Welcome
Welcome to the East Melbourne Historical Society.
East Melbourne is a tiny suburb adjoining the city of Melbourne bounded by Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens to the west, Victoria Parade to the north, Hoddle Street to the east and Yarra Park to the south, home of the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground. East Melbourne was included in Robert Hoddle's original 1837 plan for the city but the first private house was not built until 1853. The suburb today reflects a history of Victoria with its beautiful gardens, grand houses of the gold rush era and workmen's cottages. Cast iron lacework adorns the houses, bluestone cobbled lanes lead to old coach houses and brick dunnies. Artists, scientists, politicians, judges, educators, priests, explorers, entrepreneurs, courtesans, philanthropists and social activists lived here and many a tale is told of characters wild and exotic.
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Recent articles
More than a Kindergarten
An interesting side-light on the changing demographic of Melbourne in the years after the second world war was the decision to relocate the existing City Free Kindergarten in Exhibition Street (on the corner of Little Lonsdale Street) to Powlett Reserve in East Melbourne.
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Jolimont and Repatriation
By 1917 it was apparent that repatriation services for returning service men and women were inadequate. Soldiers were arriving back in the country in large numbers, most of them damaged by illness or injury. Many of them would not be able to return to their pre-war occupations.
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- 236 reads
The Curious Mr Stanford: from East Melbourne to California
Thomas Welton Stanford arrived in Melbourne in 1860 to make money. He achieved this by quickly securing the sole licence to import Singer sewing machines. But it is not for his business success that he is primarily known.
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Pros and (Mod) Cons
In aid of the Red Cross and War Comforts Funds Melbourne City Council has transformed the Treasury Gardens into a Garden City with an extensive lighting scheme. It will be open on Monday at 1 p.m. for one month, with daily sessions from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Bedggood: Friendly Footwear
Daniel Bedggood arrived in Melbourne in 1854. Almost immediately he set up a boot and shoe factory in Richmond. A successful business from the start, succeeding generations kept it going and his son, John, oversaw the transition to a new and bigger factory in Jolimont, at 22 Agnes Street, in 1899.
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Forthcoming activities
Christmas Party
East Melbourne Historical Society members will gather together to celebrate the Christmas season in the beautiful grounds of Bishopscourt. The new archbishop, Ric Thorpe, will be in residence. We may catch a glimpse. Either way there will be plenty of food and drink, and fun and goodwill.
- 177 reads
Recent acquisitions
St Hilda's sold
An article reporting the sale of St Hilda's, 1 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne to Elizabeth Ring, ex-wife of Stephen Ring, a major shareholder in Swisse Vitamins before its sale. Price believed to be in excess of $22 million.
- 31 reads
St Hilda's for sale
An article reporting that the Police Association intends selling its building at 1 Clarendon Street, East Melbourne.
- 27 reads
Marlion House sold
Article reporting that the Krongold family has sold its offices at Marlion House, 33-41 Agnes Street, East Melbourne (Jolimont). The price is given at around $25 million. Originally the building was a warehouse belonging to Griffiths Bros, tea merchants, and was later used by the Herald and Weekly Times, it was converted to offices in 1988.
- 24 reads
Richmond Football Club vows to exit Punt Road Oval if Jack Dyer Stand can't be demolished
Article about Richmond Football Club's proposal to redevelop its ground to create a larger playing area, comparable to that of the MCG. This will necessitate the demolition of the Jack Dyer Stand, which will be replaced with a stand of twice the capacity. The club claims that there is no other way to achieve its aims and if demolition is refused it will be forced to leave
- 36 reads
Plans for MCG redevelopment
Article about plans to redevelop the MCG's Great Southern Stand. A refresh, along with additonal facilities, is deemed necessary if the stadium is to retain its place as a world leader.
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