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The City of Boroondara was established in 1994. Boroondara Library Service took over from Kew Library at this time. The scarf was part of a new uniform worn by Council employees.

City of Boroondara scarf, worn by members of the Boroondara Library Service

"Boroondara: City of Harmony"

uniforms, city of boroondara, scarfs

The City of Boroondara was established in 1994. Boroondara Library Service took over from Kew Library at this time. The tie was part of a new uniform worn by Council employees.

City of Boroondara tie, worn by members of the Boroondara Library Service

"Boroondara: City of Harmony"

uniforms, city of boroondara

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Black Kew Library woollen sleeveless jumper with the name of the library embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

"Kew Library"

library uniforms, kew library, jumpers, clothing

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Boroondara Library Service green woollen long sleeve jumper with the logo of the City embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

Logo: "Boroondara City of Harmony" / Manufacturer's label: "Castle".

library uniforms, jumpers, clothing, boroondara library service

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Black Kew Library woollen long sleeve jumper with the name of the library embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

"Kew Library"

library uniforms, kew library, jumpers, clothing

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Black Kew Library woollen sleeveless jumper with the name of the library embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

"Kew Library"

library uniforms, kew library, jumpers, clothing

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Black Kew Library woollen sleeveless jumper with the name of the library embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

"Kew Library"

library uniforms, kew library, jumpers, clothing

The Kew Library was run by the City of Kew until it was amalgamated into the Boroondara Library Service, when Kew became part of the City of Boroondara in 1994.

Black Kew Library woollen cardigan with the name of the library embroidered in acqua thread. This black jumper was part of a new colour scheme, superseding the previous royal blue uniforms.

"Kew Library"

library uniforms, cardigans, kew library

The Land Boom of the 1880s accelerated the rate of subdivisions in Kew. This subdivision, 'Kew! Kew!' was also impacted by, or resulted from, the decision by the Victorian Government to construct the Outer Circle railway. Construction of the railway began in 1888 and was completed in 1891.

Plan of an 1888 subdivision bounded by Bulleen Road (now High Street), Gladstone Street (now Campbell Street?), Park Street (now Adeney Avenue), and Belmore Road (now Harp Road). The 16 lots in the proposed subdivision are bisected by the route of the Outer Circle railway, and next to the proposed Normanby Station (later renamed East Kew). On the plan, local landmarks such as the tram terminus, the Harp of Erin hotel, and the station are located. The street where the lots are numbered , was called Welsh Street on the plan as this was the name of the vendor. Surrounding land owners are also named: G. Smith Esq, Matthew Maher Esq, and Maurice Neligan Esq.

outer circle railway, land subdivisions

Kew Historical Society has a large costume collection, including examples of formal wear, day wear, underwear, and protective clothing. As the Society has been located at the Kew Library since 1987, it uses display space within the library to mount small displays such as this display of aprons and pinafores. Larger exhibitions are typically held at the Kew Court House. Displays and exhibitions are mounted by the collections group; on this occasion, by Margaret Robinson, Robert Baker, and Jan Walker.

Display of nine aprons and pinafores at Kew Library, 2024. The items date from the 1940s to the 1960s and are drawn from a large collection of protective wear in our collection.

costumes, protective wear, clothing, aprons, pinafores

Viola Annie McVicars (1911–1990) was born in Korumburra on 29 April 1911. At the age of 21, she married William John Ayling (1909–1995). After their marriage in 1932, they moved to Kew, initially to 81 Tennyson Street, and later to 180 Pakington Street. A professional tailoress, Viola Ayling was also a talented amateur potter, creating her ceramics at her home in Pakington Street, where she had an internal studio and a handmade, wood-fired brick kiln in her backyard. Following her death in 1990, her studio pottery passed to her daughter, and following the daughter’s death, to her granddaughter. This piece of glazed earthenware is part of a collection of 15 functional and decorative ceramic items donated by Viola’s granddaughter to the collection in 2024.

A dish, expertly potted and glazed. The style is representative of Australian ceramic design of the period, particularly that employed by the Australian art potter, Klytie Pate.

Small, green glazed dish, highlighted with splashes of purple. Five ballerinas in the cavetto surround an undecorated well. The reverse is glazed a lighter green. Spur marks in the foot rim reveal that the dish was supported on stilts in the kiln

Signature to base: "V. Ayling"

ceramics, pakington street -- kew (vic.), dishes, viola annie mcvicars, viola annie ayling

Louisa Henty (1847-24) was the eldest daughter of Francis and Mary Ann Henty (nee Lawrence). Following the deaths of her mother and father, she inherited 'Fieldplace' in Studley Park, Kew, and 'Merino Downs' in Henty, near Casterton. The original photo, owned by a descendant of Francis Henty is part of an album of family photographs.

Print copy of an original carte de visite; a studio portrait of Miss Louisa Henty, daughter of Francis and Mary Ann Henty (nee Lawrence). Photographed in the Johnstone & O'Shannessy & Co atelier, she is posed in a day dress which has a polonaise and train, dating the photograph to the mid 1870s. Standard props used by the studio include imitation masonry and a curtain.

Front: "Johnstone & O'Shannessy & Co"

louisa henty, henty family, merino downs, fieldplace -- kew (vic)

The Kew Elderly Citizen's Association was formally established in 1952. During its initial years it met at South Esk in Cotham Road. Later the Club moved to its headquarters in High Street. During the period of its existence, the club changed its name a number of times It finally became known as the Kew Senior Citizens.

Handmade and painted canvas banner in shades of blue with a golden cord with tassels. The banner represents the symbol of the Kew Elder Citizens Association: a forget-me-not in the centre with laurel leaves below.

"KEW / E.C.A."

kew elderly citizens association, kew elder citizens, kew senior citizens, community groups -- kew (vic.), banners

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a olour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the entrance to Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered portico, viewed from the east, looking west. At this stage a wing of the hospital abutted the portico. The hospital wing was subsequently demolished and a Victorian era garden reinstated based on an original plan.

"Villa Alba ext"

villa alba museum, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.), mount royal hospital

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a olour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the entrance to Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered portico, viewed from the west, looking east. At this stage a wing of the hospital abutted the portico. The hospital wing was subsequently demolished and a Victorian era garden reinstated based on an original plan.

"Villa Alba ext"

villa alba museum, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.), mount royal hospital

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a oolour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the entrance to Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered portico, viewed from the west, looking east. At this stage a wing of the hospital abutted the portico. The hospital wing was subsequently demolished and a Victorian era garden reinstated based on an original plan.

"Villa Alba ext"

villa alba museum, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.), mount royal hospital

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a oolour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the entrance to Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered tower, viewed from the east, looking west. At this stage a wing of the hospital abutted the south facade. The hospital wing was subsequently demolished and a Victorian era garden reinstated based on an original plan.

"Villa Alba exterior"

villa alba museum, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.), mount royal hospital

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a oolour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the earliest known photograph of Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101.

"Villa Alba photo / 1800s"

villa alba museum, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.)

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a olour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the portico of Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered rear of the building, viewed from the east, looking west. A two storey wing of the Mount Royal Hospital, facing Nolan Avenue is at the right. The slide shows a set of wire gates separating the east garden of Villa Alba from the main house.

"Villa Alba"

villa alba museum, mount royal hospital, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.)

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a olour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the portico of Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101. The transparency shows the grey rendered tower and entrance, viewed from the east, looking west. The bay window of the drawing room is in the foreground.

"Villa Alba Exterior 1987"

villa alba museum, mount royal hospital, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.)

Built for William and Anna-Maria Greenlaw in the early 1880s, and with interiors decorated by the Paterson Bros, Villa Alba remained in private ownership until 1949. From 1950, the house was owned by a number of institutions. By 1984, the Villa Alba Preservation Society had been formed, and three years later, the Mount Royal Hospital granted a 25-year lease to Kew Council. In 2004, the title to Villa Alba was passed by the Victorian Government to The Villa Alba Museum Incorporated.

Digital copy of a olour 35mm slide, framed in a plastic mount, of the entrance to Villa Alba, 44 Walmer Street, Kew, 3101, in 2001. The transparency shows the grey rendered entry, viewed from the east, looking west. At this stage a wing of the hospital abutted the portico. The hospital wing was subsequently demolished and a Victorian era garden reinstated based on an original plan.

"Villa Alba 2001 / Les Littlechild photo"

villa alba museum, mount royal hospital, historic houses -- kew (vic.), victorian architecture -- melbourne (vic.)

The Local Government Act 1903 with notes and amendments and index; also table showing how sections of consolidated acts have ben dealt with. Prepared by J. T. Collins, MA., LLM, Barrister at Law and C. H. Meaden, Secretary of the Municipal Association of Victoria, the draftsmen of the Act. Melbourne, Charles F. Maxwell (G. Partridge & Co.), Law Booksellers and Publishers, 458 Chancery Lane, 1904

local government act 1903, cr william woollard

Peter Nicholaas Wurtheim Wallinga was born in the Netherlands in 1929, and emigrated to Australia in 1939. In 1963-4 he purchased a block of land and built a house at 44 Sackville Street, Kew. A company director, he was elected to Council in August 1973. His first term as Mayor began in August 1976. When Cr Wallinga was re-elected Mayor in 1980-1, he was also the newly elected President of Kew Lions Club. During his two mayoral terms, Cr Wallinga attended many functions representing the City of Kew, opening events, presenting awards and leading the Council in decision-making. When he retired from Council in 1982, he continued to live in Sackville Street until January 1992, when he moved to Mitcham. He died in 1996.

Wooden board with an inscribed metal plaque given by The International Association of Lions Clubs with a detailed inscription listing the purpose of the award, the recipient's name and the date (1995)

"The International Association of Lions Clubs / By action of its Board of Directors approves the recommendation of the Lions Club / of Kew, Australia / and does hereby confer upon Peter Wallinga Life Membership in said club / This membership is awarded in recognition of outstanding service as a Lion / 02/10/95 / [signature] President, Lions Club International

peter wallinga, lions club of kew, plaques

Peter Nicholaas Wurtheim Wallinga was born in the Netherlands in 1929, and emigrated to Australia in 1939. In 1963-4 he purchased a block of land and built a house at 44 Sackville Street, Kew. A company director, he was elected to Council in August 1973. His first term as Mayor began in August 1976. When Cr Wallinga was re-elected Mayor in 1980-1, he was also the newly elected President of Kew Lions Club. During his two mayoral terms, Cr Wallinga attended many functions representing the City of Kew, opening events, presenting awards and leading the Council in decision-making. When he retired from Council in 1982, he continued to live in Sackville Street until January 1992, when he moved to Mitcham. He died in 1996.

Wooden board with three metal raised sections, the first being the logo of the Lions International Foundation, the second outlining the purpose and recipient of the award, and the third a portrait medallion.

"Melvin Jones Fellow presented to Peter N.V. Wallinga / for dedicated humanitarian services / Lions Club International Foundation"

peter wallinga, lions club of kew, plaques

Framed studio sepia photograph of the wedding party of Jess Anderson and Victor Diggins in 1935. The wedding took place at the Presbyterian Church, Kew. The signature of the photographers - Dickinson Monteath - is at bottom right. [The Dickinson Monteath Studio operated at 296 Collins Street Melbourne during the 1930s and into the 1940s.]

Inscribed below: "Jess (Anderson) & Victor Diggins Wedding / 1935 / L to R standing Joseph Diggins, Victor Diggins, Jess Diggins, Lawrence Jesse Diggins / Sitting Marie Whitbourne, Phil Anderson (Jess's sister) & later Mrs Joseph Diggins (Right). Bridesmaid on left.

photographers - dickinson-monteath, jess anderson, victor diggins, cecil street -- kew (vic.), kew presbyterian church – kew (vic.)

One of a group of photographs, including three within a published photo collage , taken by Edgar James Dower in the second decade of the twentieth century. Born and raised in Olinda, Dower later moved to Surrey Hills. He worked as an adult as a clerk in the city office of the Metropolitan Gas Company, and in his role as a 'collector', he was able to photograph scenes including the construction of tramlines, railways and associated buildings in Kew, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Surrey Hills. Later he established a real estate agency with his brother - the E.J. Dower Real Estate Agency, Mount Dandenong Office.

The photo collage is an historically significant record of the development of transport infrastructure which was used to connect Victorians in the first two decades of the twentieth century. This development resulted from increases in population and the consequent extension of Melbourne's suburbs. The photographs, both individually and collectively, richly detail the labour of workers and the tools and machinery used to create and extend Melbourne's public transport network in the years preceding and during World War 1.

Photo collage, published in The Leader newspaper in 1913, to commemorate the opening of the Malvern to Kew Tramway. The numbered photos are: 1. Kew Railway Gates at Glenferrie. 2. Burke Road Terminus. 3. Final Stages. 4. Ladies at the Official Opening. 5. The Acting Mayoress of Kew Cutting the Ribbon at the Kew Boundary. 6. Mayor and Councillors at the Kew Terminus. 7. The Cutting the First Ribbon. 8. Guests at the Hawthorn Town Hall.

Inscribed in ink by Edgar J Dower top left: "The 3 top photographs were taken by E J Dower. No.3 Cotham Road Kew near Glenferrie Road"

theme -- connecting victorians by transport and communications, theme -- travelling by tram

The East Kew Women’s Club was formed on 20 July 1945 as an experiment amongst local women, who felt that there was a need for some organised group to give full scope to their various interests and hobbies. In the beginning, they met at the house of their founder, Mrs Eric Thake, 48 Harp Road, East Kew, but the growth and interest was so rapid that it was soon necessary to find a larger meeting place, so the group moved to the Harrier’s Pavilion in Victoria Park, Kew. At the fifth meeting of the group, a committee was formed, and a constitution adopted on 4 December 1945.The Club was aimed to be non-political, non-sectarian and open to women from any locality. The Club’s motto was “To Help others, Improve Ourselves, and Foster the Community Spirit”. The first twenty years of the Club was recorded in a small, nine-page publication “East Kew Women’s Club : Twenty Years 20-7-1945 - 30-7-1965”.

Portrait photograph of Geraldine Ward, signed, dated and addressed to the Ladies of the East Kew Women's Club.

Obverse: [Signed in ink] For the ladies of the East Kew Women's Club with warm wishes, Geraldine Ward 1960." [Reverse annotated] Presented to Society with Minute Books from East Kew Women's Club. / Signed Geraldine Ward across photo / KH-217 / {Stamped] Hand Hasenpflug Illustrative Photography, 62 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Phone CENT 2187.

clubs -- kew east (vic.), east kew women's club, glenda ward

'Ordsall', renamed 'Southesk' in the 20th century was built for John Halfey in or before 1865. The house was rebuilt in the 1870s to designs by architect Michael Hennessy. In 1882 the house was redecorated by the firm of Cullis Hill & Co., who hired the artists 'Mr Vandenbrandt' and 'Signor Rizzi" to paint the ceilings of the ballroom and the drawingroom. The artistic triumph was described in detail in The Argus, 30 October, 1882. In 1947, Southesk was purchased by the Kew City Council. For 23 years it was used as a meeting place for community groups. The house was then demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Town Hall.

Rare, and possible unique fragment of a plaster cornice from one of the most architecturally distinctive houses in Kew, demolished 1970.

Section of plaster cornice removed from Southesk on the corner of Charles Street and Cotham Road, Kew, when it was demolished in 1970 by the City of Kew. The cornice has a narrow layer of previously coloured plaster which is now overlaid with a grey distemper. The foundation of the cornice is moulded cement. Remnant flowers moulded in the central band of the cornice include a rose and a sunflower. The plaster decoration was probably located in the entrance hall, dining room or ballroom, all of which were created in the 1870s by Michael Hennessy and decorated by the firm of art decorators, Cullis Hill & Co in 1882.

Nil

ordsall, south esk, cullis hill, plasterwork, cornices, victorian interiors