Pru Sanderson, in her groundbreaking ‘City of Kew Urban Conservation Study : Volume 2 - Development History’ (1988), summarised the periods of urban development and subdivisions of land in Kew. The periods that she identified included 1845-1880, 1880-1893, 1893-1921, 1921-1933, 1933-1943, and Post-War Development. These periods were selected as they represented periods of rapid growth or decline in urban development. An obvious starting point for Sanderson’s groupings involved population growth and the associated economic cycles. These cycles also highlighted urban expansion onto land that was predominantly rural, although in other cases it represented the decline and breakup of large estates. A number of the plans in the Kew Historical Society’s collection can also be found in other collections, such as those of the State Library of Victoria and the Boroondara Library Service. A number are however unique to the collection.The Kew Historical Society collection includes almost 100 subdivision plans pertaining to suburbs of the City of Melbourne. Most of these are of Kew, Kew East or Studley Park, although a smaller number are plans of Camberwell, Deepdene, Balwyn and Hawthorn. It is believed that the majority of the plans were gifted to the Society by persons connected with the real estate firm - J. R. Mathers and McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, Kew. The Plans in the collection are rarely in pristine form, being working plans on which the agent would write notes and record lots sold and the prices of these. The subdivision plans are historically significant examples of the growth of urban Melbourne from the beginning of the 20th Century up until the 1980s. A number of the plans are double-sided and often include a photograph on the reverse. A number of the latter are by noted photographers such as J.E. Barnes.The Dale Estate in Deepdene was made possible by the death of Robert Sparrow Smythe, Australian journalist, newspaper editor/owner and theatrical manager. Smythe lived in his residence ‘Highate’, Deepdene until his death in 1917. In the subdivision proposed one year later, before the end of the First World War, 18 allotments were to be created. The very fragmentary plan in the Society’s collection notes that a large weatherboard [house] will need to be removed. This may be Smythe’s own home. The proposed subdivision included allotments facing Burke and Whitehorse Roads and Dale Street. Bordering the subdivision is the Deepdene Station and the Outer Circle Railway Line. The clear directions on the plan indicate that in 1918 it was possible to travel by train from Deepdene to East Camberwell and Ashburtonsubdivision plans - deepdene, the dale estate

Brochure of Scott's Garden Estate consisting of 21 large allotments owned by Mrs. E.E. Scott, corner Victoria Street and Scott Street, Mitcham. Also includes New Street, Mitcham. Brochure of Scott's Garden Estate scott, emma elizabeth, coghill & haughton, daly, hall & davey, scott's garden estate, scott street mitcham, victoria street mitcham, new street, mitcham

Cutting from Whitehorse Gazette 24/12/1997 informing that Whitehorse Council last week voted to include the historic Walker Estate on its list of protected sites to save it from demolition. Cr Allen said he was confident the Council's decision to refuse a development permit would not be overturned at the Administration Appeals Tribunal. Whitehorse Council last week voted to include the historic Walker Estatewalker estate, city of whitehorse, metrospan developments, walker, stanley, mitcham road, mitcham, meerut street, australian tesselated tile co pty ltd, walling, edna, allan, peter, nunawading and district historical society, arrowsmith, valda, daly

Report on application to build 16 two-storey town houses on land at 456 Mitcham Road, Mitcham. There have been 42 objections from near-by residents.Report on application to build 16 two-storey town houses kirisopoulos, jenny, daly, peter, nunawading and district historical society, walling, edna, australian tesselated tile co pty ltd., walker estate

James Robbie Mathers was born in Pleasant Creek [Stawell] in 1867 to James Allen Mathers, a storekeeper and former councillor. He was later to become a storekeeper in Gippsland and then at Heywood, near Portland. Following a move to Melbourne, he established a real estate business. He initially lived in Hawthorn, before moving his business to Kew where he traded as Mathers & McMillan, 136 Cotham Road, and later at 283 Burke Road. For a short time, the family resided at Landene, in Cotham Road. They were to finally move to Rosalea, in Dale Street, Deepdene. Following the death of Cr Henry Kellett in 1924, Mathers was elected unopposed as representative of College Ward. Elected Mayor in September 1930, he convened a meeting of citizens in the Town Hall in Walpole Street to form a local unemployment relief committee. His social initiatives included handing over council-owned premises in Brougham Street, the building re-purposed as a workshop for the unemployed, who were also granted free use of the Kew Municipal Baths. The Mayoress, Jean Mathers, set to work raising funds through charity balls, and also raised funds for St Anthony’s Orphanage in Wellington Street. James Robbie Mathers died on 8 April 1945. He was buried at Box Hill Cemetery. This rare civic testimonial is historically significant, especially locally, as it contains the signatures of all present councillors and parliamentarians representing the City of Kew as well as the names and signatures of leaders of local churches, schools, public officials and leaders of community groups.Boxed presentation folder and correspondence presented to the retiring Mayor of Kew, James Robbie Mather, in 1931. The book is leather bound with gilt lettering on the front. The 4 page testimonial includes and hand written statements about his contribution to Kew and its civic life. Other pages are signed by councillors, parliamentarians and community leaders.james robbie mathers, mayors of kew, civic testimonials

Mary Pauline Daly was a gracious benefactor of the Braille and Talking Book Library. Born in Chewton to Ellen Horan and Denis Daly, she passed away in Parkville and this photograph of her is in recognition for her generous gift to the library.Miss Mary Daly 1894-1987 who bequeathed her entire estate to Braille & Talking Book Librarybraille and talking book library, mary daly