North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the river ramp of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Beyond the fence line are two almost submerged houses. A number of people are in a motor driven boat midstream. Fairfield at this period, (ie 1934) was noted for its limited river side development. Verso: 2/12/34 / TAKEN FROM OUR RAMPyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1929, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Floodwaters have submerged the fence and a clothes line. Verso: BACKYARD NTH. KEWyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Verso: 8 KELLETT GROVEyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. Verso: OUR BACKYARD 8 KELLETT GROVEyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters taken from near Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is from a backyard looking towards Fairfield. In the foreground ar two men in a rowboat.Verso: OUR BACKYARD / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters taken from near Willsmere Road, in what was then known as North Kew. The point of view is looking towards Fairfield. In the foreground are two figures viewing a group in a rowboat in the middle of the flooded river. Semi-submerged street lighting indicates that entire streets had been. overwhelmed by the flood waters. Verso: WILLSMERE ROAD NORTH KEW / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters in North Kew. The point of view is of two houses belonging to local families that were surrounded by floodwater. Verso: HYATTS HOUSE / WILLSMERE ROAD / Stamped 3 163yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot of floodwaters in North Kew, from the rear of 8 Kellett Grove. Verso: OUR BACKYARD / Stamped 52yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Vivid photograph contrasting domestic life and relationships with natural disasters such as the flood of 1934.Small sepia snapshot of the donors grandfather rescuing the family dog's kennel from rising floodwaters at the rear of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew, .Verso: DAD SECURING NIPPY'S DOG KENNEL / Stamped 6414yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of a local family's house in what was then River Avenue, North Kew being surrounded by floodwaters.Verso: THE SIDE OF RYANSyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of what was then River Avenue, North Kew submerged by floodwaters.The photo was taken in the vicinity of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew. Verso: TAKEN FROM OUR STREET JUST SEE A BIT OF RYAN'S FENCE / 1934yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. .Small sepia snapshot of the devastation caused by the 1934 flood.The photo was taken in the vicinity of Kellett Grove, North Kew and includes the roof of Chipperfield's Boathouse as well as other local houses.Verso: THIS IS CHIPPERFIELD'S BOAT SHEDS & COES & WILLIAMS TAKEN FROM OUR STREET / 1934yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, chipperfields boathouse

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. The view from the rear of 8 Kellett Grove predates the construction of the Eastern Freeway so provides a rare view of the area before it was built.Small sepia snapshot taken from the back yard of a house at 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. A tower of the Kew Asylum on the top left of the horizon assist the viewer to recognise that the land to the left of the river is in Kew and Studley Park.Verso: NORTH KEW 1948 / Stamped 51019yarra river -- north kew, kellett grove -- north kew

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Vivid photograph contrasting domestic life and relationships with natural disasters such as the flood of 1934.Small sepia snapshot of a grandfather and granddaughter sitting in the backyard of 8 Kellett Grove, North Kew, with the floodwaters stretching behind them.Verso: GRANDDAD AND I IN BACKYARDyarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew, willsmere road

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Vivid photograph contrasting domestic life and relationships with natural disasters such as the flood of 1934.Small sepia snapshot of two submerged houses belonging to local families in River Avenue, North Kew, during the 1934 floods. The view is presumably from near Kellett Grove looking north towards Fairfield.Verso: COES & HYATTS ROOF / RIVER AVENUE / Stamped: 6414yarra river -- north kew, floods -- yarra valley, floods -- north kew, floods -- 1934, natural disasters -- kew

Several boathouses were built in Kew and Fairfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They included Chipperfield’s ‘Moorings’ and floating pontoon. The substantial two-storey house was named the Moorings, and incorporated an upper storey residence. The Moorings was almost washed away in the 1916 floods, and in 1934 almost totally submerged when the Yarra River rose 26 feet in 14 hours. Following the 1934 flood, the house was restored. The floating pontoon, sometimes referred to as a ‘kiosk’ or ‘canteen’, was used to store canoes. Both were removed in 1972 for the construction of the Eastern Freeway.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society.Chipperfield's Floating Canteen (also known as the pontoon) on the Yarra River. at North Kew The children wading in the river are believed to be the three sons of Dorothy Rogers."Chipperfield's Floating Canteen & house in background. At extreme right - observe channel where Connors Creek flows in."chipperfield's boat house, river yarra, dorothy rogers, floods 1916, 1934

The land in North Kew between the Outer Circle Railway and the River Yarra was released in sections. This release included 80 lots. Most of this area was released during the Depression years in the early 1930s.Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.One part of a massive subdivision of the Old Golf Links Estate in North Kew of 80 allotments bordering Sutherland Avenue, Ramsay Avenue, Belford Road, Beresford Street and Coleman Avenue. Inset on the plan at the top left, the route of the Outer Circle Railway is clearly marked. The Kew Golf Links is identified in its current location. The land on which Greenacres Golf Club was to be constructed is at this time marked as ‘Recreation Ground’. The ‘new bridge’ over the Yarra at Burke Road is also marked on the inset map. The Plan identifies the surveyor (sic) H.C. Crouch BCE MVIS, 443 Little Collins St., Melbourne. The date of the subdivision auction sale in identified as Saturday September 25th at three o'clock.Annotations: "E" top left. "Golf Links" top right. Lots 73-76 ticked and listed as "6" poundssubdivisions -- kew (vic.), old golf links estate

The donation was accompanied by the following letter from the donor: "Hi. I found these in with family photos. Taken by family as Mamie McLeod was living in Fellows Street, Kew, so would be near there. Retain (or discard) as you see fit." [Donor's name and address withheld from public view]. To gain an insight into the flood levels at Kew, it is worth reading newspaper accounts of the event. The Age published an article - Valuable Gardens Destroyed at Kew - on 25 September 1916: "VALUABLE GARDENS DESTROYED AT KEW. From the heights of Studley Park, Kew, a splendid view of the flood waters can be obtained, and yesterday afternoon, despite continuous rain, crowds of citizens assembled there to witness the spectacle. There is a vast stretch of water some 300 or 400 yards broad, above the foot bridge connecting Gipps-street, Collingwood, and Studley Park. The river is only about 3 feet from the top of the embankment connecting with the ramp of the bridge on the Studiey Park side. When the upper llood waters come down it is almost a certainty that tne embankment will be submerged and the bridge rendered impassible. Below the bridge the waters again stretch out, and have submerged all the low-lying land on the Collingwood side and invaded the back premises ot the Kodak Co., Phoenix Biscuit Factory, a tannery adjoining thereto, the Shamrock Brewery, and Chinese gardens in the vicinity. At Walmer-street-bridge, at the end of Studley Park, the low-lying land on the Kew side is covered with water to the depth of many feet. Tlie land in question is owned in a great part by Mr Frank Lavers who haa gone in for intense culture on a pretty liberal scale on both the slopes of the hill and on the river flat. On the latter he is cultivating many acres of asparagus, and has at a considerable cost spent three years in preparing the ground and installing an irrigation system, reticulated from the Yan Yean water supply. This year the asparagus was put down, and the plants were in a promising condition. Tlie flood waters are now flowing fast over the land. The crop is ruined, and three years' work and expenditure destroyed. Mr. Laver's private residence fortunately is high above flood level, but two houses he owns off Young-street have been flooded out. Having been warned in time, the tenants removed their furniture hefore the water came down to Mr. Laver's residence, where they themselves have been given accommodation in the meantime. All the river flats in East Kew are under water. One or two low-lying houses have been flooded. Chipperfield's boat shed at Willsmere is nearly covered, and some Chinese gardens in the vicinity are several feet under water."This, and the other three photographs donated of floods in Kew are believed to be the earliest in the collection. Together with our original MMBW River Yarra map showing flood levels, these items, when compared allow researchers to gain a visual perspective of the extent of the flood in 1916. Panoramic view, believed to be looking north towards Fairfield from the Zig-Zag Bridge on the River Yarra. The inscription on the reverese identifies it as taken before 1920.Inscription on reverse in ink "(pre 1920) Flood from Zig-zag bridge Yarra River, Kew Vic."river yarra, kew, floods 1916, zig-zag bridge

Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished. Original, large sepia photograph showing men, women and children who have gathered on a grassy verge, probably farm land, to look out across the flooded Yarra Valley at Willsmere, North Kew. In the medium distance are three houses that are largely submerged by the flood waters as well as a number of Eucalypts. Judging by the clothes of the spectators, the date might be 1901 or 1916, but probably the latter due to the hats worn by a number of the women. Inscribed reverse: "Gift of Kerrie Woollard (KCC) (P)C.1923yarra river valley, kew east (vic.), floods, willsmere

Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished.Black and white print positive. Yarra River at Fairfield in 1934. Major flood resulting in submerged buildings in middle ground and onlookers on far bankReverse: "Flood of Yarra at Fairfield Park 1934"fairfield park, yarra valley, river yarra, floods -- 1934

Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished.Black and white print positive. 1934 floods of the Yarra Valley. Location Fairfield looking towards wooded hillside. Houses floating in river.Reverse: "From Fairfield Park (11936?) back towards hill (Wurundjeri Spur?)"floods -- 1934, yarra valley, yarra river, fairfield park

Flooding of the Yarra Valley, including that section of the Yarra bordering Kew and Kew East in the north and west of the municipality, was a regular occurrence. Extreme flood events of the Yarra River are recorded to have occurred in 1891, 1901, 1916, 1923 and 1934. The Municipality of Kew's response to these floods was to enact planning decisions restricting residential development in flood prone areas following the floods of 1916, 1921 and 1934. While floods continued after the development of the Upper Yarra Reservoir (construction 1948-57), the regularity and extent of these inundations diminished.Print copy of an original photo of the River Yarra in Flood, taken from Kilby Road.VIEW ACROSS YARRA IN FLOOD / FROM KILBY RD KEWkilby road, floods -- kew (vic.), kilby farm

North Kew, now divided between Kew and Kew East, bordered the Yarra River. As such, it was a region subject to flooding in the Yarra Valley. Development beyond this point (ie Kellett Grove) was limited by the City of Kew's planning regulations. Prior to urban development, the area since European settlement and the first land sales in the district in the 1840s, had been used for dairy farming. Small sepia snapshot taken of the front of 8 Kellett Grove, in what was then known as North Kew. Verso: 8 KELLETT GROVE / NORTH KEW / 1929 / 418 kellett gove -- north kew, californian bungalows, houses -- kellett grove -- kew (vic.)

This aerial photograph shows the Kew Cottages, and doctors/clergy residences on the north side of Wills Street, before the State Government sold the land for residential development. The doctors residences in Wills street were made of 'Glen Iris' Olympic Bricks. According to neighbours of the time most of the buildings were demolished overnight in the 1980s.Aerial photograph of Willsmere and the Kew Cottages bounded by the Boulevard, the Chandler Highway, Princess Street and Fellows Street. The roundabout at the intersection of Princess Street, Wills Street, and Eglinton Street is at the top left. The Eastern Freeway is at the lower edge of the photograph.kew cottages, eastern freeway, willsmere, yarra river, aerial photographs -- kew (vic), kew boulevard, willsmere mental hospital, kew mental hospital, kew childrens cottages

This is a colour postcard of the River Yarra at Studley Park, circa 1905. The postcard, which has handwritten notes on the reverse. It was printed in Prussia as part of the Victoria Stamp Market (VSM) Series. Coloured postcard of the Yarra River looking north from Galatea Point, near the Johnson Street Bridge.Donated by Miss B. Challen. ?Taken from bend above Galatea Point, looking north. Identified by Darcy Dugan, Yarra Bend Parks.river yarra, victoria stamp market (vsm) series, postcards

The Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (MMBW) plans were produced from the 1890s to the 1950s. They were crucial to the design and development of Melbourne's sewerage and drainage system. The plans, at a scale of 40 feet to 1 inch (1:480), provide a detailed historical record of Melbourne streetscapes and environmental features. Each plan covers one or two street blocks (roughly six streets), showing details of buildings, including garden layouts and ownership boundaries, and features such as laneways, drains, bridges, parks, municipal boundaries and other prominent landmarks as they existed at the time each plan was produced. (Source: State Library of Victoria). This plan forms part of a large group of MMBW plans and maps that was donated to the Society by the Mr Poulter, City Engineer of the City of Kew in 1989. Within this collection, thirty-five hand-coloured plans, backed with linen, are of statewide significance as they include annotations that provide details of construction materials used in buildings in the first decade of the 20th century as well as additional information about land ownership and usage. The copies in the Public Record Office Victoria and the State Library of Victoria are monochrome versions which do not denote building materials so that the maps in this collection are invaluable and unique tools for researchers and heritage consultants. A number of the plans are not held in the collection of the State Library of Victoria so they have the additional attribute of rarity.Original survey plan, issued by the MMBW to a contractor with responsibility for constructing sewers in the area identified on the plan within the Borough of Kew. The plan was at some stage hand-coloured, possibly by the contractor, but more likely by officers working in the Engineering Department of the Borough and later Town, then City of Kew. The hand-coloured sections of buildings on the plan were used to denote masonry or brick constructions (pink), weatherboard constructions (yellow), and public buildings (grey). MMBW Plan No. 1350 depicts the western end of Studley Park on the north side of the Studley Park Road. ‘Raheen’, then the home of Sir Henry Wrixon is named, the plan identifying those parts of the house that were built of brick and timber. The two houses between Raheen and the River Yarra are also shown. Other parts of the plan show neighbouring streets: Yarra Street, Studley Park Avenue, Studley Street and Fenwick Street. Each, apart from Fenwick Street was subsequently renamed. At the corner of Fenwick and Stawell Streets, the home of Joseph Butterworth Coombs, later called ‘Hope Mansell’, is represented but unnamed.melbourne and metropolitan board of works, detail plans, mmbw 1350, cartography

Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floods in North Kew, 1971. Looking northeast towards Kilby Road from River Avenue. Annotation on reverse: map and date "8 Nov. 71 10.30am".floods (kew), yarra river, kew flood, kilby road flood

Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floods in North Kew, 1934. Chipperfield's Boathouse and the adding Moorings was located beside the Yarra River near the corner of Willsmere and Kilby Roads. The flood reached the roof of the Moorings, which can be seen in the photo.floods (kew), floods (kew) 1934, yarra river

Living with natural processes was frequently a challenge to early European settlers and later residents of what was in the 1850s administered by the Borondara Road Board. This was compounded by the area being bounded on three sides by rivers (Yarra River, Koonung Creek and Gardiner's Creek). In 1849, the historian James Bonwick recorded that "our district [Kew] suffered considerably. Mr Wade speaks of 80 acres, out of 100 acres of his cultivated paddock, covered by water." Newspapers continued to describe major flooding in Kew in 1863, 1869, 1878, 1880, 1889, 1891, 1916 and 1934. While the construction of the Upper Yarra dam in 1957 reduced the levels of flowing downstream, local and riverine floods continue.The Kew Historical Society's pictures and map collections testify to the impact of flooding in the district. They have historical importance in documenting the extent of flooding in the district and its affects on homes, services and recreation. Numerous photographs record flooding throughout the Twentieth Century.Floods in North Kew, 1934. Unidentified location on the Yarra Flood Plain at Kew.floods (kew) 1934, yarra river