Ron Setford and his wife Grace Setford lived in Tanner Avenue, East Kew, from c.1946 to c.1995. A keen photographer, he recorded the changing face of Kew over a 20 year period. Apart from 30 photographs of built structures and places in Kew dating from 1960 and 1961, 145 of his 35mm colour slides chronicle the development of the Eastern Freeway through the Yarra Valley over a five year period from c.1972 to c.1977. This important collection was donated to the Society by his granddaughter in 2025.This collection of 175 35mm slides is of local and statewide significance, owing to its subject matter, particularly the major development of road transport infrastructure during the 1970s with the construction of the Eastern Freeway. The photographer also took care to annotate and date most of his slides which enable the researcher to pinpoint temporal and spatial locations."South Esk / May 1967"ron setford, south esk - kew (vic.), historic houses -- kew (vic.)

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a small amount of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of the facade of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of the portico of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the ballroom ceiling of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, victorian interior decoration, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, murals

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the mural in the ballroom of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, murals, victorian interior decoration

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the mural in the Drawing Room of South Esk (Ordsall). The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, murals, victorian interior decoration

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the ballroom ceiling of South Esk (Ordsall) [demolished 1970]. The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, interior decoration - nineteenth century

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the ballroom ceiling of South Esk (Ordsall) [demolished 1970]. The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, interior decoration - nineteenth century

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) taken from a photograph of a section of the drawing room ceiling of South Esk (Ordsall) [demolished 1970]. The photo was developed in 1980. There is a high degree of colour distortion in the transparency.victorian architecture, south esk -- cotham road -- kew (vic.), ordsall, interior decoration - nineteenth century

Ordsall, renamed Southesk in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Culls Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.This is the earliest known photograph of Ordsall / South Esk, a significant mansion in Kew, built for John Halfey and now demolishedMembers of the Kew Congregational Church in front of one of the verandas of Southesk, circa 1900.congregational church - kew (vic), south esk - south esk - ordsall - kew (vic)

Ordsall (c.1864-1970) - Situated on the southwest corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street, the single-storey Italianate mansion, Ordsall, was built for John Halfey in the 1860s. Following extensions in 1878 and 1881to designs by Michael Hennessy, Halfey commissioned the decorating firm of Cullis Hill & Co to create elaborate coloured frescoes on the ceilings of the drawingroom and ballroom in 1882. These frescoes were among the finest created in Melbourne during this period. Sold in 1905 to David Carnegie, and renamed South Esk, it was sold to the City of Kew in 1947 and demolished in 1970.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.The front garden and facade of South Esk in Cotham Road, Kew, during the period when it was owned by the City of Kew. The mansion was demolished by the City in 1970."2. Chap 22 Southesk . Ordsall John Halfey. Orig. part to 1858. Additional about 1862. Southesk once Ordsall . Demolished to make way for Municipal Chambers. Commenced approx. 1858 added front by John Halfey 1862."south esk, ordsall, david carnegie, kew city council, cotham road (kew), dorothy rogers, john halfey

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Very faded photograph of a section of the painted ceiling of the ballroom at Southesk (formerly Ordsall). "Ceiling in Ballroom of "Southesk""southesk, ordsall, historic houses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Small, very faded colour photo of a section of the ballroom ceiling at Southesk (formerly Ordsall)southesk, ordsall, historic houses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Small, very faded colour photo of a section of the ballroom ceiling at Southesk (formerly Ordsall)southesk, ordsall, historic houses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Small, very faded colour photo of a section of the ballroom ceiling at Southesk (formerly Ordsall)southesk, ordsall, historic houses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand.The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Small, very faded colour photo of a section of the dining room ceiling at Southesk (formerly Ordsall)southesk, ordsall, historic houses -- cotham road -- kew (vic.)

The Meals on Wheels Service in Victoria began in 1953 in South Melbourne. The service in Kew began three years after in 1956 and originally operated out of the Council-owned South Esk in Cotham Road. With the building of a new Senior Citizens Centre, the service moved to Childers Street.Leather case containing 12 aluminium containers, stacked in groups of three which was used to deliver meals to elderly residents by the Kew Meals on Wheels group. The program was initiated in 1956. The items were presented to the Society in 2008 by Dorothy Fox, President of the Kew Seniors Association.meals on wheels (kew), south esk - kew elder citizens, dorothy fox

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Historic founding photograph of the Kew Senior Citizens AssociationFramed photograph of a meeting at Southesk in Cotham Road to form the Kew Elder Citizens Club. None of the individuals are named. The meeting was not held in the Drawing Room or Ballroom at Southesk as there is an absence of frescoes on the ceiling. The ceiling in the photograph is a cove ceiling however like that in the front two rooms.Handwritten caption: "Public Meeting to Form Kew Elder Citizens, 1951"kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club, southesk

Ordsall was originally built for John Halfey, second Chairman of Kew, and sold after his death to the Carnegie family who renamed it ‘South Esk'. The Carnegie family mounted a defence of their property when the City of Kew sought to compulsorily acquire the site for a new town hall in the 1930s. The house and land were later acquired by Council in 1947 and demolished in 1970. The present Kew Library and the former Council Offices (now owned by Trinity Grammar) are located on the site.One of the earliest photographs of 'Southesk' and its gardens. The house was of statewide significance because of its historical association with John Halfey. It was artistically significant due to its elaborate interiors, decorated by Cullis Hill & Co in the 1880s. Sepia photograph mounted on brown card of "Southesk' (formerly known as 'Ordsall'). The single-storey Italianate facade of the house can be seen surrounded by an extensive garden. The point-of-view of the camera is from Cotham Road.john halfey, david carnegie, southesk - south esk - ordsall

Ordsall was originally built for John Halfey, second Chairman of Kew, and sold after his death to the Carnegie family who renamed it ‘South Esk'. The Carnegie family mounted a defence of their property when the City of Kew sought to compulsorily acquire it as the site for a new town hall in the 1930s. The house and land were later acquired by Council in 1947 and demolished in 1970. The present Kew Library and the former Council Offices (now owned by Trinity Grammar) are located on the site.One of the earliest photographs of 'Southesk' and its gardens. The house was of statewide significance because of its historical association with John Halfey. It was artistically significant due to its elaborate interiors, decorated by Cullis Hill & Co in the 1880s. Sepia photograph mounted on brown card of "Southesk' (formerly known as 'Ordsall'). The single-storey Italianate facade of the house can be seen surrounded by an extensive garden. The point-of-view of the camera is from Cotham Road.john halfey, david carnegie, southesk - south esk - ordsall

Ordsall was originally built for John Halfey, second Chairman of Kew, and sold after his death to the Carnegie family who renamed it ‘South Esk'. The Carnegie family mounted a defence of their property when the City of Kew sought to compulsorily acquire it as the site for a new town hall in the 1930s. The house and land was later acquired by Council in 1947 and demolished in 1970. The present Kew Library and the former Council Offices (now owned by Trinity Grammar) are located on the site.One of the earliest photographs of 'Southesk' and its gardens. The house was of statewide significance because of its historical association with John Halfey. It was artistically significant due to its elaborate interiors, decorated by Cullis Hill & Co in the 1880s. Sepia photograph mounted on brown card of "Southesk' (formerly known as 'Ordsall'). The single-storey Italianate facade of the house can be seen surrounded by an extensive garden. The point-of-view of the camera is from Cotham Road.john halfey, david carnegie, southesk - south esk - ordsall

Ordsall was originally built for John Halfey, second Chairman of Kew, and sold after his death to the Carnegie family who renamed it ‘South Esk'. The Carnegie family mounted a defence of their property when the City of Kew sought to compulsorily acquire it as the site for a new town hall in the 1930s. The house and land were later acquired by Council in 1947 and demolished in 1970. The present Kew Library and the former Council Offices (now owned by Trinity Grammar) are located on the site.One of the earliest photographs of 'Southesk' and its gardens. The house was of statewide significance because of its historical association with John Halfey. It was artistically significant due to its elaborate interiors, decorated by Cullis Hill & Co in the 1880s. Sepia photograph mounted on brown card of "Southesk' (formerly known as 'Ordsall'). The single-storey Italianate facade of the house can be seen surrounded by an extensive garden. The point-of-view of the camera is from Cotham Road.david carnegie, john halfey, southesk - south esk - ordsall

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Framed, inscribed photograph of the opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Club at Southesk in 1954. The ceremony would appear to be conducted on the western side of the house.‘Opening of the Kew Elder Citizens Clubrooms “South Esk” by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, 12.11.1956. Cr. W.A. Comeadow O.B.E., J.P. (Mayor).’southesk, kew elder citizens club, kew elderly citizens club, kew senior citizens club

The orthodox version of the origins and history of the Kew Elder(ly) Citizens’ Association was established by Cr. W. D. Vaughan in his book Kew’s Civic Century (1960), when he wrote that: "When Mrs. C. H. Simpson was Mayoress in 1952 she set up the Elderly Citizens’ Association to care for the needs of ages persons in Kew. The idea was strongly supported and a start was made by providing social afternoons for elderly folk at Southesk. Visiting sick people in their homes, providing firewood where needed, and other activities were undertaken by the Association. The aid of Council was sought to further the work. It was decided that a social unit for elderly folk be established at Southesk." (p.126-7). In the following pages, he describes in detail Council’s role in formally establishing the Association. This ‘official’ version was reasserted in the later Thematic Environmental History of the City of Boroondara (2012). However the origins and gestation of community of organisations is rarely straightforward. In 1965, five years after Vaughan’s book was published, the author of East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years : 20-7-1945-30-7-1965, writing about the period July 1947 to July 1950, described the role the Club played in establishing the Kew Elder Citizens Association. The author wrote: "At a meeting of the Kew Community Aid, the plight of many elderly people in Kew who were dependent on pensions was raised and in order to ascertain their needs the practice was begun of serving morning tea at the Masonic Hall in Walpole Street, where pensions were then paid. From this beginning the Kew Elder Citizens Association was formed in Kew with wide support, and Club members gave willing support on the committee, in helping serve afternoon tea and in entertainment." (p.4) Photographic evidence also leads to questions about Vaughan’s version of events. A framed photograph in the Society’s Collection shows a Public Meeting to form the Kew Elder Citizens Association in a room at Southesk a year earlier in 1951. Whatever version of the origins of the Association is correct, a later framed photograph in the Society’s collection shows the opening of the completed Clubrooms of the Kew Elder Citizens at South Esk by the Hon. E.P. Cameron M.L.C, Minister of Health, on 12 November 1956. The Association is still active in Kew and is currently located at Hamer Court, opposite the Boroondara General (Kew) Cemetery in High Street, Kew.Historic early photograph from the archives of the Kew Elder Citizen's ClubFramed photograph of six women who it is presumed were the candidates or finalists in a competition to be the Queen of Southesk. At this time, Southesk in Cotham Road was home to the Kew Elder Citizens Club, now known as Kew Senior Citizens Centre Inc.Front mount: "Queen Competition 1967 - South Esk - Won by Mrs Harkansee." Reverse: "L-R: -. Miss Knox, Mrs Emmerson, Mrs Higgins, Mrs Moyle, Mrs Harkansee"kew elder citizens club, kew senior citizens centre inc., southesk, miss knox, mrs emmerson, mrs higgins, mrs moyle, mrs harkensee

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.Nilordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors

The Kew Elder Citizen's Association was formally established in 1952. During its initial years it met at South Esk in Cotham Road. Later the Club moved to its current headquarters in High Street.Framed photograph of a theatrical performance of 'Cinderella' by the Kew Elder Citizens' Club in 1976. Handwritten insert below photograph: "Cinderella - Cast, 1976 / Arthur Sharpe; The Prince - Hec Camm; Fairy Godmother - Bill Humphries; Step-sisters - Wally Tustin, Ralph Preston, George Driver; Compere - Alma Westcott".kew elder citizens' club -- association, community groups -- kew (vic.), kew senior citizens, theatre -- kew (vic.)

The Kew Elderly Citizen's Association was formally established in 1952. During its initial years it met at South Esk in Cotham Road. Later the Club moved to its headquarters in High Street. During the period of its existence, the club changed its name a number of times It finally became known as the Kew Senior Citizens.Handmade and painted canvas banner in shades of blue with a golden cord with tassels. The banner represents the symbol of the Kew Elder Citizens Association: a forget-me-not in the centre with laurel leaves below. "KEW / E.C.A."kew elderly citizens association, kew elder citizens, kew senior citizens, community groups -- kew (vic.), banners