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 news
Reopening of St Peter's Plaza Eastern Hill, 10 November 2019
On 10 November, St Peter’s Plaza and the restored ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ were re-opened to the public. Dating from 1924, the cross is a memorial to the fallen soldiers of World War 1, modelled on wayside crosses in France and is the only one of its kind in Australia.
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Jolimont Station: submission
The East Melbourne Historical Society has recently nominated Jolimont Station for inclusion on the Heritage Victoria register. The station has been a long overlooked part of our history. It does not appear even on the City of Melbourne's Inventory of Heritage Places.
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- 992 reads
Phil Ruthven Slides Available
There was an excellent attendance at our event on Wednesday 21 June 2017 when Phil Ruthven took us on a trip down Memory Lane looking back to Australia, Melbourne and East Melbourne in 1853 and 1953 to the present day. He also had the courage, audacity some might say, to predict what the circumstances might be in 2053.
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Richard Wynne, planning minister, states East Melbourne 'spectacular'
On Monday, March 9 2015 The Age ran an article by Clay Lucas under the headline 'Towers make city hostile. says minister'. In the article Mr Wynne said to have significant concerns over the levels of density that been approved for Melbourne's CBD. Asked about his favourite architecture he listed East Melbourne as one of his choices.
DOCKLANDS LIBRARY
If you're looking for somewhere new to visit, why not head down to see the new Docklands Library at 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade?
Forthcoming activities
Recent acquisitions
History of the East Melbourne Community Garden 2003-2020
The History of the East Melbourne Community Garden by Matt Faubel follows the work of a dedicated team who worked for over six years with the City of Melbourne and other interested partie
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Yarra Park School Grade I 1940
Yarra Park School, class photo of Grade I 1940. The only student identified is Frances Hopgood (later Watkins) in the second back row, four from the left.
- 58 reads
Yarra Park School Grade Prep 1939
Yarra Park School, class photo of Grade Prep 1939. Frances Hopgood (later Watkins) is in the second back row, four from the right.
- 60 reads
1857 Bradshaw's map of Melbourne & suburbs
A map of Melbourne and suburbs, with streets named and churches and public institutions marked.
- 118 reads
1859 Geological Survey Map
The map shows the central city grid and suburbs to the south and east, including East Melbourne. The caption beneath the map reads 'Surveyed, Engraved & Published under the direction of Alfred R C Selwyn, Govt Geologist'.
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