Historical information
St Kilda Railway Station showing tram/ light rail line
Physical description
colour photograph unmounted
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.
St Kilda Railway Station showing tram/ light rail line
colour photograph unmounted
Notice in preparation for ceremony for the Governor-General to present war service certificates to nurses, sailors and soldiers who lived in St Kilda when they signed up for service. A form was provided with the notice, possibly seeking information about which recipients of the certificates will be attending.
White paper, discoloured with age, printed in red
wwi recognition of service
The booklet was produced for the unveiling of the Captain Cook Statue on 7 December 1914 at the St. Kilda Foreshore. It contains details of Cook's life, the statue and the donor, Andrew Stenhouse, as well as of its unveiling. 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 of white paper printed in brown with cardboard cover of similar colours. Secured by brown cotton cord..
st kilda, catani gardens, john tweed, andrew stenhouse, captain cook statue, statue, captain cook
Full date of event not given. It may refer to the St Kilda Carnival of 6-13 December 1919 which raised funds for the Returned Nurses Sailors and Soldiers Memorial Hall and Seaside Club Fund.
White paper discoloured with age, printed on one side in blue.
luna park, st kilda carnivals
For public meeting of Elwood and South St Kilda Progress Association on land and housing reform. The full date is not given. The Association met on Tuesday nights in the Methodist School Room, Elwood in the early - mid 20th century.
White paper, discoloured by age,, printed one side in black
elwood and south st kilda progress association, housing reform
Program of victory celebration held at St Kilda Town Hall on 12 November 1918. Includes words to anthems and popular songs.
Folded single sheet of white paper, discoloured with age, printed in dark blue
wwi peace celebrations
'Extracts from the Bi-Centenary Presentation in 1970. An illustrated address presented by Mrs. Boyes at Albury and Wagga, New South Wales, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Benalla and Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, to the general public and schools. This Documentary was generously accepted by His Excellency, the Governor of New South Wales, also awarded the New South Wales Government Bi-Centenary Committee's Certificate of Honour. The manuscript of James Cook, the Man, has been placed in the archives of the Greenwich Maritime Museum, London, the largest of its kind in the British Commonwealth, the Captain Cook Landing Place Historic Museum, Kurnell, Botany Bay, Australia, the Newport Historic Marine Museum, Rhode Island, U.S.A., Newport being the last resting place of Cook's "Endeavour".'
Cover of grey paper, folded, containing a single folded sheet of white paper, printed in black. Bound with 2 staples.
captain cook
Pocket Gospel of St John, issued to 'Men of H.M. Forces' on active service in 1914-1916. Contains a message from Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, VD, PC, FRSGS, at that time retired after his distinguished military career yet still active in public life, and less than three months before he died of pneumonia when visiting troops in France. Includes some hymns and music as well as the passages from the Gospel of St John.
Brown coloured booklet of multiple white pages, discoloured by age.
Handwritten notes on title page written in red ink that are no longer decipherable.
wwi, scripture gift mission, naval and military bible society
Directions for the knitting of standard socks for men in active service during WWI. Issued by the Lady Mayoress's League, Melbourne, in September 1915. The Lady Mayoress's League, or Lady Mayoress's Patriotic League, was formed on 7th August 1914 by Lady Hennessy, Lady Mayoress of the City of Melbourne. The League was formed to supplement the official supplies issued to each soldier by providing 'comforts' such as socks and food packages, and by 1915 was the recognised agent in Victoria for the reception and despatch of all gifts other than those sent privately. In September 1916 it became part of the Australian Comforts Funds, an Australia-wide umbrella organisation formed from individual state-based organisations of this type.
Folded single sheet of white paper that has discoloured with age, printed in black on both sides
the lady mayoress's league, wwi fund-raising
Service personnel of the United Kingdom or Commonwealth who are mentioned in despatches (MiD) are not awarded a medal for their actions, but receive a certificate and wear an oak leaf device on the ribbon of the appropriate campaign medal. Lieutenant-Colonel R E (Richard Edmond) Courtney was the Commanding Officer of the 14th Battalion for the period August 1914-1915, including the Gallipoli Campaign. The certificate was signed by Winston Churchill as Secretary of State. It appears to be an official duplicate of the original.
Duplicate of original certificate on white paper that has discoloured with age, and is printed on one side in black, endorsed with red typewriting and signed in black ink.
On front: typewritten endorsement 'Lieutenant-Colonel RE Courtney 14th Battalion (Victoria) Australian Infantry" and handwritten signature of Winston Churchill. On back: typewritten endorsement 'duplicate'
richard edmond courtney, 14th battalion aif, wwi
Invitation to the anniversary of the opening of the club
Folded cream card that has discoloured with age, printed green on face with folded paper insert printed in black.
Front: To / Lt Symonds Memory of The Torpedo Insert: House lent by Mr. H. J. King Club Commandant From Mrs. R. L. Fenwick
australian club - london, australasian officers club - london
Ticket for admission to St Kilda Strong Post at Anzac (1914) welcome
Cream and blue/green card that has discoloured with age, printed in blue on one side
anzac, anzac (1914) welcome
Also at same location, the Australasian Officers Club, established 1916
Cream card that has discoloured with age. On the front, Australia's coat of arms and the text are printed in gold/brown, and they are surrounded by a border in green, red and blue (representing shamrocks, Scottish thistles, red roses and elements of the UK flag). Personnel of the Australia Club are listed on the back of the card in blue.
Front signed by Sylvia Fenwick
australian cub - london
Uncompleted certificates of unfitness and insusceptibility, issued under the Victorian Health Act 1915, to certify why a child has not been vaccinated.
Single sheet of green/grey paper that has discoloured with age, printed in black
health act 1915 - victoria, public health - victoria
An invitation to afternoon tea with the Acting Mayoress, Mrs Nahum Barnet, and the St Kilda Patriotic Workers at the St Kilda Town Hall on 23 April. The year is not identified but is almost certainly 1917. Mr Nahum Barnet was the brother of Cr Henry Florian Barnet, who was the Mayor of St Kilda in 1916-17. His wife served as acting Mayoress because the Mayor was unmarried.
Sepia (formerly white) card printed in blue on one side
st kilda mayoral function, st kilda patriotic workers, anzac day, wwi fund-raising
Souvenir program of event on 26 September 1919 by the 14th Battalion and 4th Brigade Association for a 'reunion of comrades in memory of the days of strenuous and victorious effort'
Black and white photocopy of unfolded program cover and a selection of the internal pages
Autographs on final page
14th battalion aif, 4th brigade
For a census of wealth and income during World War I
Pink coloured paper form, single sheet, printed in block on both sides
1915 census
Postcard advertising the Dandies, a collection of troupes, each of around a dozen performers that were popular in Australia throughout World War I. The Dandies were established in 1911 by Edward Branscombe.
Unused postcard, yellowed white card printed in brown.
the dandies, edward branscombe
Depicts Australian flag and soldier. Card is from 5th Divisional Signal Coy., AIF, France.
Folded buff-coloured cardboard with paper insert fastened by faded red cord.
Insert signed by George Arnold. Handwritten notation on back of card: Given to St K His Society by Mrs Parker 14/3/82
14th battalion aif
Second of a series of "Citizens' Welcome" events organised by the St Kilda Patriotic Committee in 1918 and 1919.
Pink coloured card with red edge and printed in black.
st kilda patriotic committee, wwi, world war i, citizens welcome to anzacs
A "Citizens' Welcome" event organised by the St Kilda Patriotic Committee in 1918.
Buff coloured card printed in black with blue and red stripes across top left corner
st kilda patriotic committee, wwi, world war i, citizens welcome to anzacs
Postcard advertising the Dandies, a collection of troupes, each of around a dozen performers that were popular in Australia throughout World War I. The Dandies were established in 1911 by Edward Branscombe.
Unused postcard, yellowed white card printed in brown.
the dandies, edward branscombe
Postcard advertising the Scarlet Troubadours, a troupe of around 9 entertainers that were popular in Australia and New Zealand over a period of 5 years in the early 20th century. They performed light opera and vaudeville. Managed by Edward Branscombe, who pioneered the use of open air venues with his 1909 season at St Kilda.
Unused postcard printed in colour on the front, and in blue on the back.
the scarlet troubadours, edward branscombe
Contains poems of remembrance written by service personnel, about poppies.
Booklet with green coloured card cover and containing four pages made from two sheets of folded yellowed white paper. Printed in blue and bound with stitched and tied red thread.
wwi, remembrance poppies
A margin around the four edges of the front of the card has been sectioned into groups of dates that correlate with weekends in November 1915, December 1915 and January 1916. Holes have been punched for the weekends of 20-21 and 27-28 November. The back of the card explains that, where a section has been punched, the holder of the card was on duty on the relevant dates at No. 5 Australian General Hospital. The hospital was established when it became necessary to establish a Military Hospital in Victoria during World War I. A new 40-bed Police Hospital on St Kilda Road that had not yet been occupied was taken over, expanded to take more than 600 patients, and opened as No. 5 Australian General Hospital in March 1915. It was soon found to not be large enough and tents were used until more permanent buildings could be constructed.
Card, coloured brown on the front and cream on the back, printed both sides in black. A Red Cross is also printed on the front.
Handwritten notations identify the card holder as Pt A D Mickle of 30 Marine Parade St Kilda
no. 5 australian general hospital, victorian red cross, base hospital
Service at St George's Church, East St Kilda, on 6 August 1911.
Folded single sheet of white paper that has discoloured with age, printed in blue with Scottish Regiment insignia on the front.
victorian scottish regiment, st george's presbyterian church st kilda
Postcard sent by a soldier serving in Northern France in 1916 to, it is believed, Miss Olive Appleton.
White coloured postcard with a silk inset on the front that has been embroidered with a basket of multi-coloured flowers and the words 'A Kiss from France'. Handwritten message in blue in on the back.
North France 18/4/16 Dear Olive Got this card to let you know where I am and that I am in the best of health and spirits. Remember me to all. From Yours Sincerely Fred. xxx
wwi, world war i
Contains list of names of members of the 14th Battalion AIF 1917-1919. Published with 'remembrance and hopes from the padre of the 14th'.
Booklet with cream coloured card cover (torn), printed in brown and gold and tied with a brown ribbon. Insert of single sheet of paper, folded, and printed in brown.
14th battalion aif
Regimental pocket book for use by non-commissioned officers and men of the 14th Battalion AIF. Publication presented to the 14th Battalion by pupils of Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne. Issued by Commanding Officer Lt Col RE Courtney VD. Contains sections on: a Nominal Roll of Officers; Espirit de Corps and The Regimental Motto; Badges of Rank and how to recognise them; Duties of Non-Commissioned Officers; The Special Duties of the Squad Commander in the Attack; The duty of every individual man in the Attack; The Special Duties of Section Commanders in Defence; Applications etc by Letter; The Soldier, Fit and Strong; What every Outpost Sentry should know; Signals; General Introduction for Guards and Sentries; The Rifle, and how to care for it; The Three Rules for Aiming; Points to Note when you are firing; Rates of Fire; Scouts; The Individual Use of Cover; Hints for Camps; Sergeants and other Non-Commissioned Officers; Musketry; Description of the SMLE Rifle Mark III; Ships' Bells and what they mean; the Half-company Commander in the Attack; Regimental Song
Booklet covered with blue fabric-covered card embossed with the insignia of The Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. Contains multiple paper pages printed in blue with yellow border. Bound with sewn blue cotton. Two booklets held in collection.
SKHS1587 inscription inside front cover, in blue ink handwriting, now largely obscured: G Clarendon Hyde 2.1.15. Inside back cover: No 115 "C" Company Sept 1914. Both SKHS1587 and SKHS 1620 contain handwritten notations against the Nominal Roll of Officers, updating the information about the officers listed.
14th battalion aif
Advertisement for event to raise funds for The Australian Wounded Soldiers' Fund on 24 August 1915 and to celebrate the 45th anniversary of St Kilda Tent No 131 of the Independent Order of Rechabites. The Independent Order of Rechabites was founded as a fraternal organisation and friendly society in England in 1835 as part of the wider temperance movement to promote total abstinence from alcoholic beverages. It was first established in Australia in Tasmania in 1843 and retains a state branch in Victoria with a number of affiliated tents.
Pink coloured paper printed one side in brown and red. Cut from a larger sheet which may have been a poster, flyer or other document.
wwi, world war i, wwi fund-raising, independent order of rechabites, australian wounded soldiers' fund
Contains tickets for rides at Luna Park and entry to the Palais de Danse to see a film starring Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. The event was sponsored by the City of St Kilda for children as part of peace celebrations on 19 July 1919.
Booklet of tickets printed in blue on white paper that has discoloured with age. City of St Kilda logo on the front. One ticket has been removed.
luna park, palias de danse, st kilda patriotic committee, city of st kilda, wwi peace celebrations
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.