Born into a genteel family of pastoralists and investors in colonial Victoria, Mabel Louise Kelly (1887–1973), or ‘Mab’ to those who knew her, would grow up to make an enormous contribution to Victoria and Australia. Most evidently, it was made through bequests to the University of Melbourne and through the donation to the university of
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Join members of the Malvern Historical Society Committee for a lecture by author Professor Richard Broome at the Malvern Town Hall on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 7:30pm. Professor Richard Broome, AM FAHA FRHSV, will present a lecture on 'The Power of Place. The Story of Melbourne Lanes'. He will discuss the making of Melbourne's
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Session 1: 6pm - 7.30pm Session 2: 8pm - 9.30pm Film pioneer Louise Lovely was Australia’s most successful actress in Hollywood’s early silent era and Labassa’s most celebrated resident of the 1930s. Delve into Miss Lovely’s extraordinary life story as a star of stage and screen and learn what her splash of glamour brought to
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Please join us on Thursday April 3rd for our next meeting and talk on GEORGES of Collins Street. Our speaker Justin Maclean will be discussing the store history, and the merchandise they sold. All welcome. Please register your interest in attending via email at antiquecollectorsclubvic@gmail.com or meet us at the Kew Library on meeting night.
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After our success last year, we again have market stalls joining us for our bi-annual big book sale! We have 10+ stalls joining us, so you know it will be lively. Stall owners have jewellery, knitted toys, scrapbooking materials, soaps and more to offer you. Make sure to stop by and pick up a treasure
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Join us for a not-to-be-missed discussion on recording and sharing the truths of a colonial past. Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir and Marguerita Stephens will share their experience of collaborating across cultures to create their ground-breaking work “Years of Terror: Banbu-deen: Kulin & Colonists at Port Phillip 1835-1851.” Why did Billibellary and other Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung clansmen
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Join the Hopetoun and District Historical Society for their launch of a restored 1890s map of the Shire and Schools of Karakarooc on Sunday 13 April 2025. Hopetoun is located 384km north-west of Melbourne via the Calder Highway (about 4.5 hours drive). For those not local to Hopetoun, this event is a great opportunity to
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Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets!

Starting at the iconic clock tower of the Malvern Town Hall, you’ll embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Malvern. As you stroll through the streets, you’ll uncover fascinating stories behind the Town Hall, the nearby Police Station, and the former Court House. Marvel at St George’s Anglican Parish, explore Stonnington’s only bluestone
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Although more than 700 people have lived at Labassa, it has miraculously survived with most of its opulent Victorian era decoration intact. Come and experience the complex richness of Labassa’s architectural and human history. Young visitors will have fun tracking down all those non-human “critters” who still live at the mansion. Guided house tours and
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