Historical Facts
Opened:                      9 May 1888
Architectural Style:      Queen Anne
Court in Session until : circa 1971
Vacated by Police:      circa 2002

What has happened since 2002?
In short, very little.

Being a surplus asset, responsibility was transferred from the Police to Finance Department.Initially ideas were invited as to how it could be used for the community but without much response. Throughout a community health organisation has been interested in establishing a health centre but has lacked the funding to make it happen. The current deal between the State Government and City of Boroondara was first mooted earlier this year but negotiations hit a rough patch in early June and the property was about to be put on the market.   This prompted our 24 June Rally.

Our Proposal
The Kew Historical Society Inc. and many concerned citizens are keen to keep the buildings in community hands.

Once the building is sold it will be lost to the community forever.

The Court House's central location makes it ideal for many purposes including an exhibition space, a performance venue for amateur theatre and a meeting room. The Police Station could serve as offices for a community organisation, church or charity. Ideally the State Government should gift the buildings to the City of Boroondara who would then oversee its restoration, management and maintenance on behalf of the Kew community. 

Furthermore…
It should be noted that over the last 15 years Kew has lost many community assets (e.g. Council Offices, Post Office, Bowling Club, Kew Cottages) and they have not been replaced with new public assets. Our State and Local Governments now have a wonderful opportunity to put back a little after taking for so long.

But we need to be pragmatic ......
.... and accept that governments are not easily moved to be so generous. Accordingly we have taken up the challenge to raise as much of the required restoration bill (through pledges) as possible.

Rally 24 June 2006
Some 300 people gathered around the Court House to listen to a fine collection of local speakers:
Phillip Slobom - town crier
Lewis Fiander - actor
Professor Peter Mc Intyre - architect
Philip Brady - radio personality
Cr Phillip Healey - Mayor of City of Boroondara
Cr Jack Wegman - former Mayor of City of Boroondara

Coverage included articles in Sunday Age, Sunday Herald Sun and news footage shown on television Channels 7, 9 & 10.

To kick start of the Appeal, former Mayor Cr. Jack Wegman proudly announced the City of Boroondara's pledge of $50,000.00

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The Kew Historical Society Inc. was founded 16th September 1958

We meet every second Wednesday night at 8pm in the Phyllis Hore room, Civic Drive
next to the Kew Library

You are welcome to come along on a casual basis to hear many of our interesting guest speakers. New members are welcome.

                                        PUBLICITY

City of Boroondara Website May 2006

Progress Leader  newspaper  18 April  2006

Progress Leader  newspaper  30 May  2006

Progress Leader  newspaper  6 June  2006

Progress Leader  newspaper  13 June  2006

Televison news coverage           6pm News 24 June 2006 on Channel 7 & 9