Kew achieved independence from the Boroondara Roads Board in 1860. As a new municipality, its first three leaders were designated as chairmen. On becoming a borough in 1863, its leaders were identified as mayors. The earliest photographs date from ca.1906, when the Town of Kew commissioned the noted local photographer Josiah E Barnes to produce standardised portraits of former mayors to be displayed in the Mayoral Chamber of the Town Hall. The collection also includes photographs by other well-known photographic studios such as Burlington Studios, Melba – Melbourne, Stuart Tompkins, Spencer Shier and Talma & Co. The majority of mounts identify the photographer. Eighty photographs are housed in their original frames.This portrait is one of a series of mounted and framed photographic portraits of mayors and town clerks of the former Borough, Town and City of Kew. The portraits were transferred by the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society in March 1989. A Significance Assessment in 2018, funded by the National Library of Australia confirmed the historic, and often artistic significance of the series.Framed portrait of Cr. Frederick R. Ratten, Mayor of Kew 1914-16. The mounting and framing of the photograph follows a typical layout or style in that each is framed in dark wood, glazed, and laid down on an inscribed board. The inscription identifies the name of the mayor and the year/s that he/she served.[Inscription] "Frederick R. Ratten, Mayor 1914-16" [Photographer] "J.E. Barnes / Kew"mayors of kew (vic), australian photographers - josiah earl barnes, cr. frederick r. ratten, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2006. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 3 Ratten Avenue, Kew East, by Margaret Picken.3 RATTEN AVE., EAST KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '87 artist -- margaret picken 1950-, property illustrations — buildings — kew east (vic.), 3 ratten avenue -- kew east (vic.)

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2006. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 11 Ratten Avenue, Kew East, by Margaret Picken.11 RATTEN AVE., KEW E / MARGARET PICKEN (c) 2001 / WOODARDS ~ HAWTHORNartist -- margaret picken 1950-, property illustrations — buildings — kew east (vic.), 11 ratten avenue - kew east (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.)

The Kew Golf Links Estate was a major subdivision in North Kew. It derived its title due to the land being previously occupied by the Kew Golf Club, which transferred its course to a number of locations before occupying its current site. The Plan advertises 180 choice home sites. The street names are somewhat different today as those on the map are named after the proposed Kodak Factory to be built on the site. The subdivision of the Kew Golf Links Estate was a major subdivision of farmland in Kew. The site was at one stage designated for industrial development and the building of a new Kodak factory. The decision by Council to oppose the redevelopment makes the beginning of the period when all industrial development was banned in Kew.Monochrome printed, folded subdivision plan for the Kew Golf Links Estate, to be auctioned on 7 November 1936. Streets named include: Carnegie Avenue, Willsmere Road, Kilby Boulevarde, Kodak Avenue, Coleman Avenue, Beresford Avenue, McConchie Avenue, Cole Avenue, White Avenue, Baker Avenue, Spruzen Avenue, Tanner Avenue, Ratten Avenue, Mathers Avenue, Railway Avenue, Sutherland Avenue, and Belford Road. The position of the Yarra River and a large Drainage Reserve are marked on the plan. Lots for sale are numbered. Existing buildings are designated with a square.subdivision plans - kew (vic), kodak factory - kew (vic)

The first Baptist church in Kew was wooden and erected in St John's Parade in 1854 and was enlarged in 1859. A brick church was later erected in Cotham Road in 1882 and was later named Newnham Hall after Reverend Newnham. In 1921 land was purchased in Highbury Grove at a cost of 602.00. Messer's E & F Ratten donated 6 feet of land beside this new purchase which allowed for a frontage 79 feet. The Foundation stone of the current church was laid on 14 October 1922 by Councillor F.R. Patten J.P. The church was opened on 9 June 1923.A rare item from an outstanding and diverse photographic collection, assembled by members of the Christian and Washfold families of Kew.Photographic positive on mounting board. interior of Baptist Church in Highbury Grove with seated congregation in foreground and serried ranks of children and adults at front. Probably the church choir at the opening of the church in 1923. The photo is encased in a grey bifold cardboard outer with a crest on the front. The photo is protected by a sheet of watermarked cellophane. washfold family, kew baptist church -- highbury grove -- kew (vic.), churches -- kew (vic.), christian-washfold collection

Bi-fold pamphlet on brown paper. Kew Baptist Church Monthly News Vol VII November 1932, No. 76non-fictionkew baptist church -- highbury grove, churches -- kew (vic.), baptist churches, christian-washfold collection

The Kew Baptist Church was originally located on the corner of Cotham Road and St John’s Parade. In 1922, work commenced on a new, larger church in Highbury Grove. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by Cr Ratten of the City of Kew on Saturday 14 October 1922, with the First Kew Scouts forming a guard of honor. A collection taken up at the laying of the foundation stone raised £454. The site and building cost approximately £6,000. The architects for this new red brick ‘semi-Gothic’ church were Messrs Gawler & Drummond. The interior of the church accommodated 500 parishioners. The seating sloped towards the pulpit with no columns obstructing the view of the worshippers. Faded sepia 'real photo' Kodak postcard of the interior and altar of Kew Baptist Church "Interior of Kew Baptist Church"kew baptist church -- highbury grove, churches -- kew (vic.), baptist churches, christian-washfold collection

The Kew Baptist Church was originally located on the corner of Cotham Road and St John’s Parade. In 1922, work commenced on a new, larger church in Highbury Grove. The foundation stone of the new building was laid by Cr Ratten of the City of Kew on Saturday 14 October 1922, with the First Kew Scouts forming a guard of honor. A collection taken up at the laying of the foundation stone raised £454. The site and building cost approximately £6,000. The architects for this new red brick ‘semi-Gothic’ church were Messrs Gawler & Drummond. The interior of the church accommodated 500 parishioners. The seating sloped towards the pulpit with no columns obstructing the view of the worshippers. An early real photo Kodak postcard of the Kew Baptist Church showing its original fenceFaded sepia postcard taken at an oblique angle of exterior of Kew Baptist Church in Highbury Grove. Image shows original fence and paintwork of windows. Photo shows parts of adjacent buildings. Two women walking past on footpath. "Kew Baptist Church"kew baptist church -- highbury grove, churches -- kew (vic.), baptist churches, christian-washfold collection