The Argus, on 28 February 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. Aided by the Government, a suitable structure was erected in the park and after arrangements had been made, whereby the Misses F. and K. Mathieu leased the kiosk for a considerable term, it was, in the presence of a large number of people, opened to the public by the Lord Mayor yesterday."

Frances Ellen Agatha Mathieu and her sister, Katherine Louise Mathieu were born in Rushworth but by 1882 the family had moved to East Melbourne.  By 1908 the two sisters were living at 146 Clarendon Street, one of the houses in Fitzroy Terrace demolished to make way for the Mercy Maternity Hospital, now apartments.  It was a very short walk through the Fitzroy Gardens to the new kiosk.  The sisters proved themselves good and generous operators.  There were many fund-raising and charitable functions held at the kiosk sponsored by them. The kiosk hosted numerous band recitals in its purpose-built bandstand.  It was a popular spot for private parties, with news of many hitting the social pages.  But in 1917 Frances died and Katherine gave up the lease.  

The new lessee was Leon Augustine Kennedy, a returned soldier who also lived at 146 Clarendon Street.   With the change of operator news of activities at the kiosk dropped out of the limelight.  It seems Kennedy did not have the same flair for hospitality.  

By 1921 the Council was already talking about making extensive alterations and additions to the kiosk.  These finally came to fruition in 1924.  The Herald of 28 January 1924 gives us some details:

"The Parks and Gardens committee will spend £1000 on the structural alterations. A new flat will be constructed at the eastern end to harmonise with the rest of the building, the dining-room is to be enlarged and the band rotunda, which emerges from the roof at the north-western corner, will be utilised for private supper parties. The present shingle roof will be removed, and tiles will be substituted. Refreshments will be served on the balcony as well, as in the dining-room."

A new lessee took over, Mark Wallace Milnes, known as Wallie.  Very little is known about Wallie.  He had had a long history as a publican before taking over the kiosk and was presumably well practised in the art of giving people a good time. The kiosk again became the place to be, with outdoor dining on a sunny day particularly popular.  

Wallie lived in the new flat with his second wife, Florrie and daughter, Caroline and her husband, George Henry Lockhart, after their marriage in 1939. Wallie died in 1943 and Caroline took over the lease.  By at least 1946 she was living there on her own.  One night an enquiry agent knocked at her door in search of a wayward husband.  She was confronted by Caroline bearing a loaded pistol.  Caroline was later charged with having ‘carried an unregistered pistol and of having carried a pistol without a permit’. The Herald, in its report of 14 November 1946, gave her explanation. 

"Caroline Lockart said she lived alone at the kiosk and was often troubled by people knocking on her door late at night. Sometimes she was frightened. Her father had been in charge of the business before he died and his pistol was still in the house. She always took it with her when answering the door at night."

Caroline stuck it out until 1949 when she moved to the kiosk in the Prahran Gardens.  Emily Gorey and her husband, Edward James Gorey, then took over the lease.  Edward was a pharmacist by training and it was Emily who led the new venture.  Reunions were still a large part of the business but wedding receptions were on the rise.  Their children helped out in the shop. Pauline remembers it as a very happy time with yabbying in a nearby pond, now gone, or watching the construction of the Model Tudor Village.

But after only two years the Gorey family moved on, and in came Kevin Wain Kelly, a retired civil servant, and his wife, Millicent Helen Kelly, followed by William and Shirley Strafford in 1958. William was a professional cook and thereby perhaps the most qualified of the lessees to be in charge of such a venue.

But on 28 March 1961 The Canberra Times reported:

"That rather bleak and dark kiosk in the Fitzroy Gardens will be replaced at a cost of £40,000. The replacement, in contemporary style, with a dining room seating 150, must be an improvement …"

The Straffords remained as lessees for another year but in 1963 the old kiosk was demolished and replaced by the current building known as The Pavillion.