OPEN by appointment
Call 03 9427 1800
Email: richmondhs@optusnet.com.au
Lower Level Richmond Library
415 Church Street, RICHMOND 3121
415 Church Street, RICHMOND 3121
ABN: 55 900 596 374 Reg No: A 000 719 6b
Our Major Sponsor is the CIty of Yarra
Events 2025
Studio One - Barnet Way Burnley
All events are free.
Sunday 31 August 2pm: Peter Smith OAM,
Channel 9 Living History
Channel 9 Living History
Sunday 14 September 2pm: Peter Beer,
Clements Langford, Cottages to Colosseums
Clements Langford, Cottages to Colosseums
Sunday 5 October 2pm: Chris McConville and Rob Pascoe,
The Irish of Richmond
The Irish of Richmond
Sunday 14 December 2pm - Annual General Meeting
Bookings: richmondhs@optusnet.com.au or call 03 9427 1800
Online bookings: RNCbookings
Committee of Management
President : David Langdon phone 0425 765 342 email davidlangdon@optusnet.com.au
Vice President: Robyn Homes phone email robynhomes@westnet.com.au
Secretary: Pamala Damokas phone 03 9427 1800 email richmondhs@optusnet.com.au
Treasurer: Jill Langdon phone 03 9427 1800 email richmondhs@optusnet.com.au
RBCHS Newsletters online at the National Library
Click Browse the this collection
The Society was established in 1972.
The prime objective of the Society is to collect, preserve and promote the history of Richmond, Burnley and Cremorne.
Our holdings includes information, photographs, and publications about the people, buildings, homes, industries, schools, and groups who contributed to the Richmond's development.
Collection and Reference Materials:
Located on the lower level of the Richmond Library, our reference materials provide an amazing insight into Richmond's history.
Take time to explore our information which is organised into:
Take time to explore our information which is organised into:
Subjects, People, Streets, Industry, Council Reports, Maps, Newspaper Articles, Postal Directories and over 100,000 photographs from the 1860s to the present.
Enquiries for information can be sent by email to richmondhs@optusnet.com.au or call 03 9427 1800.
We are volunteers and respond after normal business hours.
At times we can receive over 20 enquiries a week and these can take time to follow up.
You are welcome to visit the society, just call or email to make an appointment at a convenient time.
2025
Celebrating 50 years
of Vietnamese migration
of Vietnamese migration
Richmond has been a stepping stone for many new immigrants to the country.
From the earliest groups arriving, many came from England, Ireland and Scotland.With the discovery of Gold in the early 1850s, every week there were between 6,000 to 8,000 people coming to Melbourne and the inner suburbs.
A large number of Chinese came, bringing with them skills and capabilities, such as carpentry, gardening, laundry and innovation.
Around Richmond, the Chinese leased plots of land and started their market gardens.
These were in Bridge Road, Highett Street, and near the Victoria Gardens.
German immigrants (Lutheran) settled in South Richmond, east of Church Street. Many of the streets in this area had German names – Hamburg Street, Berlin Street etc.
Australia was seeing growth in numbers, the expansion driven by the gold rush.Much of the equipment and resources needed to be imported, until later in the 1800s when we started developing manufacturing and production.
Following World War 2 – Australia was in desperate needs of skilled workers and drew more immigrants from England ( the government subsidising the fare for 10 pound). Australia opened its doors to other countries such as Italy, Greece, Poland etc.
Most Asian countries were unwilling to accept these refugees, many of whom fled by boat and were known as boat people.
Between 1975 and 1998, an estimated 1.2 million refugees from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries resettled in the United States, while Canada, Australia, and France resettled over 500,000. China accepted 250,000 people.
Victoria Street, at this time, was still influenced by the Turkish and Greek cultures.
Very soon the Vietnamese leased shops, started selling vegetables and other items that were familiar to them.
In an effort to stop these threats, very soon Victoria Street shops were fitted with roller shutters, many are still here today.
Richmond and other inner suburban areas saw and welcomed the immigration of Vietnamese people into the community.
Many arrived and were located at immigration centres in Broadmeadows and Springvale. After a short stay in these centres with assistance of the local communities, many were provided with housing in the larger community housing estates. Local groups and churches sought to provide assistance and support to these groups.Many Vietnamese were often separated from their family and friends, who may have been relocated to other countries.
The Vietnamese were keen to learn English and to quickly establish themselves.Victoria Street, at this time, was still influenced by the Turkish and Greek cultures.
Very soon the Vietnamese leased shops, started selling vegetables and other items that were familiar to them.
Some started restaurants, with the whole family kicking in to make them successful.
The new foods on offer, suddenly transformed the area and attracted many people to enjoy the great recipes and flavours of Vietnamese cooking.More restaurants opened and business grew.
The income from the restaurants provided opportunities to buy the properties and look to purchasing housing.
The income from the restaurants provided opportunities to buy the properties and look to purchasing housing.
The Vietnamese community valued education and ensured their children could excel and go to university in courses such as medicine, law and accounting.
With the success of the restaurants, the Vietnamese Triad, - similar to the Mafia, threatened many of the restaurant owners, and they were required to pay protection money per week. Soon front windows were smashed, buildings set alight and businesses destroyed.
The Victoria Police set up a special Vietnamese Law Enforcement team to tackle the crime.In an effort to stop these threats, very soon Victoria Street shops were fitted with roller shutters, many are still here today.
Richmond Council soon had a Vietnamese Mayor – Sang Nguyen – a member of the Richmond Labour Party.
The Vietnamese very quickly integrated into the local community, they worked very hard to succeed and always paid respect to their ancestors, family and friends. The Vietnamese community quickly established support networks for their elderly, there young and provided a strong foundation of support and local representation.
The Vietnamese Buddhist Association etc, played an important role in reaching out and connecting people and community.
Along Victoria Street is the large sculpture near Hoddle Street, serving as a Gateway to the successful Vietnamese Community, Culture and Restaurants.
Over time these restaurants have changed hands and many of the families have developed stronger ties to other communities.
Like the Vietnamese many other nationalities have followed the same pathways to establishing themselves and the wider community.We can be grateful to the Vietnamese community, who established themselves and made significant contributions to the vibrant community and growth in many ways.
The City of Yarra, along with the Victoria Street Traders Association are planning to commemorate and revitalise Victoria Street in celebrating this 50 year milestone during 2025.
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