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25.01.2022 Who remembers the Cole "Funny Picture Books"? Mr Cole is buried in the Kew Cemetery and in 2016 the dilapidated grave was restored. Photos below show what great condition the grave is in 2020. A 1923 album of long lost photos inside the store have come to light https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/200778565 the album was complied by Henry Williams, based on the contents of an earlier album created for E.W. Cole, but subsequently lost. A commentary is given to this effect on page 56 of the album. The first page contains "A Brief Sketch of E.W. Cole's History" also written by Henry Williams. The album contains 53 photographs adhered to pages, and two loose photographs inserted at the back. The last few pages contain drawings by children. Bound in red leather. Title embossed in gold lettering on front cover. This work is out of copyright

24.01.2022 Tonight was the official launch of the new book "From Municipality to City, Chairmen and Mayors of Kew 1861-1994" copies are available for $30 from the Kew Historical Society. Some of the Mayors are buried in the Boroondara Cemetery. It was launched by Kew Historical Society Archivist - Robert Bakerand also by Boroondara Mayor Cr Jane Addis.

24.01.2022 Buried in the cemetery in Kew, Leslie Smith, secretary of the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association. Name: Leslie SMITH Date: 01-Aug-1928 Age: 55... Grave: UNIT A 0101 Other interments in the same grave location - * 12-Mar-1892 SKIPPER, LAURA AGNES Age: 0 * 11-Oct-1928 PHILLIPS, JOSEPHINE PANHAM Age: 0 * 09-Nov-1951 Amy R Smith OBITUARY. Mr. Leslie Smith, secretary of the Australian Sheep Breeders' Association, died at his home. Kew (Vic.) on Tuesday, at the age of years 55 years. He had been ailing for some time. The news of his death will be received with regret by all pastoralists and it was particularly regrettable in view of the Jubilee Sheep Show now being held in Melbourne, which Mr. Smith so success fully organized. He was secretary of the Australian Sheepbreeders' Association for 21 years, and for many years was secretary of the Pastoralists' Union of Victoria and Southern Riverina, and of the Northern Territory Pastoral Lessees' Association. He left a widow, two daughters, and a son, Mr. L. M. Smith, captain of the Geelong Grammar School. The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929) Wed 1 Aug 1928

23.01.2022 The gates from the old Royal Melbourne Hospital were given to Dr Springthorpe in 1910 in appreciation of his services and are now located in Springthorpe Park in Murrumbeena. The gates marked the entrance to his property what is now Joyous Gard Court. When he died in 1939 his house was demolished and the gates were donated to Caulfield Council (now Glen Eira Council).

21.01.2022 The grave of John Dickson Wyselaskie (1818-1883), pastoralist and philanthropist, was born 1818 in Scotland. His grave is the only one at the cemetery with a likeness of himself. In 1837 he joined his uncle Robert Kerr in Van Diemen's Land and was soon sent to Port Phillip to find land for the firm of Kerr and (John) Bogle of Hobart Town and Launceston. Wyselaskie explored north to the Mallee and then took up a run near Buninyong. In 1840 he left to take up Narrapumelap, 40,...000 acres (16,188 ha) on the Hopkins River. His first years were difficult and the Aboriginals troublesome; however, the 1850s brought prosperity and enabled him to buy out Kerr and Bogle and to acquire the freehold of 24,000 acres (9,713 ha). He formed a merino flock with sheep from the studs of J. A. Gibson in Tasmania and John Taylor, and the Narrapumelap merino became noted for its fine quality wool. He made extensive improvements and in 1873 employed fifty stonemasons to build a fine bluestone mansion, finished with a tower and approached by a mile-long (1.6 km), tree-lined avenue. Wyselaskie was a member of the Geelong and Portland Bay Immigration Society in the late 1840s. He was active in the establishment of a school at the near-by township of Wickliffe and in obtaining occasional visits by a clergyman. He donated the church's tower and spire in the 1870s. With his wife Mary Jane Austin, née Farrell, he visited Europe in 1874-76. They moved to Melbourne in 1878 and he built Wickliffe House, St Kilda, where he lived in retirement and poor health until his death of apoplexy on 4 May 1883; he was buried in the Boroondara cemetery. Wyselaskie left an estate valued at 72,337 realty and 28,063 personalty. An ardent Presbyterian and childless he gave most of his wealth to the Church. He had already given 30,000 to Ormond College, and he left 10,000 for the Presbyterian (now Wyselaskie) Theological Hall, attached to the college, and 20,000 to pay its professors and teachers; 5000 for the Presbyterian Ladies' College which went to build its Wyselaskie Hall; 2000 to the Wickliffe Presbyterian Church and 5000 to his old church in Sanquhar; and 12,000 to be invested for the endowment of scholarships in six different disciplines at the University of Melbourne. Several charities also benefited. Narrapumelap was bought by G. N. Buckley, son of Mars Buckley (i.e. of Buckley & Nunn department store) https://adb.anu.edu.au/biograp/wyselaskie-john-dickson-4896

21.01.2022 In the Boroondara (Kew) Cemetery there are a set of gates standing alone. The reason why they are there goes back 1999-2000 when the Peace Haven Mausoleum was being built. The width of the original gates (circa late 1880's) were too narrow for the construction vehicles, so the width was increased and new gates installed. It is wonderful the old gates were retained.

19.01.2022 Tay Greggan, the 1893 house that is now Strathcona Year 9 school for girls in Hawthorn has an interesting history with its former owners buried in the Boroondara Cemetery in Kew. The house was built by Robert Guyon Purchas son of Albert Purchas who is buried in the cemetery. Following the 1890's depression when Purchas lost his fortune, the house was sold to Michael and Flora Spencer. Michael Spencer died at 31 and Flora re-married Alfred Hunt.... The grave is an impressive monument. Whilst there are 4 internees, perhaps the family were expecting more family to end up there. It is interesting that Flora's second husband Alfred is buried along with her first husband. No engraving for Flora is evident. The plot was purchased by Flora according to the Cemetery records.

07.01.2022 Spotted yesterday by one of our working bee volunteers. A victim of the 1918-1919 Spanish Flu. It’s on the road opposite the Springthorpe Memorial.

06.01.2022 Dr Gordon is buried in the Boroondara Cemetey 1876 The Argus A number of painful suicides have formed an unusual feature in the social history of the month. On the 18th inst the body of Dr William Leslie Gordon was found in Studley park and it transpired that he had committed suicide by swallowing chloroform... At the coroner's inquest a verdict was returned to the effect that the deceased poisoned himself with chloroform while of un-sound mind Dr Gordon had formerly been a medical officer at the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum, and for the last two years be had been superintendent of the Ararat Asylum. The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wed 29 Nov 1876 Page 1 Name GORDON, WILLIAM LESLIE Date 21-Nov-1876 Age 38 Grave Location C/E B 0378 Section Name Church of England Grave Type (not recorded) Service Burial

04.01.2022 A sad day as another Kew landmark comes down. 228 Cotham Road "Sunninghill" was recently offices, before that reception rooms, and originally the home of actor Bland Holt. Holt is buried in the Boroondara Cemetery. Bland Holt (born Joseph Thomas Holt, ( 1851 1942) was a comedian and theatrical producer, active in Australia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bland_Holt

02.01.2022 Buried in the cemetery in Kew, Joseph Kilner piano maker Name: JOSEPH KILNER Date: 11-May-1891 Age: 58... Grave Location: C/E C 0205 Section Name: Church of England Service: Burial Other interments in the same grave location 28-May-1895 Burial CLAUDE GOODING Age:7 (grandson) 10-Aug-1912 Burial EMMA KILNER Age: 78 Joseph Kilner first arrived in Australia in 1850 and, after making his fortune in gold and returning to England to collect his family, he returned to Victoria. In 1854 he began making pianos from parts imported first started making pianos in 1854 using imported parts from BROADWOOD'S in London, where he had served his apprenticeship. In 1862 Joseph Wilkie, also from Broadwood's, joined him, the firm becoming "Wilkie, Kilner and Company". and between 1863 and 1866 they sold 305 pianos, quite an achievement. Around 1870 this factory reverted to a family business and made wooden-frame pianos under the name of Joseph Kilner. The pianos of Wilkie, Kilner and Co were of good quality and they won several prizes: 1866-1867, Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition; 1872, Intercolonial Exhibition of Victoria; 1876, and in 1876, Great Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Source: Golden Era Piano Museum.

02.01.2022 Who ever knew ........ ? Nellie Stewart the famous stage performer (buried in the cemetery) has her solicitor buried there as well. Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900) Thu 22 Feb 1900 Page 17 ... MR. HENRY WESTLEY. Deputy-Master and Acting-Master of the Dramatic Charities Henry Westley, solicitor, of Collins street, was recently appointed Deputy-Master of Australian Dramatic and Musical Association in connection with the Distressed Actors He has long been connected with the Association as one of the wardens in addition to acting as its honorary solicitor. Prior to Mr. J.C. Williamson the master, leaving for Sydney, a meeting was held, with a view of electing a suitable gentleman who would take charge. At the request of Messrs. J. C. Williamson,Robert Brough, Armes Beaumont, other manager and prominent members, Mr. Westley was requested to accept the position in the stead of Mr Williamson. Mr. Westley is a well-known member of the legal profession, having practised in Collins-street for over thirty years. Photo by Vanderwyde. Bourke-st. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/180536237 The Northern Miner Sat 23 May 1908 / Page 5 PERSONAL Miss Nellie Stewart writes to her solicitor, Mr. Henry Westley (Mel- bourne), under date of the 11th ult., from London, stating that she has, under the cure of her medical adviser, Sir Thomas Barlow, quite recovered from her illness. Miss Stewart states that she hopes to he shortly in Mel- bourne with novelties and new produc- tions." The Argus - Fri 6 Jun 1913 / Page 1 WESTLEY. On the 4th June, at his residence, "Mitcham" Power Street, Hawthorn, Henry, beloved husband of Alice Allen, and father of the Rev. Arthur Howard, Walter W., Harold H., Hubert N., and Mrs. H Power, and brother of James Westley of Westley and Dale, solicitors, Melbourne, in his 72nd year. A colonist of 61 years. (Private internment, by request )