The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens

A 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 interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens

A 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 Gardens, surrounding areas and Fearon Reserve

A 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

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens

A 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 interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens

A 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 Gardens

A 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 card for the Civic Reception at Williamstown Town Hall for the ‘Back to Williamstown’ celebrations – the centenary from date of first settlement in 1834. It belonged to James and Kate Tyrrell, the paternal grandparents of the Donor. The donor is the third generation of her family to live in Williamstown.

Having a photo of the Gardens in the reception card is evidence of the community pride of the Gardens. The photo is evidence of plantings in 1934

A folded sepia look card. The front has an embossed border, the City of Williamstown Shield, date in the right bottom corner and an inscription as described. The left fold inside demonstrates the reverse of the embossed border and details of the City of Williamstown and Councillors. The right side fold inside is a photo of people walking along ‘The Main Walk, Williamstown Gardens’. The back has space for ‘Autographs.’

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, city of williamstown, williamstown gardens, 1934, councillors, james taylor gray, henry johnston harvey, william gordon gray, walter stuart menzies, james adolphus nelson, evan charles owens, john robert bell, john anthony dennis, allan john deacon, oliver prettie chanter, william roberts, george alexander paine, james hocking, harold rose, norman hodgson

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 Gardens

williamstown 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 Gardens

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1961, aidrian white, cannons, fence, pinetum

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 Gardens

williamstown 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 Gardens Cyril Curtain was born in Williamstown in 1928. He attended North Williamstown Primary School and Williamstown High School. Shortly after marrying he purchased a house on the Esplanade, where he still lives and in which this interview took place. Cyril’s work in conservation of the natural and built heritage is highly regarded. The recently developed Cyril Curtain Reserve in Williamstown is named in his honour. In this interview Cyril discusses the Gardens and the foreshore area including the beach and L A Parker Reserve

A primary source of information on memories of the Gardens.

CD and transcript of interview with Cyril Curtain and his memories of the Gardens and surrounding environs.

fish pond, curator, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, aviary, pinetum, centennial reserve, midsummers night dream, cable tram car seats, infrared photography, , rotunda, gloucester reserve, 1934 storm, national trust, bateman house, clarke statue

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Interviewer is Lindy Wallace

A 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

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.

Black and white image of Williamstown High School students at the Gardens. 12 boys sitting and kneeling on the grass. Flag pole, trees and another group of students are in the background. The group includes James Morton, Ian Porter, Tom Radford, Douglas Henderson.

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school, 1952

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.

Black and white image of Williamstown High School students at the Gardens. 7 girls sitting on grass in front row; 7 girls kneeling in second row; approximate 17 students standing in two rows at rear; teacher standing to the right of the image. They are on the lawn with paths and trees in the background.

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.

Black and white image of Williamstown High School students end of year picnic. Girls and one boy are sitting on the grass, boys standing in the background and teacher is standing to the right of the image.

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school, 1952

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family. Image 2014.007c also demonstrates the changes over time to the Gardens structures: for example when the gates and fence was painted white.

Colour image of approximately 18 children sitting in front of and drawing dates of the Gardens. Most have blue jumpers on over the top of their light blue school uniforms. The gates, posts and picket fence are painted white. They are students of Williamstown High School Art Class. The name of the teacher is unknown.

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, williamstown high school

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family.

Black and white image of two teenage girls sitting in the grounds of the Gardens. There is a hedge, a hanging branch of a palm tree and a striped towel in the background. The girls are sitting the sun with the background in shade and are wearing skirts and blouses. Names: Iris Webb, Susan Andrew

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, iris whitehurst, susan andrew, 1959

Images collected by donor for Williamstown High School archives and scanned by Lindy Wallace for Botanic Gardens archive

The images demonstrate the social value of the Gardens to the local community and how they used as a place for meeting, playing and celebrating with friends and family. Image 2014.007a is evidence of presence of cannons in the Gardens during the 1950s

Black and white image of cannon with five children playing on and around it - two children sitting on the barrel, two on the carriage and one at the front of the cannon. Except for the girl at the front of the barrel who is wearing a dress, the children are all wearing shorts The cannon is on a hard pad with the wheels of the carriage facing to the side. Names from left to right starting at top: Robyn McComish, Tom Webb (brother of donor), Iris Webb (donor), Pam McComish, unknown.

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, iris whitehurst, williamstown high school, cannon, 1959

The Gardens were a popular venue for Sunday School picnics for many years. She was aged approximately when the photo was taken and her head can just be seen in the middle of the photo. Alice Weatherhead (Cochran) lived firstly in Newport and then Railway Cres Williamstown. She attended the Newport Baptist Church and the Domestic Arts School. At the time of writing the letter she was 91 years of age. She worked at the aircraft factory in Champion Road, Newport making the rear fuselage for Beaufort Bombers. Her father, Tom Cochran, belonged to the Williamstown Horticultural Society.

Alice’s photos and written memories encapsulate the intangible heritage of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. She recalls: playing in the Gardens; using them as her as a place for solace and thinking; while riding to the beach from Newport; walking in crocodile file past the Gardens from her school to the swimming baths, the ‘air of mystery as you walked through those wonderful wrought iron gates’; a place of courtship with the boy she later married. She wrote about seeing a purple flowering plant in a circular bed that was ‘spectacular and inspired me to grow it in my garden’.

Black and white image of people sitting and standing together for the group photo. There are large trees in the background; a young boy standing with his hands behind his back at the back row to the left. There are two crosses (in pen) above the heads of two women in the back row on the left side.

On the reverse of the image: Mother and G. M. L. / marked x x / Newport Baptist S.S. / Picnic Williamstown Gardens / Grace Logan / [address is written but not to be published] / No29

williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1930, newport baptist sunday school picnic, alice cochran

The Armstrong Cannons were originally placed at Fort Gellibrand, located at the southernmost tip of the Williamstown peninsula. The Fort was developed during the 1850s as part of a defensive system for the city and port of Melbourne. The importance of the Fort batteries declined from the 1890s, when they were effectively replaced by new facilities at Queenscliff and Point Nepean, but they were still used for gunnery practice. Local residents, through the Williamstown Town Council, complained to the Acting Minister for Defence that the concussion from the guns damaged windows, walls and foundations of buildings. The Armstrong Cannons were moved from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906.

A primary source of evidence of the cannons being in the Gardens. The cannons are remembered fondly as play equipment for the local children. Many tales have been told of climbing over them and pretending to be shot out of them

A collection of seven black and white photographs documenting the removal of the cannons from the Gardens Photo 1 (a) Black and white landscape image. View is looking through the main gates looking at the front of the truck, which has the name Walter Wright across the front bumper, the crane and canon. The gates and fence are painted a light colour, probably white. Photo 2 (b) Black and white landscape image. Back of loader with cannon on it. Man standing on top of the cannon bending over either tying or untying ropes. Trunk of a palm tree is on the left side of the photo with a top of a palm tree in the background. Photo 3 (c) Black and portrait white image. A cannon being loaded by the crane on to trailer. Palm tree is in the background and fronds from a palm tree can be seen in the right top corner. Photo 4 (d) Black and white landscape image. Side on view of a cannon on the truck parked outside the grounds of the Gardens. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. A second cannon can be seen in the background. A bus is in the background on the middle right side of the image. Photo 5 (e) Black and white landscape image. Truck with cannon on the back leaving the ground of the Gardens. Tree on the right side of the image and power pole is behind the truck. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. ‘WALTER WRIGHT’ is on the front bumper Photo 6 (f) Black and white landscape image. Cannon tied down on the back of the truck as it is being driven across the street. Three houses in the background and two cars, one is a Volkswagen Photo 7 (g) Black and white landscape image. Cannon on the back of the truck which is parked over the street from the Gardens. Three houses are in the background. Two trees bare of leaves. The front of a car in in the foreground – it has a sun visor and the steering wheel is a light colour.

armstrong cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1970, walter h wright / transport pty ltd

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens

A 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 Gardens

A 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

On 18 July 1891, a statue of local MLA Alfred Thomas Clarke was erected in a circular plot at the intersection of the major axial paths. AT Clarke was Williamstown's representative in the Legislative Assembly from 1871 to 1887, and a Commissioner of Trade & Customs in the third Berry Ministry. He did his utmost to defend Williamstown against the Melbourne Harbour Trust and was also the founder of the Advertiser. The statue was sculpted by Enrico Luchinelli in Cararra marble. The likeness was taken from a photograph.

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 the 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

A colour image of main east west axial path looking towards the statue of A C Clarke enclosed with a white fence. The path is lined with grass, shrubs and Cordylines. This image is before the Cordylines were replaced with palm trees, which was 1915.

Front: ‘The Botanic Gardens, Williamstown’. Reverse: Top ‘POST CARD’ Left side ‘The Space may be used for Correspondence’; Right side: ‘For Address Only.’ Top right corner is a red Victorian one penny stamp. The card is addressed to Mr R Fraser / Collins St. / Essendon from his niece, whose name is unclear.

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, garden-path, cordylines, clarke, 1891, enrico luchinelli, cararra marble

The lake was built in 1904, during the curatorship of Mr Thake. Lee Heap Furniture Warehouse of Williamstown used the postcards to advertise.

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.

Sepia image of the ornamental lake and part of the Curator’s Lodge in the background on the left side of card. The small island with a succulent is in the centre of the image with a similar plant on the right side of it. The water is edged with rocks. Reflections of the plantings and lodge can be seen.

Front: ‘The Artificial Lake, Williamstown Gardens. Vic.’ ‘0457/3’ ‘THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYDNEY’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo in the middle of the words. Left top corner a drawing of an artist’s board and brushes with a camera in the centre. Left side ‘MESSAGE ONLY.’ Right side ‘ADDRESS ONLY.’ Top right corner inside a dotted rectangle ‘STAMP HERE’. Bottom on card ‘BY THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYNDEY.’ Under the vertical line down the middle line ‘Neither the Address not the Message must cross this line’. In ink ‘With Compliments from’. An oval stamp with scalloped rim ‘LEE HEAP FURNITURE MANUFACTURER’ inside inner oval ‘FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, / WILLIAMSTOWN’.

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, ornamental lake, crown studios, lee heap furniture warehouse

The Curator’s lodge, designed by the Town Surveyor, HV Champion, was constructed in 1907 following the re-organisation of the north-east corner with the demolition of the old curator's cottage and erection of new gates. Lee Heap Furniture Warehouse of Williamstown used the postcards to advertise.

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.

A sepia image looking across a path bordered with rocks of a house (the Curators lodge) behind a fence. In front of the fence there is a young girl sitting on a rock with a young boy standing beside her. The house is timber with two brick chimneys, the right hand one half hidden by foliage. The house is federation style with timber battening above the front window. A timber frieze is above a verandah supported by three posts and light coloured brackets.

Front: ‘Williamstown Gardens. Vic.’ ‘0457/1’ THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYDNEY’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo in the middle of the words. Left top corner a drawing of an artist’s board and brushes with a camera in the centre. Left side ‘MESSAGE ONLY.’ Right side ‘ADDRESS ONLY.’ Top right corner inside a dotted rectangle ‘STAMP HERE’. Bottom on card ‘BY THE CROWN STUDIOS, SYNDEY.’ Under the vertical line down the middle line ‘Neither the Address not the Message must cross this line’. In ink ‘With Compliments / from’. An oval stamp with scalloped rim ‘LEE HEAP FURNITURE MANUFACTURER’ inside inner oval ‘FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, / WILLIAMSTOWN’.

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, curator’s lodge, children, federation style, crown studios, lee heap furniture warehouse

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 background

Front: ‘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 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, Madeley

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, jubilee-fountain, fountain drinking-fountain, granite, bliss-and-sons, madeley

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 Curator’s lodge, designed by the Town Surveyor, HV Champion, was constructed in 1907 following the re-organisation of the north-east corner with the demolition of the old curator's cottage and erection of new gates. Both the lodge and lake (1904) were built during the curatorship of Mr Thake. The logo in the middle of the words ‘POST CARD’ indicates the card was printed by M. Schulz in Prague. Schulz was a long-established company from Prague and printed postcards for customers from worldwide. Schulz printed in photo-chromolithography.

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.

A colour image of the ornamental lake and part of the Curator’s Lodge. The lodge has a green roof, tall brick chimney, is brown timber with brick where the fireplace would be. The small island with a succulent is in the centre of the image. The image looks across the top of the lake where the rock edging can be seen. Reflections of the plantings and lodge can be seen.

Front: ‘Williamstown Gardens’. Reverse: Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo [MS] in the middle of the words; left side vertical ‘O. Rippon Series’; left side ‘This space may be used for communication.’; right side ‘For Address only.’; left side bottom ‘Printed in Germany’. In pencil top right corner ‘1907 / $7’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor.

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, curator’s lodge, ornamental lake, succulents, 1907

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 logo in the middle of the words ‘POST CARD’ indicates the card was printed by M. Schulz in Prague. Schulz was a long-established company from Prague and printed postcards for customers from worldwide. Schulz printed in photo-chromolithography. The Curator’s lodge, designed by the Town Surveyor, HV Champion, was constructed in 1907 following the re-organisation of the north-east corner with the demolition of the old curator's cottage and erection of new gates.

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 card also demonstrates how postcards were used as a method of contact in contrast to the contemporary use as souvenirs.

A colour image of a house (the Curators lodge) behind a fence with two children sitting on it. There are two large Cordylines, one in the forefront of the image standing in lawn and surrounded by pink flowers, and one closer to the house. The house is brown timber with two brick chimneys and has a green corrugated iron roof with gables over the windows at the front and side.

Front: ‘The Lodge, / Williamstown Gardens’. Reverse: Centre top ‘POST CARD’ with a logo [MS] in the middle of the words; left side vertical ‘O. Rippon Series’; left side ‘This space may be used for communication.’; right side ‘For Address only.’; left side bottom ‘Printed in Germany’. There is a one penny red Tasmanian stamp on the top right hand corner. The card is addressed to ‘Miss E G Holford / 60 Upton St, / Launceston, / Tasmania.’ Top left corner in pencil ‘$10’ (believed to be inserted by the vendor.

postcard, gardens, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, curator’s lodge, children, cordyline