When Thomas Bent, politician and land speculator, was appointed Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1892, a number of local Brighton constituents and supporters raised money to present him with an oil portrait. Bent had been a member for Brighton for 21 years, and the painting was seen as a way of showing their appreciation of his services to the Brighton constituency, as well as congratulating him to his new position as Speaker. In June 1892, British/Australian landscape and portrait artist Charles E. Gordon-Frazer was given the commission to paint the portrait. Thomas Bent is depicted as standing in his Speaker's robe on the dais beneath the canopy in the Legislative Assembly Chamber in the act of addressing the House. He wears the traditional Speaker’s dress of a black silk and gold laced robe over a three-piece black suit, lace jabot and cuffs, buckled shoes and a ceremonial long wig. The top of the gold parliamentary mace sits on the right of the work near the frame's edge.sir thomas bent, thomas bent, speaker, mayor, premier, brighton, moorabbin, land speculator, local government, councillor, official, member of lower house, portrait, parliament, ceremonial robes, legislative assembly, jabot, wig, mace

This work is a plaster maquette of a large bronze statue of politician and land speculator Sir Thomas Bent by Margaret Baskerville that is located on the corner of Bay Street and Nepean Highway, Brighton.Margaret Baskerville, Sir Thomas Bent c.1911, patinated plaster, 55 x 49 x 49 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Donated by Charles Douglas Richardson, 1931.patinated plaster thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, land speculator, speaker, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait

Arguably Margaret Baskerville’s most famous work, the bronze statue of politician and land speculator Sir Thomas Bent was Baskerville’s first public commission and a significant turning point in her career. Originally located in the centre of the Nepean Highway, in Brighton, it became somewhat of signpost for many Melbournians until it was relocated to the corner of Bay Street in 1980.The statue of Sir Thomas Bent is of historic and social significance to the State of Victoria. The statue is historically significant for commemorating Bent's long, active and infamous political career in Victoria. He was responsible for many important speculative ventures both within his electorate and in the wider context of Victoria. Although not without thought for personal gain, Bent was a committed advocate of public utilities, railways, roads, tramways and gasworks. The statue is historically significant as the first large public commission given to a woman sculptor in Victoria. This work helped the sculptor, Margaret Baskerville, preserve her name as Victoria's first professional woman sculptor. The statue is socially significant as testimony to the late nineteenth century land boom and the financial and political corruption and scandals that accompanied it. https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/12614bronze and granite thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside

politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, thomas bent, unveiling, ceremony, mayoress, sculptor, councillor wilson, crowd, 1913, nepean highway, mrs bent, elizabeth bleazby, fountain, memorial, john madden, lieutenant governor

politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, thomas bent, unveiling, ceremony, mayoress, sculptor, councillor wilson, crowd, 1913, nepean highway, mrs bent, elizabeth bleazby, fountain, memorial

sir thomas bent, thomas bent, speaker, mayor, premier, brighton, moorabbin, land speculator, local government, councillor, official, member of lower house, portrait, parliament

sir thomas bent, mayor, politician, brighton, speaker, premier, land speculator, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait, wig, jabot, government, photograph

Artist unknown, Sir Thomas Bent 1909, oil on canvas, 29.5 x 24.5 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection.sir thomas bent, mayor, policitian, portrait, brighton, speaker, premier, councillor, land speculator, local government, member of lower house, mayor of brighton, premier of victoria

thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, land speculator, speaker, local government, councillor, member of lower house, portrait, brighton, moorabbin, mayoral robes, mayor of brighton, premier of victoria

In 1904, at the initiative of Premier Thomas Bent, Victorian Railways was authorised to build an electric street railway from St Kilda to Brighton. The line opened in early 1906 and was one of Melbourne's first electric tram services. On Saturday 5 May, 1906, Premier Thomas Bent performed the opening ceremony of the St Kilda to Brighton electric tramway at the Brighton Terminus, presided over by Cr. Thomas Wilson, Mayor of Brighton, with refreshments following at the Brighton Yacht Club. About 60 representatives were in attendance including the Railway Commissioners and the mayor and councillors of St Kilda, Brighton and Caulfield. The newspapers of the day commented that the cars were the best yet seen in Australia, possessing a great advantage over the Sydney trams, in that they are easily entered, and the glass windbreak was another improvement in design. The tramway from St Kilda to Brighton terminus took 18 minutes, including stops. thomas bent, premier, cr. thomas wilson, mayor, electric railway, electric tram, st kilda, brighton, official opening, public transport

The Premier of Victoria, the Hon, Thomas Bent, has promised a grant of 2,000 pounds towards providing a Training farm for Feeble-minded, and home for Aged and infirm Deaf Mutes, conditionally that a further sum of 2,000 pounds be raised for the same purpose at once. The Committee of the Adult Deaf and Dumb Mission of Victoria having accepted this generous offer of the Government, produced this booklet with the desire to bring the scheme under the notice of the public with a view of appealing to it for the sum named.This booklet is significant as it marks the beginning of a major project, Lake Farm, Blackburn that sought to provide employment and residential facilities for aged and infirm Deaf adults in Victoria in the early years of the 20th Century.Size 13.5cmHx21.5cmW; 16 pagesdeaf, blackburn, thomas bent,ernest j. d. abraham, south australian farm and home for infirm deaf mutes,

Built around 1841, St Ninian’s, located at 10 Miller Street, was one of Brighton’s earliest buildings. It is best known as being the home of merchant shipping agent, politician and former British naval officer, George Ward Cole between the 1840s and 1902. Following the death of George Ward Cole in 1879 and his wife in 1898, their only surviving child, Margaret, sold the property to Sir Thomas Bent, who subdivided the land in the early 1900s. The property was demolished in 1974. John C. Paul, St. Ninian's north elevation c.1841 1971, watercolour, 29.5 x 42.3 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Purchased 1974.st ninian's, brighton, historic house, george ward cole, thomas bent

Built around 1841, St Ninian’s, located at 10 Miller Street, was one of Brighton’s earliest buildings. It is best known as being the home of merchant shipping agent, politician and former British naval officer, George Ward Cole between the 1840s and 1902. Following the death of George Ward Cole in 1879 and his wife in 1898, their only surviving child, Margaret, sold the property to Sir Thomas Bent, who subdivided the land in the early 1900s. The property was demolished in 1974. John C. Paul, St. Ninian's south elevation c.1841 1971, watercolour, 29.5 x 43 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Purchased 1974.st ninian's, brighton, historic house, george ward cole, thomas bent

Built around 1841, St Ninian’s, located at 10 Miller Street, was one of Brighton’s earliest buildings. It is best known as being the home of merchant shipping agent, politician and former British naval officer, George Ward Cole between the 1840s and 1902. Following the death of George Ward Cole in 1879 and his wife in 1898, their only surviving child, Margaret, sold the property to Sir Thomas Bent, who subdivided the land in the early 1900s. The property was demolished in 1974. John C. Paul, St. Ninian's servants' quarters 1975, watercolour, 27.5 x 39.6 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collectionst ninian's, brighton, historic house, george ward cole, thomas bent, servants' quarters

Built around 1841, St Ninian’s, located at 10 Miller Street, was one of Brighton’s earliest buildings. It is best known as being the home of merchant shipping agent, politician and former British naval officer, George Ward Cole between the 1840s and 1902. Following the death of George Ward Cole in 1879 and his wife in 1898, their only surviving child, Margaret, sold the property to Sir Thomas Bent, who subdivided the land in the early 1900s. The property was demolished in 1974. John C. Paul, St. Ninian's eastern courtyard c.1841 1971, watercolour, 28.5 x 40.8 cm. Bayside City Council Art and Heritage Collection. Purchased 1974.st ninian's, brighton, historic house, george ward cole, thomas bent, courtyard

The fountain was commissioned by Elizabeth Beazby, daughter of Sir Thomas and Mrs Bent, and unveiled 27 October 1913 by Mrs Wilson, Mayoress of Brighton.The fountain is of historical interest and aesthetic significance. The memorial is a good example of the smaller commemorative work of sculptor Margaret Baskerville. The memorial commemorates the wife of notable local resident, Sir Thomas Bent, who was a long-standing parliamentary representative, Mayor of Brighton and Premier of Victoria from 1904-1909.bronze and granite thomas bent, politician, mayor, premier, bust, sculpture, margaret baskerville, speaker, member of parliament, member of lower house, local government, councillor, brighton, public art, bayside, mrs bent, memorial, fountain, drinking fountain, cherubs, elizabeth bleazby

council, meeting, brighton, town clerk, councillor, reporters, press table, elizabeth bleazby, city engineer, g. woodward, hallkeeper, c.e. tuxen, j.h. taylor, mayor, portrait, thomas bent, local government, brighton town hall, cr. j.a. grant, cr. f.e. rogers, cr. a.r. horton, cr. a. giles, cr. e. bleazby, cr. j.v. satchwell, cr. j.a. kennedy, cr. h.e. hall, cr. e.m. young, cr. r. eustace tracey, cr. j. redapple

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rippon Lea H0614 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/427(as at 23/10/2020) Rippon Lea was commenced in 1868 by Frederick Sargood, a most successful politician and merchant. He was born in England in 1834 and arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He soon joined his father's wholesale soft goods firm, spending some time as its manager on the goldfields. Sargood entered the Legislative Council in 1874. He was Victoria?s first Minister for Defence in 1883. Sir Frederick Sargood was created CMG. In 1885 and KCMG in 1890 as a reward for his contribution to public life. He died suddenly in 1903. Rippon Lea was designed by the leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes. Joseph Reed had travelled in Europe in 1863, including northern Italy. When he returned he introduced the use of polychromy. While not the first examples, Rippon Lea and the Independent Church in Collins Street were the best and set a fashion which became a distinctly Melbourne style, particularly used for houses and churches. Its popularity was possible because of the new availability of different coloured bricks. Reed's fine Lombardic Romanesque details soon became debased by others. As Sargood's family grew and his fortunes prospered, Rippon Lea was extended to include 33 rooms - a complete mansion. The cast iron porte cochere and the northern conservatory were added in 1897. The architects were Taylor and Fitts. The ballroom was added in 1882 and remodelled in 1889. Many alterations have changed the interior and exterior during the ownerships of Benjamin Nathan and later his daughter Mrs Louisa Jones in the 1930s and are in their own right of significance. Sir Thomas Bent owned the property from 1903 until 1911 but never lived there. He subdivided much of the land. The original garden dates from about 1868, and it seems that William Guilfoyle of the Botanic Gardens was involved. It was redesigned in a more natural style in the 1880s by Sargood and his head gardener, Adam Anderson. The lake, waterfalls, fernery, hill and grotto are balanced by mighty deciduous trees and conifers. These are interspersed with, but never dominated by Australian species such as eucalyptus and other exotics. The sinuous drive with its carefully prepared approach to the house is notable. The original vegetable gardens, orchard and outer paddocks no longer survive. The shade house is important as the largest known in Australia and possibly the world. Its curved plan and form of construction are particularly notable. It was built about 1884.Page 94 of Photograph Album with four photographs (three landscape and one portrait) of Ripponlea - stables, lookout and neighbouring cottages.Handwritten: "Ripponlea" Hotham Street [top right] / Neg 256 Dec 1972 STABLES [under top left photo] / Neg 248 Dec 1972 LOOKOUT [under top right photo] / Neg 254 Dec 1972 / COTTAGES WILLOW STREET [under bottom left photo] / Neg 259 Dec 1972 STABLES [under bottom right photo] / 94 [bottom right]trevor hart, elsternwick, mansion, hotham street, frederick sargood, reed and barnes, 1860's, 1890's, 1880's, benjamin nathan, nathan, louisa jones, thomas bent, sir thomas bent, william guilfoyle, guilfoyle, adam anderson, ripponlea, victorian, sir frederick sargood, architects, bricks, polychrome bricks, taylor and fitts, stables, lookouts, cottages, outbuildings, rippon lea

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rippon Lea H0614 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/427(as at 23/10/2020) Rippon Lea was commenced in 1868 by Frederick Sargood, a most successful politician and merchant. He was born in England in 1834 and arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He soon joined his father's wholesale soft goods firm, spending some time as its manager on the goldfields. Sargood entered the Legislative Council in 1874. He was Victoria's first Minister for Defence in 1883. Sir Frederick Sargood was created CMG. In 1885 and KCMG in 1890 as a reward for his contribution to public life. He died suddenly in 1903. Rippon Lea was designed by the leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes. Joseph Reed had travelled in Europe in 1863, including northern Italy. When he returned he introduced the use of polychromy. While not the first examples, Rippon Lea and the Independent Church in Collins Street were the best and set a fashion which became a distinctly Melbourne style, particularly used for houses and churches. Its popularity was possible because of the new availability of different coloured bricks. Reed's fine Lombardic Romanesque details soon became debased by others. As Sargood's family grew and his fortunes prospered, Rippon Lea was extended to include 33 rooms - a complete mansion. The cast iron porte cochere and the northern conservatory were added in 1897. The architects were Taylor and Fitts. The ballroom was added in 1882 and remodelled in 1889. Many alterations have changed the interior and exterior during the ownerships of Benjamin Nathan and later his daughter Mrs Louisa Jones in the 1930s and are in their own right of significance. Sir Thomas Bent owned the property from 1903 until 1911 but never lived there. He subdivided much of the land. The original garden dates from about 1868, and it seems that William Guilfoyle of the Botanic Gardens was involved. It was redesigned in a more natural style in the 1880s by Sargood and his head gardener, Adam Anderson. The lake, waterfalls, fernery, hill and grotto are balanced by mighty deciduous trees and conifers. These are interspersed with, but never dominated by Australian species such as eucalyptus and other exotics. The sinuous drive with its carefully prepared approach to the house is notable. The original vegetable gardens, orchard and outer paddocks no longer survive. The shade house is important as the largest known in Australia and possibly the world. Its curved plan and form of construction are particularly notable. It was built about 1884.Page 90 of Photograph Album with five photographs (one landscape and 4 portrait) of Ripponlea - two different views of the front entrance to the mansion, one of the front gates and two different views of the main residence.Handwritten: "Ripponlea" 192 Hotham Street [top right] / North [under top left photo] / Neg 255 Dec 1972 MAIN DRIVE [under bottom left photo] / Neg 238 8 OCT 1966 [under middle right photo] / 88 [bottom right]trevor hart, elsternwick, mansion, hotham street, frederick sargood, reed and barnes, cast iron porte cochere, conservatory, 1860's, 1890's, ballroom, 1880's, benjamin nathan, louisa jones, thomas bent, sir thomas bent, william guilfoyle, adam anderson, lake, grotto, shade house, portico, ripponlea, victorian, sir frederick sargood, architects, polychrome bricks, lombardic romanesque architectural style, rippon lea, taylor and fitts, land subdivisions, gardens, drives, vegetable gardens, orchards

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rippon Lea H0614 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/427(as at 23/10/2020) Rippon Lea was commenced in 1868 by Frederick Sargood, a most successful politician and merchant. He was born in England in 1834 and arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He soon joined his father's wholesale soft goods firm, spending some time as its manager on the goldfields. Sargood entered the Legislative Council in 1874. He was Victoria?s first Minister for Defence in 1883. Sir Frederick Sargood was created CMG. In 1885 and KCMG in 1890 as a reward for his contribution to public life. He died suddenly in 1903. Rippon Lea was designed by the leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes. Joseph Reed had travelled in Europe in 1863, including northern Italy. When he returned he introduced the use of polychromy. While not the first examples, Rippon Lea and the Independent Church in Collins Street were the best and set a fashion which became a distinctly Melbourne style, particularly used for houses and churches. Its popularity was possible because of the new availability of different coloured bricks. Reed's fine Lombardic Romanesque details soon became debased by others. As Sargood's family grew and his fortunes prospered, Rippon Lea was extended to include 33 rooms - a complete mansion. The cast iron porte cochere and the northern conservatory were added in 1897. The architects were Taylor and Fitts. The ballroom was added in 1882 and remodelled in 1889. Many alterations have changed the interior and exterior during the ownerships of Benjamin Nathan and later his daughter Mrs Louisa Jones in the 1930s and are in their own right of significance. Sir Thomas Bent owned the property from 1903 until 1911 but never lived there. He subdivided much of the land. The original garden dates from about 1868, and it seems that William Guilfoyle of the Botanic Gardens was involved. It was redesigned in a more natural style in the 1880s by Sargood and his head gardener, Adam Anderson. The lake, waterfalls, fernery, hill and grotto are balanced by mighty deciduous trees and conifers. These are interspersed with, but never dominated by Australian species such as eucalyptus and other exotics. The sinuous drive with its carefully prepared approach to the house is notable. The original vegetable gardens, orchard and outer paddocks no longer survive. The shade house is important as the largest known in Australia and possibly the world. Its curved plan and form of construction are particularly notable. It was built about 1884.Page 91 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two portrait and two landscape) of various external views of Ripponlea.Handwritten: SOUTH [under top left photo] / SOUTH [under top right photo] / WEST [under bottom left photo] / 91 [bottom left]trevor hart, elsternwick, mansion, hotham street, frederick sargood, reed and barnes, cast iron porte cochere, conservatory, 1860's, 1890's, ballroom, 1880's, benjamin nathan, louisa jones, thomas bent, sir thomas bent, william guilfoyle, adam anderson, lake, grotto, shade house, portico, ripponlea, victorian, sir frederick sargood, architects, taylor and fitts, rippon lea, polychrome bricks, lombardic romanesque style

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rippon Lea H0614 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/427(as at 23/10/2020) Rippon Lea was commenced in 1868 by Frederick Sargood, a most successful politician and merchant. He was born in England in 1834 and arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He soon joined his father's wholesale soft goods firm, spending some time as its manager on the goldfields. Sargood entered the Legislative Council in 1874. He was Victoria?s first Minister for Defence in 1883. Sir Frederick Sargood was created CMG. In 1885 and KCMG in 1890 as a reward for his contribution to public life. He died suddenly in 1903. Rippon Lea was designed by the leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes. Joseph Reed had travelled in Europe in 1863, including northern Italy. When he returned he introduced the use of polychromy. While not the first examples, Rippon Lea and the Independent Church in Collins Street were the best and set a fashion which became a distinctly Melbourne style, particularly used for houses and churches. Its popularity was possible because of the new availability of different coloured bricks. Reed's fine Lombardic Romanesque details soon became debased by others. As Sargood's family grew and his fortunes prospered, Rippon Lea was extended to include 33 rooms - a complete mansion. The cast iron porte cochere and the northern conservatory were added in 1897. The architects were Taylor and Fitts. The ballroom was added in 1882 and remodelled in 1889. Many alterations have changed the interior and exterior during the ownerships of Benjamin Nathan and later his daughter Mrs Louisa Jones in the 1930s and are in their own right of significance. Sir Thomas Bent owned the property from 1903 until 1911 but never lived there. He subdivided much of the land. The original garden dates from about 1868, and it seems that William Guilfoyle of the Botanic Gardens was involved. It was redesigned in a more natural style in the 1880s by Sargood and his head gardener, Adam Anderson. The lake, waterfalls, fernery, hill and grotto are balanced by mighty deciduous trees and conifers. These are interspersed with, but never dominated by Australian species such as eucalyptus and other exotics. The sinuous drive with its carefully prepared approach to the house is notable. The original vegetable gardens, orchard and outer paddocks no longer survive. The shade house is important as the largest known in Australia and possibly the world. Its curved plan and form of construction are particularly notable. It was built about 1884.Page 92 of Photograph Album with four photographs (three landscape and one portrait) of Ripponlea - views of entrance and left front of mansion.Handwritten: "Ripponlea" Hotham Street [top right] / Neg 245 Dec 1972 [under top left photo] / Neg 246 Dec 1972 [under bottom left photo] / Neg 247 Dec 1972 [under bottom right photo] / 92 [bottom right]trevor hart, elsternwick, mansion, hotham street, frederick sargood, reed and barnes, lombardic, romanesque, cast iron porte cochere, conservatory, 1860's, 1890's, ballroom, 1880's, benjamin nathan, louisa jones, thomas bent, sir thomas bent, william guilfoyle, adam anderson, lake, grotto, shade house, portico, ripponlea, victorian, sir frederick sargood, architects, polychrome bricks, lombardic romanesque style, rippon lea, entrances

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Rippon Lea H0614 https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/427(as at 23/10/2020) Rippon Lea was commenced in 1868 by Frederick Sargood, a most successful politician and merchant. He was born in England in 1834 and arrived in Melbourne in 1850. He soon joined his father's wholesale soft goods firm, spending some time as its manager on the goldfields. Sargood entered the Legislative Council in 1874. He was Victoria?s first Minister for Defence in 1883. Sir Frederick Sargood was created CMG. In 1885 and KCMG in 1890 as a reward for his contribution to public life. He died suddenly in 1903. Rippon Lea was designed by the leading firm of architects, Reed and Barnes. Joseph Reed had travelled in Europe in 1863, including northern Italy. When he returned he introduced the use of polychromy. While not the first examples, Rippon Lea and the Independent Church in Collins Street were the best and set a fashion which became a distinctly Melbourne style, particularly used for houses and churches. Its popularity was possible because of the new availability of different coloured bricks. Reed's fine Lombardic Romanesque details soon became debased by others. As Sargood's family grew and his fortunes prospered, Rippon Lea was extended to include 33 rooms - a complete mansion. The cast iron porte cochere and the northern conservatory were added in 1897. The architects were Taylor and Fitts. The ballroom was added in 1882 and remodelled in 1889. Many alterations have changed the interior and exterior during the ownerships of Benjamin Nathan and later his daughter Mrs Louisa Jones in the 1930s and are in their own right of significance. Sir Thomas Bent owned the property from 1903 until 1911 but never lived there. He subdivided much of the land. The original garden dates from about 1868, and it seems that William Guilfoyle of the Botanic Gardens was involved. It was redesigned in a more natural style in the 1880s by Sargood and his head gardener, Adam Anderson. The lake, waterfalls, fernery, hill and grotto are balanced by mighty deciduous trees and conifers. These are interspersed with, but never dominated by Australian species such as eucalyptus and other exotics. The sinuous drive with its carefully prepared approach to the house is notable. The original vegetable gardens, orchard and outer paddocks no longer survive. The shade house is important as the largest known in Australia and possibly the world. Its curved plan and form of construction are particularly notable. It was built about 1884.Page 93 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two landscape and two portrait) of Ripponlea - lake and gardens.Handwritten: Neg 239 Dec 1973 LAKE [under top left photo] / Neg 242 Dec 1973 FERN HOUSE [under top right photo] / Neg 243 Dec 1972 FERN HOUSE [under bottom left photo] / Neg 241 Dec 1972 LAKE [under bottom right photo] / 93 [bottom left]trevor hart, elsternwick, mansion, hotham street, frederick sargood, sargood, reed and barnes, 1860's, 1890's, 1880's, benjamin nathan, nathan, louisa jones, thomas bent, sir thomas bent, william guilfoyle, adam anderson, lake, grotto, shade house, portico, ripponlea, victorian, sir frederick sargood, architects, taylor and fitts, rippon lea, gardens, ferns, bridges, walking trails

Whitmuir Hall was built 1850 using bricks hand -made from the clay of nearby Elster Creek. Early history of the 156 acre estate bounded by McKinnon, Centre, Thomas and Wheatley Roads is obscure. The gardens were laid out prior to 1850. Robert Gray Ford purchased 20 acres with mansion in 1872 for £ 1750 and it was valued at £ 25,000 in 1888 but sold after the Bank Crash 1890's for £ 5,000 in 1892. There were many owners over the years including Thomas Bent and in 1870 it was called 'Killearnan'. It is now is known as 'the Bentleigh Club and many original features have been restored and preserved . Whitmuir Hall, was a stately mansion built 1850 typical of the grandiose plans of successful early settlers. Stained glass Windows, furniture, imported from France and Italy have been preserved by the Bentleigh Club.4 of 13 Black & White photographs of Whitmuir Hall now Benleigh Club, Yawla St Bentleigh c 1930whitmuir hall, bentleigh club, killearnan, mansions, gold rush victoria, smith j l; smith mary ann, stanley helen, smith vic, smith harry redvers, chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman s, highett william, ormond francis, maynard

McKinnon was a small community in East Brighton settled mainly by market gardeners but it had a State School, Churches, a hotel opened by Thomas Bent's father, Post Office and some shops. After WW1 land close to the railway line began to be sold and new homes and various shops were built. A Progress League was well supported and new hall built. McKinnon Rd Shopping precinct did not prosper as expected and some attribute this to the failure to secure the Hoyts picture theatre c 1925. Hoyts instead built the theatre in Centre Rd Bentleigh and this took a lot of trade away from the shops in McKinnon Rd.McKinnon was settled by market gardeners and after the train line arrived more houses and shops were built so that the small community developed through the 20thCBlack & White photograph showing the crowd of local residents celebrating the opening of the McKinnon Progress hall c1925mckinnon progress league, mckinnon railway station, ormond state school, hoyts picture theatres, centre road bentleigh, wyles jim, mckinnon hotel, gardeners arms hotel, bent james, smith j l; smith , chaff cutter, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, mckinnon, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

Double sided A4 sheet, on plain paper, printed in colour, titled "A Century of electric trams - A Melbourne celebration" looking at the celebration by Yarra Trams of the century of electric trams in Melbourne - particularly the St Kilda Brighton VR line, Sir Thomas Bent, and its closure in 1959. Seven copies held. Has the RSL, Shine of Remembrance, 100 years of trams and Yarra Trams logos.trams, tramways, vr, st kilda brighton, opening, tramcars, centenary, 100 years of electric trams

3 of 5 photographs of the Highett Gasworks c 1974 The Brighton Gas Company was established 1877 by local residents including Thomas Bent. Initially all went well for residents as gas light replaced kerosene lamps and street lights were installed. However disruption to supply, poor quality and failure to reach all house lead to dissatisfaction. Thomas Bent therefore began the Central Brighton and Moorabbin Gas Company 1885 and a price war ensued. This was unsustainable and the two companies amalgamated in 1877 supplying gas from the New Street Works site. 1930 this Company expanded to Highett where it had purchased 45 acres adjacent to the train line. 1927 a gas holder was built connected to the Brighton works 1936 construction began on a complete gas-making unit and the Highett Gasworks, Nepean Highway, began supply 1939. 1950 an extension program was completed. However by 1965 , with the discovery of Natural Gas offshore in Bass Strait, changes to Gas distribution were apparent. At first some of the facilities at Highett were used to distribute the gas piped from Sale, Gippsland. However after conversion of 450,000 homes to Natural Gas the Highett site was redundant. The gasometers were removed 1978. Moorabbin Council obtained part of the land for public recreation purposes. ( Dr. G Whitehead KCC Historian ) c2012 the Moorabbin Justice Centre / Magistrates Court of Victoria was built and further development of the area for apartments proceeds. The establishment of the Brighton Gas Company 1877 and the Highett Gasworks 1885 brought bright lighting to houses, businesses and streets in Moorabbin Shire and cooking ovens and heating improved the living conditions of residents. 3 x Colour photographs of the Highett Gasworks c1970bass strait gas, highett gasworks, brighton gasworks 1877, central brighton and moorabbin gas company 1885, whitehead dr. graham, magistrates court of victoria, horse drawn carts, toll gates brighton, motor cars 1900, steam engines, early settlers, bentleigh, parish of moorabbin, city of moorabbin, county of bourke, moorabbin roads board, shire of moorabbin, henry dendy's special survey 1841, were j.b.; bent thomas, o'shannassy john, king richard, charman stephen, highett william, ormond francis, maynard dennis, market gardeners, vineyards, orchards

"Victoria the Golden" documents life in Victoria between 1850 and 1862 as viewed by artist William Strutt. Momentous events in the Colony’s history such as Separation Day (1 July 1851), the sitting of the first Legislative Council (13 November 1851), the death of Burke (June 1861) and the Black Thursday bushfires (6 February 1851) are depicted. In 1907 the Premier of Victoria Thomas Bent purchased "Victoria the Golden" from Strutt for £120 and presented it to the Library. The album depicts events in chronological order with what Strutt considered “fidelity to nature and accuracy”, so that present day Victorians may view the sketches “as records of what we may now look upon as the dim past in the rapidly progressive history of Victoria”. Victoria the Golden is celebrated as one of the Parliament’s great treasures. It is a testament to William Strutt’s skill as a draughtsman and contains over 100 assorted images which were executed between the years of 1850-1862. Strutt’s particular talent was to be able to step back and record each event with particular care to detail. Many of the pieces contained within this album are littered with notes, such as the correct resting position of a corporal’s sword or details about the cloth and cut of a subject’s jacket. Strutt also notes in one of his many sketches of the new Legislative Council chamber at Spring Street that the President, Sir James Palmer, is seated ‘a little too high’ (page 30). Throughout the album, Strutt’s illustrations bring to life the diverse nature and peoples of the new colony. His range of subjects is comprehensive and includes parliamentarians, lawyers, wives and daughters, merchants, labourers, police and military officers, indigenous communities, farmers, miners, prisoners and explorers. The everyday and the extraordinary are depicted with each turn of the page. 44 leaves heavy card, approximately 1mm thick. Sketches, watercolours and prints of varying sizes and papers are glued onto the pages. Full leather binding in blue leather with title and decorative border in gold. There are four raised bands on the spine, with gold decoration on the bands and at the head and tail of the spine. Marbled end papers and flyleaves. Gold on the edges of the book block. Card pages have a sheet of mottled blue paper on recto. Album leaf connection is a guarded system with stiff stubs and cloth hinges. Each page has a sheet of glassine paper attached at the binding edge to protect the images. Many pages stamped with "Parliament of Victoria" verso. Printed in gold, recto: "VICTORIA THE GOLDEN/ SCENES,/ SKETCHES,/ AND JOTTINGS FROM NATURE./ BY/ Wm. STRUTT/ MELBOURNE, VICTORIA./ 1850-1862" First pages include handwritten 'introductory remarks' and index of plates.parliament of victoria, colony of victoria, separation day, victorian legislative council, burke and wills expedition, wills, william john, 1834-1861, burke, robert o'hara, 1821-1861, strutt, william, 1825-1915, bent, thomas sir, 1838-1909, native police corps, fawkner, john pascoe, 1792-1869, black thursday bushfires, gold rush, princes bridge, melbourne

This is Newsletter No. 3 Vol. 3 produced in April 1963 by Mr T. A. Sheehy CMHS for members and visitors Topic ; Town Hall, Thomas Bent The Aims of the CMHS are ‘to record the history of the City, and register something of the Australian Atmosphere, which the necessary speed-up in post-world-war two (WW11) immigration has caused to be lost; to produce a magazine at regular intervals, featuring the work of pioneers and the changing Australian scene; to work constantly with a long range view towards building a hall where records and exhibits can be housed’ (1961) The Original Newsletters reflect the history and heritage of the former City of Moorabbin — derived from Mooroobin, ‘a resting place’ in the Bunurrung spoken language. In 1994, the City of Moorabbin was integrated into the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Monash. This is Newsletter No. 3 Vol. 3 of the CMHS April 1963 CMHS obtained a Kingston City Council Community Grant 2016 for the digitization and preservation of these Original CMHS Newsletters commenced in 1961 1 x Foolscap paper printed on 1 side folded for 4 pages CITY OF MOORABBIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY / (Affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Vic. )./ NEWSLETTER No. 3 Vol. 3 April 1963 / HISTORICAL SOCIETY; President ; R Ashley ...... / Secretary; Mrs L. Harvey……./ MOORABBIN COUNCIL RESEARCH : Historian : T.A.Sheehy city of moorabbin historical society 1961, sheehy t.a., harvey l, , cheltenham & district co-operative society limited, ashley r, moorabbin city council, standard newspapers ltd., bent thomas,