Historical information

Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.

Significance

The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.

Physical description

Electricity Supply Poles, Burke Road, Kew, 1965. This photograph of Burke Road, Kew was taken just north of Kilby and Doncaster Roads looking north. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided the photograph for the Kew City Council. In the photograph are a number of electricity supply poles that have been erected in the median strip, in addition to some new poles on each footpath. The nearest wooden pole is stated to be 13.5″ in diameter. The electricity poles in Burke Road required Kew Council to investigate comparable designs in other Melbourne municipalities. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]

Inscriptions & markings

Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.5 Burke Road - Kew, just north of Kilby and Doncaster Roads looking north. Some of seven poles already erected in median strip. Shows also some new poles erected on each footpath. Nearest wooden pole 13 1/2" dia." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."