Historical information

The gentleman in the photo is George Burton Coop, an architect / draughtsman. The donor, his son George Lister Coop was about 21 years of age when he took this photo in 1958 of his family home. His parents were: George Burton Coop (b c1906 Williamstown; died aged 54 years at Mont Albert) and Winsome Alice (MS: Trewartha) who married in 1936. They are first listed at this address in the electoral roll in 1937. They had 2 children:
George Lister Coop - born St Georges Hospital, 8/10/1937 and Alison - born c1945.
However the donor informed that he initially attended Chatham State School because his first home was the Spanish Mission style flats at 346 Whitehorse Road, opposite Brenbeal Street, Balwyn. When his grandparents died, the family moved to 688 Whitehorse Road and he then attended Mont Albert Central School. Alison being younger did not go to Chatham Primary.

Physical description

A digital copy of a colour photo showing detail of the front view of 688 Whitehorse Road. The house is white weatherboard in a Californian bungalow style with a tiled roof and shingles detail in a dark brown stain. The balustrades and finials of the veranda are simple with occasional feature planks with a tulip detail. A bird cage hangs from the veranda. The veranda is supported by rough-cast sturdy pillars.
The house sits behind a cypress hedge. The photo was taken in winter as deciduous shrubs are bare. A gentleman astride a ladder is pruning the hedge.