What to do on a cold and wet day in Melbourne

 

Listen to one of our lectures via podcast! 

Recent lecturers have included Darren Peacock & David Lawry, Maree Coote, Ross McMullin, John Hirst, Kate Prinsley, Brenda Niall, Annamaria Davine, Bruce Pennay, and Weston Bate.  The lectures cover a wide range of topics, with some of the most recent ones including: 'Avenues of Honour research project'; 'The Art of Melbourne'; 'Australia’s Gifted Lost Generation of World War I'; and 'The Many Lives of Kenneth Myer'.

See our Lectures webpage for podcasts of past lectures.

Tomorrow night the guest lecturer will be Paul Strangio on his award-winning book, Neither Power nor Glory:  100 Years of Political Labor in Victoria, 1856-1956.

Tuesday 21 May 2013 at 5.45 pm at RHSV Headquarters, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne 3000.

HOUSE HISTORY DETECTIVES

WORKSHOP, Thursday 23 May If walls could talk... How old is my house? Who lived in my house? An introduction to the sources used to research the history of your home. Hands on research using the RHSV special collections. Time: 10am – 1pm Duration: 3 hours RHSV Headquarters, 239 A’Beckett St, Melbourne Bookings with payment by May 20 online at http://www.trybooking.com/Embed.aspx?eid=47314 RHSV members $35.00 Non Members $50.00 Limited to 12 participants. More information: 03 9326 9288.

Picture of the Month - May 2013

Kenney’s Gentlemen’s Bathing Ship, St Kilda

Kenney’s Gentlemen’s Bathing Ship, St Kilda, circa 1855, reproduced from John Butler Cooper The History of St. Kilda, Vol 1 (Melbourne, Printers Propriety Limited, 1931), facing page 156, RHSV Collection.


Kenney’s Gentlemen’s Bathing Ship was opened in 1854. An old wooden sailing ship – The Nancy – suitably cleared of fitments was scuttled close to the water-line off St. Kilda. It was the dominant feature of the St Kilda shore line in the late 1850s and during the following decade.

The bathing ship’s owner, William Kenney, described as ‘short, stout, freckled, bluff, choleric and good natured’ (Butler, The History of St. Kilda, 1931, p156), became ‘a household name’ in Victoria, if not beyond. Men returning from the bush would find themselves at his baths ‘washing off the dust of the hot plains’. Read more...

10 double passes to give away to the upcoming Intelligence Squared Debate

Thanks to the kind generosity of the Wheeler Centre we have 10 double passes to give away to the upcoming Intelligence Squared Debate - ‘Anzac Day is more Puff than Substance’.

On April 30 at Melbourne Town Hall, a diverse panel of historians, war reporters and former Army personnel will argue some of the thorny issues - tickets are $20 and $12 concession.

Visit the RHSV Facebook http://www.facebook.com/historyvictoria, SHARE and LIKE this post by 5 pm ANZAC Day. Winners will be selected at random.

More information on the debate can be found via the RHSV Events Calendar: http://www.historyvictoria.org.au/events/intelligence-squared-debate-anzac-day-is-more-puff-than-substance

Picture of the Month - April 2013

“Not a Flat Thing” – Melbourne’s Parliament House and its Intended Dome

Parliament House, Melbourne, sketch showing the original planned dome by architect Peter Kerr, from Album of Melbourne Views – Visitors Handbook of Facts and Figures (Horace Perkins, c. 1890), RHSV Collection : BL020-0006


In 1927 the Federal Government made a grant of £50,000, a gesture of appreciation for their years of residency in Spring Street (see Picture of the Month, March 2013). On 18th June 1927 The Argus reported “The Minister of Works, Mr (J.P.) Jones, suggests that the money should be applied toward the erecting of a dome; ‘not a flat squat thing, but one which will enhance the beauty of an already beautiful building’ ” The dome never eventuated, but for its story – read on…

In 1855 the Legislative Council of Victoria, moved “that His Excellency (The Governor) will take steps for the immediate construction of the new houses for the accommodation of both Chambers of Legislature”.

After abandoning the option of the site where the State Library now stands, because its close proximity to the Melbourne Goal, the grand and elevated Spring Street site at the east end of Bourke Street, was chosen. A design competition was held. Read more...

Melbourne's Own Cruiser

On 26 March 1913, the new RAN cruiser HMAS Melbourne sailed gloriously into Port Phillip Bay, 'Single Line Ahead' leading HMS Encounter, Torpedo Boat Destroyers Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra.  She was later to receive the insignia of the City of Melbourne, which is included in the current RHSV exhibition, on loan from the Australian War Memorial.

On the exact anniversary of that triumphal entry into the port of Melbourne, the RHSV exhibition was launched, and at the same time a new history of the working life of HMAS Melbourne was launched.

L-R:  Andrew Lemon, President RHSV; Captain Mike Harris, RAN; Andrew Kilsby; Commander Greg Swinden, RAN.

 

The authors of the new book, Andrew Kilsby, left, and Commander Greg Swinden.

The official guest to launch the exhibition and book was Captain Mike Harris, left, with Andrew Kilsby.

 Captain Mike Harris, RAN, has a double connection with the story of the Melbourne.  He captained its namesake, HMAS Melbourne (2) until 2011, and his great-grandparents were among the passengers rescued in from a stricken vessel, the Helen B Sterling in very heavy seas in 1922.   A descendant of one of the seamen who manned a small cutter to affect the rescue was also present for the launch.

The Melbourne entering Port Phillip Bay, 'Single Line Ahead', leading HMS Encounter, and Torpedo Boat Destroyers Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra.  From The Argus, 27 March, 1913, p5.

 The Exhibition is open until 1 May, open weekdays from 10 till 4, at the RHSV, 239 A'Beckett St, Melbourne (near the corner of William St.)       

The Tree Project

The Tree Project was mentioned in a recent Plenty Historical Society Newsletter.  The link provided  reveals a truly heartwarming project to support the fire-ravaged communities of Victoria.

 

We look forward to hearing more about the installation of The Tree Project.