays. Screenings started with a newsreel; then a travelogue was shown; another support film would be fitted in before interval, then another newsreel, a cartoon, and finally the feature film hit the screen. This occurred during WW2 - 1939-1945HistoricalHandwritten letter written on 26/2/1993 from Kevin Findlay describing his employment history and association with the theatre and a photocopy of 2 tickets for the Teddy Bear Theatre.kevin findlay, teddy bear theatre, bill schooling, connie maugham, charlie croft

Main Stream Melbourne - The River Yarra on film (Screen Sound Australia, 2004) and The Prize (Eltham Films, Tim Burstall ,1960) Combining footage from more than 90 early newsreels, documentaries and short films which additionally features almost 200 photographs and illustrations - shows locals fishing and swimming in the river, holding canoe races and lazing at boathouses. Also included is Tim Burstall's 1960 short film, The Prize, which tells the story of a boy, played by his then six-year-old son Tom, and his adventures with a kid goat. The film, shot on the Yarra, won a bronze award at the 1960 Venice Film Festival. Of specific interest, scenes from Warrandyte, Montsalvat footage from 1965, Heidelberg School Artists' Trail, Koornung School (1947) in North Warrandyte, Tim Burstall and The Prize (1960) with scenes on Brougham Street Bridge, and Yarra River scenes at Morrison's Breakwater at Eltham and the Bend of Isles at Kangaroo Ground.VHS Video cassette, 130 minutes. Converted to MP4 file format 02:16:11, 1.54GBthe prize (film), tim burstall, yarra river, warrandyte, brougham street bridge, montsalvat, bend of islands, heidelberg school artists trail, koornong school, morrisons breakwater, video recording

Cinema program for screening at the Melbourne Athenaeum Theatre of the film Major Barbara, starring Wendy Hiller and Rex Harrison, commencing October 3, 1941. Contains advertisements for the Athenaeum Restaurant, and Lyke-Nu Dyeing and Dry Cleaning Co. "Official Cleaners for this Theatre. All Usherettes' uniforms cleaned by us." The booklet contains articles on the performers, the program of events, and production details. Major Barbara was originally released on 2 August 1941, and was filmed during the London Blitz bombing of 1940. The film also stars Robert Morley, Dame Sybil Thorndike, Deborah Kerr, Emlyn Williams, Miles Malleson and Stanley Holloway. The program also included a number of newsreels and short films, and an live music provided by Cecil Parkes' Strad Trio. Booklet, pp.16. (including wrappers and advertisements) Yellow front cover with printed decorative border in a brown hue printed text. Printed on lightweight newspaper style paper. Publication consists of pages with brown printed text.

Fives copies of Universal Weekly was a magazine for Motion Picture exhibitors. Used by Keith Rash / Gem Pictures. Five copies of the Magazine 'Universal Weekly' and a publicity flyer. .1) 32 page magazine dated 17 August 1929 with Ken Maynard on the cover. It includes information on Broadway, Showboat, The wagon Master, Girl Overboard, Universal, Scotland, College Love. .2) .1) 32 page magazine dated 20 July 1929 with George Lewis and Dorothy Gulliver on the cover. Contents include College Love, Show Boat, The Drake case, Wagon Master, The Ace of Scotland Yard, Melody Lane. .3) 32 page magazine dated 24 August 1929 with Hoot Gibson on the cover. Contents include: Points West, Show Boat, The Ace of Scotland Yard, College Love, Wagon Master, Early to Wed, The Danger Line. .4) 32 page magazine dated 02 November 1929 with Paul Whitman on the cover. Contents include: All Quiet on the Western Front, Skinner Steps Out, Rhapsody in Blue, Shanghai Lady, Out to Kill, The College Racketeer, La Marseillaise, The Phantom of the Opera, The Mississippi Gambler, Skinner Steps Out, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Wagon Master. .5) 32 page magazine dated 15 March 1930 with Cohens and Kellys Scotland on the cover. Contents include: The Storm. Hide Out, Phantom of the Opera, Showboat, Jade Box. .6) Small promotional flyer for Carl Laemmle's 'The Last Performance'. ken maynard, broadway, carl laemmle, news reels, mary nolan, john boles, louis cohen, eddie leonard, jack daugherty, frank merrill, gershwin. wynn holcomb, lupe velez, william boyd, tod brownning, e.m. asher, albert de mond, graham mcnamee, helen wright, gem pictures, wagon master, s.s. majestic, h.h. van loan, show boat, george sidney, charlie murray, jocelyn lee, carl larmmle, pennants, george lewis, the drake case, harry taylor, eddie leonard, josephine dunn, minstrels, newsreels, theatre, movies, graf zeppelin, paul whitman, the king of jazz revue, glenn tryon, merna kennedy, the shannons of broadway, bob shawkey, charles d. dawes, the college racketeer, charles rickford, fred kohler, raymond hutton, hell's heroes, the mississippi gambler, james murray, kathryn crawford, ted browning, joan marsh

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

Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to Zoo B42" Not published. Description: A group of men and one woman all dressed in hats and overcoats stand by a wire fence while watching an emu. Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: On 25 June 1934, new Victorian Governor, His Excellency Lord Huntingfield and his wife Lady Huntingfield made an official visit to the Melbourne Zoological Gardens in order to grant his patronage to the Royal Zoological and Acclimatisation Society. During the visit, zoo director Mr. Andrew Wilkie introduced them to some of the zoo’s inhabitants, including an emu. After the First World War, many returned soldiers took up the Government’s offer of land in the Soldier Settlement Scheme. Most of the veterans had little or no farming experience and much of the land offered was of poor quality, with blocks often too small to be viable. Many of the settlers had ongoing physical and mental injuries from the war. The Western Australian government allocated land to 5000 former soldiers but by 1929, one quarter of the men had already abandoned their land, unable to make a living. Not only was the world economy struggling with the Great Depression, but the settlers also had to contend with plummeting wheat and wool prices, crippling drought and rabbit infestation. The Scullin Government (Oct 1929-Jan 1932) had promised subsidies to the Western Australian farmers if they increased their wheat crops but were unable to pass the legislation in the Senate. The new Lyons Government (Jan 1932-April 1939) abandoned the legislation and the subsidies were never paid, bringing calls from Western Australia of secession from Australia. In October 1932, a deputation of soldier settlers from the Campion wheatbelt region in Western Australia, petitioned Commonwealth Minister for Defence, Western Australian Senator Sir George Pearce, for assistance. A mob of 20,000 emus were migrating to the coast after breeding and were gathering along the eastern side of the Number 1 Rabbit Proof Fence, attracted to the ripening crops and the dams the farmers had built. They were heading towards Campion, 303 kilometres east of Perth, eating and trampling the wheat, destroying the fences and letting the rabbits in. Having witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of machine guns in killing people in war, the former soldiers thought the guns would be ideal for killing emus. Sir George, wanting to demonstrate that his government was sympathetic to the settlers and hoping to quell Western Australian succession talk, agreed. However, he stipulated that no expense would be incurred by the Commonwealth Government and only active military personnel could use the machine guns. The farmers had to pay for the ammunition, food and accommodation for the military for the length of the operation. The cost for the ammunition was £50 for 10,000 rounds. Sir George also felt the operation would provide excellent target practice for the soldiers! The operation was headed by Major Gwynydd Purves Wynn-Aubrey Meredith, 1887-1975, of the Seventh Heavy Battery of the Royal Australian Artillery, and assisted by Sergeant S. McMurray and Gunner J. O'Halloran. They were equipped with two American-designed Lewis light machine guns and 10,000 rounds. Each magazine held 47 rounds of ammunition and the gun was capable of firing 500 to 600 rounds per minute with effective firing range of 800 metres. A cinematographer from British Movietone News accompanied the soldiers in order to record what was expected to be not only an easy victory but also useful propaganda for both the military and the Lyons Government. Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae, meaning New Holland Racer) is a species of long-necked flightless bird endemic to Australia. The Tasmanian and the dwarf King and Kangaroo Island subspecies were hunted to extinction after the European settlement of Australia. It is the second largest bird in the world after the ostrich, standing up to 1.9 metres tall and weighing up to 50 kilograms. The Emu has long, powerful legs with three forward facing toes and is the only bird with calf muscles. It is able to jump 2.1 metres into the air and run 50 kilometres per hour. It communicates by drumming and booming through an inflatable neck sac which can be heard up to two kilometres away. Along with its tough hide and a body more feathers than flesh, the emu can be a tricky target. Emus had been a protected native species until 1922, when the government changed their status to “vermin” in response to the emus breaking down fences and destroying crops. Major Meredith told the press that Colonel Oswald V. Hoad of the 1st Cavalry Division NSW had especially requested he send 100 emu skins to replenish the plumage on his Light Horsemen’s hat tops. On the first day of the Emu War, 2 November 1932, Major Meredith spotted a mob of emus out of range of the guns, so he asked the farmers to use their vehicles to drive the emus towards the fence and the guns. The panicked birds split into small groups, kicking up the dust and scattering every which way. Only six were killed, though some were wounded. After that, the emus became very wary of humans. On 4 November, Major Meredith staged a dawn ambush at a dam. As 1000 emus approached to drink, the soldiers opened fire, killing 12 emus. After reloading, the gun jammed and the emus dispersed in all directions, and were not sighted again that day. The West Australian newspaper reported on 4 November 1932 that, “The emus have proved that they are not so stupid as they are usually considered to be. Each mob has its leader, always an enormous black-plumed bird standing fully six-feet high, who keeps watch while his fellows busy themselves with the wheat. At the first suspicious sign, he gives the signal, and dozens of heads stretch up out of the crop. A few birds will take fright, starting a headlong stampede for the scrub, the leader always remaining until his followers have reached safety.” In a later attempt, they mounted a gun onto the bed of a truck in order to chase and mow down the birds. However the truck couldn’t drive fast enough over the rough terrain and it was too bumpy to fire the gun accurately. The birds easily outran the truck except for one hapless emu who faltered while being chased and fell under the truck, its body wedging in the steering gear, causing the driver to crash the truck, and bringing down half a chain of the rabbit proof fence. RSPCA inspector Mr. Arthur Austin arrived with a rifle and knife in order to finish the work of the Lewis guns and dispatch injured emus. He said that while his society was sympathetic to the stricken settlers, he was anxious that wounded birds should not be left to suffer. Major Meredith told the inspector, “What speed can you run? You have to be better than Peter Pan if you want to catch wounded emus that make for the scrub.” (Racehorse “Peter Pan” had won the 1932 Melbourne Cup a few weeks earlier.) The commentator of the British Movietime newsreel uses a jocular tone to optimistically proclaim, “The scouts [emus] of the advancing army have keen eyesight, and in order to get close to the main body, our lads have to do some real stalking, with the enemy watching events through their periscopes raised up over the heads of corn... Instead of the birds ruining the farmers, tables are turned, there will be no more damage down here for many a day to come once the enemy is eliminated.” Emus proved tougher adversaries than expected, barely breaking stride even when badly injured from machine gun bullets, and the suspicious emus soon learnt to stay out of range of the men and their guns. Meanwhile, in the eastern states concern was being expressed about the cruelty of machine-gunning the native birds. Senator James Guthrie UAP of Victoria suggested that there must be “more humane, if less spectacular methods” of coping with the pests. People wrote letters to the newspapers to express their dismay at the inhumane methods used. R.F. Bellchambers from Humbug Scrub, 25 November 1932, lamented that, “At the present rate of extinctions, it will shortly be necessary to go to the Museum to see the remains of our fauna.” The Murchison Times published a letter on 16 November 1932 from “Clay Pan Joe”: “War on Emus. Slaughter of innocent birds would be more appropriate... The birds may be a nuisance and it may be necessary to destroy them, but why cause so much suffering amongst these innocent birds.” E.S. Playford of Norton’s Summit wrote to The Advertiser, 22 November 1932, that “...habitation on the earth would be impossible without bird life. Therefore, it is unwise to say that any bird is useless. Is sentiment dying? Are we so keen on personal gain that our lovely and unique birds have to be ruthlessly slaughtered in thousands and their bodies left rotting in the sun?” In Sydney, picture palace patrons expressed “considerable concern” after viewing the Movietone News newsreel of emus fleeing from the barrage of machine-guns, and wounded emus in the fields in Campion. The press had a field day, dubbing it the “The Emu War” and joking that the “Chicago method” was being used against the feathered foe. The Daily News newspaper published a cartoon depicting the emus outrunning and outsmarting the soldiers. In Parliament NSW Senator James Dunn called Sir George the “Minister for the Emu War”. Labor member Mr. Rosevear, midst great laughter, asked if the minister would consider declaring an armistice and withdrawing his troops from the Western Front. Prime Minister Joe Lyons was asked if medals would be struck for those taking part in the war. Labor parliamentarian Mr. A.E. Green declared any medals should go to the emus who had “won every round so far”. With the embarrassing press coverage and poor results, Sir George ordered a stop to the project on 9 November, and Major Meredith and the soldiers departed for Perth. The WA Premier Sir James Mitchell and the Campion farmers demanded they return, citing the continued destruction of crops and fences by the emus. Major Meredith and his two gunners were allowed to return on 13 November and seemingly having learnt from their previous experiences, had slightly more success this time killing emus. The operation finally finished on 10 December with Major Meredith reporting “definite kills” of 986 emus for 9860 rounds of ammunition, coincidentally and conveniently exactly 10% of the number of rounds used. A further 2500 birds were said to have died from their injuries and although this is a disputed figure, even if accurate, the ratio of rounds expended to emu casualties was thought too high to justify continuing. The operation barely caused a dint in the marauding mob of 20,000 emus. “There’s only one way to kill an emu”, one of the party bitterly remarked: “Shoot him through the back of the head when his mouth is closed or through the front of his mouth when his mouth is open. That’s how hard it is.” Australian ornithologist Dominic L. Serventy noted that “The machine-gunners’ dreams of point blank fire into serried masses of Emus were soon dissipated. The Emu command had evidently ordered guerrilla tactics, and its unwieldy army soon split up into innumerable small units that made use of the military equipment uneconomic. A crestfallen field force therefore withdrew from the combat area after about a month.” Major Meredith expressed the greatest of respect for the enemy. He said, “If we had a military division with the bullet-carrying capacity of these birds, it would face any army in the world. They could face machine guns with the invulnerability of tanks. They are like Zulus, whom even dum dum bullets would not stop." The Major’s official report stated that there were no human casualties in “The Emu War.” Emus are considered the victors of “The Great Emu War.” Western Australian farmers requested military assistance in 1934, 1943 and 1948, including using bombs, but the government refused. The bounty system instigated in 1923 continued, with farmers using rifles against their fleet-footed foe, with 57,034 bounties for dead emus claimed in six months in 1934 in Western Australia alone. 284,704 emus were killed in Western Australia between 1945 and 1960. The other most effective defence against the emus was the construction of a robust, vermin proof fence spanning over a long distance. Emus were formally protected in 1999 by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. It’s estimated there are between 625,000 to 725,000 wild emus in Australia in 2024. An emu and a kangaroo feature on Australia’s coat of arms, holding up a shield illustrated with symbols of the six states. The animals symbolise the nation moving forward as neither animal can walk backwards. Campion is now a ghost town. A book about the operation, “Letters from the Emu War” by J.A. Bryden was published in 2023 by Playtime Books. In 2024, an Australian film called “The Emu War” was released, starring Damian Callinan and Luke McGregor. 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. 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 23, 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 'Edward Wilson (journalist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wilson_(journalist) 'Thomas Austin (pastoralist)', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Austin_(pastoralist) '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_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web THE ABORIGINES. (1856, March 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved September 28, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4833244 WAR ON EMUS. (1932, November 4). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved September 29, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32588972 'The Great Emu War: how it started and who won', ABC Australia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1wA0PKeJqc Advertising (1932, November 25). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved October 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32584578 Emu Chasers Must Outstrip Peter Pan (1932, November 9). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 5. Retrieved October 10, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237042749 WAR ON EMUS (1932, November 22). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), p. 18. Retrieved October 15, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73997254 WAR ON EMUS. (1932, October 28). The Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924 - 1938), p. 6. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237046601 EMU WAR (1932, December 3). Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956), p. 7. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75626301 Machine Gun Offensive Against Emus. (1932, November 10). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 3 (PICTORIAL SECTION). Retrieved October 24, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37766670 A THOUSAND BIRDS IN LUCK. (1932, November 10). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 28. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37766849 New Strategy In A War On The Emu (1953, July 5). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 13. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18516559 This is a nice emu-that was! (1932, November 5). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), p. 9 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82878309 LOCAL AND GENERAL (1932, November 16). The Murchison Times (Cue, WA : 1924 - 1937), p. 2. Retrieved October 14, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article257500260 Taking Him for a Ride! (1932, October 13). The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), p. 6 (HOME EDITION). Retrieved September 30, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article83717338 'The Emu War', History Nuggets, https://historynuggets.squarespace.com/nuggets/2018/4/21/the-emu-war New Strategy In A War On The Emu (1953, July 5). The Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW : 1949 - 1953), p. 13. Retrieved October 23, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18516559 'This is the story of how Australia went to war with emus and lost', First Dog on the Moon, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/26/this-is-the-story-of-how-australia-went-to-war-with-emus-and-lost Photographer notations on slide: "Vice Regal visit to Zoo B42"emu wars, governors, melbourne zoo, city of melbourne, 1930-1939, hunting, lord huntingfield, lady huntingfield, royal park, animals, wildlife

The pupils of Falconer Street Central School No.3918 in North Fitzroy rehearse with conductress Miss Ida Park for their performance at the Temperance Hall, Russell Street Melbourne with proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s Fund. The house on the right of the photograph is Jubilee House, 126 Michael Street North Fitzroy and is extant. Photographer notations on slide: Choir At Fitzroy State School 1933 B5 While this photograph appears not to have been published, a photograph taken from a different angle of the same event was published in The Age 21 July 1933. SCHOOL CHILDREN SING IN THE OPEN AIR. “A choir of children at North Fitzroy practise their songs for a Pantomime, to be given in the Temperance Hall for the Lord Mayor's Fund on Wednesday next. On the extreme left is the conductress of the Choir (Miss Ida Park).” Reference: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204368572 Research by project volunteer, Fiona Collyer: Children of The Falconer Street Central School Choral Society, trained by conductress Miss Ida Park, along with dance and gymnastics pupils of Misses Dorothy Gibb and Inez Ellis, performed in the “Cinderella” pantomime at the Temperance Hall in Russell Street, Melbourne on 26 July, 1933. The proceeds went to the Lord Mayor’s Fund. Conductress Miss Ida Park (1904- 1952) lived in the North Fitzroy and Clifton Hill area all her life. She was immersed in the music world of Melbourne and was a member of the Musical Society of Victoria. Ida graduated from Melbourne University Conservatorium with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1929 before departing for London where she studied piano and organ at the Royal Academy of Music. Ida returned to Melbourne in 1931, and billed as “The Gifted Young Australian Pianist”, held pianoforte recitals of classical music at Assembly Hall, Collins Street. She also played the organ for services at St Paul’s Independent Church in Delbridge Street, North Fitzroy and later St Luke’s, North Fitzroy. Ida conducted the children of the Falconer Street Central School Choral Society as they competed in the State School Choral Championships and the 85 children of the Fitzroy City Centenary Choir who sang at Melbourne’s Centenary celebrations of 1934/35. In 1945, Ida married Charles Hazeldine, a tenor and returned digger who had served in two world wars. The pair performed together in many concerts over the years. Tragically, both Ida and Charles were badly injured when struck by a car while crossing Queens Parade Clifton Hill in June 1952, with Ida dying from head injuries at St Vincent’s Hospital soon after. She was 48 years old. Charles wrote on Ida’s death notice - “Called home.” The choir were pupils of Falconer Street Central School No. 3918 in North Fitzroy which was built in 1915 to provide upper primary education for grades 5 to 8 for the area. In 1957 it became Fitzroy High School. In 1992, the Kennett Government swept to power, embarking on a program of fiscal austerity and privatisation of government services. 390 government schools were closed, with the land proposed to be sold to developers. 7000 teachers were sacked: 10% of Victoria’s public school teachers. Auxiliary school staff also lost their jobs. Amongst the first to close was Fitzroy High School. Fearful that the land would be sold, hundreds of students, parents, teachers and local residents occupied the building around-the-clock in four hour shifts and overnight for 14 months, sleeping on gym mats in the principal’s office and administrators’ wing. The blockade was lifted when a arrangement was reached to allow Kangan Batman TAFE to use the school from 1993 until 1998. With the election of the Bracks Government in 1999, and construction of new buildings, Fitzroy High School was reopened in 2004 after a 12 year battle. Temperance Hall, at 172 Russell Street, where the children performed “Cinderella”, was built in 1872 by the Melbourne Total Abstinence Society as a venue for lectures, meetings and alcohol-free community concerts and events. From 1934, Temperance Hall was fitted out as a cinema and renamed the Imperial Theatre, showing popular Hollywood films, before closing in 1939 for renovations and reopening as the Savoy Theatre, Melbourne’s first “Continental” talkies cinema. At this time, Australian cinema programming was dominated by American and British films. The lessees, Continental Film Art Theatre began negotiating for theatre properties in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland to screen foreign language films, hoping to present the finest productions from France, Germany, Holland and Italy. At the cost of £6000, the theatre was fitted with the latest Mirrophonic sound and projection system and enlarged to seat 800 patrons with luxurious, ultra modern fittings and furnishings in a colour palette of rust and beige. Instead of usherettes, General Manager Peter Dawson, hoping to bring a sophisticated European atmosphere to the theatre, employed attractive, multilingual “Continental hostesses” to assist guests (not patrons) and answer queries relating to the films. Collectively the hostesses spoke English, French, Dutch, German, Russian and Italian. The Age 20 May 1939- “Atmosphere is a very important part of the theatre's scheme. Ushers in the ordinary sense will not be employed; hostesses will look upon patrons as guests. They will be dressed in full evening dress, and the only indication that they are not guests is the little medallion pinned to their evening dress, on which their names are inscribed.” The hostesses were dressed in evening gowns of olive-green velvet, the full skirts embroidered with gold loops, wine velvet bolero jackets and long white kid gloves with silvery tiaras in their hair. For guests worried that they may not understand the plot, the management assured patrons that- “By means of superimposed English translations on the bottom of the screen, the dialogue is perfectly understandable and the whole witty story can be followed with ease.” The Gala opening of the Savoy Theatre, on 31 May 1939 was attended by a “who’s who” of Melbourne Society, the women wearing beautiful gowns, headdresses and furs. Amongst the guests were former premier Sir Stanley Argyle and Lady Argyle, former Lord Mayor Sir Harold Gengoult-Smith and his wife Cynthia, Field Marshall Thomas Blamey and Lady Blamey and Miss Jessie Brookes. The Vice Consul for France, Monsieur Frank Puaux and his wife attended, Madame Puaux dressed in a black satin gown and a musquash fur cape. She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of scarlet carnations and lily of the valley tied with the tricolour of France. In his speech Monsieur Puaux stated that “from the cultural, linguistic and artistic points of view it was excellent that the Australian public should have an opportunity to see foreign film in the original language.” “Letty” writing in Table Talk magazine described the atmosphere of “Continental” gaiety that had permeated Melbourne - “The Letters of Letty”, Table Talk 8 June 1939 “The “foreign influence” is definitely obtruding itself into the even tenor of Melbourne life these days…. but in the pleasantest manner possible! Included in the great number of Continental people who have recently made their homes here, we have stars of the Russian ballet settling in our midst…. and now… we have been presented with our own Continental picture theatre in the attractive shape of The Savoy, which opened its doors on Wednesday night for the exclusive release of foreign films. One could hardly recognise the old Temperance Hall in its adaptation to the smart, comfortable and thoroughly-intriguing Savoy Theatre. Where once this rather draughty old building stood in Russell Street there now greets us an unmistakable “Continental” edifice, living up to its exterior by sustaining within its walls its overseas’ atmosphere. Indeed, one feels as though one has crossed the threshold into a European city, stepping out of the unmistakably Australian street that is Russell into The Savoy lounge to be greeted by polite “messieurs” from the attractive, Continental-looking usherettes and to gaze upon a film as delightfully French in story and presentation as “La Kermesse Heroique.” But successful though “La Kermesse Heroique” proved on its initial presentation inside the theatre, the debut was no more triumphal than that made by the winning and pretty little French lass who had charge of the booking office outside in the foyer. With her attractive accent and Continental flair for making one “feel at home” she was undoubtedly one of the hits of the night-especially with the susceptible males, who spent very much longer in the lounge than is customary, racking their brains for excuses for making conversation with the attractive Parisienne! Those French girls certainly have a way with them!” The opening film, the 1935 French comedy “La Kermesse Heroique”, (The Heroic Sex) starring Francoise Rosay and Jean Murat (film now called “Carnival in Flanders”) was the winner of the Grand Prix du Cinema Francais as the finest picture of 1936 and described in the advertisement as “The Gay French Comedy of Laughter and Romance” The film is set during the 17th century Spanish occupation of Flanders in the Flemish town of Boom at the time of their annual festival. Hearing news of a pending visit to Boom by the commander, the Duke of Olivares and his army, and fearing rape and pillage, the boorish burgomaster feigns his own death, hoping the Spaniards will bypass the grieving town out of respect. The army arrives and the cowardly men of the town flee. The womenfolk decide on a different approach. Lead by the burgomaster’s beautiful wife Cornelia, they set out to to preserve the peace with grace and hospitality only to find the Spaniards attractive and virile, unlike their own husbands. The Sun newspaper described the film as “Mellow as a Stilton cheese, and as ripely suited to adult taste.” Preceding “La Kermesse Heroique” was a Gaumont British newsreel of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth departing for a tour of Canada and the Soviet documentary “Nine Months on a Drifting Ice Floe” During the war “Continental” films became difficult to source, so the Savoy screened Hollywood movies and held fund raisers for the war effort. After World War Two, the Savoy continued to screen “Continental” films, catering to post-war immigrants from Europe and bohemian Melburnians. In 1953, the Savoy had a wildly popular season with queues winding around the block to see Swedish summer romance “One Summer of Happiness” (Hon dansade en sommar) with its nude swimming scenes. The Chief Commonwealth Censor declined to cut the film on the grounds that although it displayed nudity, it was genuinely artistic. According to Wikipedia, film director Fred Schepisi was first exposed to European films such as “Bicycle Thieves”, “Rocco and His Brothers” and “The Wages of Fear” at the Savoy as a teenager, leading to his long career in filmmaking. In 1955, in response to the massive rise in car ownership, the Melbourne City Council recommended that parking stations be built on every block. The Savoy Theatre and adjacent buildings, which included the Golden Fleece Hotel were demolished in 1963 and replaced with Total House, a Brutalist commercial building consisting of a seven storey car park crowned by a four storey office block, shops at street level, and a basement theatre which housed the Lido Theatre Restaurant-Cabaret from 1965. The building was designed by architectural firm Bogle & Banfield Associates and named for the original tenant of the offices, French oil company, Total Oil Products P/L. The Lido Theatre Restaurant was managed by former Tivoli dancer and promoter David Hamilton McIlwraith, presenting dinner and a glamorous cabaret floor show of showgirls, (some topless) to accompany variety acts by local and international actors, singers, comedians and magicians. The interior of the Lido was opulently decorated in deep, lush green with old world gold trim and chandeliers. Handily, patrons could enter and leave via an elevator, straight from the building’s own car park! A four course gourmet dinner with show and dancing cost $8.00 in 1968. The Lido advertised in 1966 that “Every visitor to Melbourne soon discovers the brightest entertainment spot in the Southern Hemisphere with its million dollar decor, dining delights and spectacular stage productions.” Australian Jewish News - 21 April 1967 - “Superb decor and atmosphere, cuisine and service have been readily recognised as the contributing factors to the excellence of stage presentations, staging, costumes, decor and, of course, the actual choice of artists.” The bedazzling ensemble of 40 high-kicking, feathered and sequinned showgirls were advertised as the “Fabulous Lido girls and the controversial Baretop Lido Goddesses” who were described as “Statuesque Beauty as Nature intended” and “…a host of glamorous gals whose favourite shade is flesh pink.” Some of the acts who performed at the Lido were- -Broken Hill’s own - opera singer June Bronhill -1967. -Versatile singer Lovelace Watkins known as “Black Sinatra - 1967. -“Queen of the five-fingered boogie", honky-tonk and rollicking rag-time pianist, Winifred Atwell - 1967. -New Zealand pop duo, Bill and Boyd -1968. -American actress and soprano Kathryn Grayson -1968. -Denise Drysdale in “Say It With Music” -1968. -“Catwoman” Eartha Kitt -1969. -Internationally recognised female impersonator, Sydneysider Tracey Lee, (Maxwell Richie) billed as "controversial impressionist and singing personality from the famous Carousel Nightspot in Paris". -Frances Faye, American comedienne and show-tune singer and pianist-1969. -“Cry Guy” histrionic singer Johnnie Ray -1970. -Risqué revue “Oh Calcutta!” with some segments and the “four letter” words removed-1970. In 1970, under new management, the Lido was renovated with claret and gold wallpaper, midnight blue ceiling and a computerised fountain with fairy lights and relaunched by “The Tigress from Tiger Bay”, Shirley Bassey. The relaunch was short lived however, as later that year the venue became El Toro Espana, a Spanish restaurant and nightclub offering a four course meal for $4.50 while you watched the floorshow. The venue then briefly became the Red Garter Music Hall Theatre from 1972, then in 1974 the site became the 600 seat Total Theatre comprising of a cinema with a stage for live acts. There were also three bars to choose from - the Crush Bar, the Bleachers and the Snake Pit. Total Theatre had the unusual concept of a live music act, or plays, musicals and magicians followed by a film. In 1975 soprano Suzanne Steele featured, followed by the film “The Voyage” starring Sophia Loren and Richard Burton. In 1975, the Total held a rock film festival showing a Jimi Hendrix documentary, “Monterey Pop Festival”, “Pink Floyd in Pompeii” and more. In 1976, 17 year old Chrissy Amphlett, later of rock band Divinyls, played the role of Linda Lips for nine months in the Australian stage production of R-rated “sexual musical”, “Let My People Come” at the Total Theatre. The Total Theatre closed in 1979 and from 1980 to 2014 the venue became Billboard Nightclub, hosting local and international acts, including INXS, Tina Turner and John Farnham, and in 2009, 18 year old Taylor Swift. The venue is now called 170 Russell and presents hundreds of live local and international acts every year. In 2014, after being under threat of demolition, Total House was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register as “a landmark of post-World War II modernist design and…one of the earliest and best expressions of Brutalist architecture in Victoria”. References: RICHARD CROOKS ARRIVES SCHOOL AGAIN VENUE OF ROYAL VISIT (1939, May 31). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 17. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205629696 AMUSEMENTS. (1933, July 27). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 12. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204378853 https://larzra.wordpress.com/origins/ CONTINENTAL HOSTESSES, (1939, May 31). The Sun News-Pictorial (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954; 1956), p. 27. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article278189387 The Letters of Letty (1939, June 8). Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic. : 1885 - 1939), p. 12. Retrieved October 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article149320966 SAVOY THEATRE (1939, June 1). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved September 19, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205639035 NEW THEATRE OPENED (1939, June 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved September 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134234 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_House Page [?] TOUCH OF SPAIN (1970, December 18). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 35. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262493757 No title (1935, June 11). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 27. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244840169 Dine, wine, and watch a stage show (1966, November 16). The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982), p. 6. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44025050 http://jonathanbollen.net/2011/02/26/tracey-lee/ LIDO ‘ART’ (1967, April 21). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 8. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article263003136 THE FABULOUS LIDO (1965, October 22). The Australian Jewish News (Melbourne, Vic. : 1935 - 1999), p. 17. Retrieved November 9, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article262983995 No title (1939, May 31). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved November 21, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134144 #NEW THEATRE OPENED (1939, June 1). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved September 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12134234 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracey_Lee_(female_impersonator) https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/35b-40h-image-of-a-model-for-the-total-house-offices-and-car-park-on-russell-street/ https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/from-the-archives-1990-s-hundreds-of-school-closures-hit-victoria-20190801-p52cwj.html http://jonathanbollen.net/2011/05/29/the-lido-melbourne/Photographer notations on slide: primary schools, schools, music, education, choirs, fitzroy, cars, theatre restaurants, venues, films

The two films screened were produced by the British company Gaumont-British Dominions. Frank Talbot, who leased the Athenaeum Theatre, made an agreement in 1932 with the British company to show British movies exclusively at the Athenaeum Theatre, the first agreement of this kind to be made in the world. The film "The Mikado" is presented with the D'Oyley Carte Opera Company chorus.The souvenir program has a generic cover, featuring an advertisement for "Cholerton's School of Motoring" instead of the name of the film, as found on previous programs. This may have been the result of wartime economies. The evening of entertainment, typical for the time, commenced with an overture from Cecil Parkes Strad Trio followed by Fox Movietone News and the first film, "Sword of Honour". After interval the Cecil Parkes Trio again played, a Gaumont-British newsreel was screened and then the main feature "The Mikado" was screened. In 1939, when the Athenaeum Library was open until 10 pm, Library members could change their library books during the interval, between films, Monday to Saturday.Paper program for a film screened at the Athenaeum Theatre September 1939; coloured cover; 16 p. includes articles about the film, the actors and advertisementsathenaeum theatre, program, programme, gaumont-british dominion films, cecil parkes strad trio, the mikado, sword of honour, frank talbot, d'oyley carte