History
Publications
Stonnington’s local history publications
The Malvern Historical Society, the former Prahran Historical and Arts Society and the Stonnington History Centre, have produced a number of local history publications that can be downloaded for free.
Many of the titles are available for loan from the Stonnington Library and Information Service and the PMI Victorian History Library
A number are available for purchase from Stonnington Libraries, the PMI Victorian History Library or Jeffreys Books, 140 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
PDF copies of many of these titles can also be downloaded from the Stonnington History Centre’s website.
Histories of the former City of Malvern
The following Malvern municipal history titles can be viewed on the Stonnington History Centre Catalogue:
- ‘History of Malvern: from its first settlement to a city’ John Butler Cooper’s pioneering history of Malvern, published 1935.
- ‘Private and public memory: a history of the City of Malvern’ by Lynne Strahan, published in 1989.
- ‘The History of Malvern: A supplement 1988-1994’ by Alleyn Best.
- ‘A commemoration by the City of Stonnington of the 150th Anniversary of the first Meeting of the Gardiner Road Board (later Malvern Council)’ is a small booklet produced for a special event held at Malvern Town Hall in November 2006.
- ‘Melbourne’s Most Fashionable Suburb: A history of Toorak, east of Kooyong Road, 1840-1998’ by Di Foster (unpublished thesis, Monash University, 1999). A full copy may be viewed at the Stonnington History Centre or Monash University, or you can download individual chapters (text only) below:
- Contents
– Introduction
– Chapter 1
– Chapter 2
– Chapter 3
– Chapter 4
– Chapter 5
– Chapter 6
– Chapter 7
– Bibliography
– Appendix A
Histories of the former City of Prahran
The following Prahran municipal history titles can be viewed on the Stonnington History Catalogue:
- ‘History of Prahran, from its first settlement to a City’ by John Butler Cooper, published in 1912, revised in 1924. The first edition (1912) is available for viewing on an eReader.
- ‘The History of Prahran Volume II, 1925-1990’ by Sally Wilde (published 1993), a thorough history of Prahran from 1925. ‘The History of Prahran: a supplement, 1990-1994’ (2000)
- ‘A commemoration by the City of Stonnington of the 150th Anniversary of the first Meeting of the Prahran Council’, a small booklet produced for a special event at Prahran Town Hall in February 2006.
Explore Stonnington brochures
Download local history brochures in the Explore Stonnington series, and discover more about Stonnington.
- Central Park eBrochure
- Chadstone eBrochure
- Chapel Street North eBrochure
- Como eBrochure
- Hedgeley Dene eBrochure
- Malvern Gardens eBrochure
- Malvern Valley Golf Course eBrochure
- Northbrook eBrochure
- Prahran & Malvern Tramways Trust eBrochure
- Prahran Market eBrochure
- Prahran Mechanics Institute eBrochure
- Prahran Town Hall eBrochure
- Princes Gardens eBrochure
- Stonington mansion eBrochure
- Stonnington City Centre eBrochure
- Toorak House eBrochure
- Toorak Village eBrochure
- Victoria Gardens eBrochure
Stonnington Thematic Environmental History
‘Stonnington Thematic Environmental History’ is a history of the local area from Indigenous times to the present day. The book and interactive CD are available for purchase and may also be viewed at Stonnington libraries. The book is available in the sections below to download.
Walking Tours
Each book, with photographs and maps, contains six walking trails in Armadale, Kooyong, Glen Iris, Malvern, Malvern East and Toorak.
- ‘Walk into History 1’: Six more great walks in Stonnington by Di Foster and Steve Stefanopoulos 2001
(Updated 2009) - ‘Walk into History 2‘: Six more great walks in Stonnington by Di Foster and Steve Stefanopoulos 2005
- ‘Walk into History 3‘: Six more great walks in Stonnington by Steve Stefanopoulos 2006
- ‘Walk into History 4‘: Six more great walks in Stonnington by Di Foster and Steve Stefanopoulos 2007
An indigenous history of Stonnington: a report to the City of Stonnington
In 2006, the City of Stonnington engaged Dr Ian Clark and Laura Kostanski from the University of Ballarat to undertake research into the indigenous history of Stonnington. The research resulted in a detailed report: An Indigenous History of Stonnington: A report to the City of Stonnington and a summary report Stonnington’s Indigenous History(PDF, 2MB) which contains a brief history, key people, Indigenous clans, countries and languages, and significant sites.
Childrens Books
Back when.. by Jane Nigro 2008
This children’s picture book contains historic photos from the Stonnington History Collection.
Amazing History Amazing Stonnington by Jane Nigro 2013
This local history puzzle book, Amazing History Amazing Stonnington, is designed for primary school-age students.
Additional Stonnington local history publications
A place in history: A guide to the people and places that have played a significant role in the life and development of Stonnington
The book, A place in history, is intended to complement the heritage markers that have been installed throughout the City of Stonnington.
William Philpott: pioneer Victorian first class cricketer by Anne Jackson 2011
This brief biography of William Philpott (1818-1891), examines his time with the Melbourne Cricket Club and his life at Rosehill in Malvern with his wife Rosetta.
Suburbs at War: the Cities of Malvern and Prahran during the Great War by Helen Doyle (2015).
This illustrated history was commissioned by the City of Stonnington to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. It examines the home front experience in Stonnington during the war. It traces the local background to the war, the military training and recruitment of local men, and the different ways in which the war impacted suburban life.
Greetings from Malvern by Jane Nigro and Di Foster 1994
This collection of postcards and photographs was produced to commemorate the end of the City of Malvern. Click here to view.
The following publications may be viewed at the Stonnington History Centre or the PMI Victorian History Library.
Across the slate: Prahran’s schools, 1850s-1985 by Jane Chatham
Bonds of care: Elizabeth Fry Retreat and its founders by Betty Malone
Chapel Street, part I: 1834-1918 by Betty Malone
Chapel Street, part II: 1919-1984 by Betty Malone
Church, community and change: religion in Prahran 1836-1984 by Jill McDougall
Discovering Prahran Areas 1- 8 by Betty Malone.
Early Prahran, 1850-1863 by Betty Malone
Pioneer and hardy survivor: the Prahran Mechanic’s since 1854 by L. B. McCalman
Policeman’s paradise by Peter Aldred, Charles Cox and Ralph Stavely
Prahran’s pubs, 1852 to 1988 by Betty Malone
A record of Rose Street by Marion Dadswell
Select your partners [a history of Leggett’s Ballroom] by Phil Leggett
Toorak as I knew it (1900-1930) by James Paxton
Click here to view these publications.