Historical information

Sir John Madden, Chief Justice of Victoria, opened the Auburn Heights Recreation Club in Barkers Road in December 1904. Two years later the greens were improved and a new croquet lawn established. In September 1906, a ceremony was held to open these and also the new pavilion designed by Harry Tompkins.

Significance

Rare early image of an important sports club in Kew

Physical description

1/4 plate glass negative (and accompanying print) of a scene at the opening of the new greens and croquet lawn at the Auburn Heights Recreation Club in 1906. A player at the Auburn Heights Recreation Club, identified as a Mr Anderson in faint writing on the sleeve of the glass negative, considers his next bowl. His attire, and that of the players in the other photos would indicate that players were expected to wear a shirt, tie and jacket at the Club, but when bowling, waistcoats were acceptable.