Columns » East Melbourne Historical Society
Gone, but not forgotten
The Argus, on February 28, 1908, reported: “Some months ago the parks and gardens committee decided to make the Fitzroy Gardens more attractive by erecting a rustic kiosk, where tea, coffee and light refreshments might be dispensed …
Latest
A tale of two sisters
Ball and Welch was once one of Melbourne’s landmark department stores, along with others such as Buckley and Nunn. History tells us that the store was founded by Charles Ball and his nephew, William Henry Welch. But perhaps there is more to the story …
Read More
JWHT Douglas: gentleman cricketer
With the coming of summer, a major event in the East Melbourne area is the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. This year’s match will be between Australia and South Africa.
Read More
Died due to war service
With Remembrance Day coming up it seems a fitting time to acknowledge one of East Melbourne’s many residents who enlisted to serve their King and Country in the Great War. Shown here is Henri Joseph Lamande, in one of the more diverting photos in our society’s collection.
Read More
Old Men’s Shelter
We usually think of public buildings as large and imposing structures such as town halls or railway stations, but at Powlett Reserve in East Melbourne, there is situated possibly one of the smallest public buildings in Melbourne.
Read More
Dr Bertram Wainer and the struggle for the right to abortion
On June 24, 2022, in the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organisation the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its 1973 ruling, made as result of the now famous Roe v Wade case, that gave a fundamental right to women to access abortion under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Read More
Oscar Oesar: man of mystery
In 1946 Oscar Oeser, like many men who had fought in World War II, migrated to Australia. His arrival had already been announced in an article published in The Age on November 24, 1945.
Read More
Kalingra: a story of firsts
East Melbourne is rightfully known for its Victorian era streetscapes. However, between the wars it went through a period of redevelopment resulting in a scattering of buildings that are markedly different in style.
Read More
George Page Cooper – art collector
East Melbourne Historical Society is researching the lives of the names that were on the World War One Honour Roll of the old Yarra Park State School that was situated on the corner of Wellington Parade and Punt Rd between 1874 and 1987. There are many interesting stories that have come out of this research, and one such story is that of George Page Cooper.
Read More
Salad Days
In the Victorian era, when architectural style leaned heavily towards the Italianate, one East Melbourne house stood out. It was beautifully depicted by artist, William Tibbits, in 1879.
Read More
Supporting the East Melbourne community again in 2025
Is the Victorian Government delivering on affordable housing?
Download the Latest Edition