Cr. Marie Dalley was the first female mayor of Kew in 1954-55. The photograph shows the interior of the Council Chamber in the 1950s.An original photograph of Cr. Marie Dalley and councillors in 1955. The photograph was once part of the Municipal Collection of the former City of Kew and was presented to the Kew Historical Society in 1989.Framed photograph of the Kew City Council at a meeting in the Council Chamber of the Walpole Street {Kew] Town Hall in August 1955; the Mayor Cr. Marie Dalley chairing the meeting. Names of the councillors and council staff are inscribed on the mount. mayors of kew (vic), kew city council - 1955, council chamber - walpole street (kew) town hall, kew (vic.) — municipal collection

The Kew Civic Centre (A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall, 1972) was built next to the Kew Civic Hall (A C Leith & Bartlett, 1960) on the site of the former mansion Ordsall (later renamed South Esk). Whereas the entrance to the Civic Hall was positioned off Civic Drive, the main entrance to the Civic Centre faced Cotham Road, as shown in the undated perspective drawing of the proposed building. The Civic Hall was used for public functions and performances, while the Civic Centre was used for civic offices. It also contained the Council Chamber. The building opened in 1972, following the relocation of the councillors and council officers from the former Town Hall in Walpole Street (now a Woolworth's supermarket). Following the amalgamation of the former City of Kew into the City of Boroondara in 1994, the Civic Centre was sold to Trinity Grammar School. The exterior of the Centre has been modified by Trinity Grammar.A report for Heritage Victoria (date) describes how two architectural firms dominated the designs for new civic buildings in Victoria during the post war period. The report claims that: "An interesting sub-theme in the erection of post-war municipal offices in Victoria is that a considerable proportion were designed by the same three or four Melbourne-based architectural firms, who established themselves as the leading specialists in this type of work. The two most prolific firms in this regard were A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall, and A C Leith & Bartlett; both, in fact, had made names for themselves as designers of local government offices prior to the Second World War. Lines' office, for example had designed the Eltham Shire Offices in 1941, while Leith's firm had been responsible for the celebrated Heidelberg Town Hall in 1937). Both practices parleyed this early experience into a lucrative post-war career, designing numerous municipals offices well into the 1970s." (Survey of Post-War Built Heritage in Victoria, Built Heritage Pty Ltd, 2010.) The perspective drawing importantly captures the original design and function of the exterior of the building and its public entrance.Hand-coloured perspective sketch of the new Kew Civic Centre, completed in 1972 to designs by A K Lines, MacFarlane & Marshall; and located on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew. The sketch represents the front elevation of the building and its relation to the preexisting Kew Civic Hall at right. The three storey building features strong vertical concrete buttresses that extend across the three levels. KEW CIVIC CENTRE / A K LINES, MACFARLANE & MARSHALLkew civic centre, a.k. lines, macfarlane & marshall, architectural drawings, civic buildings -- kew (vic.), town hall -- kew (vic)

The Kew City Hall, designed by the architect Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett, was opened by The Premier The Hon HE Bolte on 23rd April 1960. At the time of the opening, Cr Ferguson was Mayor of Kew. Monochrome photograph of the annual Anzac Day service on the front lawn of the newly opened Kew City Hall in 1960. The Town Hall faced Cotham Road in front of which are standing returned soldiers. Invited seated and standing guests have their backs to Charles Street and the lawns of South Esk. The speaker would appear to be the Deputy Premier, and local Member for Kew Arthur Rylah MP. Behind the Official Party [but unseen] are the two Memorial plaques by George Henry Allen (1900–72). In the distance are the Kew Presbyterian Church and the Sacred Heart Church. Cr Ferguson / Anzac Day Service 1960kew city hall, city halls -- victoria, cr hugh ferguson, kew town hall, kew (vic.) -- civic buildings, anzac day services -- kew (vic.)

The Kew City Hall, designed by the architect Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett, was opened by The Premier The Hon HE Bolte on 23rd April 1960. At the time of the opening, Cr Ferguson was Mayor of Kew.Monochrome photograph of the opening of the new Kew City Hall in 1960. The orientation of the photograph is directed from the main auditorium towards the northern (main) stage. The mayor of Kew at the time was Cr Hugh Ferguson who is addressing the audience from the stage. Behind him are special guests. In front of the main stage are members of the Kew Philharmonic Orchestra. The Premier The Hon HE Bolte is seated in the front row second from the right.Cr Ferguson / Official Opening City Hall 1960kew city hall, harold bartlett, leith & bartlett, city halls -- victoria, cr hugh ferguson, kew town hall, kew (vic.) -- civic buildings

The earliest building on the Walpole Street site was the Kew Athenaeum Hall (built 1860) which was purchased by Kew Council in 1865. The Town Hall was sold to Woolworth's and subsequently demolished in 1972 when the civic offices were transferred to a new building on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road.This is the earliest known image of the old Kew Town Hall following the addition of the new facade in the 1880s.A print copy of a gelatin silver photograph of the former Kew Town Hall in Walpole Street, Kew. The photograph shows the neo-classical facade added to the former Atheneum building in the 1880s. The recessed doors in the entrance are now held by Trinity Grammar School. A man, probably Cr Edmund Marshall, is standing outside the entrance. Two gas lamps stand in front of the Hall.Reverse in pencil: "Edmund Marshall Councillor 1887"town halls, kew town hall, walpole street - kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966. A large part of this collection of civic ephemera was assembled by W. D. Birrell. This is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.ephemera, civic ephemera, civic invitations, cr f w dods, kew town hall -- walpole street -- kew (vic.)

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966.This card is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.OFFICIAL OPENING OF KEW MUNICIPAL OFFICES / BY / THE HONOURABLE R J HAMER, PREMIER OF VICTORIA / THE MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS OF THE CITY OF KEW / REQUEST THE PLEASURE OF THE COMPANY OF / ___________ / OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW MUNICIPAL OFFICES & LIBRARY / KEW CIVIC CENTRE / THURSDAY, 22ND MARCH, 1973, 3 P.M./ RSVP TOWN CLERK , KEW 8TH MARCH, 1973 / ON RECEIPT OF ACCEPTANCE ENTREE CARDS WILL BE FORWARDEDcivic invitations -- kew (vic), kew town hall -- charles street -- kew (vic.), kew civic offices

The Municipality of Kew was proclaimed on 19 December 1860, then upgraded to a Borough (1863), a Town (1910) and finally a City (1921). From 1865, its offices were based in the former Athenaeum Hall in Walpole Street, which, although extended in 1883, inevitably became inadequate. Plans for a new purpose-built Town Hall were first mooted in the late 1880s, but fell prey to six subsequent decades of debate. During that time, many sites were considered and rejected, and several schemes prepared. Finally, in 1945, it was resolved to build a new civic centre as a war memorial. The council acquired Southesk, a mansion on the south-west corner of Cotham Road and Charles Street – first mooted as a possible Town Hall site two decades earlier – and plans for a civic precinct were drawn up by John Scarborough. The project stalled until 1957, when a Town Hall Committee was formed and a new architect appointed: Harold Bartlett of Leith & Bartlett. He also proposed an entire civic precinct, of which a large public hall would constitute Stage One. Designed to accommodate almost any public or official function, the space had had a small stage at one end for intimate theatrical productions, a larger stage at the other (with operable sunken orchestra pit) for musical performances, plus the most up-to-date equipment for live TV transmission. The building, befitting its original intent as a war memorial, was also to include a sculpted monument, for which a separate design competition was held. First prize went to George H Allen (1900-1972), long-time head of the Sculpture Department at RMIT and a former war artist himself (the only one, in fact, to have worked in the medium of sculpture). At the time of the Kew project, Allen was best known for his Cenotaph at the Shrine of Remembrance (1955) and a controversial abstract sculpture at Hume House in William Street (1957). Tenders for the new hall were called and the contract (worth £104,986) was awarded to H F Yuncken. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor, Cr F C O'Brien, on 1 June 1959. Completion (initially scheduled for October) was delayed by the unavailability of certain materials; it was barely finished in time for the official opening (by Premier Henry Bolte) on 23 April 1960. The war memorial was unveiled two days later (Anzac Day) by Bolte's deputy, the Hon A G Rylah. Fittingly, that year also marked Kew's municipal centenary, and many celebratory events were held in and around the new civic centre in December, including a special council meeting (attended by the Prime Minister), a tree planting ceremony and a youth ball. Source: Survey of Built Heritage in Victoria: Stage Two (Built Heritage Pty Ltd., 2010)Plaque commemorating the opening of a new town hall in KewMetal plaque recording the official opening of the Kew City Hall, 23rd April 1960. This plaque was given to the Kew Historical Society in 1991 by the former City of Kew.Kew City Hall / Opened by / The Hon. H.E. Bolte M.L.A. / Premier of Victoria / 23rd April 1960 / Cr. H.G. Ferguson J.P. - Mayor.kew city hall, foundation stones - kew (vic), sir henry bolte, local government -- kew (vic.)

The plaque to Henry Kellett was originally mounted in the vestibule of the Kew Town Hall in Walpole StreetThe plaque was once part of the Municipal Collection of the former City of Kew and was presented to the Kew Historical Society before the move from the Walpole Street (Kew) Town Hall to new Civic offices in Charles Street in 1971.Bronze funeral plaque commemorating the life and death of Sir Henry de Castres Kellett, who was killed in a traffic accident in 1924. The plaque bears an extensive dedication and is mounted on a wooden mount that was previously attached to a wall in the Walpole Street [Kew] Town Hall ."City of Kew Victoria [logo] / Erected in Memory of / Cr. Sir Henry de C. Kellett Bart. / Accidentally Killed Whilst Engaged / On Municipal Duty 20th June 1924 / A Tribute to His Faithful Service as / Councillor for Forty Years 19884-1924"sir henry de castres kellett, mayors of kew (vic), councillors of kew (vic)

1860: Kew's first library was the Kew Literary and Scientific Society, which opened on 6 August 1860. 1884: Kew Town Hall was extended and the library transferred to a room on the upper floor. This was not an ideal arrangement as the room was required for Council purposes. 1904: A cottage adjoining Kew Town Hall was purchased for use as a library. 1937: The library was closed for a major overhaul of stock and renovation of the building. It reopened in December 1937 and remained there for more than 35 years. 1973: When the Civic Centre opened in Charles Street, Kew, the library moved in. 1987: Kew Library moved to its current location in the converted city hall, overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Gardens. The library was officially opened at this site on Friday 23 October 1987 by the Mayor of Kew, Cr James Tutt. (Source: Boroondara Library Services)Historically and socially significant set of regulations governing the use of the children's library in Kew in the early 1950sOriginal framed rules and regulations of the junior section of the Kew Library, dated 16.6.1953, authorised by the Mayor (W.E.R. Hope) and Town Clerk (W.D.Birrell). The document also lists opening hours of the Kew and East Kew branches.kew public library - kew (vic), kew public library - east kew (vic), city of kew - library guidelines

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)One of a pair of wooden puzzles used in the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic), baby health centres - kew (vic), games and puzzles

The Grip of Time is a public sculpture attached to the wall of the current Kew LibraryA photographic record of a significant art-cultural event in KewFour photos of the presentation of 'The Grip of Time' to the City of Kew by Mrs Laurel Abercrombie. Sculpture by Peter Schipperheyn. Sculpture mounted on the north wall of the Kew Town Hall.sculpture - kew (vic), peter schipperheyn (1955-), kew library

Photograph of the first Kew Mayoral Ball to be held after the Second World War. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the Mayor of Kew, Cr WHS Dickinson and the Mayoress, Mrs Doris Dickinson at the 1947 Kew Mayoral Ball, held at the Hawthorn Town Hall. This was the first [Kew] mayoral ball to be held after the Second World War. The photo shows a derbutante and her partner being presented to the Mayor and Mayoress while the Acting Town Clerk, Mr W. Graham and two flower girls, Janet and Judith Dickinson stand near the Mayor and Mayoress.1947cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic), mayoral balls -- kew (vic)

Photograph of the first Kew Mayoral Ball to be held after the Second World War. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. A group portrait of attendees at the 1947 Kew Mayoral Ball, held in 1947 at the Hawthorn Town Hall. In the second row, centre are the Mayor and Mayoress of Kew, Cr WHS Dickinson and Mrs Doris Dickinson. Also in the photo are the acting Town Clerk of Kew, Bill Graham (3rd row at left), two flower girls, Judith and Janet Dickinson, and debutantes with their partners. Mr Ron Dickinson, the son of the Mayor and Mayoress is standing in the back row at left. The photograph is in a beige card folder embossed with the words "Portrait by C. Stuart Tompkins, Camberwell". The internal framing mount is signed in pencil with: "C Stuart Tompkins, Camberwell". 1947cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic), mayoral balls - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the presentation of a debutante and her partner at the Kew Centenary Dinner Dance at the Kew Civic [Town] Hall in 1960. Standing behind the debutantes are Cr WHS Dickinson, Mayor of Kew, and the Mayoress, Mrs Doris Dickinson.centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960, cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the entry of a debutante and her partner at the Centenary [of Kew] Dinner Dance in 1960. The photograph shows the entry of a debutante and her partner through a specially constructed floral arch at the back of the main stage, which was at that time located at the northern end of the Kew Civic [Town] Hall. The Mayor and Mayoress, Cr WHS and Doris Dickinson are standing at right.centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960, cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the entry of a debutante and her partner at the Centenary [of Kew] Dinner Dance in 1960. The photograph shows the entry of a debutante and her partner through a specially constructed floral arch at the back of the main stage, which was at that time located at the northern end of the Kew Civic [Town] Hall. The Mayor and Mayoress, Cr WHS and Doris Dickinson are standing at right.centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960, cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of dancers at the Kew Centenary Ball in the Kew Civic [Town] Hall in 1960.centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960, cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic)

Original photograph of the Kew Centenary Ball in the new Kew Civic Hall in 1960. The photograph formed part of the collection of WHS Dickinson and was presented to the Kew Historical Society by his daughter in 2018. Original black and white photograph of the arrival of the official party at the Centenary Dinner in the Kew Civic [Town] Hall in 1960. The 'party' are being led by the Mayor, Cr WHS Dickinson and the Mayoress, Mrs Doris Dickinson. centenary of kew (vic) - 1860-1960, cr whs dickinson - mayor of kew 1946-1947, civic events - kew (vic)

The Kew Historical Society, founded in 1958, is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in the Greater Melbourne region. For over 60 years, the Society has worked with local government and other community organisations to stimulate interest in Kew’s history and heritage. The Society has regularly held local exhibitions, sometimes in shop windows, on other occasions in civic halls, and now at the Kew Court House and Kew Library. This and other photos taken in the same year are examples of an exhibition in the Kew City Hall.Two foundation members of the Kew Historical Society at an early exhibition mounted by the Society. The historic 1890s oil painting of Adeney Avenue, donated to the Society in 1965 [1965.0002], can be viewed on one of the screens in the background. Reverse: "KH27. Kew Historical Society member Mr Clark, and Mrs Reed in attendance at the Historical Exhibition, Festival of Kew 1976. Kew Civic Centre (Town Hall), Mr Clark, background, Mrs Reed, facing camera."kew historical society - exhibitions, kew city hall, kew (vic.) -- history

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)

The Melbourne artist Alma Agnes Marion Figuerola, was the daughter of Juan Pedro Narciso Figuerola (1869-1919) and Alice Lucinda Walker Hanson (1889-1969). Each of their three daughters grew up to be involved in the arts: Alma as a painter; Carmen Irene (1906-1993) as a short story writer, poet and teacher of dancing; and Sylvia (also Silvia) Lyla Alice (1911-1992) as a composer and cellist. The first art lessons Alma Figuerola received were with Oscar Binder. Later she attended the art school established by the Melbourne 'tonalist' [Duncan] Max Meldrum (1875-1955). She graduated from his school in 1920, participating in her first group exhibition in the same year. Solo exhibitions of her work were to be held in 1933 at the Meldrum Gallery in Elizabeth Street, in 1937 and 1945 at the Athenaeum Gallery at 188 Collins Street, and in 1951 at Georges Gallery in Collins Street. Throughout her extensive career she participated in group exhibitions, usually with artists of the Meldrum School, and as a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters, of which she was invited to become an associate in 1935. In 1953, her portrait of Professor ES Hills was entered in the Archibald Prize Competition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A resident of Kew from the 1930s - 51 Studley Park Road, often with her mother, her sister Carmen, or both - from c.1942 until her death she lived at 'D’Estaville', 7 Barry Street. From the late 1930s she is recorded as actively contributing to the arts at a local level. In 1939 and 1940 she participated in art exhibitions at the Hawthorn Municipal Library organised by Jessie Carbines. From 1944 to 1951 she co-organised successive Kew Arts Festivals, initially in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Highbury Grove and later at the Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. A foundation member of the Kew Historical Society in 1958, Alma Figuerola remained an active member of the Society until her death on 8 December 1970. She predeceased her two sisters who both died in the 1990s and who are buried at Andersons' Creek Cemetery in Warrandyte.Photograph of a group of adults attending an exhibition entitled Artists of Kew. Two people have been identified in the photograph - Cr WHS Dickinson and Alma Figuerola at centre. The location of the exhibition is at the old Kew Town Hall in Walpole Street. Both Miss Figuerola and Cr Dickinson were foundation members of the Kew Historical Society.Reverse: "Artists of Kew Exhibition. Founder of KHS Cr Dickinson in dark suit. Miss Alma Figrierola [sic] to his left". "KH-97" kew historical society - members, alma figuerola, cr whs dickinson, exhibitions - kew (vic), southesk - cotham road - kew (vic), kew town hall - walpole street

The Melbourne artist Alma Agnes Marion Figuerola, was the daughter of Juan Pedro Narciso Figuerola (1869-1919) and Alice Lucinda Walker Hanson (1889-1969). Each of their three daughters grew up to be involved in the arts: Alma as a painter; Carmen Irene (1906-1993) as a short story writer, poet and teacher of dancing; and Sylvia (also Silvia) Lyla Alice (1911-1992) as a composer and cellist. The first art lessons Alma Figuerola received were with Oscar Binder. Later she attended the art school established by the Melbourne 'tonalist' [Duncan] Max Meldrum (1875-1955). She graduated from his school in 1920, participating in her first group exhibition in the same year. Solo exhibitions of her work were to be held in 1933 at the Meldrum Gallery in Elizabeth Street, in 1937 and 1945 at the Athenaeum Gallery at 188 Collins Street, and in 1951 at Georges Gallery in Collins Street. Throughout her extensive career she participated in group exhibitions, usually with artists of the Meldrum School, and as a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters, of which she was invited to become an associate in 1935. In 1953, her portrait of Professor ES Hills was entered in the Archibald Prize Competition of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A resident of Kew from the 1930s - 51 Studley Park Road, often with her mother, her sister Carmen, or both - from c.1942 until her death she lived at 'D’Estaville', 7 Barry Street. From the late 1930s she is recorded as actively contributing to the arts at a local level. In 1939 and 1940 she participated in art exhibitions at the Hawthorn Municipal Library organised by Jessie Carbines. From 1944 to 1951 she co-organised successive Kew Arts Festivals, initially in the Presbyterian Church Hall in Highbury Grove and later at the Recreation Hall in Wellington Street. A foundation member of the Kew Historical Society in 1958, Alma Figuerola remained an active member of the Society until her death on 8 December 1970. She predeceased her two sisters who both died in the 1990s and who are buried at Andersons' Creek Cemetery in Warrandyte.An undated photograph of WHS Dickinson and Alma Figuerola at the opening of an exhibition in Kew in 1964/5. It has been suggested that the exhibition at the Kew Town Hall in Walpole Street.Later hand: "Mayor of Kew opens exhibition of paintings (Miss Alma Figuerola left in doorway). arists - kew (vic), exhibitions -- kew (vic.)

In August, 1920, The Kew Town Council decided to establish a Baby Health Centre in Kew. The first Centre was opened in a room in the Town Hall in Walpole Street on 5 November 1920. In May 1939, the Railway Commissioners agreed to lease a site at the Kew Railway Station for a Baby Health Centre for a term of 21 years at 3 pounds per annum. A building, designed by Roland Chipperfield, was erected, and the Centre previously conducted at the Town Hall transferred there. This became known as the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre. (Cr. W.D. Vaughan, Kew’s Civic Century, W.D. Vaughan Pty Ltd., Kew, 1960, pp.96 & 97.)Small teddy bear with only one eye remaining and with a number of repairs. The bear was used by children at the Denmark Street Baby Health Centre in Kew.toys - teddy bears, denmark street baby health centre - kew (vic)

Program for a concert in the Walpole Street Town Hall in September 1935. The final page of the program includes advertisements for a draper and a chemist in HawthornFour page program for a concert in the Kew Town Hall, in Walpole Street, given on 7 September 1935. The proceeds of the concert were to be given to the Kew Eye and Ear Hospital Auxiliary.concerts - kew (vic)

The Municipality of Kew (1860-1863), the Borough of Kew (1863-1910), the Town of Kew (1910-1921) and the City of Kew (1921-1994) were local government instrumentalities in the State of Victoria. In 1994, the City of Kew was amalgamated, together with the former Cities of Camberwell and Hawthorn, into the new City of Boroondara (1994- ). Like other local government entities of the period, Kew was administered by town clerks. The two notable town clerks in Kew's history were H. H. (Henry Hirst) Harrison (1868-1955) and W. D. (William Dickie) Birrell (1899-1974). Harrison was appointed to the position in 1901 and retired in 1938 after 37 years. Birrell, appointed Acting Town Clerk in 1921, became Town Clerk in 1938, following Harrison's retirement. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1966. A large part of this collection of civic ephemera was assembled by W. D. Birrell. This is part of an historically significant civic collection, containing hundreds of separate invitations, documents, greeting cards, programmes and tickets issued and/or collected by successive town clerks. Items in the collection illuminate the political, social and cultural history of the district. As a continuous record, ranging across most decades of the Twentieth Century, they reveal changing tastes in design, values and relationships in the history of local government in Victoria.ephemera, civic ephemera, civic invitations, cr w j hambly, recreation hall -- kew (vic.)