Our History

Key Dates

Eastern Kulin Nations

Victoria is home to indigenous nations who have inhabited the land for thousands of years. The City of Stonnington covers part of the indigenous Boonwurrung language area.

Canoe tree, Gleneagles, Kooyong Road, Toorak 1939

1840 First Crown land sales

The first sale of crown land in the area occurred on 6 June 1840 when twenty-two allotments, totalling 911 acres, raised over 17,600 pounds.

1854 Prahran Mechanics’ Institute

Former Wattle Tree Hotel c1970 (Irvine Green)

1855 Wattle Tree Hotel

In November 1856, a meeting was held at the Wattle Tree Hotel to elect the first members of the Board (forerunner to Malvern Council).

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1861 Prahran Town Hall

In May 1856, the Public Works Committee reported that land on the corner of Chapel Street and Greville Street was ideal for the erection of a courthouse and lockup.

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1885 Victoria Gardens

On 7 August 1885, Victoria Gardens were named and formally opened by Lady Elizabeth Loch, wife of the Governor of Victoria, in the presence of the Mayor, Cr George Taylor, and the Town Clerk, Albert Ely.

1886 Malvern Shire Hall

1889 Northbrook, High Street, Malvern

Northbrook, a large Italianate-style home of seven principal rooms with a 160-sq metre ballroom, timber outhouse (since demolished) and brick stables, was designed by prominent London-born architect Charles Abraham D’Ebro.

1890 Stonington, Glenferrie Road Malvern

Stonington was built in 1890 as a private residence for John Wagner, who had gained much of his wealth in gold mining and was a partner, with Alexander William Robertson, in Cobb & Co coaches.

1890 Malvern Gardens

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1891 Prahran Market

In 1864, it appears Prahran Council purchased land west of Izett Street fronting Greville Street, for use as a market site, although this intention was never officially documented.

1908 Formation of The Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust

The Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT) was formed in 1908 to construct and operate municipal electric tramways. Cable trams had been running in Prahran since 1888.

View looking SE, showing the curve of the Yarra c1915

1920 Kooyong Tennis Centre (LTAV)

1929 Herring Island created

1946 Holmesglen Housing Factory

The Holmesglen Housing Factory was established on Batesford Road, Malvern East, to manufacture prefabricated concrete houses.

1958 Cabrini Hospital

In response to an appeal from Catholic Archbishop Daniel Mannix in 1948, 10 Cabrini Sisters arrived in Melbourne from Rome.

1960 Opening of Chadstone Shopping Centre

Ken Myer returned from a visit to the United States of America with his vision for the future of retailing.

1969 Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre

In 1924, the Malvern City Council voted to build Malvern’s first Municipal Baths. The Malvern Baths were officially opened by Cr. Harry Wilmot, Mayor, City of Malvern, in November 1927.

1970 South Eastern Freeway

Initial construction of the South Eastern Freeway had been completed by the mid-1960s, connecting Burnley to Olympic Park.

1994 City of Stonnington formed

The final meeting of the Malvern Council was held on 8 May 1994 at the Malvern Town Hall and the final meeting of the Prahran Council was held on 15 June 1994 at the Prahran Town Hall.

1995 Chapel off Chapel

The Independent Church, 246 Commercial Road, Prahran, was built in 1859. It was purchased by Prahran Council in the early 1980s.

To view additional Key Dates in Stonnington’s History, please click the link below.

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Possum skin cloak 2012

Stonnington History Centre SHC62162

Eastern Kulin Nations

Victoria is home to indigenous nations who have inhabited the land for thousands of years. The City of Stonnington covers part of the indigenous Boonwurrung language area. The Yarra River and Gardiners Creek approximate the boundary between the Bunurong and their northern neighbour, the Woiwurrung. Both groups camped along the river and creek banks where they sourced food including plants, fish, mussels, eels and waterfowl. The Bunurong clan most associated with the Stonnington area is the Yalukit-willam clan. Their country encompassed all of the City of Stonnington area, with the exception of the small pocket of the city to the east of Gardiners Creek, which was Wurundjeri-balug country (a Woiwurrung clan).

Sketch by the Hon. Robert Dundas Murray 1842

Stonnington History Centre PH2379.1

1840 First Crown Land Sales

The first sale of crown land in the area occurred on 6 June 1840 when twenty-two allotments, totaling 911 acres, raised over 17,600 pounds. The narrow allotments, east of Punt Road, ran north-south from the Yarra River to the Government Road (now Toorak Road).

Prahran Mechanics' Institute in Chapel Street c1900

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1854 Prahran Mechanics’ Institute

Following meetings convened by Rev William Moss in 1854, the Prahran Mechanics’ Institute (now the PMI Victorian History Library) was established for the “mental and moral improvement and rational amusement of its members”. Activities and facilities planned included lectures, discussions, a library, reading rooms, classes and a museum. George William Rusden, Frederick James Sargood and Dr James Stokes were appointed as Trustees, with patrons Governor Sir Charles Hotham and his wife Lady Hotham.

The PMI library was first established in the school- room of Prahran’s first church. Then shopkeeper, John Stabb, provided a large room in Chapel Street for the library. Local publican, James Mason donated a portion of land adjacent to his hotel (the Royal George, on the north corner of Greville and Chapel Streets) ‘provided there would be a respectable building put on it’. To extend the property the Institute also purchased, an additional strip of land adjoining the PMI to the north.

In 1856 Governor Sir Henry Barkley opened the PMI’s new building on this land (now 259-261 Chapel Street). Schools Inspector Arthur Orlebar gave the inaugural lecture.

Former Wattle Tree Hotel c1970 (Irvine Green)

Stonnington History Centre MP6518

1855 Wattle Tree Hotel

In November 1856, a meeting was held at the Wattle Tree Hotel to elect the first members of the Board (forerunner to Malvern Council). The hotel's first licensee was Thomas Griffiths. The second licensee, John Heywood, was involved in the establishment of the Caulfield Race Course. The hotel was a popular meeting place for hunt clubs. The Wattle Tree Hotel ceased to be a hotel in 1866, when its owner, solicitor Edward Charsley, leased the building as a private home. It is the oldest surviving intact building in Malvern.

Prahran Town Hall c1861

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1861 Prahran Town Hall

In May 1856, the Public Works Committee reported that land on the corner of Chapel Street and Greville Street was ideal for the erection of a courthouse and lockup. The Crown purchased the land for £300 and the single-storey, brick building, completed at a cost of £1,300, opened on 27 December 1856.

In May 1860, the Committee was authorised to investigate the erection of a “Town Hall, Council rooms and Public Baths”. Thirteen drawings were submitted for consideration, all of which were exhibited at the Mechanics’ Institute to allow ratepayers the opportunity to express their opinion. Council’s preferred design was drawn by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were awarded the £25 prize.

Victoria Gardens c1900

Stonnington History Centre PH13529

1885 Victoria Gardens

William Sangster, a well-known gardener and nurseryman of the firm Taylor & Sangster, was employed to lay out Victoria Gardens, named after the wife of Cr Taylor. Sangster had been the gardener at the mansion Como, in Williams Road, South Yarra. Taylor & Sangster were responsible for many Toorak gardens and in conjunction with architects Reed & Barns, laid out the gardens surrounding the (Royal) Exhibition Buildings.

The 5 acre Victoria Gardens site was purchased at auction on 22 June 1884 for £5,660 by Mayor Cr William Templeton and Cr Thomas Arkle. A timber fence and entrance gates were erected along the High Street frontage in time for the dedication ceremony. A symmetrical layout of paths led from High Street to Murray Street and soil from the oval was used to build a mound in the south-east corner.

An original illustration of the Malvern Shire Hall 1891

Stonnington History Centre MP2731

1886 Malvern Shire Hall

Planning for a Shire Hall in the Gardiner Road District commenced as early as 1867. In 1878 land at the corner of High Street and Glenferrie Road, Malvern was reserved for a Shire Hall, Court House and Library. Two years later, the estimated cost of erecting a building comprising a Shire Hall, Municipal, Post and Telegraph Offices, Library and Reading Room, was £4,000. The Council considered the Shire could not afford to pay such a sum, and the Councillors were against borrowing the money. In August 1884, the proposal was again considered, and in November, the Council decided to float a loan of £5,000 for the purpose of building a Shire Hall.

A Shire Hall Committee was formed. It submitted a proposal to Council which included a hall capable of holding 400 people, Court House, rooms for a Magistrate, a Clerk of Petty Sessions and a Shire Secretary, a Public Reading Room and a Library. Plans, drawn up by architects Wilson and Beswicke, were accepted by Council. The total cost of the new building was £8,651.

The foundation stone of the Malvern Shire Hall was laid by the Hon. Alfred Deakin, the Minister of Public Works, on September 22, 1885. A large number of residents and ratepayers witnessed the opening ceremony of the new Shire Hall on 26 July 1886. Additions to the Shire Hall in 1890 included a second tower and an extended Glenferrie Road facade. In 1926 alterations, to the design of Architects Hudson and Wardrop, were carried out on the municipal wing, containing public offices, Council Chamber, and Mayoral rooms.

1889 Northbrook, High Street, Malvern

Stonnington History Centre MP5028

1889 Northbrook, High Street, Malvern

From 1888 until 1894, Donald Munro was the owner of land between Spring Road and the Malvern Cricket Ground. In 1888 Munro subdivided a portion of the estate fronting High Street and created Munro Street, renamed Queens Parade the following year and Northbrook Avenue in 1916.

Northbrook was erected on 3 acres on the northwest corner of High Street and Munro Street (Northbrook Avenue) in 1888-1889.

In 1929 Northbrook Estate was subdivided. The house was then described as ‘a residence of 10 very large rooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, scullery, pantry, large cellar and ballroom. A noble allotment...beautifully laid out in lawns, shrubs and flowers. With very substantial stabling and a loft...The property is admirably situated for a first-class Guest House or entertainment establishment.’ In 1959 Malvern Library was built in front of Northbrook, facing High Street.

Northbrook is now the home of the Stonnington History Centre.

The Vice-Regal Residence Stonnington 1935

Stonnington History Centre MP1176

1890 Stonington, Glenferrie Road Malvern

Stonington was built in 1890 as a private residence for John Wagner, who had gained much of his wealth in gold mining and was a partner, with Alexander William Robertson, in Cobb & Co coaches.

Wagner purchased the property in 1886 and selected London-born architect, Charles Abraham D’Ebro, to design a mansion in an Italian Renaissance style. The builder of Stonington was Stephen Armstrong who lived in Armadale. Wagner’s residence was named Stonington after Stonington Connecticut, USA, the birthplace of Wagner’s wife Mary. Wagner lived with his family at Stonington until he died in 1901.

From 1901 the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia was located in Melbourne. For the next thirty years, while State Government House in The Domain was required as the residence for the Governor General, Stonington became the ViceRegal Residence for seven Governors of Victoria. During this era, the spelling of the name was changed to Stonnington.

The Victorian Government purchased Stonnington (and its contents) in 1928 for £35,000. It was occupied by St Margaret’s School from 1931-1938, then used as an after-care centre for polio patients. Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the house and grounds were used by the Australian Red Cross as a convalescent hospital. The Health Department occupied the site between 1953 and 1957. From 1957 to 2006, Stonington played an important role in tertiary education in Victoria, being home to Toorak Teachers’ College (1957-1973); the State College of Victoria, Toorak (1973-1981); Toorak Campus of Victoria College (1981-1992); and Deakin University (1992-2006).

When the former municipalities of Malvern and Prahran merged, the new Council took its name from the mansion, using the double ‘n’ spelling, and the residence reverted to its original spelling.

Following its sale in 2006, part of the grand estate was subdivided into smaller residential allotments. The spelling of the name of the mansion was changed back from Stonnington to Stonington and Stonington returned to private ownership.

Fountain, Malvern Gardens, Malvern c1910

Stonnington History Centre MP1048

1890 Malvern Gardens

Malvern Gardens were opened by Duncan Gillies M.P. on 12 December 1890. The area had been a water reservation since 1856. Before 1869, the natural spring had supplied the developing suburb with water. In 1885, when the government intended to auction the land, a public protest caused it to be secured for public use.

In 1888, the Council approached gardener Thomas Pockett, ‘to prepare a plan of a sandy barren waste with a view of converting it into a municipal garden’. Pockett was appointed Curator of Malvern’s gardens, a position he held for thirty years. Pockett laid out the gardens with serpentine paths and no straight lines or formal angular beds. A row of English Oaks was planted on each side of the drive. As Pockett achieved world acclaim in the breeding and growing of Chrysanthemums, displays of his prize-winning blooms became a feature of the gardens.

The lawns were designed, and the planting was arranged, so that long views could be obtained through the gardens, which were surrounded by a picket fence until 1918. Pockett’s original design included a fishpond where, artistic grotto work designed by Charles Robinette, and a handsome fountain were installed.

Commercial Road, Prahran c1910

Stonnington History Centre PH60694

1891 Prahran Market

In 1864, it appears Prahran Council purchased land west of Izett Street fronting Greville Street, for use as a market site, although this intention was never officially documented. Nothing further was done with the land until 1867, by which time the councils at St Kilda and South Melbourne had already set up local markets.

Tenders for the erection of a building, and an extension of stalls, were invited in March 1890. The building works were carried out at a cost of about £12,000. The new Prahran Market, designed by architect Charles A. D’Ebro, was opened in 1891. The Market was extended in 1923 at a cost of £80,000.

The first market in Prahran started in Greville Street in 1867. It was scheduled to open on Wednesdays and Saturdays between the hours of dawn and noon. This open-air market continued to operate on this site until 1881 when it was moved to the north side of Commercial Road, close to its present site. By 1890, the demand for stalls was greater than the supply. The new Prahran Market in Commercial Road, South Yarra, designed by architect Charles A. D’Ebro, opened in 1891. In 1950, a fire broke out and twelve brick shops were burnt out. After the fire, Prahran Council erected a temporary structure. Between 1972 and 1976 a new market was completed. Additional land was bought behind the Market between Elizabeth Street and Barry Street to extend the car park.

Watching the first tram in Glenferrie Road Malvern 1910

Stonnington History Centre MP1247

1908 Formation of The Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust

The Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust (PMTT) was formed in 1908 to construct and operate municipal electric tramways. Cable trams had been running in Prahran since 1888. The Trust's first lines - along High Street from Charles Street Prahran to Tooronga Road Malvern, and via Glenferrie Road and Wattletree Road to Burke Road East Malvern, opened on 30th May 1910. The following year a tea kiosk was built on the corner of Wattletree and Burke Roads East Malvern and visitors arrived by tram to hear the Malvern Tramways Band playing at Central Park’s newly erected bandstand.

The Malvern Tram Depot was designed by local architect Leonard J. Flanagan, in conjunction with the Trust's electrical engineers, Noyes Bros. Pty Ltd. The original depot was the first, and later the largest, of the depots constructed by Melbourne's municipal tramways trusts before the formation of the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board. The Prahran and Malvern Tramways Trust played a key role in facilitating suburban expansion south of the Yarra.

The Stadium Courts at Kooyong in flood 1934

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1920 Kooyong Tennis Centre (LTAV)

Initially, land at Kooyong was considered to be inaccessible and subject to flooding. However in 1920, to accommodate the growing popularity of tennis, a seventeen acre (6.8 hectares) site was purchased. The Lawn Tennis Association of Victoria (LTAV) raised funds to purchase the land, construct embankments, lay out the courts, and erect permanent stands for international and championship matches.

Initially, land at Kooyong was considered to be inaccessible and subject to flooding. However in 1920, to accommodate the growing popularity of the game, a seventeen acre (6.8 hectares) site was purchased. The LTAV raised funds to purchase the land, to construct embankments, to lay out the courts, and for the erection of permanent stands for international and championship matches.

Twenty lawn courts were laid out and in 1922 the clubhouse was built to the design of architects Ballantyne & Hare. The reinforced concrete stand, designed by engineer James Knox, originally provided 5,500 seats and was opened in 1927 by (Sir) Norman Brookes, Australia's first Wimbledon champion. The northern stand extension was constructed in 1934, just before massive floods, which submerged the original stand.

In 1972 Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club became the permanent home of the Australian Open until the Australian Open moved to its new, permanent home at Flinders Park (now Melbourne Park) in 1988. In 1988 the LTAV changed its name to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.

View looking SE, showing the curve of the Yarra c1915

Stonnington History Centre PH7101

1929 Herring Island created

Floods have always presented a threat to property development along the lower reaches of the Yarra River. This is in part due to the numerous bends in the river that restrict the rate at which water can flow towards the Bay. One approach to minimise the impact of heavy rain on river heights was the excavation in 1929 of a channel to allow water to bypass one major bend. The channel cut through an abandoned bluestone quarry hole in Richmond and Como (later renamed Herring) Island was created. In 1932/3 levee banks were built on the Island and trees

were planted. These measures however could not withstand the worst flood on record when, in 1934, the banks and trees were swept far out to sea.

From 1951-1970, the Island was leased to the Scout Association, who renamed it Herring Island after their Chief Scout, Sir Edmund Herring. From 1970 the Friends of Herring Island maintained the Island until its management was taken over by Melbourne Parks and Waterways (subsequently Parks Victoria) in 1994. Since then, the 2.8 ha Island has been redeveloped as an environmental sculpture park, and the old scout hall converted into a gallery space.

The 3000th house leaves the Holmesglen factory 1951

Stonnington History Centre MP2151

1946 Holmesglen Housing Factory

The Holmesglen Housing Factory was established on Batesford Road, Malvern East, to manufacture prefabricated concrete houses. With the acute housing shortage created by World War II, the former Commonwealth Tank Factory, with its distinctive saw-tooth roof, was re-assigned for a State Housing Project and leased to the Victorian Housing Commission (VHC).

The VHC had investigated building prefabricated houses to reduce both costs and construction time. The Commission's concrete house had developed from a system devised by surveyor T.W. Fowler, where a complete wall section was cast on a flat metal table and when set, was lifted into a vertical position.

When the factory at Holmesglen was established, the entire operation became a production line process and the concrete houses were transported to construction sites. The scheme became known as the Concrete House Project and by 1948, 1,000 houses had been produced. Holmesglen TAFE was established on the site in 1982.

View From Malvern Town Hall Clock Tower 1967

Stonnington History Centre MP14117

1958 Cabrini Hospital

In response to an appeal from Catholic Archbishop Daniel Mannix in 1948, 10 Cabrini Sisters arrived in Melbourne from Rome. They were to take over from the Sisters of Mercy who were running St Benedict's Hospital, Wattletree Road, Malvern. The new Cabrini Hospital, built on the St Benedict’s site, was opened in 1958.

3UZ Radio Station, Chadstone Shopping Centre 1960

Stonnington History Centre MP1591

1960 Opening of Chadstone Shopping Centre

Ken Myer returned from a visit to the United States of America with his vision for the future of retailing. In 1958, he purchased part of the Convent of the Good Shepherd, at the corner of Dandenong Road and Castlebar Road, Malvern East, for Melbourne’s first regional shopping centre. In less than two years, 30 acres of pasture were converted to the largest centre of its type in Australia

Chadstone Shopping Centre was opened on 3 October 1960 by the Premier, (Sir) Henry Bolte, and was advertised as ‘a new era in suburban shopping’. The £6 ($12) million Centre included 72 shops, a three-level Myer department store, a supermarket, an upper and lower mall, a radio station, an exhibition hall, a medical centre and child minding facilities. In 1983, the Gandel Group acquired the Centre, which has had several major expansions since that time, continuing its reputation as one of the largest shopping centres in Australia.

John Gorton, Prime Minister of Australia, at the opening of the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre Malvern 1969

Stonnington History Centre MP6846

1969 Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre

In 1924, the Malvern City Council voted to build Malvern's first Municipal Baths. The Malvern Baths were officially opened by Cr. Harry Wilmot, Mayor, City of Malvern, in November 1927. By the early 1960s, the facilities were declared 'inadequate and outmoded' and in 1966 the Malvern Council commissioned architects Kevin Borland and Daryl Jackson, to design a new swimming complex. The complex consisted of five pools, with the focal point being a large glass-walled building enclosing a 25 metre and beginners' pool, to allow for year-long swimming, coaching and training. Outside, the main Olympic pool was the first pool in Australia designed to metric standards.

The new pool was to be named the City of Malvern Olympic Swimming Centre, however after Harold Holt, Malvern's local member and the Prime Minister of Australia, was officially pronounced dead after drowning at sea in 1967, the new pool was named the Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre. The Centre was opened by Prime Minister, John Gorton in March 1969. Harold Holt MP was the member for Higgins from its inception in 1949 until his death.

The building, now on the Victorian Heritage Register, is considered to be among the most notable examples of Brutalist architecture, a style adopted in the 1960s.

Construction of the South Eastern Arterial Tooronga Road to Burke Road Glen Iris 1985

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1970 South Eastern Freeway

Initial construction of the South Eastern Freeway had been completed by the mid-1960s, connecting Burnley to Olympic Park. The freeway was eventually extended east from under the MacRobertson Bridge along the Yarra, to Toorak Road in 1970, with later a single-carriageway feeder road taking excess traffic to Tooronga Road.

By 1988, the South Eastern Arterial Road link had been completed but because the road was constructed through residential areas, reduced speed limits were also enforced. This all led to heavy congestion, attracting the local name of ‘the South-Eastern Carpark’! When Gardiners Creek flooded this section of the Arterial needed to be closed.

Construction of the link as a dual-carriageway road began in 1985, opening to traffic in late 1988. The link road, as well as the South Eastern and Mulgrave Freeways, were all renamed the South Eastern Arterial! It was renamed the Monash Freeway in 1999. General Sir John Monash, was an Australian soldier and engineer.

Mayor and Councillors, City of Stonnington 1996

Stonnington History Centre MP7694

1994 City of Stonnington formed

The final meeting of the Malvern Council was held on 8 May 1994 at the Malvern Town Hall and the final meeting of the Prahran Council was held on 15 June 1994 at the Prahran Town Hall. On 22 June 1994, the City of Malvern was amalgamated with the City of Prahran to form the City of Stonnington with the boundaries of the municipality being the Yarra River, Gardiners Creek, Warrigal Road, Dandenong Road, Queens Way and Punt Road.

The first election for the City of Stonington was held on 16 March 1996 followed by the first meeting of the Council, at the Malvern Town Hall, on 19 March 1996 . The logo of the new City of Stonnington features two interlocking celebratory ribbons representing the coming together of the two former cities of Malvern and Prahran. The circular border represents the community and reflects a contemporary and progressive style, while also honouring the historical relevance of many parts of the municipality as well as previous brand marks.

Former Independent Church and Hall, 246 Malvern Road, Prahran c1983

Stonnington History Centre SHC61987

1995 Chapel off Chapel

The Independent Church, 246 Commercial Road, Prahran, was built in 1859. It was purchased by Prahran Council in the early 1980s. The Church and Hall buildings were known as the Princes Gardens Recreation Centre in 1989. The link building between the Church and the Church Hall was built in 1994. Chapel off Chapel, an integrated arts, recreation and tourism centre, was officially opened 19 March 1995. It contains two theatres, one in the Chapel and the other in the Church Hall, known as the Loft.