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.
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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.
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Allan Pollard (1936-97) was a bus driver and member of the Kew Historical Society. He worked under the moniker ‘Pollard’s Bus Service’. The file includes: A letter addressed to the Kew Historical Society regarding his passing, and an obituary.
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
Parent file of the items in the Viola Annie Ayling collection of 1950s and 60s ceramics. This parent file includes digital copies of a photograph of the ceramicist and also of her home at 128 Pakington Street, Kew, in 1951 where she practiced her art.
128 pakington street -- kew (vic.), viola ayling, ceramics -- victoria (australia)
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade lamp base, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade lamp base, irregularly ridged and with and with the use of green and yellow glazes. The lamp base has a hole for a cord above the foot.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), lamp bases, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade deep dish, glazed in green and maroon. The maroon ground includes a splash of green in the centre of the dish.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling" and dated
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Moulded dish, with a floral design on the base. The upper part of the dish has a mottled green and black glaze. The petals on the base are highlighted with a deep pink glaze
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade dish, with a floral design etched into the glaze. The container has been glazed in brown.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade container, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade, lidded container, constructed through coil work, and using the different forms of coiling as a decorative element. The container has been glazed in yellow and green.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), containers, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade oval footed dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade, footed oval ceramic dish, covered with a blue glaze. The feet, one of which has been repaired, are created from coils that were then luted to the base.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade, narrow-necked ceramic vase, with a pink glaze overlaid with painted and dripped cream and green glazes within the ridges.
Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade globular ceramic vase, fully covered in red with a green overglaze that has been wiped to reveal the floral pattern.
Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade ceramic vase, fully covered in red with a green overglaze which has been allowed to run down to the foot.
Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vase, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A pair of handmade bookends, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Pair of handmade ceramic bookends fully covered in a white, black and predominantly blue glaze.
Signature to bases: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), bookends, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade ewer, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade ceramic lidded ewer fully covered in an olive green glaze. The lower section of the body, the spout and the lid reveal the coil work construction technique used, whereas the upper body is smoothed.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), ewers, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade, abstract figurative sculpture, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade ceramic sculpture of an abstracted Madonna and Child. The figures are fully covered in an olive green glaze.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), sculptures, abstract art, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade, reticulated ceramic vase, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by Klytie Peyte.
Handmade ceramic vase with the body reticulated between the moulded floral exterior. The vase is fully glazed in a brown.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), vases, viola ayling
Viola Annie Ayling (1911-1990), was born in Korumburra. After her marriage to William John Ayling in 1932 she moved with her husband to Tennyson Street [Kew]. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter. She created her ceramics at her home at 128 Pakington Street [Kew], where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. This pot is part of a collection of 15 glazed ceramic functional and decorative items donated by her granddaughter to the collection in 2024.
A handmade ceramic container, expertly potted and glazed which is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period.
Handmade ceramic container, constructed through coil work with the lid and upper body fully glazed and the lower half part glazed in orange.
Signature to base: "V. Ayling"
ceramics, containers, pakington street -- kew (vic.), viola ayling
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
Various Parties
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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.)
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.
