The Fashion & Design collection of the Kew Historical Society includes examples of women’s, men’s, children’s and infants’ clothing from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Items in the collection were largely produced for, or purchased by women in Melbourne, and includes examples of outerwear, protective wear, nightwear, underwear and costume accessories. This emerald green, satin evening dress, owned by Gwen Steele, was worn by her to a reception for Queen Elizabeth II in 1954 at Government House, Melbourne. [The personalised printed invitations are kept in the Subject File 'Gwen Steele'.]Emerald green, satin cocktail dress with shoe-string straps.royal visit (victoria) 1954,, gwen steele, women's clothing, australian fashion - 1950s, cocktail dresses

his medal was issued for schools to commemorate the Queen visit. The Queen visited Victoria from 24 February to 9 March 1954. In 1954 Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to tour Australia. She arrived in Sydney with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh on 3 February 1954 and departed the country from Fremantle on 1 April. The visit was tremendously popular. The attractive young Queen was the first royal to tour Australia in twenty years. She graciously endured a gruelling schedule of 33 flights, covering 10,000 miles by air, and 207 car trips, covering 2,000 miles by road and taking 130 hours. She visited approximately 70 country towns, all capital cities except Darwin, and made about 100 speeches.Medal BadgeEIIR Royal Visit 1954 Victoriaroyal visit 1954, badge, victoria, children

Donated by Margaret ScarlettGilt Medal on gilt bar & pin. Medal is of the Royal Visit to Victoria in 1954 & was presented to the children by the Government.(MEDAL) Queen Elizabeth 11 Duke of Edinburgh|E11R Royal Visit Victoria|(BAR) Presented to the Children by the Government of Victorianumismatics, medals - commemorative

Gift from the Government to the children of Victoria on the occasion of the 1954 Royal Visit This medal was issued for schools to commemorate the visit of the Queen visited to Victoria from 24 February to 9 March 1954. The first reigning monarch to tour Australia, she arrived in Sydney with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh on 3 February 1954 and departed the country from Fremantle on 1 April. In 1954 Queen Elizabeth II became the first reigning monarch to tour Australia. She arrived in Sydney with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh on 3 February 1954 and departed the country from Fremantle on 1 April. The visit was tremendously popular. The Queen was the first royal to tour Australia in twenty years. She graciously endured a grueling schedule visiting approximately 70 country towns, all capital cities except Darwin.Round Gold coloured medallion attached to rectangular barBar - Presented to the Children by the Government of Victoria Medallion - ER Royal Visit 1954 Victoriamedallion, royal visit, 1954, australia

These medals were given to all school children to commemorate the royal visit of 1954Small medal with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip's head in profile on the face and commemorative words on the rearOn the face - Queen Elizabeth ii & Duke of Edinburgh. On the rear - E II R, Royal Visit 1954 Victoriacivic mementoes, royal souvenirs

These medals were given to school children in Victoria in 1954 as a memento of the visit to Australia of Queen Elizabeth 11 and the Duke of Edinburgh. This was the first visit to Australia of a reigning British monarch. The tour took in 57 Australian towns and cities, including ten days in Victoria. These medals have no known local provenance but are retained for display purposes..1 A circular bronze-coloured medal with the image of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh and printing on one side and a crown and printing on the other side. A bar with a decorative scroll on the top portion with printing is attached to the medal by a metal ring. The bar has a metal pin at the back. .2 as above except that the medal is a little tarnished .3 as above except that the medal is tarnished and the bar is missing. Presented to the children by the Government of Victoria Queen Elizabeth 11 Duke of Edinburgh Stokes Melb. E11R Royal Visit 1954 Victoria royal visit 1954, history of warrnambool, queen elizabeth, duke of edinburgh

Black and white negative, by Wal Jack, of PCC 980 decorated as the Royal Tram at the time of the Royal Visit to Victoria during 1954. Photographed in St Georges Road. The tram crew are standing in front of the tram.trams, tramways, royal visit, st georges road, crews, tram 980, pcc class, mmtb

This was the first visit of Queen Elizabeth to Australia following her coronation in 1953. Queen Elizabeth is the only British monarch to have visited Australia. She visited Hamilton on 26th February. School children from Warrnambool were transported to Hamilton showgrounds to stand in lines to view the Queen and the Duke standing in a land rover. All school children received a commemorative medal.These medals are retained as a memento of the Queen's visit in 1954.Three identical gold coloured metal medals. Each medal is attached by a ring to a bar with decorative surrounds. The bar has text. The obverse of the medal features profiles of Queen Elizabeth 11 and the Duke of Edinburgh. The reverse has a crown and text. There is a pin clip on the reverse of the bar. Bar Obverse PRESENTED TO THE CHILDREN BY THE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA Bar Reverse STOKES MELB Medal Obverse QUEEN ELIZABETH 11 : DUKE OF EDINBURGH Medal Reverse E11R ROYAL VISIT 1954 VICTORIA queen elizabeth 11. duke of edinburgh, royal visit

Stuart Noble lived at 83 Camperdown Ave Sunshine North. He was a World War 2 (WW2) returned serviceman who served in the NavyCollection of 6 medals1/ Returned from active service|2/ The cororation of the majesties George VI & Queen Elizabeth 1937|3/ To commemorate their majesties coronation May 23rd 1937 George VI & Queen Elizabeth|4/ Victory The triumph of Libertyu and Justice 1919|5/ 50 Years of the Commonwealth of Australia 1901 - 1951|6/ Presented to the children by the Government of Victoria Queen Elizabeth & Duke of Edinburgh Royal Visit 1954 Victoriastuart noble

This child's dress was the" uniform" of Caramut State School No.1728 made especially made by the parents in 1954 and worn by the children to line the route taken by Queen Elizabeth on the Royal visit to Hamilton, Victoria. Children from other schools in the district also attended.This dress is of historical interest as a Western district memento of the Royal visit in 1954.This is a blue cotton dress with white collar and cuffs and white buttons, press studs and two pockets with white edging. It has short sleeves and a slightly gathered skirt and loops at the back to hold a belt or sash. It is home made royal visit 1954, caramut state school

This publication covers the mid 1900s and relates to a period where the majority of the Australian population was engrossed with the Queen of Australia, even though her Highness did not reside on this continent. The period covered was before the great immigration insurgence from Europe.The Labour Party's "White Australian" policy was a hinderance and a barrier towards the Asian and African prospective immigrants. The motto Queen and Country was still very ingrained in the rural population. This period in Australian domestic self reliance, brought about the growing strength and very active trade union movement and their staunch support for the Tariff protection against a growing swell of imported goods. This self reliance psyche was essentially a by product of World War II, and the isolation felt by the Australian People. The Queen (royalty) was the binding force holding the British Empire together which was emphasised with her popularity when touring Australia Queen Elizabeth's visited the MCG twice in 1954 1. to attend an assembly of ex-servicemen and women's organisations 2. to attend a Children's Display. She also visited Government House and visited Country Victoria on the Royal train from 24th Feb - 9th March.The Kiewa Valley and all the rural areas in the region were still very much tied to the "mother land" and trade between Britain and Australia was very strong. Trade with Asian manufacturers was minimal and needed the late 1900s to see both the trade and immigration barriers fall. This book was produced during a time when the majority of Australians looked more to England for trade and companionship. The agricultural trade with England and Europe was very high and the motto of the time was "Australia grows on the sheep's back". Late 1900's saw the motto "Australia grows on the miner's back" The Queen was still very popular then which was emphasised by the large crowds which greeted her on tour. Residents of Mt Beauty including Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides travelled to Benalla to see the Queen. Clare Roper was a founding member of the KVHS and attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace representing the local CWA. She has purchased this book and therefore giving this a close historical significance connection, it has good provenance and interpretive capacity. This hard(blue coloured) covered book contains thirty six double sided pages. Both the first and last pages (inside cover included) has the royal crest of Australia (kangaroo and emu) balancing the individual six states crests ,united under the royal crown. The first six double pages, each portraying a coloured free hand sketches of various Australian scenery enclosing the Queen's day by day and State by State itinerary. There are 115 black and white photographs and 25 coloured photographs contained in this book.Third page has free hand penned signature "Clare Roper"1954 royal tour, queen elizabeth ii monarchy, british empire in the 1900s, god save the queen.

In June 1953 , Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan, and became the Head of the Commonwealth. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh visited Victoria from 24th February to 9th March, 1954. The Argus was a morning daily newspaper, established in 1846 and closing in 1957. On 28 July 1952, The Argus became the first newspaper in the world to publish colour photographs in a daily paper. A large contingent of 160 students in a convoy of six school buses left the Orbost post Office at 6.a.m. to "Join in Acclaiming Our Gracious Queen" in Sale. An estimated 35,000 Gippslanders welcomed the Her Majesty, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. (info. from S.R.M. March 2, 10, 1954. A three guinea prize was offered for an essay on the royal visit. This item reflects the interest in the royal family to Australians at this time as well as the general feeling of respect and admiration felt by the rural communities towards the British Royal Family, especially towards Queen Elizabeth II.A hard covered book of 77 pp. The front cover is black with "E11R" in gold print. It is a pictorial story of Queen Elizabeth 11's visit to Victoria in 1954 - 24 February - 9 March.book-the-queen-in-victoria royalty

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

Believed to have been taken bewteen Croydon Railway Station and the Dorset Road bridge. Taken late afternnon by George Coop's father. There is a Landrover parked on the grass with a person standing on it - believed to be Security. George recalls originally being located closer to the fence and being ushered up the hill where it was 'safer' to stand. In 1954 at age 27, Queen Elizabeth II was the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia.. She visited Victoria between March 1-10. Where to see the Queen (1954, January 21). Fern Tree Gully and District Times (Boronia, Vic. : 1953-1954), p. 5. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264220429 “The Lilydale Shire President, Cr. Burgi, stated that the Royal train en route for Warburton on Saturday, March 6th, would slow down at Croydon and Lilydale. There was little possibility that it would stop at either of these towns. The train would pass through Lilydale at 5.52 p.m. Council had appointed a sub-committee to arrange matters, and had allocated £400 towards expenses. It was suggested that the train slow down between the railway station and Dorset Rd. bridge at Croydon, and between the Cave Hill Quarry and railway station at Lilydale.” An album of images of the Queen's visit to Victoria is available on the PROV Flickr account at https://www.flickr.com/photos/public-record-office-victoria/7252885616Digital TIFF file Scan of Kopdak 620 black and white negative transparencygeorge coop collection, croydon, royal train

Black and White Photo of the S.E.C. Victoria Building, Decorated for the Royal Visit in March 1954, Opening of the S.E.C. Building in 1941. Car parked to left in photo, and another angle parked to right of photo. Flag on roof flying a half mast.organization, public utility, electricity company, s.e.c. victoria, sec victoria

Handed out to patients and visitors to commemorate the visit of her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to Victoria in 1954 and in particular the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. This brought much excitement to the patients at Heidelberg.Recognises a significant Royal visit to Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Acknowleges the role of the Hospital in the treatment of War Veterans to receive such a visit and World War II had ceased in 1945, only nine years earlier.Blue cardboard folder of 4 sides, with a single fold containing 1 photo and inscription. Photo is of Queen Elizabeth sitting down and Prince Phillip standing to the left of her in front of a fireplace, with commemorative acknowledgement of the visit.Page 1 shows the Commonwealth Emblem with the words "Royal Visit 1954" inscribed under it. Page 2 has the inscription " Memento of the Visit of Her Majesty and his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Victoria 24th February, 1954 to 9th March, 1954 presented by the Repatriation Commission" over a crown and the letters EIIRbritish royalty, 1954, 1954 royal visit, royal visit australia, memento, australian coat of arms

Handed out to patients and visitors to commemorate the visit of her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip to Victoria in 1954 and in particular the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. This brought much excitement to the patients at Heidelberg.Recognises a significant Royal visit to Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital. Acknowleges the role of the Hospital in the treatment of War Veterans to receive such a visit and World War II had ceased in 1945, only nine years earlier.Blue cardboard folder of 4 sides, with a single fold containing 1 photo and inscription. Photo is of Queen Elizabeth sitting down and Prince Phillip standing to the left of her in front of a fireplace, with commemorative acknowledgement of the visit.Page 1 shows the Commonwealth Emblem with the words "Royal Visit 1954" inscribed under it. Page 2 has the inscription " Memento of the Visit of Her Majesty and his Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh to Victoria 24th February, 1954 to 9th March, 1954 presented by the Repatriation Commission" over a crown and the letters EIIRbritish royalty, 1954, 1954 royal visit, royal visit australia, memento, australian coat of arms

Book produced to detail Race Day for Royal Visit at Flemington Racecourse, February 1954Limited number of copies availablePrinted booklet with two staple fastening, approx. 40p.Victorian Racing Club Royal Visit Flemington February 27 1954race day, royal visit, flemington, 1954

In this picture the Royal Train is pulled up with the State Car at the commemorative platform on the Wharf Spur line. The train has been shortened comprising steam locomotive J-521 and tender to which is attached the State car. The State car is in the design of the Spirit of Progress. The platform is lined with plants in planter boxes. Two men in suits standing to the right, one with a large camera – either press or official photographer. The sign on the platform commemortaes the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness Phillip Duke of Edinburg on March 5th, 1954. George Coop advised that the occasion is the visit of the Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe to Echuca in 1963. Delacombe had replaced Sir Dallas Brooks in May 1963 who had departed for England on the liner Iberia,11 April 1963 (1963 'SIR DALLAS ON WAY TO U.K.', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 9 April, p. 9. , viewed 27 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104249252) George believes the Governor was doing a considerable formal train ride around the State and Echuca was on the schedule. The ‘platform’ was a special creation for such purposes, located on the wharf spur line that ran behind the Echuca Civic Centre. The large notice board commemorates the Queen’s visit on March 5th, 1954 for which the platform was initially built. From time to time it would get spruced up with pot plants, fresh paint and repaired hand rails for formal functions. A picture of His Excellency Sir Rohan Delacombe, Governor of Victoria, and Lady Delacombe about to entrain at Spencer Street for a visit to western Victoria is available on page 4 of VICTORIAN RAILWAYS REPORT OF THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th JUNE, 1963. (http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/annual_reports/vrar1963.pdf) More information about the Victorian Railways Royal Train https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_Railways_Royal_Train State Car No. 5 https://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/c160v06.htmDigital TIFF file Scan of 35mm Ilford FP3 black and white negative transparencyechuca, george coop collection, governor of victoria, j-521, royal train, sir rohan delacombe, state car no. 5, victorian railways, wharf spur line

Newspaper supplement titled Bendigo's Century Volume six: 1950 - 1959. Front page has a photo of Gillies' famous corner, 1954. Each year has heading of Who's Who, Weather, Sport and Business. First year is 1950 titled Gillies: it's a Bendigo icon. 1951 is titled It's party time. 1952 - City mourns King George. 1953 - Mining ceases. 1954 - City thrilled at royal visit. 1955 - Push to save old Joss House. 1956 - Olympic fever grips Bendigo. 1957 - State Cabinet visits Bendigo. 1958 - Plan to keep historic mine. 1959 - Water storage woes solved. Back page has the Gillies Story.bendigo, history, long gully history group, the long gully history group - bendigo's century - volume six: 1950 - 1959, gillies' corner, bendigo advertiser, john lienhop mlc, north deborah mine, les gillies, alan gillies, norm gillies, black swan hotel, sir dallas brooks, cr a g weynton, bert mundy, cr poulston, the northern district school of nursing, lister house, the bendigo free library, rev dr c irving, shamrock hotel, sir albert dunstan, the most rev dr john mccarthy, jack davey, 1950 empire games, hercules gold mines, amy castles, ben templeton, cobb & co, cr norman oliver, reg parker, fred amer, les hammer, colonel george victor lansell, john quick, mr l w galvin, mr p j clarey mhr, hanro knitting mills, flooding, bendigo pottery, snow fall, the last lamp-lighter, the north deborah, aids & appliance shop, boardwalk, the late king george vi, the north deborah, beehive building, st paul's, st kilian's, upper reserve, bendigo trades hall, bendigo blackout, bendigo hospital, shamrock hotel, gerald smith, britannia hotel, mr a j harris, william morris (billy) hughes, andrew hampson, deborah anticline, north deborah, central deborah, diamond hill mine, north nell gynne mine, robert ross haverfield, sandhurst commercial courier, arthur moore lloyd, robert ross haverfield, angus mackay, jj casey, james henderson, david stuart, bendigo independent, colonel george lansell, bendigo base hospital, bendigo town hall, victorian electric traction association, the most rev b d stewart, st vincent's memorial college, commonwealth athletic club, south atlas racetrack, harp and shamrock hotel, mr and mrs f drake, cr f w clayton, cr r poulston, j h abbott & co, sir george lansell, clan macleod, bendigo gaol, queen alexandra fountain, belfast hotel, commonwealth bank, st vincent's college, lyric threatre, des duguid, brian cahill, lord's raceway, red white & blue extended gold mining company nl, central napoleon gold miningcompany nl, joss house, harry john, bendigo advertiser, mr leggatt, university of melbourne, anz bank, golden drive-in theatre, bank of australasia, john brown industries, bendigo football league, bendigo trotting club, faith leech, racv, bendigo sewereage authority, bendigo base hospital, bendigo benevolent asylum, henry bolte, jack davey, russell oakley, neville stilwell, channel seven, bendigo's olympic pool, annie caudle centre, strathfieldsaye aerodrome committee, southern airlines, cr d j osborn, cairn curran reservoir, state savings bank, commonwealth bank of australasia, belfast hotel, bennett's arcade, eppalock weir, bendigo cenotaph, sir edmund herring, cr a s craig, bendigo creche, bendigo high school, bendigo pottery, shamrock hotel, the venerable ronald richards, bishop riley, all saints cathedral, mr albert bush, bendigo arcade company ltd, woolworths, bull's head hotel, pike's corner, arcade hotel, upper coliban reservoir, cr tom flood, crystal egg co, sailor's guide, central deborah, central nell gwynne mine, bendigo benevolent home, ron masters, george daniel, eppalock dam, water commission, public works committee, bendigo central victoria telecasters ltd, channel nine, royal princess theatre, sir george lansell, volunteer defence corps, bendigo independent, countess erna cadorin, count ettore cadorin, ernst mueller, sutex pty ltd, dick turner, marco cavasassi

Yields information about the appearance of SEC tram No. 38 decorated for the 1954 Royal visit to Ballarat and the Dawson St area.Black and white photograph of Ballarat tram No. 38 decorated for the Royal Visit in Sturt St - 14-3-1954 at the intersection with Dawson St. The tram has the destination of Victoria St. On the pole in front of the tram is a "Cars Stop here" and "End of Section" sign. In the background is - St Patricks Cathedral. Photo by Lloyd Rogers?On rear in ink "Ballarat Royal visit - Sturt St. 14-3-1954"trams, tramways, royal visit, sturt st, decorated trams, dawson st, tram 38

Yields information about the Royal Visit to Ballarat and the appearance of Bridge St during 1956 and just prior to the closure of the tramway.Set of three colour digital images taken of the Bridge St Ballarat by W. J. Llewelyn. .1 - Looking west along Bridge St from the Service Station, shows the various buildings, tram track, tram shelter and overhead. Appears to be c1971. .2 - Look east from Grenville St, 1954 with the Royal Visit decorations in the placed. Has the Dickins Self Service Grocery shop, Bucks Head Hotel and a sign for Morsheads store. Tram tracks and overhead apparent along with two trams in the far distance. .3 - Looking west along Sturt St from Bridge and Grenville St - shows the buildings in the background, tramway overhead, general congestion, letter box, tram stop shelter. A tram is parked in the loop. Has a Davies Bread advert on the Mechanics Institute building, also Thomas Jewellers, T& G and the Odeon Theatre sign.trams, tramways, bridge st, victoria st, stones corner, royal visit, grenville st, shelters, sturt st

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