Original photograph donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City's Engineering Department before the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara in 1994.This 1955 photograph provides a fine snapshot of the work of local government engineering departments in the 1950s. They reveal they types of labour conducted, the techniques used and the equipment and machinery in the possession of the local government authority.Trees in Barry Street, Kew. Barry Street, Kew, looking south to the intersection of Stawell Street. Inscription [pencil] B1955. Stamped: "Please quote No. Gx2320 when ordering. Laurie Richards JW 1528"barry street (kew), gutters, nature strips, street trees

One of three traffic warning lanterns donated by the City of Kew in 1984. The lanterns were used by the City Engineers Department for emergency street lighting to indicate dangerous conditions. The red glass in the lanterns symbolically represented danger.The Kew Historical Society is fortunate that the City Engineer, Mr Poulter, donated a number of items held by the City of Kew to the Society for safekeeping, rather than identifying them for destruction. The most significant items donated included old maps, including those issued by the Board of Works. Other items included photographs of public works undertaken by the Department. These traffic warning lanterns, while less historically significant, are indicative of a period of rapid urban development in the district during the post war period.City of Kew warning lantern (left) previously located in various streets and plant nurserytraffic lanterns -- city of kew, emergency lighting, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic)

The first Kew Municipal baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

The first Kew Municipal Baths were built on a site in High Street (Kew) in 1925. Since then, various rebuilding have occurred, most involving extending or relocating the pool. Photograph of construction activities at the Kew Recreation Centre.kew recreation centre, public works -- kew (vic.)

An original photograph donated to the Kew Historical Society by the City's Engineering Department preceding the amalgamation of Kew into the City of Boroondara. While not all of the photographs are of Studley Park, Kew or East Kew, each photo provides a fine snapshot of the work of local government engineering departments of the period. They reveal they types of labour conducted, the techniques used and the equipment and machinery in the possession of the local government authority. Historic and rare photograph of major public works in Kew in the 1930sPublic works. Men at work in the creek bed of Connor's Creek in Kew, while constructing the underground barrel drain. Connors Creek was one of the two main tributaries of the Yarra River in Kew. It originated somewhere near the grounds of Genazzano FCJ College. The barrel drain was finally completed in 1941 at a cost of £14,000. Inscription on reverse: "City of Kew / Cecil st drain / November 1936". public works (kew), roadmaking, engineering, city of kew (engineering department), connor's creek (kew), cecil street drain

One of two slides of roadworks being undertaken within the City of Kew in 1997. The colour of some slides has degraded.35mm colour transparency (slide) of a tram (no 48) in High Street, Kew, in 1977 during roadworks taking place opposite the Boroondara General Cemetery.trams -- kew (vic.), public works -- kew (vic.), road works -- kew (vic.)

One of two slides of roadworks being undertaken within the City of Kew in 1997. The colour of some slides has degraded.35mm colour transparency (slide) of a suburban street in Kew or Kew East. The roadworks in 1977 involved re-laying or replacing the bluestone gutters.public works -- kew (vic.), road works -- kew (vic.), gutters -- kew (vic.)

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Council workers spreading bitumen in Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Studley Park Road after surfacing with one coat of premixed material spread with drag, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia monochrome positive of Council workers standing on and beside a dray in Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. The Kew Junction is just visible behind the men.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, view from rear of machine, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of a drag used to spread bitumen in Studley Park Road, Kew.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Drag spreader used for premixed material on Studley Park Road, showing end of strip just with spread, with unsurfaced work on left and completed section on right, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. The Kew Junction is just visible in the distance. Boys sitting on a drum at right. Behind them is the brick fence and front entrance to Tara Hall.Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Studley Park Road showing drag spread surfacing with premixed material, unrolled material on the right, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

Studley Park Road, like most streets in Kew, was originally a dirt road. Street works during the Great Depression included bituminising major roads in the district. This photograph of Council works originated in the City of Kew Engineers Department as a record of works undertaken. It was given to the collection by a Mrs Fisher in 1998.Well provenanced photograph of Council-funded public works in Kew during the Great Depression. Original sepia photographic positive of Studley Park Road, Kew while resurfacing of the street was taking place. Typed reverse: "B4 / Kew C.C. / Spreading premixed material on Studley Park Road with drag spreader, March 1934"roadworks -- kew (vic.), street works -- kew (vic.), public works kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), city of kew -- engineers department, city of kew -- public works -- great depression -- 1930s

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including in this instance, street beautification.Kew City Council workers installing planter boxes in High Street, Kew. Junction in distance at left.street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.)

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of street beautification in Port Melbourne, used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. street beautification, city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), port melbourne

The City Engineer's Department within the former City of Kew, was responsible for public works, including street beautification. This photograph was held in the archives of the Department and was subsequently gifted to the Kew Historical Society. Like other examples originally held by the Department, photographs of road works, street beautification, engineering works were often sourced from other municipalities, or countries, to use as references for engineering works and design in Kew.Colour photographic positive (faded) of public parking in South Melbourne, perhaps used as a model by the Engineer's Department of the City of Kew for how civic spaces, including shopping centre precincts, could be improved. city of kew -- engineers department, public works -- kew (vic.), south melbourne, carparks, signs

In this photo, taken in around 1875, is depicted the exterior of the Beechworth Mental Asylum buildings, with the administration buildings far right of the photo. A sunken boundary wall in the foreground and some people in view, sitting at the pavillion in the centre of the image. The two-storey buildings, designed in Italianate style, and the three-storey towers at the front, influenced by the asylum at Colney Hatch in England. The architecture of the buildings shares key features with other contemporary institutions, like Aradale at Ararat, and its design is attributed to the Public Works Department architect, J.J. Clark, whose name is connected with the construction of many other important public buildings, such as the Asylums at Kew and Ararat, the front block of the Royal Mint, Melbourne and the Melbourne Customs House. The Mayday Hills Hospital was constructed between 1864 and 1867, with buildings created in a number of periods. It formally opened on 24 October 1867 and, along with the Ovens Hospital and the Benevolent Asylum, made Beechworth a prominent social welfare centre in Victoria. Large masses of granite were excavated for its foundation and around 250 workmen were employed for its construction. The building, divided into six sections, was comprised of dormitories, doctors` rooms and plenty ancillary rooms and facilities, such as laundries, reading rooms, a concert hall and cooking areas. The site was chosen for its panoramic view of the countryside, the hilltop atmosphere and the native fauna, all contributing to the cure of patients. The Hospital was originally named the “Ovens Lunatic Asylum” but during the centenary celebrations in 1967 the name was officially changed to “Mayday Hills Hospital”, showing the gradual shift in the perception and understanding of mental health conditions over the last decades. The Hospital lies on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation.This photograph is historically significant as it provides an insight into the location, surroundings and the exterior of the Mayday Hills Hospital at the end of the 19th century. It also contributes to the understanding of the district`s development and its importance to the course of Victoria`s history and is acknowledged as a unique construction, being one of three identified as the largest of their kind.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper mounted on board.Reverse: 37/ 3443/ Beechworth Asylum about 1875/ American & Australasian/Photographic Company/Victoria Branch./C.Bayless, Manager./ No./beechworth mental asylum, aradale, public works department, j.j. clark, melbourne customs house, colney hatch, italianate style, mayday hills hospital, royal mint, granite, benevolent asylum, dormitories, ovens lunatic asylum, ancillary rooms, centenary celebrations, three-storey towers, countryside, mental health conditions, kulin nation, concert hall

Frederick "Fred" Fifield Hall was born in Carlton, Victoria in 1878. Son of Frederick Hall and Jessie Wallace Hall (nee Lloyd), Fred would marry Elsa May Daegner in 1899 with whom he had a son named Anthony. Hall died on 27th September 1956 in Mont Albert, Victoria and was buried at the Box Hill Cemetery. Hall was known as a solo pianist and the first conductor of the Station Orchestra at 3LO (ABC Radio Station). He was also a notable music editor at Allan & Co. Earning early recognition at 16 years of age when he conducted the Sydney Orchestra, Hall was a versatile composer having written in a variety of styles including solos for the piano, violin and cello, operas, foxtrots and orchestral suites. Publications indicate that between 300 and 400 of his compositions were published. The most famous of which was "Goodbye Melbourne Town" which he wrote with Lyricist Leonard Nelson. "Let Me Go to Bendigo" was another of their joint compositions. Leonard Nelson Snell, professionally known as Leonard Nelson, was born c. 1874 in Melbourne and grew up in Kew (he was 76 in 1950). Nelson married Lily Maud Haight in Victoria in 1897 and had six children named Roy, Dorothy, Leonard, Lionel, Austin and Marie. Nelson died on the 13 August 1962 in Blackheath, NSW and was buried at the local cemetery. Nelson had a varied resume including Cattle station work, song writing and public speaking. Nelson was known for his enjoyment of Australian poetry having known many of the greats personally and could recite works from memory. In his later life, Nelson worked as an entertainer for hire at banquets and other social gatherings. No. 181 Allan's popular sixpenny edition "Sung with great success by Leonard Nelson" Allan & Co. Pty Ltd. Melbourne, Bendigo & Geelong 1 score A B4 size document containing sheet music titled "Let Me Go to Bendigo". The document has a black and white cover with bold lettering and a cartoon of a man boarding the Bendigo Train. The music was written by Fred Hall and the lyrics were written and sung by Leonard Nelson who is pictured on the cover. The music covers 3 pages (1 double sided page and 1 single side) making up this 3-page document including the cover.The front cover contains a handwritten name in the top right-hand corner "Mrs Sinclair"sheet music, leonard nelson, fred hall, allan's popular sixpenny edition, bendigo, piano, songs and music, frederick fifield hall

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). Development in the 20th century has irreparably altered that part of Kew represented in this plan. In the block bounded by Cotham Road, Charles Street, Wellington Street and Gellibrand; just one house standing in 1903 remains. This block included two of the most historic houses in Kew: ‘Ordsall’ (later ‘Southesk’) and ‘Madford’ (previously ‘Elm Lodge’). Ordsall was the home of the second chairman of Kew, John Halfey. It contained some of the most significant interior murals in Kew, created for Halfey by artists working for Cullen & Co. It was demolished in 1960 to make way for the Kew Civic Centre. Elm Lodge had been built for William Siddeley in ca. 1864. Arthur Septimus King purchased it in 1874. The lower paddocks of Madford were sold in 1905 by his wife to the Borough of Kew and, after landscaping by George and Thomas Pockett, opened as the Alexandra Gardens in 1908. Elm Lodge/Madford was in 1922 to become St. Anthony’s Home for Little Children before its subsequent demolition in the 1980s.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1576, cartography

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria)This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). MMBW Plan No.1577 includes some of the most significant houses in Kew: Herbert Henty’s ‘Roxeth’ (now part of Trinity Grammar), ‘Butleigh Wooton’, ‘Bokara’ and ‘Harrow’. It also includes the streets that have since changed their names. That part of College Parade linked to Glenferrie Road is now named College Place, College Parade now extends further north, and Charles Street did not yet reach Barkers Road. Roxeth is one of a number of Henty houses in Kew. Herbert Henty made his home here and was elected a member of Kew Municipal Council in 1864 and mayor in 1868-69. Walter Henry Serle, of Harrow served in the First World War. He was awarded the Military Medal ‘’For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. On 29th September near BELLICOURT he showed the greatest bravery and determination when his platoon was attacked by enemy bombing parties. It was due largely to his personal efforts that all the attacks were repulsed. Until wounded, his utter disregard of personal safety and boldness in dealing with the attacks were the means of saving the situation and were an inspiring example to his men.’melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1577, cartography

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria). This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). MMBW Plan No.1578 is significant in that it defines the extent of two private schools: Xavier College and Kew High School (now part of Trinity Grammar) by 1904. In relation to the latter, the plan clarifies which buildings the High School operated from behind the mansion ‘Molina’. Established in 1902, Trinity Grammar was to later lease and subsequently buy Molina (now ‘Merritt House’) and ‘Elsinore’ (now ‘Roberts House’). Xavier College had been established in 1872. This 1904 plan delineates the West Wing and the Great Hall (built in 1890).melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, maps - borough of kew, mmbw 1578, cartography