Port Melbourne History – Page 3 – Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society

Buckingham Reserve

Places, Port Melbourne HistoryMay 3, 2024

by David Thompson Buckingham Reserve [highlighted]. City of Port Melbourne map (detail), Amended June 1983. PMHPS Collection. Cat No 704.02. Buckingham Reserve is near the western edge of Garden City. It is named for former Councillor and Mayor Theodore Thomas Buckingham. Tom Buckingham was elected to Port Melbourne Council on 21 January 1961 and served until 1986. He was Mayor on…

South and Port Melbourne Thistle Cricket Club

Collection, Port Melbourne HistoryApril 19, 2024

by David Thompson In April 1924, the South and Port Thistle Cricket Club won the premiership in the Victorian Scottish Association for the third year in succession, the first time such a feat had been achieved in that association.[1] The cricket club was part of the well-established South and Port Melbourne Thistle Society, a social organisation formed on 31 August…

Lyons Street

Places, Port Melbourne HistoryApril 5, 2024

by David F Radcliffe Lyons Street runs parallel to Bay Street, from Liardet Street over Bridge Street and Spring Street East before curving, parallel to Crockford Street, to intersect with Raglan Street. However, this was not always the case. The existence and evolution of Lyons Street reflect the physical geography and the development of Sandridge/Port Melbourne. Lyons Street, Port Melbourne…

Ellen Mary O’Collins of Swallow Street

People, Port Melbourne HistoryMarch 22, 2024

In 1887 a young seamstress in Limerick watched as other young people emigrated from Ireland. Ellen Mary Fitzgerald decided that she did not want to marry and have children in Ireland only to see them leave her for ever. Instead she decided to emigrate herself. Her first choice was North America but her mother refused to allow her to go.…

Mrs Grace Ada Gaylor JP – Everybody’s Friend

People, Port Melbourne HistoryMarch 8, 2024

The Record, 21 May 1932, p5 The title for this article comes from a report in The Record on 21 May 1932 marking Mrs Grace Ada Gaylor’s 65th birthday two days earlier. The story concludes by saying Mrs Grace Gaylor “is beloved by all, and is everybody’s friend irrespective of class or creed”.[1] We could just as easily used “a friend of the poor”…

Six to be Eliminated

Port Melbourne HistoryFebruary 23, 2024

by David Thompson Port Melbourne entered 1924 with six fewer pubs than the previous year! [1] A delicensing authority was established in 1906 leading to the closure of the Belfast Hotel, the Commercial Hotel, the Custom House Hotel, the Fire Brigade Hotel, the Lord Raglan Hotel, the New Great Britain Hotel, the Star Hotel and the Yacht Club Hotel in 1909;…

The Petersons of Ross Street: A Nautical Family

Collection, People, Port Melbourne HistoryFebruary 8, 2024

by David F Radcliffe Frederick Peterson and Priscilla Hume were married at St James Cathedral in Melbourne in June 1869.[1] For 53 years, the couple were active members of the Port Melbourne community raising eight children here, five girls and three boys. Both Frederick and Priscilla came from families with strong connections to ships and the sea and this nautical tradition…

Leith Crescent

People, Places, Port Melbourne HistoryFebruary 2, 2024

by David Thompson Leith Crescent looking towards Howe Parade (2024). Photograph by David Thompson Leith Crescent is a short curving street running between Howe Parade and Williamstown Road. It is closed at Williamstown Road creating a cul-de-sac for the small number of ‘bank houses’ that face onto the street. And ‘bank houses’ are the key behind the naming of Leith Crescent.…

A Bank in Bay Street

Places, Port Melbourne HistoryJanuary 19, 2024

On Thursday, 1 January 1874 the following advertisement appeared on page 2 of The Argus newspaper. TENDERS are invited for the ERECTION of a BANK at Sandridge, for the National Bank of Australasia. Plans and specifications may be seen at our offices, 91 Little Collins Street West until the 8th inst. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be…

The “Worst Hovel in the Municipality”

People, Places, Port Melbourne HistoryDecember 8, 2023

by David Thompson At Port Melbourne Council on Tuesday, 13 Oct 1942, the Mayor, Cr Tom Griffin described the North Port Police Station as the “worst hovel in the municipality” adding “the building is a disgrace to Port Melbourne”.[1] There had been a North Port Police Station as an off-shoot of the main station in Bay Street since the early 1890s. Initially…

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians