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.
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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.

09/04/2026

We still have tickets for Spies and Social Reformers- your chance to view the Women of Influence exhibition and learn a bit more about the women.

As one viewer said: “It is extraordinary to find out for the first time about the contribution of so many extraordinary Hawthorn women. Thank you.”

Booking is essential: https://www.trybooking.com/DKEBX

06/04/2026

Come and learn more about Betty Marginson, Hawthorn’s first female Mayor. Her staunch advocacy for active ageing drove many national and statewide initiatives for older people. Betty is featured in the Hawthorn Historical Society’s Women of Influence exhibition at Camberwell Library until April 24. Free.

www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/betty-marginson

02/04/2026

Dr Campbell is featured in the Hawthorn Historical Society’s Women of Influence exhibition at Camberwell Library until April 24. Free.

https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/dame-kate-isabel-campbell/

30/03/2026

Thank you for your interest and engagement in history John Pesutto .

29/03/2026

Doris Blackburn is featured in the Hawthorn Historical Society’s Women of Influence exhibition at Camberwell Library until April 24. Free.

https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/doris-blackburn/

26/03/2026

The Hawthorn Historical Society collection contains two types of bookplates: Ex Libris and the school prize bookplate, with the latter awarded to successful students on the Annual Speech Night. On a practical level they are used to identify the owner of the book, to establish the book’s provenance and to facilitate the likelihood of the return of the book to its owner.
Read more ...
https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/blog/

25/03/2026

Sadly we are cancelling tonight’s talk with Sita as she is unwell. Tickets will be reimbursed and we will attempt to reschedule.

Thank you.

24/03/2026

Last night we were delighted to listen to Anna Welch, principal curator, History of the Book at the State Library, talk to us about the Women's Writer's Fund. This initiative aims to allow the library to add under-representative women's voices to their collection. It fits so nicely with our current exhibition at the Camberwell Library - Women of Influence . open til the end of April. (Library hours)

22/03/2026

During Women's History Month we are excited to introduce two inspiring speakers. First up on Tuesday night Anna Welch from the State Library of Victoria will speak to us about the Library's Women Writers Fund, "Balancing the Books."
https://www.trybooking.com/DIWTI
On Thursday night we will hear from Sita Sargeant about some of the remarkable women who shaped Melbourne. "She Shapes (His)tory." "After all Melbourne is where a woman helped launch a tram network, where women-led petitions reshaped our democracy and where trailblazers created Australia's first hit musicals..."
https://www.trybooking.com/DIWTQ

Image of Joyce Barry - first Australian female tram diver (Matthew Crawford)

19/03/2026

Fantastic opening for our exhibition last Wednesday evening .
'Women of Influence' was launched by Dr Monique Ryan MP. The exhibition tells the stories of women from the area who made outstanding contributions in many fields of life such as medicine, music, literature, social activism and local history.
Dr Monique Ryan was particularly interested to learn more about the achievements of Dr Kate Campbell, pioneering neonatal physician and about Doris Blackman who was the first woman to be elected to the Australian Federal Parliament as an independent.
The exhibition runs until the end of April, so pop in to the Gallery at the rear of Camberwell Library to be inspired by these exceptional women.

17/03/2026

Does anyone remember the Coles Funny Picture book with its iconic rainbow design on the cover? The Cole's Book Arcade, Melbourne, 1883, the brain child of the extraordinarily eccentric E W Cole was once one of the biggest bookstores in the world. It was a whimsical, fantastical experience, the "go to" place in the city featuring monkeys, talking birds, a tea room, a hall of mirrors, exotic plants, jugglers, buskers, entertainment, and thousands of books including his own publication The Cole's Funny PIcture Book.

EW Cole died in 1918 and the business was carried until 1929 on by his extended family, who lived at Friesa (Oxford) 21 Isabella Grove, Hawthorn for many years. There is a large family plot at the Boroondara Cemetery at Kew.
Images. 1. Museums Victoria 2. State Library of Victoria, 3. E Love, 4. David Wakeham

14/03/2026

Does anyone have a mannequin we can borrow?
We need it for our exhibition Women of Influence.

Address

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

Telephone

+61451830136

Website

http://hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/

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