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.
Proclamation of St Kilda Town 1861
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact St Kilda Historical Society
Captain William Kenney pioneered swimming baths at St Kilda after arriving in Victoria in 1852. Later, he built baths at Brighton Beach.
Laminated photocopy of printed advertisement for Kenny's Baths at St Kilda and Brighton
Government notice of entitlement to compensation for war damage, under the National Security (War Damage to Property) Regulations, from 1 January 1942, and an instruction not to seek compensation until instructed. The War Damage Commission was established under Commonwealth national security legislation to pay compensation for direct war damage. It collected money from local councils through a levy based on property values. Payments were not generally to be made until after the war ended.
White paper, discoloured with age, printed in black
war damage commission
Membership card of the Royal Automotive Club of Victoria, for Mr J Ashman, with an expiry date of 28 February 1950.
Cream coloured card printed and annotated in blue and stamped in black
Stamped: 2936. Handwritten signature on face: J. E. Ashman. Handwritten annotation on back: Phone LF3849 Mrs J. N. Ashman 83 Spray St Elwood S3
racv
Ticket to a cabaret at Earl's Court in aid of the St Kilda Red Cross Emergency Service on 26 October 1940. Earl's Court Theatre opened in the early 1930's at 17 The Esplanade, St Kilda. The building formerly housed the Lyric Theatre (from 1913-1922), which presented live entertainment and movies. After initially operating as a theatre, Earl’s Court became a ballroom and nightclub. Earl's Court Nightclub closed in the late-1980’s and a retirement home named Earl’s Court now stands on the site.
Cream coloured card, printed in black and red on one side
st kilda red cross, earl's court theatre, lyric theatre, wwii fund-raising
An agreement between Ellison, Hewison & Whitehead, acting for the estate of Margaret S Cummins, and the St Kilda General Cemetery to maintain her grave in perpetuity, at a cost of 45 pounds. The agreement is dated 8 April 1948 and applies to plot number 447c, compartment C in the Presbyterian section of the cemetery.
Light grey paper, printed and handwritten on both sides in black and blue.
Numbered 365
st kilda cemetery, margaret s cummins
Invitation from the St Kilda Mayor and Mayoress to enjoy music and afternoon tea at an At Home event to meet the Honorary Secretaries of the War Savings Certificates Groups, held at St Kilda Town Hall on 13 September 1944.
Cream card, discoloured with age, printed in blue
st kilda mayoral function, mayor a j stevens, city of st kilda
Invitation/ticket and program for a screening of Sound Films made available by the Department of Information, held at St Kilda Town Hall on 12 November 1941. The films were of events in Tobruk, Bardia, Greece, Syria and Britain. Also during the evening, musical performances were provided by Amelia Scarce, J Alexander Browne, and City Organist Arnold Colman. Admission was free but donations were sought for the St Kilda Patriotic Society.
Grey coloured card, folded and perforated at the fold and printed in blue
city of st kilda, wwii fund-raising, st kilda patriotic society, amelia scarce, j alexander browne, arnold colman
Program for a civic service of thanksgiving for the cessation of hostilities in Europe in the Second World War, arranged by the City of St Kilda in collaboration with the churches involved and held at the St Kilda Town Hall. The date is not specified.
Cream paper, printed in dark blue on both sides and folded
city of st kilda, wwii victory celebrations, arnold colman
Program for a civic service of thanksgiving for the cessation of hostilities in the Second World War, arranged by the City of St Kilda in collaboration with the churches involved and held at the St Kilda Town Hall. The date is not specified.
White paper, discoloured with age, printed in black on both sides and folded
city of st kilda, wwii victory celebrations, arnold colman
Program for a supper to celebrate Councillor Burnett Gray's 30 years service with St Kilda Council, held at St Kilda Town Hall on 21 August 1944. It contains the toasts and menu. Burnett Gray served on St Kilda City Council from 1914 to 1915 and from 1920 to 1948 and was Mayor from 1922 to 1923 and from 1926 to 1927. He was the first returned soldier to serve as mayor of any Victorian city.
Cream coloured textured card, enclosing a glossy sheet of paper, folded and fastened with an orange ribbon and printed in gold and green. Inserted into the back of the card is a gold coloured piece of paper on which the initials R G in gothic font, with a patterned border, are printed in red.
st kilda mayoral function, burnett gray, st kilda council
Invitation to a dance presented by the St Kilda Red Cross Emergency Service "A" Company, held at the 14 Ft Sailing Club on 13 May 1944. Men in Uniform were admitted free and the music was provided by Hood's Orchestra.
White card, discoloured with age, printed in black
Handwritten date of the event: 13th May 1944
st kilda red cross, wwii fund-raising, 14 ft sailing club, hood's orchestra
Invitation to a civic welcome home event for returned service personnel from St Kilda, held by the City of St Kilda at St Kilda Town Hall on 24 April 1946
Cream card, discoloured with age, printed on one side in blue - 2 copies.
Stamped 1992 and 2000
city of st kilda, wwii recognition of service
Program for a civic reception by the Mayoress of St Kilda, Miss Victoria Buntine, on 15 November 1949 at the St Kilda Town Hall. The program featured a concert, and performances by the City Organist Arnold Colman.
Cream coloured textured card, folded and printed in black
victoria buntine, st kilda mayoral function, arnold colman
A flyer from the St Kilda Patriotic Society Flyer advertising a week of celebrations in September 1940 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of St Kilda as a city, and encouraging all citizens to organise their own events, all to raise funds for the Australian Comforts Fund.
Yellow coloured paper printed on one side in red
st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising, city of st kilda, city of st kilda - 50 year celebrations, australian comforts fund
During the Second World War the City of St Kilda helped the St Kilda Patriotic Society raise funds by enabling performances every Sunday evening at St Kilda Town Hall. This flyer or poster advertises the first of these, on 21 July 1940.
Cream coloured paper printed on one side in red
st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising, arnold colman, city of st kilda
One of the ways by which the St Kilda Patriotic Society raised funds during the Second World War was through entertainment that was offered by the City of St Kilda every Sunday evening at St Kilda Town Hall. The program is for entertainment on 18 August 1940.
Pink coloured paper printed on one side in black
st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising, arnold colman, city of st kilda
Cash book for stallholders at the St Kilda Patriotic Carnival held on 24 January - 1 February 1941. Unused.
Foolscap sized document with a grey card cover, printed in black, enclosing 18 lined and ruled pages, printed in red, blue and black, to record receipts and expenditure
st kilda patriotic carnival, wwii fund-raising
Program for a concert by the Preston Tramways Male Choral Society in aid of the St Kilda Patriotic Society at St Kilda Town Hall on 11 August 1940
Pink coloured paper printed in blue on one side
st kilda patriotic society, preston tramways male choral society, wwii fund-raising, arnold colman
Ticket to a concert by the Preston Tramways Male Choral Society in aid of the St Kilda Patriotic Society at St Kilda Town Hall on 11 August 1940
Blue coloured card printed in pink on one side
st kilda patriotic society, preston tramways male choral society, wwii fund-raising
Annual report of the St Kilda Patriotic Society 1944-45. Summarises the funds raised to date and the source including by house to house collections, raffles, balls, community singing, Sunday concerts, St Kilda carnivals, sale of Australian Comforts Fund badges etc. It also sets out where the money raised had been directed. The St Kilda Patriotic Society was first formed during the First World War and was reconvened during the Second World War to organise all patriotic activities in St Kilda.
Cream coloured paper, printed in blue and red on both sides and folded into three
st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising
Annual report of the St Kilda Patriotic Society 1942-43. Summarises the funds raised to date and the source including by house to house collections, raffles, balls, community singing, Sunday concerts, St Kilda carnivals, sale of Australian Comforts Fund badges etc. It also sets out where the money raised had been directed. The St Kilda Patriotic Society was first formed during the First World War and was reconvened during the Second World War to organise all patriotic activities in St Kilda.
Cream coloured paper, printed in blue and red on both sides and folded into three
st kilda patriotic society, wwii fund-raising
Advertisement for an A.I.F. Concert Party, held at St Kilda Town Hall on Sunday 7 April in aid of the Mayor of St Kilda's Food for Britain Appeal. The year is not specified. After the Second World War, Britain appealed for food aid from its Commonwealth allies. Australia gave generously via Food for Britain appeals. The full date of the A.I.F. Concert Party is likely to have been Sunday 7 April 1946.
Pink coloured paper printed on one side in black
food for britain appeal
![Ephemera - Brochure, St Kilda City Council - Central Ward, Vote [1] Talbot, John, 1946](/media/collectors/510b3f7f023fd725b4cd52fc/items/665815e9b856f3991256874b/item-media/6661549f8056b80f34f7d429/item-fit-380x285.jpg)
Campaign material for the election of John Talbot as councillor for the Central Ward in the St Kilda City Council elections held on 22 August 1946. The brochure contains his personal and Army service details as well as polling day information. Talbot won the election and then served continuously until 1969, including three terms as mayor, in 1950-51, 1964-65 and 1965-66.
Folded white paper (discoloured with age) printed in black on both sides, with a one page insert, printed in black on one side
john talbot, st kilda council, st kilda council elections
Campaign material for the re-election of John Talbot as councillor for the Central Ward in the St Kilda City Council elections held on 25 August 1949. The brochure contains his personal details and municipal record, along with polling day details. Talbot was first elected in 1946 and served continuously until 1969, including three terms as mayor, in 1950-51, 1964-65 and 1965-66.
Folded white paper (discoloured with age) printed in black on both sides
john talbot, st kilda council, st kilda council elections
Notice of a public meeting about local patriotic activities and the formation of a St Kilda Branch of the Red Cross. The meeting was convened by the City of St Kilda and held in the St Kilda Town Hall on 2 October 1939, shortly after the outbreak of World War II.
Cream coloured paper printed in black on one side
wwii fund-raising, city of st kilda, st kilda red cross, arnold colman
Ticket of admission to City of St Kilda's "music for the people" symphony concert in St Kilda town Hall on Sunday 1 July 1945.
Aqua coloured card printed in dark blue
city of st kilda, st kilda symphony concerts
Advertisement for a rally arranged by the City of St Kilda on 26 June 1940 at St Kilda Town Hall to recruit numbers and raise war savings. Printed on the reverse side is an application form for War Savings Certificates. One of the speakers at the rally was Gunner Harold Holt MHR, who later served as Prime Minister in 1966-67.
Cream coloured paper, printed in blue on both sides
city of st kilda, world war ii, wwii fund-raising, harold holt
Program for a rally arranged by the City of St Kilda on 26 June 1940 at St Kilda Town Hall to recruit numbers and raise war savings. Includes a detachable application form for War Savings Certificates on the back page. One of the speakers at the rally was Gunner Harold Holt MHR, who later served as Prime Minister in 1966-67. Holt was elected to Parliament in 1935 at the age of 27. He enlisted in the Militia in February 1939, joining a part-time artillery unit for businessmen and professionals and, May 1940, without resigning his seat, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force with the intent of becoming a full-time soldier. He was posted to the 2/4th Field Regiment, holding the rank of gunner. Within three months his brief military career came to an end when three senior government ministers died in a plane crash, an election was called, and he was given leave from the Army to campaign. He was re-elected and then resigned from the Army in October 1940 upon being sworn in as Minister for Labour and National Service.
Cream coloured paper, printed in blue on both sides, folded and perforated at the fold
city of st kilda, world war ii, wwii fund-raising, harold holt, arnold colman
Brochure outlining proposals of the St Kilda Branch of the Australian Communist Party, focusing in particular on post-war needs and opportunities.
Three pages, folded and printed on both sides in black and white, and stapled
st kilda council elections, australian communist party, mrs n pearson, mr g blackburn, mr e stein
A dinner and 'smoke social' to farewell St Kilda members of the 2nd AIF during World War II, presented by the City of St Kilda at the St Kilda Town Hall on 24 February 1940.
Yellow coloured folded card with folded yellow paper insert, printed in brown and tied with brown ribbon
world war ii, city of st kilda, 2nd aif
Invitation and ticket to a lecture and concert arranged by the City of St Kilda at St Kilda Town Hall on 19 June 1942. The lecture topic was 'The Empire's Air Forces at War', by British War Correspondent William Courtney, and the entertainment included musical performances and a film screening. Admission was free but donations were collected for the St Kilda Patriotic Society.
Folded grey-brown coloured light card printed in dark blue
william courtney, margaret schofield, arnold matters, thea phillips, noel nickson, city of st kilda, arnold colman, st kilda patriotic society
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.
