Historical information

Former Kew Town Hall, Walpole Street, Kew, between High Street and Malmsbury Street, west side, where Woolworth’s supermarket now stands. Neo-classical facade added to former Athenaeum building in 1880s. Town Hall, with Council Chamber, municipal offices and adjacent Library, remained in Walpole Street until civic offices moved to new Civic Centre, Cotham Road and Charles Street, in 1972. Building sold to Woolworth’s and demolished 1972, replaced by Safeway supermarket. Decorated for Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh, Melbourne, February-March 1954, on her Coronation Tour — first reigning monarch to visit Australia. Summer foliage and light suggest Royal Visit rather than Coronation, 2 June 1953.

Physical description

Colourised photograph, two-storey Italianate rendered-brick facade, covered in ivy over pediment and right side. Central entrance, arched windows with blinds, stone base. Large white banner over entrance with gold “E II R”, gold crown below, black board below with gold “LONG MAY SHE REIGN”. Small red, white and blue bunting across facade. Tall white flagpole with Australian flag at top.