We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Front cover
Can you reuse this media without permission? Yes
Public domain
This media item is listed as being within the public domain. As such, this item may be used by anyone for any purpose.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of St Kilda Historical Society
© Digital reproduction copyright of St Kilda Historical Society
Have a question? Contact St Kilda Historical Society
Back cover
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
© Copyright of St Kilda Historical Society
Have a question? Contact St Kilda Historical Society
The statue was unveiled by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Arthur Stanley, watched on by Commonwealth and State dignitaries and hundreds of St Kilda residents.
Sixteen page booklet produced for the unveiling of the Captain Cook Statue on 7 December 1914 at the St. Kilda Foreshore
Colour photograph, mounted
The special things about Ripponlea is that it is really different to Tasmania because there are a lot more people here because it's very popular. Also there are older buildings in Ripponlea. The best thing about Ripponlea is that it is a new experience for me. By George Vasko
ripponlea, glen eira road, ripponlea shops, 2009, ripponlea state school
Colour photograph, mounted
This photo shows that not many people want to leave Ripponlea because look at the station, it's almost empty. You can see lots of nature so it's eco-friendly. By Annabel Ellis
ripponlea, businesses, ripponlea station, ripponlea state school
Colour photograph, mounted
ripponlea, glen eira road, ripponlea shops, 2009, ripponlea state school
Christ Church was constructed in 1854-57 and designed in Decorated Gothic style by Albert Purchase & Charles Swyer. It was enlarged in 1874 and 1881 to the designs of Sydney W Smith. It is one of four main buildings constructed on land granted to the Church of England in 1855 and named Church Square. The other buildings are the bishop's residence, vicarage and parish hall. Heritage Victoria describes it as a 'rare and significant square in the history of town planning in Victoria which demonstrates the importance of the church to the community'. It is built from rarely used undressed random coursed sandstone from Point King Sorrento. It is located at 14 Acland Street, St Kilda. The triangular rose window is said to have been modelled on Lichfield Cathedral and shows outstanding craftsmanship. According to Heritage Victoria, the only other known example in Victoria is at St Georges Presbyterian Church in East St Kilda, designed by the same architect, Albert Purchas. The Church has a varied collection of stained glass, including work by leading stained glass firms and artists in Victoria in the nineteenth and early twentieth century: Ferguson & Urie, William Montgomery and Brooks Robinson. The 'shipwreck window,' north west transept, is an historically significant memorial window dedicated to Miles and William Dalzell Nicholson, the second and third sons of the Hon. William Nicholson, M.L.A, a Lord Mayor of Melbourne and Premier of Victoria in the 1850s. Miles, died in England on 27 April 1874. His younger brother William died in the wreck of the ‘British Admiral’ off King Island on 23 May 1874.
The images show the condition of the church at the time they were taken (c 2012). Signs of deterioration can be seen. The bell is not rung any more because of damage to the stonework.There has been some remedial work since and the National Trust of Australia conducted a heritage restoration appeal.
churches, acland street, purchase, swyer, st kilda, christ church
Colour photographs
st kilda junction, trams, st kilda road
Images prior to restoration c2000
Images of building at 14/17 Byrne Avenue, Elwood, Victoria before renovation c2000.
mansions, byrne avenue, elwood
Peter Johnson was President of St Kilda Historical Society 2010-2015. The photograph was taken during a survey of St Kilda Park Primary School Tower, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda on 27/11/2001
Colour photograph, unmounted
st kilda park primary school, peter johnson, schools, st kilda historical society, skhs
The bushland area near the Corroborree Tree, near the corner of Fitzroy Street St Kilda and the Queens Road offramp from St Kilda Road, was restored in 1991 by Earthcare.
Colour photographs
st kilda junction, corroboree tree, albert park native bushland, 1991, earthcare, ngargee tree, james williams, albert park
The images show maintenance issues at St Kilda Park Primary School in 2001. The school was built in 1879. Former Governor General Sir Zelman Cowen, Archibald Prize-winning artist William Dargie, and test cricketers Bill Ponsford, Keith Miller and Ian Johnson, are among its well known former students.
Colour photographs
st kilda, st kilda park primary school, fitzroy street
Opened in 1857, St Kilda Railway Station is the oldest surviving railway station in Victoria. In the 1920s it was the second busiest station in Victoria after Flinders Street. Competition from motor traffic led to the decline of the station and of St Kilda itself. Services on the line were reduced in 1981 and it was converted to a tram route in November 1987. In 1989, several fires damaged the timber station building and by December, the roof had been destroyed. Metropol Apartments at 60 & 64 Fitzroy Street, completed by 2002, were constructed on the station forecourt site. The former station has been heavily redeveloped and now houses bars, restaurants and retail outlets.
Colour photograph
st kilda, st kilda railway station, st kilda train, fitzroy street
Photograph taken in 2009
Colour photograph, mounted
I took this picture on the bridge at Ripponlea train station. It shows what the station is like. Two platforms (City, Sandringham) Palm trees that are old and were established with the English people came and settled over Australia. By Ethan Lawrence
ripponlea, glen eira road, railway, ripponlea station, ripponlea state school
Photograph taken in 2009
Colour photograph, mounted
I took this photo because I think it represents Ripponlea. The photo shows all of the different things Ripponlea has to offer like beautiful parks with native plants and seating where you can see fascinating views. The station is a great part of Ripponlea because the station is old, interesting and it's good to travel from because it is never busy and it's always very clean. By Tian Steuart
ripponlea, ripponlea station, ripponlea state school
Colour photograph, mounted
I enjoy my school being in Ripponlea because lots of people are caring. Ripponlea has very pretty houses too. Ripponlea also has really green parks which are really good to play in. Ripponlea is a great community to be in because nobody gets left out. By Georgia Dimitroulis
businesses, glen eira road, ripponlea, ripponlea state school
High Street St Kilda was widened in 1973 and renamed St Kilda Road. The shops and houses on the south side of the road were demolished to allow for the construction of a multiple lane highway.
colour photograph
st kilda, high street,
colour photograph
st kilda, st kilda town hall, 14th battalion aif, shiralee saul
Photograph taken from the cafe on the opposite side of the road
colour photograph
elsternwick, classic cinema
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 42E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 77
st kilda, st kilda east, st kilda marina, elwood, elwood canal, elsternwick park, point ormond, balaclava, mc moran reserve, ripponlea, st kilda botanical gardens, peanut farm, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
CONTROLLED Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 41E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 66
st kilda, albert park, st kilda west, catani gardens, st kilda botanical gardens, st kilda pier, st kilda beach, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 43E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 208
elwood, elwood beach, point ormond, elwood park, elwood canal, mc moran reserve, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 1807 Melbourne 1963 Project Run 17 14.12.63 Lens 205 152.70 M/M 5.150 36
st kilda, st kilda botanical gardens, balaclava, st kilda east, elwood canal, ripponlea, caulfield north, elwood, caulfield, 1963
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white arial photograph
Vic 2345 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 40 8.1.70 5,100 ASL 77
albert park, fawkner park, south yarra, middle park, prahran, windsor, st kilda, st kilda west, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 43E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 206
elwood, elsternwick, elsternwick park, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 41E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 64
st kilda, st kilda cemetery, balaclava, st kilda east, windsor, caulfield north, alma park, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 42E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 75
st kilda, st kilda beach, st kilda marina, point ormond, st kilda pier, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 1807 Melbourne 1963 Project Run 16 14.12.1963 Lens 205 152.70 M/M 5.150 177
st kilda, st kilda pier, catani gardens, middle park, albert park, st kilda west, st kilda beach, 1963
The wooden pier was replaced by a reinforced concrete pier in 1970 and the kiosk was relocated. This photograph shows the two piers before the wooden pier was demolished. The concrete pier will be demolished after a new pier, being constructed in 2022-2023, is completed.
Colour photograph
st kilda, st kilda pier, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2358 Department of Crown Lands and Survey Victoria,.© Melbourne 1970 Project Run 41E 22.1.70 5,100 ASL 62
caulfield, caulfield north, st kilda east, armadale, 1970
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2132 State Aerial Survey Melbourne 1968 Proj. Run 29E 11.1.68 5100 ASL 196
elwood, elwood park, elwood canal, elwood beach, st kilda marina, mc moran reserve, point ormond, 1968
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2132 State Aerial Survey Melbourne 1968 Proj. Run 28E 11.1.68 5100 ASL 81
st kilda, balaclava, st kilda east, ripponlea, elwood, elsternwick, caulfield, st kilda botanical gardens, 1968
One of a series of photo-maps produced for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983). For correlation with a current map, and access to other historical photo maps of Victoria, see the Historic Photo-Maps Index published by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning at https://services.land.vic.gov.au/DELWPmaps/historical-photomaps/
Black and white aerial photograph
Vic 2132 State Aerial Survey Melbourne 1968 Proj. Run 27E 11.1.68 5100 ASL 69
st kilda, albert park, st kilda east, st kilda beach, alma park, windsor, prahran, 1968
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
