Historical information
The rotunda was built in 1912 by Clarence Montgomery for the Surrey Hills Progress Association and the local community and dedicated to John Gray, "a highly respected and revered citizen". Surrey Hills Brass Band regularly gave concerts in the rotunda, provided music for regular 'loyal' celebrations and also for silent films held in the gardens. The rotunda was quite elevated off the ground due to the slope of the gardens and the bioscope was stored in the room underneath. This was later used as the infant welfare centre until the Progress Association built a dedicated facility for these purposes. The rotunda was demolished in 1972.
Clarence Montgomery, carpenter, was living in Sunbury Crescent in 1914. By 1916 he had moved to 83 Croydon Road where he lived for the rest of his life. Clarence was born in 1869 in Taradale, son of John Montgomery and Jane Ford. He married Sarah Ann Ingram in Echuca in 1894.
Their children were:
1. Annie (Mrs P Paynter) born Echuca in 1895
2. William Henry born Echuca in 1897
3. Christina Mary (Mrs F Meyers) born Echuca in 1898
4. Violet (Mrs G Ewing) born Echuca in 1902
5. Clarence George Ingram born Echuca in 1906 and died aged 7 months.
Violet became a tailoress and Christina a dressmaker. William became a carpenter like his father.
Sarah Ann Montgomery died at their home in June 1932 aged 62 years. Clarence died in August 1946 aged 77 years. They are buried in Box Hill Cemetery (P-EB-0020).
John Gray was "actively associated with all movements for the benefit of neighbours and fellow citizens". [Quote from the official tribute on his death in 1909.] He was very active in the Surrey Hills Progress Association in the early 1900's. The rotunda built in the Surrey Gardens by the Progress Association in 1912 was dedicated to him.
John Gray was born in 1861 in Eldorado. He died on 7 December 1909 in Surrey Hills and is buried in Box Hill Cemetery (M0472). He married Emma Beckett in 1888 at 'Guildford Villa' in Essex Road, the Beckett home. They are listed in both the 1903 and 1906 electoral rolls in Arundel Crescent; his occupation is given as bootmaker. The Alan Holt property register identifies this as 24 Arundel Crescent, known as 'Tumberumba'.
John and Emma had a large family:
(Gunner) John Robert Gray (1888, Surrey Hills - 21 June 1917, France)
Benjamin Walter Gray (1890, Surrey Hills - 1949, Heidelberg)
Herbert Harry Gray (1892, Surrey Hills - 1959, Queensland)
William Beckett Gray (1897, Surrey Hills - 1899, Surrey Hills)
Norman Douglas Gray (1901, Surrey Hills - 1947, Sydney)
Evelyn Lizzie Gray (1906, Surrey Hills - 1983)
Evelyn married Reginald Roberts and donated a number of photos to the collection.
The donor Violet Ewing (nee Montgomery) was Clarence's daughter. She married George Isaac Henry Ewing (blacksmith) in 1934. They inherited the family home at 83 Croydon Road.
Significance
Although constructed 5 years after their opening, this rotunda was a central feature of the Surrey Gardens which was planted to a design adapted from one suggested by the renowned landscape gardener and botanist William Robert Guilfoyle (1840-1912). Rotundas were a key feature of many late nineteenth and early twentieth century public parks. This particular rotunda was notable for the Chinoiserie influence reflected in its roof. Surrey Gardens are now regarded as one of the City of Boroondara's heritage gardens and this image is significant as evidence of the design of the rotunda which is no longer extant.
It is also significant as evidence of the extent of the role of the Surrey Hills Progress Association in the provision of public facilities.
Physical description
A black and white photo of an octagonal rotunda situated within Surrey Gardens taken from the perspective of the main entrance. It is a largely wooden structure with a domed chinoiserie-style roof. The rotunda is enclosed by established gardens. There are 4 people in the photo, with 2 women standing on the steps at the rotunda's entrance. A man and a young person are seated within the rotunda. It has 8 support pillars, which are open with balustrades to 7 sides.
