Hawthorn Historical Society

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Hawthorn Historical Society

Hawthorn Historical Society welcomes the exploration of Hawthorn's history, people and places. Hawthorn is one of Melbourne’s oldest and most historic suburbs.

Hawthorn Historical Society was formed in 1974, and celebrated its 40th Anniversary in 2014. The Hawthorn Village was planned in 1852 as one of the first settlements to the east of Melbourne. The Society is committed to exploring, preserving and saving our community's history and heritage. We welcome participation and contributions from everyone who has an interest in Hawthorn and its stories. We acknowledge the support of the City of Boroondara.

30/11/2025

Rev. W. H. Fitchett 1841-1928
The first principal of Methodist Ladies College, one of the most successful girls' schools in Australia, started from humble beginnings to become one of Australia's influential educationalists
Born in Lincolnshire, Rev. William Henry Fitchett was a clergyman, writer and educator. He came to Australia as a young boy with his family and settled in Geelong, however his father died two years later. Largely self-educated, Fitchett took numerous jobs in low status occupations such as quarryman in Geelong and jackeroo in Queensland before entering the Methodist ministry in 1865. A forceful and fervent preacher, he became an itinerant minister, which included serving some time in Hawthorn from 1879-1881. Fitchett then matriculated from Melbourne University in 1872 and then qualified with a B.A. in 1875

To read the full story -
https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/rev-dr-w-h-fitchett/

26/11/2025

A still from the silent movie Living Hawthorn from 1906 compared with this photo almost 120 years late (November 2025).
Spot the differences. Incredible!

22/11/2025

About to start

19/11/2025

One of Hawthorn's Lovely Ladies.
"Rangitata" in Chrystobel Crescent.
This refined Edwardian house, in the Grace Park Estate was built for Edward Cooper in 1885 and was probably named after the river of the same name in New Zealand. Given a B1 classification in the 1991 Meredith Gould Hawthorn Heritage Study it features red and cream brick detail, original chimneys, slate roof, porch and finials. It stands within large and restful front and rear gardens and is surrounded by a number of old trees including palms.
The house may possibly be the work of architect Joseph Reed, who is more well known for his design of public buildings such as the Melbourne Town Hall, The State Library and the Royal Exhibition Building.
The house is part of the Grace Park Estate which was developed from the original Crown Allotments 38-42 owned by Michael Lynch and his wife Julia (nee Grace). The subdivision was advertised for sale in July 1884 and the crescent is said to follow the carriage way from Power Street to the family home "Grace Park."
"Rangitata's first owned was Edward Cooper , who once wrote to the Council requesting a street light over his gate. Other owners include the McHargs, the family of the Chief Justice of Australia, Sir Own Dixon and the Thorn family. The house has been held within the current family's ownership for over 100 years. Once divided into two flats in the 1930s, it is now restored as a single dwelling.

19/11/2025

Pam Morris from the Camberwell Camera Club gave an excellent presentation at our AGM about the club's photographic project "A Year in the LIfe of Boroondara." Here are some of the images from Sunday. Our special thanks to Pam and to John Pesutto, the Member for Hawthorn, for his support.
Anyone is welcome to join our Society or attend any of meetings. Just get in touch.

Images 1 & 2 Guest speaker Pam Morris - taken by Jim Love
Images 3 & 4. Audience , and HHS Committee with Pam Morris and John Pesutto, Member for Hawthorn - - taken by Penny Underwood

17/11/2025

VALE John Torpey.
Hawthorn Historical Society members will be sad to learn of the death of John, a true supporter of the society, of history, of his fellow veterans and of the wider community. John was always willing to be involved and to help with a ready smile and dry wit. His many contributions to our community's history and to the society are gratefully acknowledged and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Sandra and their family.
Just some of the photos from our collection.
1. & 2. John Torpey and Professor Ling at the launch of his book, Boroondara's Private Schools 1851-1951 in 2021
3. John at the launch of Boroondara Remembers - part of the Gallipoli and Beyond Project 2018
4. John and Sandra at the Remembrance Service at St James Park, 2023
5. John with fellow historical society members and John Pesutto, MP state member for Hawthorn in 2015.
Images Elizabeth Love

14/11/2025

Kathy Ward has sent us an image of this art on the wall of 110 RIversdale Road.

13/11/2025

Our repeated Boroondara Cemetery Walk, guided by researcher Elizabeth Yewers was a great success on the weekend. More than a dozen hardy recruits enjoyed hearing the fascinating stories about some of the cemetery's notable Hawthorn and Victorian residents, and at the same time they soaked up the eerie atmosphere of this beautiful cemetery in the rain. THANKS FOR JOINING US.

11/11/2025

LEST WE FORGET
This group of dedicated returned servicemen and women who have served their country are now doing a marvellous job of transforming the heritage 1920 Hawthorn RSL building into a welcoming and supportive hub for fellow veterans. Their hard work and service continues.

10/11/2025

Do you enjoy living in Boroondara?
Here is a great opportunity to join us on Sunday to see and hear from Pam Morris, at our AGM, about the wonderful photographic project A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF BOROONDARA.
Photographers from the Camberwell Camera Club have created a startlingly beautiful collection of images showcasing our city - the huge range of streetscapes, activities, experiences and architecture. No doubt this book will become a lasting legacy, supporting our understanding of what Hawthorn and its neighbouring suburbs was like in the year 2024. A great Christmas present.
JOIN US AT
25 Inglesby Road, Camberwell
2.00 pm SUNDAY 16th November.

07/11/2025

Tala - No 5 Eric Street in Grace Park, was designed by Grainger and D'Ebro and was built in 1886 for the land dealer and stockbroker Henry Byron Moore. Moore was one of the major shareholders of the Grace Park Syndicate which organised the Grace Park architectural competition in 1884. This competition aimed to launch the leasehold development of the Grace Park Estate. However, Moore's bankruptcy and the 1890s bank crash delayed this development. For twenty years it was the only house on the block yet by 1890 the two story eleven roomed house was rated on a Net Annual Value of £190 when occupied by important Victorian merchant Mr Richard Guthridge.
In the 1910s the Misses Roland ran a dance and physical cultural school for young people. Later the house was tenanted by several individuals.

02/11/2025

Looking through information about Hawthorn in flood we came across these two photos. The first is said to be somewhere in Morang Road in 1932. I believe the house may no longer exist. The other is from an earlier time and thought to be Burwood Road. Any suggestions as to exact locations of each ie. approximate current street numbers?

Address

Mailbox 8, Hawthorn Community Precinct, 584 Glenferrie Road
Melbourne, VIC
3122

Telephone

+61451830136

Website

http://hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/

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