At four years of age Dolly Stainer was admitted to Kew Cottages, an institution for the intellectually disabled situated in suburban Melbourne. The Cottages were Dolly's home for the next seventy-five years. Dolly was unable to read or write but she like to talk. In her old age she co-operated in the making of a series of tape recordings about her life. Kew Cottages: The World of Dolly Stainer is based on these recordings and places them in the context of the wider Cottages' history.

This is a rare record of a resident of Kew Cottages, recorded in 1987, captured in an oral history interview.

Oral History record. Interview on cassette, later digitised of an interview with Ms Dolly Stainer, a long term resident of Kew Cottages. The early parts of the tape are difficult to hear clearly but the interviewer and interviewee are clearer as the audio file progresses.

kew cottages (kew, vic.), mental health, oral history, cliff judge collection, dolly stainer

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The Australian Red Cross has existed as a branch of its British equivalent since the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914. Since it’s inception it has functioned in Kew as across much of the country, although they used to have property in the area as a courtesy of previous Syme owned Rockingham on Barker’s Road. Their ownership of the property began in 1955, providing a home for recovering returned servicemen, with this ending in the demolition of the property in 1966. The file includes: An invite to a musical hosted by the Kew Branch of the Australian Red Cross.

red cross – kew (vic.), charity – kew (vic.)

red cross – kew (vic.), charity – kew (vic.)

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Albert Purchas was an architect and civil engineer in the early colonial period of Victoria and was responsible for many of the early buildings both within the area of Kew, but also throughout Melbourne all the way down to Geelong. He immigrated to Australia in 1851, and would help design banks, churches, offices, and homes. He would serve for several years as the vice-President of the Victorian Institute of Architects, before being elected as President in 1887. The file includes: A recreation of a monthly meteorological journal that mentions him as a weather surveyor for Kew, as well as research notes completed by the Kew Historical Society.

albert purchas – kew (vic.), architects – kew (vic.)

albert purchas – kew (vic.), architects – kew (vic.)

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The Kew Post office was built in 1887 and persisted in its role until 1992, when the building would become home to both QPO, a staple restaurant, and the Postmaster Hotel. The building was registered as a heritage landmark in 1991. The file includes: Newspaper articles regarding the building, letters regarding the designation of the building as a heritage site, and the plans for the building.

kew post office building – kew (vic.), qpo – kew (vic.), postmaster hotel – kew (vic.), kew junction – kew (vic.)

kew post office building – kew (vic.), qpo – kew (vic.), postmaster hotel – kew (vic.), kew junction – kew (vic.)

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Kew is home to many different education institutions, many longstanding with extensive histories. The oldest still running school, the Kew State Primary School, began in 1872, with many influential private schools such as Xavier College and Methodist Ladies College being built and established within the next decades. Kew (and Boroondara by extension) is well-known for its quality of schooling compared with the rest of Melbourne, as well as it’s priciness as many private schools compete for students in such a small area. Kew is also home to Preshil, the first school of its experimental kind in the state. The file includes: Advertisements for many of the schools in Kew through newspapers, multiple newspaper articles, and a history of schools in Kew.

schools – kew (vic.), xavier college – kew (vic.), methodist ladies college – kew (vic.), kew primary school – kew (vic.), kew high school – kew (vic.), kew east primary school – kew (vic.), genazzano college – kew (vic.), carey baptist grammar – kew (vic.), preshil – kew (vic.)

schools – kew (vic.), xavier college – kew (vic.), methodist ladies college – kew (vic.), kew primary school – kew (vic.), kew high school – kew (vic.), kew east primary school – kew (vic.), genazzano college – kew (vic.), carey baptist grammar – kew (vic.), preshil – kew (vic.)

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Margaret Schofield (1918-2004) was a famous Australian pianist born and raised in Kew. She was incredibly influential in Melbourne, becoming the Chief Study Teacher at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne. This came after an illustrious global career performing with the BBC as well as concerts throughout Europe, Canada and the United States. She would also play a pivotal role in conserving the Abbotsford Convent, thanks to her history of performing there. She would be awarded the OAM in 1988. The file includes: Two summarised histories of Margaret Schofield.

schofield – kew (vic.), margaret schofield – kew (vic.), abbotsford convent – kew (vic.)

schofield – kew (vic.), margaret schofield – kew (vic.), abbotsford convent – kew (vic.)

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The Salvation Army first arrived in Kew in 1892 after the petitioning of soldiers from the Hawthorn Branch. Taking a lot of convincing thanks to the opulence of the suburb and the influence of churches already in the area, an open mission with quarters (Otira?) was the main drive behind establishing it. Nowadays, there is a Salvos Opportunity Shop along High Street close to Kew Junction. The file includes: Newsletters related to the history of the branch, a booklet that celebrates the centenary history of the Hawthorn Branch, and a list of postings for a Brigadier Warren Trestrail.

salvation army – kew (vic.), opportunity shops – kew (vic.)

salvation army – kew (vic.), opportunity shops – kew (vic.)

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The SAFSTROM family are a family that has lived in Kew since the 1840s, started by Charlotte Ragg who was born in Kew in 1840. Her daughter, Sarah, would marry a Swedish immigrant called Carl Safstrom and begin a grocery business in 1886. They resided in their home called ‘Kalmar’, after Carl’s hometown, and would start their family with eight children, many of which would succumb to disease or war. The file includes: A letter of research completed by descendants of the Safstrom family.

safstrom – kew (vic.), carl safstrom – kew (vic.), charlotte ragg – kew (vic.)

safstrom – kew (vic.), carl safstrom – kew (vic.), charlotte ragg – kew (vic.)

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The Woolworths at Kew Junction has acted as the solo major grocer for the area for many decades until recent years thanks to the opening of a nearby Coles. It’s prosperity has been closely linked to Kew Junction as a whole, and it’s redevelopment in 1985 was seen not only as a re-vitalisation of itself, but also seen as an opportunity for the whole area’s business. The file includes: Multiple newspaper articles, and a plan for the renovation of the Woolworths.

woolworths – kew (vic.), safeway – kew (vic.)

woolworths – kew (vic.), safeway – kew (vic.)

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The Sacred Heart Church was built in 1900 along Cotham Road, at the corner with Glenferrie Road. Based upon the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, it acted as a replacement for visiting priests from Richmond who could only afford one or two trips a month. Its church is very prominent, housing a large dome on the roof that renders it an extremely recognisable building. The church also hosts a primary school on the property. The file includes: Newspaper articles around both the church and school, two copies of a centenary history of the church, and letter sent in-regards to the gifting of these histories.

sacred heart church – kew (vic.), sacred heart primary school – kew (vic.)

sacred heart church – kew (vic.), sacred heart primary school – kew (vic.)

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Ruyton Girls’ School is a private school in Kew, covering Kindergarten to Year 12, with Prep to Year 12 being girls only. First founded in 1878 by Charlotte Anderson, the school provides a wide range of programs both internally and externally. The land it resides on also consists of historical houses, mainly the Henty House which now exists as an integra part of the school. The file includes: Official school newsletters, a recreation of a logbook dated 1870-1900, a family tree of the ‘Alsop’ family with highlights for Ruyton students, a transcript of a speech given to the Kew Historical Society by Caroline Anderson, letters of correspondence between staff of the school and the Kew Historical Society, and a plan of the school and its facilities.

ruyton girls’ school – kew (vic.), henty house – kew (vic.), alsop – kew (vic.), schools – kew (vic.)

ruyton girls’ school – kew (vic.), henty house – kew (vic.), alsop – kew (vic.), schools – kew (vic.)

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The Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre was built in 1961 as a modern facility to rehabilitate patients. Overlooking the Yarra River as well as the Eastern Freeway, it boasts many modern facilities, most recently implementing a vast garden as a calm place to retreat to. The file includes: Multiple recent newspaper articles about the centre.

royal talbot rehabilitation centre – kew (vic.)

royal talbot rehabilitation centre – kew (vic.)

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The ‘Roseneath’ House on Pakington Street was first erected around 1858 and was renovated and expanded upon in its modern form in 1885. With a garden designed by Baron von Mueller, its most notable feature was its botanical excellence that pre-dates the days of mandatory quarantine. Once much larger, it has now been subdivided, surrounded by modern homes rather than extensive garden space. The file includes: Newspaper articles on the history of the property, multiple pages of completed research, letters between Kew Historical Society members on a meeting at the home, and a real estate property guide.

roseneath – kew (vic.), pakington street – kew (vic.), baron von mueller – kew (vic.)

roseneath – kew (vic.), pakington street – kew (vic.), baron von mueller – kew (vic.)

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Dorothy Rogers (1905-1973) was a significant historian for Kew, leading the writing and publishing of much of the early literature of the City of Kew. This has since been the base of Kew’s history, and has only been built upon. The Dorothy Rogers Reserve is named for her. The file includes: Multiple newspaper articles regarding Dorothy, three tour guide created by Dorothy Rogers, correspondence between individuals and the Kew Historical Society regarding Dorothy and her collections, as well as activities related to the Dorothy Rogers Reserve.

dorothy rogers – kew (vic.), dorothy rogers reserve – kew (vic.)

dorothy rogers – kew (vic.), dorothy rogers reserve – kew (vic.)

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‘Rockingham’ was a house built along Barkers Road around the mid-1850s (exact year unknown). Now demolished, the property passed through many influential hands of Melbourne, including John Herbert Syme, once manager of the ‘Age’. The file includes: Newspaper articles on the demolition of ‘Rockingham’, and a letter directed towards the Kew Historical Society with a photograph of the property which is kept separate to the file.

rockingham – kew (vic.), john herbert syme – kew (vic.)

rockingham – kew (vic.), john herbert syme – kew (vic.)

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Josiah Joseph (J.J.) Robinson was an early settler in Kew, having arrived from England in 1868 soon to be followed by his wife. After residing in Richmond for a short time, they moved to Kew along John Street, building up their property the ‘King’s Bromley’. This two-story timber house would remain and be the home for upwards of twelve children, before being demolished in 1958 as the area grew and modernised. The file includes: Research completed by unknown author, a sketch of the ‘King’s Bromley’ property, plans for the subdivision, and scanned newspaper articles.

robinson – kew (vic.), king’s bromley – kew (vic.)

robinson – kew (vic.), king’s bromley – kew (vic.)

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McPherson Robertson was an Australian chocolate entrepreneur, known for his confectionary company MacRobertson’s. He was an early pioneer of chewing gum and cotton candy brought over from the United States and would use his earned money funding multiple different companies, competitions and schools. His significance in Kew is his house he had built at 51 Sackville Street, where he lived for the last nine years of his life. The file includes: A History Victoria newsletter detailing one of his exhibits, and a history of 51 Sackville Street, Kew.

mcpherson robertson – kew (vic.), 51 sackville street – kew (vic.)

mcpherson robertson – kew (vic.), 51 sackville street – kew (vic.)

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The Rimington Family were early settlers of Kew, acting as pioneers for the area. George Rimington, who immigrated at some point during the mid-to-late 19th century, is well-known for his work at the Parkhill Nurseries, situated between Mont Victor and Burke Road. This nursery played host to multiple plants, shrubs, and trees otherwise not seen in the area and became well-known in the area for that fact. The file includes: A transcript of an interview with Stanley Rimington, son of George Rimington, and a book from Parkhill Nurseries which details the flora present at their Kew location but also the area.

rimington – kew (vic.), george rimington – kew (vic.), stanley rimington – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.), parkhill nurseries – kew (vic.)

rimington – kew (vic.), george rimington – kew (vic.), stanley rimington – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.), parkhill nurseries – kew (vic.)

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Colonel Ricardo was the District Commandant of the Commonwealth Military Forces of Victoria, and would form the Queensland Mounted Infantry, who notably served in the Boer War. In 1901 he would undergo a court case against the ‘Evening Observer’ for defamation and libel in their newspaper on his exploits in the Second Boer War, describing him as a ‘coward’ and contradicting his and others recollections of his actions in South Africa. Ricardo would die in 1907 after fracturing his skull as a result of being thrown off his horse while hunting. He would be buried in the Boroondara General Cemetery. The file includes: A history of Colonel Percy Ralph Ricardo, as presented by Ken Lyall, as well as another smaller history from a A.D. Watson.

percy ralph ricardo – kew (vic.)

percy ralph ricardo – kew (vic.)

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The ‘Rialto’ was a theatre built in 1921 along High Street near Kew Junction, following the boom of construction spurred on by a post-World War 1 sentiment. Nicknamed ‘Kew’s Dainty Theatre’, it became the monopoly provider of cinema entertainment for Kew and served many purposes for the community. This included the use of the stage on-site to create a school for the performing arts. It would be acquired by HOYTS in 1926, and after a host of issues including poor heat and air conditioning, rivals in the area and the advent of the television, led to the site’s acquisition in 1969 by a religious group. It would be renamed to the ‘Melbourne Revival Centre’, and would eventually be demolished in 1983 once the occupants moved sites. The file includes: Newspaper articles on the site’s demolition and history, and two copies of ‘Cinema Record’ detailing the Rialto.

rialto – kew (vic.), theatres – kew (vic.), melbourne revival centre – kew (vic.)

rialto – kew (vic.), theatres – kew (vic.), melbourne revival centre – kew (vic.)

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The Kew RSSILA and RSL was formed in the year 1920 in the aftermath of World War 1 and merged with the Hawthorn sub-branch in 1931 and occupying it’s first place along High Street in 1932. It wasn’t until 1955 that it moved to the ‘Wilton’ property along Charles Street on the corner of Cotham Road. It has occupied the site since. The file includes: Many different articles regarding the RSL over the years, a songbook and order of service for a Combined Church March, and a summary of the ‘Wilton’ site.

rssila – kew (vic.), rsl – kew (vic.), wilton – kew (vic.)

rssila – kew (vic.), rsl – kew (vic.), wilton – kew (vic.)

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‘Reno’ was a house demolished in 1977, designed by an architect simply known as ‘Cocking’, and was an example of the weatherboard cottage style. It was erected along St. John's Parade, Kew. Earliest records show the house existing as early as 1842, and passed hands until the City of Kew demolished it. The file includes: Correspondence between the Kew Historical Society and the City of Kew regarding the property’s preservation, photographs of the site before demolition, a newspaper article on the demolition, and a report detailing the site’s historical value.

reno – kew (vic.), houses – kew (vic.)

reno – kew (vic.), houses – kew (vic.)

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The Reeve family were an early 20th century family responsible for both establishing the St. Paul’s Parish in Kew East, as well as the 4th Kew Scout Group. Immigrating from Bendigo in 1924, they played an important role in establishing social and religious activities in Kew. The file includes: A transcript of a talk given by Bill and Helen Reeve on their personal experiences in Kew, and a resignation letter from Bill Reeve from the Kew Historical Society.

reeve – kew (vic.), 4th kew scouts – kew (vic.), st. paul’s – kew (vic.)

reeve – kew (vic.), 4th kew scouts – kew (vic.), st. paul’s – kew (vic.)

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Kew’s modern recycling program began in 1991 and continues to this day. The file includes: A booklet documenting the trial of recycling in 1991 that provides information about the program, and a newspaper article regarding the new program.

recycling – kew (vic.), council services – kew (vic.)

recycling – kew (vic.), council services – kew (vic.)

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The Kew Recreation Integration Project was an initiative that began in 1986 aimed at providing the same opportunities for those who had mental and physical disabilities in the Kew community. This involved a community-wide initiative aligned with local clubs to increase the resources and outreach for these activities to include those often isolated and excluded from participating. The file includes: A letter from the City of Kew to the Kew Historical Society about their participation in the initiative, a flyer given out to the community, and a newspaper article on the program.

recreation integration project – kew (vic.), disability services – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.)

recreation integration project – kew (vic.), disability services – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.)

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The Recreation Hall in Kew was built in 1880 and demolished in 1960, owned by the Kew Recreation Council until the financial difficulties of World War 1 led it to being acquired by the Kew Council. The original facility was noted for being a first for the entirety of Melbourne on a municipal level, boasting bowling greens, tennis courts, a cricket ground, and most notably a dance floor. Hosting musical and theatre performances, it served as a pillar of the social community in Kew. It was demolished for the expansion of the Kew Bowling Club but would be spiritually revived in the construction of the Kew Recreational Centre in 1986, an aquatic centre since demolished. The file includes: Two tickets for events at the centre, a newspaper article regarding the history of the hall, and a summarised history of the hall.

recreation hall – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.), kew bowling club – kew (vic.)

recreation hall – kew (vic.), recreation – kew (vic.), kew bowling club – kew (vic.)

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The Kew Recreation Council was a group dedicated to the promotion of recreational activities throughout the Kew area. Formed in 1878, it would eventually be folded into the more encompassing Kew Council Committee in 1982. Activities promoted were pottery, yoga, billiards, gardening, etc. The file includes: A 1978 constitution of the council, letters sent to and from the Kew Historical Society, a newspaper article celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the council, and an advertisement for a family barbeque for members.

kew recreation council – kew (vic.), kew council committee – kew (vic.)

kew recreation council – kew (vic.), kew council committee – kew (vic.)

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The Ratten family were an early pioneer family of the Kew area, arriving from Ireland sometime in the mid-19th century. Richard Ratten, the first of many, was a prominent Kew house builder, responsible for many of the early houses erected in Kew. He and his wife, Fanny, built and lived in the ‘Barrington’ house along Cotham Road where they would have ten children. One of his sons, Fredrick Ratten, would follow his father’s trade before taking part in local government, and serving as the Mayor of Kew in the years of 1914-1916, being known as a generous and philanthropic man. The file includes: A letter addressed to the Kew Historical society from Rosamond Barber, a descendant of the Rattens looking for information regarding her family, and an excerpt from ‘The Birds of Barrington and Beyond’, a book on the history of the Ratten family and other descendants.

ratten – kew (vic.), barrington – kew (vic.), richard ratten – kew (vic.), fredrick ratten – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.)

ratten – kew (vic.), barrington – kew (vic.), richard ratten – kew (vic.), fredrick ratten – kew (vic.), pioneers – kew (vic.)

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Ramornie, nicknamed ‘The Towers’ is a house built in 1890 along Pakington Street. It’s nickname derives from the distinctive two brick towers that flank the house, and remain it’s most prominent feature. The house itself was built for then Mayor of Kew James Maitland Campbell, and remained in possession by the family until the 1930s. Since then, its twenty-five rooms have passed owners, and served as a boarding house. The file includes: A newspaper article talking of the history of the property.

ramornie – kew (vic.), the towers – kew (vic.), john maitland campbell – kew (vic.)

ramornie – kew (vic.), the towers – kew (vic.), john maitland campbell – kew (vic.)