The Padbury family were early pioneers of Kew, running for over a century a funeral parlour in Cotham Road. The photograph of the mother and child can be dated to 1889-1900 when the Vita Studios were located at 125 Swanston Street.Rare photograph of members of a notable pioneering family of Kew (vic.). The photograph was donated to the Society in 1982, by Mrs Clarrie Thompson, a descendant of the family.Cabinet card, produced by Grant & Co., Vita Sudios, 125 Swanston Street, Melbourne of an infant, Horace Whitman, sitting on the lap of his mother. His mother was member of the pioneering Padbury family of Kew. "Horace Whitman with mother (nee Padbury)""grant & co -- vita studios - 125 swanston st -- melbourne (vic.), whitman-- cadbury families -- kew (vic.)

Padbury’s Funeral Parlour in Kew was the earliest business of its kind in what is now the City of Boroondara. It was established by John Padbury in 1859. Following his death, the company was renamed A W Padbury & Co. John Padbury was involved in meetings in 1861, calling for Kew to become an independent municipality. In 1863, he argued that a lunatic asylum would bring business to shopkeepers. His company was located at 13 Cotham Road, next to the rear entrance of the Kew Police Station. The two-storey building is still [in 2023] extant. Members of the Padbury family married into a number of pioneer Kew families including the Whitmans and Morgans. Rare portrait of a significant Kew pioneerOriginal print positive 'cabinet card'. Portrait of John Padbury, first undertaker in Boroondara. Obverse: “Frisby & Mason / Photographers / 134 Bridge Road Richmond”. Reverse: “John Padbury / founder of Padbury Undertakers Cotham Rd Kew / died 90 yrs / Whitman”funeral parlours. -- kew (vic.), a w padbury, john padbury, businesses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

Padbury’s Funeral Parlour in Kew was the earliest business of its kind in what is now the City of Boroondara. It was established by John Padbury in 1859. Following his death, the company was renamed A W Padbury & Co. The two-storey building is still [in 2023] extant. Members of the Padbury family married into a number of pioneer Kew families including the Whitmans and Morgans. Rare portrait of a significant Kew businessmanOriginal print positive 'cabinet card'. Portrait of Alfred Padbury, owner of A W Padbury & Co. Son of founder - John Padbury.Reverse: “Alfred Padbury / Son of John Padbury / Whitman”funeral parlours. -- kew (vic.), a w padbury, businesses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

The Padbury family were the dominant funeral directors in Kew in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sepia photographic positive of Mrs Emmeline Lovell Ratten (nee Padbury) (1860-1941). It would appear that the later inscription on the reverse is incorrect as Frederick Ratten married Emmeline Padbury in 1885.Postcard format: "Auntie Ratten (nee Florence Padbury) wife of Fred Ratten - Kew councillor. Florence Avenue named in her honour". Stamp upper left: "The Allen Studio, 318 Smith Street, Collingwood." Postcard stamp upper right: "Kodak Australia".padbury family, ratten family, florence padbury, florence ratten, florence avenue -- kew (vic.)