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Town Hall, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
Town Hall, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

Meeting Tuesday, 26 March @ 7.30pm

David F Radcliffe will launch his latest book, Making it Here at our March meeting. Making It Here is about the lives of four immigrant engineers, Otto Schumacher, Alfred Harman, Albert Longoni and Fred David, who played major roles in the development of manufacturing in Port Melbourne, including Fishermans Bend, during the first half of the 20th century. Two founded…

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Six to be Eliminated

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;…

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The Petersons of Ross Street: A Nautical Family

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…

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Leith Crescent

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.…

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Meeting Tuesday 27 February @ 7.30pm

Our February meeting will be a SURPRISE! following the late withdrawal of our scheduled speaker, Nayda Kelly, due to unforeseen circumstances. We're cooking up a great programme drawing on the wealth of resources in the Society. Expect some trivia and a few movies! PMHPS will meet at 7.30pm on 27 February, in person upstairs at Port Melbourne Town Hall. Or …

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Memoirs of Port Melbourne

Memoirs of Port Melbourne is a collection of stories shared by seven people about their connection to Port Melbourne, either as workers or residents. These encompass a diverse range of stories: from a sixteen-year-old who arrived as crew on the maiden voyage on the paddle steamer Weeroona; humorous anecdotes from a bus driver; remembrances of growing up in Port Melbourne by a descendant…

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A Bank in Bay Street

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…

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Meeting Tuesday 23 January @ 7.30pm

Our first meeting for 2024 will be another of our 'From the Archives' evenings where volunteers will present items from the Society's Collection. We will meet in-person in the Council Chamber upstairs at Port Melbourne Town Hall or via Zoom using the following link. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86966645825?pwd=c1d2dDllRWV6bHBJeTBydjcvQjRFdz09.

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PMHPS acknowledges the generous support of the City of Port Phillip.

 

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Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and work, the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.