Historical information

At the 1978 Festival of Kew, a number of organisations, including the City of Kew, the Kew Historical Society, Trinity Boys Grammar School and local Girl Guides participated in a re-enactment of the expedition of the party of Charles Grimes in surveying the Yarra River as far as Kew in February 1803. The location for the event was Yarra Bend Park near the Studley Park Boat House. The event was organised by the Kew Historical Society. The re-enactment was captured by a number of amateur photographers as well as by a photographer from the local Progress Press.

Significance

Local communities select events to commemorate according to their shared history and values. Commemorations of colonial exploration were popular with local historical groups such as the Kew Historical Society in the twentieth century. In re-enacting events such as the Grimes survey of the Yarra, students from a local school were encouraged to take on specific roles, including play-acting individuals involved in the survey party as well as members of the local Wurundjeri People. The photographs, taken by amateur and professional photographers, represent a period in time when the dominant values were those shared by the descendants of European settlers in Victoria.

Physical description

Original colour photographic positive of three girl guides who were attending the Charles Grimes re-enactment in 1978. The guide on the left is Kate Smith and the guide on the right holding the Australian flag is Ann Wilson. The name of the guide in the middle has been obscured by glue and paper. Kanes Bridge is in the background.

Inscriptions & markings

Annotated on reverse: "KATE SMITH *** ANN WILSON / FESTIVAL 1978 / GRIMES RE-ENACTMENT AT YARRA BEND / DONATED BY M. ROLLEY"