The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Loris was born and grew up in Williamstown. She lived across the street from the Gardens at 122 Osborne Street with her parents and siblings. A primary source of information on memories of the Gardens from the 1950s until the time of the interview.CD and transcript of interview with Loris Wood about her memories of Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, fish pond, cannons, aviary, adam lindsay gordon, pinetum, fearon reserve, band platform, clarke statue, ernie anderson, osborne street, weddings, horses, gardeners cottage, curators lodge

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens from 1945 to the present (2013) and the founding of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Friends Group by Sue Murray, who is the inaugural President CD and transcript of interview with Sue Murray on the founding of the Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood.sue murray, friends of williamstown botanic gardens, cannons, mr anderson, gates, horses, jessie sims (nee faichney), hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on the lobbying that led to master planning for rejuvenation of the Gardens and the formation of the Friends of Williamstown Botanic Gardens. CD and transcript of interview with Helen Page and her memories and experiences in lobbying for the rejuvenation and long-term viability of the Gardens. Helen was a resident of Williamstown when she contacted local Councillor, Angela Altair, in May 1999 to express her concerns about the destruction of trees in Melbourne Road and the condition of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The result of her communications with Councillor Altair and the Council was the formation of the Landscape Advisory Group and the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Advisory Group. Still an active member of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Advisory Group, Helen talks of these experiences, how they led to the formation of the Friends Group and her hopes for the future of the Gardens.helen-page, angela altair, mary klestadt, mike hirst, shelley wood, andrew shannon, williamstown botanic gardens advisory group, master plan, sue murray, kim sawyer, anja lee, golden elm, advisory group, gates, pinetum, victorian heritage register

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The fountain is located on the southern side of the ornamental lake and was erected to celebrate the jubilee of the municipality (17 March 1906). Controversy surrounded the commission for the design and construction of the fountain, as it was originally assigned to a contractor in Carlton. Williamstown residents insisted the fountain be designed and constructed locally, and on December 1906 the fountain was tendered by local firm Bliss and Sons and opened for public use in 1906. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of fur granite columns supporting a granite canopy and is fully operational following restoration work in 2013. The idea for the fountain came from an elderly resident of Williamstown who suggested the council follow the example of Ballarat’s gardens with its many statues and monuments. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The significance of the fountain is its reflection of how Williamstown people felt for their Gardens and the importance placed on investing in locally operated business. It was noted in the Brief Jottings column of the Williamstown Chronicle, February 24 1906, the fountain is a “We favor the erection of the jubilee fountain in the Giffard-street (Williamstown Botanic) Gardens. Ornaments of that kind there will make that beauty spot even more attractive.” Sepia scene of a fountain situated on paths bordered with rocks. The fountain in on a plinth with a plaque. The fountain features a symmetrical plan, consisting of four granite columns supporting a granite canopy. High stumps of trees are just behind the fountain with larger trees in the background to the right and left of the image.Postcard, Gardens, Post-Card, Williamstown-Botanic-Gardens, Hobsons-Bay-City-Council, Jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, granite, Bliss-and-Sons, Madeleypostcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, granite, bliss-and-sons, madeley

The photos provide a snapshot into the way the Gardens have been used over the years for play by children. They are evidence that the cannons were in the Gardens in the early 1960s. Black and white images of small boy playing in the Gardens. He is wearing a knitted jumper with three light coloured buttons on the front. The boy is on the grass border of the main palm avenue looking into the camera. His hand is blurred by movement. Aidrian White / (formerly The Esplanade) / (1961/2?) / Photo donated by / Mrs White Sept 2012 / Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1961, aidrian white, cannons, fence, pinetum

The photos provide a snapshot into the way the Gardens have been used over the years for play by children. They are evidence that the cannons were in the Gardens in the early 1960s. Black and white images of small boy playing in the Gardens. He is wearing a knitted jumper with three light coloured buttons on the front. He is kneeling on the base of a cannon, looking at the camera. The image is taken from the front of the cannon and there appears to be a large artillery shell in the barrel. A wire and barbed wire fence that at one time divided the formal part of the Gardens from the Pinetum can be seen in the background. On reverse: Aidrian White / (formerly The Esplanade) / (1961/2?) / Photo donated by / Mrs White Sept 2012 / Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1961, aidrian white, cannons, fence, pinetum

"Dear Alice" Is a collection of 142 Postcards from Australia and around world, almost all of which are addressed to Miss Alice Evans, No. 2 Cox Gardens, Williamstown, dated between 1905 - 1909. These postcards form part of a collection found in the ceiling of No. 2 Cox Gardens by a local builder and carpenter Gordon Peterson. Peterson was contracted to demolish the house in the mid 1970's. The cards were held in the Estate of Gordon Peterson, along with a photo of the cottage, before demolition until donation to the historical society by his descendants in 2024. Alice Edith Evans was born in Williamstown in 1885 to parents Benjamin Samuel Evans (1833-1900), a bootmaker from Ruabon, Denbighshire, Wales and Catherine (nee Jones) (1850-1915) from Eaglehawk, near Castlemaine. Alice had three older step sisters, and two younger brothers, Benjamin and Samuel, who sadly died in infancy. Alice’s father, Benjamin, had been married previously, his wife dying during childbirth, leaving him with three daughters to care for. After leaving school, Alice was employed as a clerk with Trevor Jones & Co. (real estate agents), until her declining health prevented her from working. She was an active and well known member of the Welsh Church and Sunday School on Ferguson Street and enjoyed singing and playing in local concerts. Well known in the community, a Grand Benefit Concert was organised in her honour on 9th April, 1910, at the Mechanics Institute, Williamstown. Hosted by Mayor Cr. Wymark, the event featured a delightful program of musical performances, showcasing both individual talents and the Carlton Club Choir. Tragically, Alice passed away due to the effects of her illness on 3rd December 1910, at the age of just 25. She is buried in Williamstown Cemetery. The postcards, written between 1905 to 1906, illustrate the social history of residents and everyday life at the turn of the century, using postcards as a means of communication.Part of Collection of 142 Postcards. This coloured postcard is of the Palm Avenue in the Williamstown Botanic Gardens with the marble state of A.T. Clark in the distance.williamstown botanic gardens, a.t. clark, statue, notable

Then photograph gives us an insight into school activities of the 1940's and illustrates hair styles and clothing of the day.jpg file of original black and white photograph.williamstown high school, williamstown botanical gardens, breakfast party, 1947

Copy of black and white photograph mounted on board.Break-up Party, Form DC1 - 1931. Williamstown Gardens.williamstwon high school, williamstown botanical gardens, 1931, form dc1

Copy of black and white photograph mounted on board.Break-up party Form DC1 - 1931. Williamstown Gardenswilliamstown high school, williamstown botanical gardens, 1931, form dc1

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Chic is the daughter of Ernie Anderson who worked at the Gardens from the age of 15 until he retired at 65. Ernie’s full name was Ernest Rupert Cyril Anderson. Chic verified from her Mother’s bible that her Father was born 19th June 1895. The Anderson family moved into the Curator’s Lodge in the grounds of the Gardens in 1938 following the death of the previous Curator, William Joseph Crowe. CD and transcript of interview with Chic Wyatt (nee Anderson) and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. The purpose of the interview is to discuss a collection of photos she lent to the Gardens for copying (registration no. 2013.001) and to recall memories of her Father, Ernie Anderson and of living in the grounds.chic anderson, chic wyatt, anderson, fish pond, ornamental lake, gates, curator, horse, army camp, americans, world war 2, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, william joseph crowe

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years.CD and transcript of interview with Patti Gerkens and Eileen Gleeson and their memories of the Gardens from their childhood through to adulthood. Pattie and Eileen are the daughters of Jack and Millie Gerkens who lived in Power Street, Williamstown before moving to 25 Gellibrand Street, Williamstown. Jack worked at the Newport Railway Workshops. Patti lived overseas for many years and Eileen has lived in Williamstown all her life. Patti and Eileen recall memories of the Gardens during their childhood and of taking their own children there during the 1960s and 1970s. pattie-gerkens, eileen-gleeson, jack-gerkens, millie-gerkens, newport-railway-workshops, fish-pond, fountain, yoga, father-cassidy, con-gleeson, palms, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Anne moved to Williamstown as a small child in 1952, lived in Williamstown until her marriage and has been witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Anne Cocks and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. Anne’s family migrated from Holland in 1952 when she was three years old. The family lived in Lyons Street for a short while before moving to Altona. Her parents, Kees and Betts Huisman bought the Old Royal Hotel in Nelson Place, which was a boarding house for men in 1958. They stayed there until 1971 when they sold it.anne-cocks, old-royal-hotel, nelson-place, boarding-house, holland, dutch-migrants, huisman, nellie-street, civic-parade, alma-cocks, eddie-cocks, 34-schutt-street, newport, 27-schutt-street, palms, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, nordini

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Michael Wilkins. Michael first worked in the Gardens for the Municipality of Williamstown in 1987. He was there for eleven years. A few years after the amalgamation of Williamstown and Altona into the City of Hobsons Bay City Council he transferred from the Gardens to other sites within the City. He returned to the Gardens in 2006. Michael recalls people with whom he worked and horticultural practices over those years. michael wilkins, barry heath, bob anderson, 1987, shelley wood, ian mcleod, john wilson, mary malhallchek, glasshouse, maarten hulzebosch, ransome mower, buffalo lawn, parker reserve, trench digging, 2006, bird cage, palms, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Shelley Wood. Shelley was born in Williamstown, as was her mother Margaret McLean. Shelley recalls her mother telling her about spending many hours in the Gardens when she was young with her friend Chic, who was the daughter of the Curator Ernie Anderson. Shelley, who was the first female gardener appointed in the western region, served her apprenticeship at Gardens and is currently the Curator. shelley wood, margaret mclean, tom wood, chic anderson, ernie anderson, 1979, apprentice, fish pond, pinetum, barry heath, golden elm, palms, brian turner, dean splatt, robert anderson, 1988, bicentennial funding, 1987, angela altair, helen page, mary klestadt, mike hirst, john hawker, landscape advisory group, williamstown technical school, gates, buffalo lawn, ian brown, storytime, adam lindsay gordon, statue, archie matthews, aviary, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copyingThey are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard shows the ornamental lake, completed 1904, with its surrounding Guilfoyle influenced rockery, planted with original succulents and palms Black and white postcard titled “Williamston Gardens”. Ornamental lake surrounded by palms, with trees in the background and boarded with stone slabs. There is a small island in the middle of the image surrounded by water lilies. Inscribed on the reverse: ‘POST CARD.’ centre top underlined by two wriggly lines, the bottom one is scrolled at either end / ADRESS ONLY’ top right side of card / ‘PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA’ vertically on left side of cardpostcard, pond, palms, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, water lilies, pond-island

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. They are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day.Colour postcard of garden beds with man (gardener) standing beside tree with a sign on it on right side of card. The card was sent to Nellie from Gladys for birthday greetingsFront: ‘Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: ‘POST CARD’ centre top of card, underlined with a dividing line down the centre of the card. ‘This Space may be used for Correspondence.’ on left side of line; ‘For Address Only.’ and ‘165/103598’ on right side of line. In pencil on top right corner ‘1906 SLV’. On left side in cursive writing ‘To Nellie / wishing her / many happy / returns of the / day. / From / Gladyspostcard, garden-beds, gardener, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, 1906, nellie, gladys, colour-postcard

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The many annuals seen in this postcard demonstrates the intensity of Edwardian gardening Colour Postcard of staked flowers (mostly blue) surrounding a grassed area with a circular garden in the centre and trees in the backgroundFront: ‘The Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: ‘POST W.T.P. (in a double rectangle inside a patterned diamond) CARD’ centre top of card, underlined with a dividing line down the centre of the card. ‘This Space may be used for Correspondence’ on left side of line; ‘This Space for Address Only.’ on right side of line. A red Victorian one penny stamp on right top corner. In pencil under ‘POST’: ‘21/1/09’. See image for inscription from Julia to Miss R Gunn.postcard, garden-beds, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, 1909, miss gunn, colour-postcard, flowers, julia

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard shows the main east-west axial path with a typical Victorian/Edwardian mown grass strip which in turn borders formal shrub beds with herbaceous plantings. The Cordylines which line and avenue in this image were replaced by Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) planted in 1915. They were replaced with the same species in 1987. Black and white postcard of Gardens main path, looking towards a white statue on a plinth. The statue is of Williamstown MLA, A T Clark. There are for people walking towards the camera – two women, a small girl and two men. The women and child are on the right of the path and the men on the left. One woman is pushing a pram. The path is edged with grass and the beds are full of flowers. There are no palms lining the path as there are today in 2013. On front of postcard ‘IN THE GARDENS, WILLIAMSTOWN’.postcard, garden-beds, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, pram, clark

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. They are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard shows the main east-west axial path with a typical Victorian/Edwardian mown grass strip which in turn borders formal shrub beds with herbaceous plantings. The photo was taken after the Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) planted in 1915, which in turn were replaced with the same species in 1987. Sepia postcard of the Palm Avenue at the gardens looking west to a white statue on a plinth. The statue is of Williamstown MLA, Alfred Thomas Clark. Palms and shrubs line both sides of the path and trees can be seen behind the statue. The shadows of the plantings are across the path.Front: VALENTINE’S, M.360 PALM AVENUE WILLIAMSTOWN GARDENS MELBOURNE, VICTORIA. REAL PHOTO. Reverse: vertical on left side of card and underlined: ‘Published by the Valentine & Sons Publishing Co. Ltd. / Melbourne. Sydney & Brisbane’. Top centre of card: Contains logo of ‘VALENTINES / REAL PHOTO SERIES / POSTCARD’. There is a red two penny Australian Postage stamp on the top right hand corner. The address of the sender is 1 Railway Place, Williamstown and the card is addressed to Mr and Mrs Nayler (?) in Footscray. The remaining writing unable to be deciphered postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, statue, clark, alfred-thomas-clark, palms, palm-avenue, valentine-and-sons

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard is evidence of the placement of two of the cannons relocated from Fort Gellibrand in 1906 and that they were in place in the Gardens in 1924. They were removed from the Gardens in the 1960s. These same cannons remain a feature on the Williamstown waterfront in 2013. The image also shows the original Elm Avenue plantings. A sepia scene looking west towards statue of Alfred Thomas Clark, with cannons on either side of statue pointing east down what is known as the Palm Avenue. The statue is surrounded by a white fence consisting of posts and a top rail. The top of the statue is hidden by the branches of the elm trees. It appears that the elms are in the process of either losing their leaves or new leaf growth. A cactus plant can be seen beneath the lower branches of the elm tree of the right closest to the camera. The cannons were moved from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906.Front: VALENTINE’S, M.356 ELM AVENUE WILLIAMSTOWN GARDENS MELBOURNE, VICTORIA. REAL PHOTO. Reverse: vertical on left side of card and underlined: ‘Published by the Valentine & Sons Publishing Co. Ltd. / Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane’. Top centre of card: Contains logo of ‘VALENTINES / REAL PHOTO SERIES / POSTCARD’. Top right hand corner is stamped ‘BRANCHES (enclosed in a scroll) / SYDNEY / LONDON / DUNDEE / DUBLIN / CAPETOWN / MONTREAL / TORONTO’ The card is dated ‘29/12/24’ and addressed to ‘Dear Leah Alf & Dad’ signed by ‘Margaret’. postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, statue, clarke, alfred-thomas-clarke, cannon, elm, cactus, 1924, fort-gellibrand, 1906, armstrong, clark

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard is evidence of the location of one of the cannons relocated from Fort Gellibrand in 1906. They were removed from the Gardens in the 1960s. These same cannons remain a feature on the Williamstown waterfront in 2013. A sepia postcard depicting a winding path lined with rocks. There is a cannon on the right hand side of the card beneath a spreading palm tree. There is a tall pine and a cypress tree in the background. The cannons were relocated from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906. Front: ‘THE ROSE SERIES, P. 1030 THE GARDENS, WILLIMASTOWN, VICTOORIA / copyright’. Reverse: Left side vertical ‘Published by the Rose Stereograph Co. / Armadale, Victoria’. Across the top of the card: ‘POST CARD / The “Rose” Series A Real Photograph / De Luxe Produced in Australia’. There is an image of a rose and stem with three leaves in the centre of the card. In pencil on top right hand corner: $5 [believed to be inserted by the vendor of the card]postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, cannon, rose stereograph, rose-series, 1906

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard shows the main east-west axial path with a typical Victorian/Edwardian mown grass strip which in turn borders formal shrub beds with herbaceous plantings. The Cordylines which line and avenue in this image were replaced by Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) planted in 1915, which in turn were replaced with the same species in 1987. Black and White image of main path looking towards the statue of A C Clark. There is a man wearing a boater hat on the right side of the path and a woman and two children on the left side of the path. The path is lined with grass, shrubs and cycads. This image is before the border of the path was planted with palm trees, which was 1915.Front: ‘The Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: Top Centre ‘POST CARD’. Top left hand side ‘This space may be used for Correspondence. / Postage to any Address in Victoria, 1 d; / to other States, 11/2 d.’ Right side and top centre of card in pencil 'C1908' and '$3' [believed to be inserted by the vendor of the card]postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, cycads, 1908, clark

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard, looking east on the main east-west axial path with a typical Victorian/Edwardian mown grass strip which in turn borders formal shrub beds with herbaceous plantings. The photo was taken after the Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) planted in 1915, which in turn were replaced with the same species in 1987. Sepia image of main path of Gardens, looking east towards the Osborne Street gates and three people. The path is lined with grass, shrubs and palms. Reverse: ‘POST CARD / CARTE POSTALE / Communication – Correspondence Address – Adresse’. Top right corner: a rectangle with a logo in the centre and ‘STAMP / HERE’. In pencil ‘AUSTRALIA / 50p / 1920s’postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, palms, osborne street, 1920

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This card is a rare image of the original aviary built in the Gardens in 1892. The card also demonstrates how postcards were used as a method of contact in contrast to the contemporary use as souvenirs. The writer of the card, Polly, is anxious to receive a return postcard from Lila, writing that a reply should be sent that night. A black and white scene of a curving path with a square looking building at the centre. The 1894 MMBW plan shows that the building was triangular. The building is solid at ground level with the appearance of long vertical columns. The roof is light coloured and hip shaped with a finial at the apex. There is a garden set in the lawn on the left side of the image, shrubs and a palm at the left front corner of the building and tall trees in the background. The building is an aviary, which was built in north east section of the Gardens during 1892. The date of its removal is unknown. Front: ‘GARDENS, WILLIAMSTOWN’. Reverse: Centre top: ‘Post Card’; Vertical on left side: ‘P. & W. Series’; Right side ‘Address Only’. The card is addressed to Lila of ‘Ferguson St, N Williamstown’ from Polly. In pencil ‘1908 or later’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor of the card).postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, aviary, 1908

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day.Colour postcard of garden beds with man (gardener) standing beside tree with a sign on it on right side of card. A path is in the foreground with rocks standing at the edge.Front: ‘Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: ‘POST CARD’ centre top of card, underlined with a dividing line down the centre of the card. ‘This Space may be used for Correspondence.’ on left side of line; ‘For Address Only.’ and ‘155/103598’ inside dotted lines to indicate stamp placement. In pencil on top right corner ‘1906 SLV’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor).postcard, garden-beds, gardener, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, 1906, colour-postcard

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. The many annuals seen in this postcard demonstrates the intensity of Edwardian gardening. Colour scene of staked flowers (mostly blue) surrounding a grassed area with a circular garden in the centre and trees in the backgroundFront: ‘The Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: ‘POST W.T.P. (in a double rectangle inside a patterned diamond) CARD’ centre top of card, underlined with a dividing line down the centre of the card. ‘This Space may be used for Correspondence’ on left side of line; ‘This Space for Address Only.’ on right side of line. Right top corner inside dotted lines to indicate stamp placement ‘Printed / in / Germany / 155/103580’.postcard, garden-beds, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, colour-postcard, flowers

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Interviewer is Lindy WallaceA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Iris was born in Williamstown in 1943, has lived in Williamstown all her life and has been witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Iris Whitehurst and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. Iris was born in Williamstown and has memories of the Gardens from an early age. In the interview she talks of playing on the cannons, memories of the Gardens appearance over the years and the contribution of the Friends of the Gardens.iris whitehurst, fish pond, ornamental lake, gates, curator, horse, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, surrounding areas and Fearon ReserveA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Ken Speakman. Also present was his daughter, Nola Wilson. His son visited part of the way through the interview. Ken’s family moved to Williamstown in 1918 when he was a baby and he has lived in Williamstown, close to the Gardens since that time. He was a keen lacrosse player, playing on Fearon Reserve. Ken was interviewed for his memories of the Gardens and its relationship to Fearon Reserve. ken speakman, nola wilson, fearon reserve, lacrosse, 1918, bill crowe, william crowe, bird cage, bandstand, ramsay’s café, horses, harry stitt, cannons, aci glassworks, woollen mills, oil refinery, sims cooper, abattoir, mobil, palms, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council