The Kew Historical Society was founded in 1958, and is one of the oldest continuing historical societies in Melbourne. For over 60 years, the Society has worked with local government and other organisations within Kew to stimulate interest in our history and heritage.
The Society is affiliated with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria and the Australian Museums and Galleries Association. It co-operates with other historical societies and groups across the City of Boroondara through the Boroondara Historical Societies Association.
APRIL MONTHLY MEETING
Speaker: Jill Sanguinetti
Topic: MLC in the 1950s and 60s: the glories and the ghosts
Date/Venue/Time: Wednesday April 14, Phyllis Hore Room, Kew Library, 8-10pm
Summary: When I discovered a file of all my letters home from my boarding school years at MLC, my memories, good and bad came pouring out and I felt I had to capture those troubled, but in many ways wonderful years of my life in a book. In this talk I’ll draw on my letters from the fifties and early sixties to describe some of the unforgettable characters, the prison-like boarding school, the friendships and the spiritual and academic education … and the miseries, the rebellions and the fun that were the way of life of school boarders. I’ll use the data projector and will have a few books on sale at a reduced price as well as some copies of my latest book, ‘A Different Kind of Seeing’ which is another educational memoir that I wrote with and for my adult literacy student, who is a blind Assyrian refugee.
EXHIBITIONS
The Society is holding two significant exhibitions in March, April and May.
OUTDOOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES: LAWN BOWLS, TENNIS & CROQUET
Items from the collections of the former Kew Bowling Club, Auburn Heights Recreation Club, and Kew Heights Sports Club. These collections, dating from 1880, were donated to the Society in early 2020 following the closure of the MCC Kew Sports Club. Comprising archives, trophies, pictures and memorabilia, this is the most important sporting collection in Kew, A number of items from these collections are displayed in the exhibition spaces. Download the event flyer for additional information.
Venues/Dates & Times:
Kew Court House Fridays & Saturdays 11am-1pm until 11 June
Kew Library, during Library hours.
TEXTILES IN BLOOM: FASHION & TEXTILES AT VILLA ALBA MUSEUM
A two day event at the Villa Alba Museum highlighting rare items from our fashion and design collection, many of which will be displayed for the first time. This event is part of the 2021 Australian Heritage Festival. Unfortunately there are restrictions on visitors, so bookings for the Saturday and Sunday sessions are limited. If you would like more information, please download the Textiles in Bloom flyer. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.
Venues/ Dates and times:
Saturday 1 May (12.3–2.00pm, 2.30-4.00pm)
Sunday 2 May (12.3–2.00pm, 2.30-4.00pm)
Online exhibitions
Three online exhibitions are now available for viewing on the website. You can access them via the Exhibitions page.
COLLECTION
Following a Significance Assessment funded by a Community Heritage Grant in 2018, a conservator from Grimwade Conservation Services has undertaken a detailed Preservation Needs Assessment of our collection during the first months of 2021. Both reports can be accessed from our Collections page.