Ivanhoe Library 1965-2020

At a time when local governments were debating over spending rate payers money on installing sewerage systems or building public libraries, the City of Heidelberg opened Ivanhoe Library on 8 October 1965. 

Located in a prime position at the top of the hill next door to the Town Hall, it featured two main floors with a mezzanine floor. Built at a cost of £7,000, it was designed by Architects Leith & Bartlett Pty Ltd, the builders were Neilson & Robinson Pty Ltd of Mordialloc.

At the same time as the new library was opened Heidelberg City Library became Heidelberg Regional Library following the City of Heidelberg's agreement with the former Shire of Eltham and the Shire of Diamond Valley. (The Shire of Whittlesea was to come on board in 1976. Yarra Plenty Regional Library was later established in 1996.)

The building would also accommodate the Regional Library headquarters staff which was based on the top floor through to the early 1990s. A book lift accommodated deliveries of new items to be processed for the collections. The library was also among the first in Victoria to introduce a computerised catalogue. Later a special room for servers was built as the Regional library service expanded to accommodate its library management system.  The Outreach and Mobile library vehicle staff were also based at Ivanhoe Library when not out and about, a base to pick up stock and holds. 

We made news in 2012 when an overdue book was returned after 27 years. Known, especially for its local and family history and chinese collections, the library also housed a design maker space in recent years.  In 2015 we celebrated Ivanhoe’s 50th birthday with a 1960s theme. With the many regular storytimes and events, special programs, student study time, community room learning and meetings - the view from the top floor made the place feel extra special.

The history of public library service in the City of Heidelberg dates back to before the beginning of the twentieth century with the first bookmobile in Victoria at Heidelberg in 1954.

On 16 March 2020 all YPRL branches (including book return chutes) were closed after the Victorian State Government declared a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an opportunity to make a record of the space, many staff, volunteers and patrons have a personal connection with. View these special 360 Photographs Other photos of the library can be viewed here and here.   Ivanhoe Library staff worked to clean out the oldest building in the region with staff vacating the building on 31 May, 2020. 

Back in 1965, we were all watching The Sound of Music and the community was divided on Australian troops in Vietnam. Today we are binge watching Ozark and other newly discovered TV series, movies, books, podcasts, crafts, walking routes and plants in our garden - and wondering how the world will be changed after COVID-19.

Construction of the new Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub Project is underway and we look forward to the opening later in the year and a new chapter in the history of library service in the City of Banyule - and YPRL.

Read more about Yarra Plenty Regional Library at Wikipedia

Located in a prime position at the top of the hill next door to the Town Hall, it featured two main floors with a mezzanine floor. Built at a cost of £7,000, it was designed by Architects Leith & Bartlett Pty Ltd, the builders were Neilson & Robinson Pty Ltd of Mordialloc.

At the same time as the new library was opened Heidelberg City Library became Heidelberg Regional Library following the City of Heidelberg's agreement with the former Shire of Eltham and the Shire of Diamond Valley. (The Shire of Whittlesea was to come on board in 1976. Yarra Plenty Regional Library was later established in 1996.)

The building would also accommodate the Regional Library headquarters staff which was based on the top floor through to the early 1990s. A book lift accommodated deliveries of new items to be processed for the collections. The library was also among the first in Victoria to introduce a computerised catalogue. Later a special room for servers was built as the Regional library service expanded to accommodate its library management system.  The Outreach and Mobile library vehicle staff were also based at Ivanhoe Library when not out and about, a base to pick up stock and holds. 

We made news in 2012 when an overdue book was returned after 27 years. Known, especially for its local and family history and chinese collections, the library also housed a design maker space in recent years.  In 2015 we celebrated Ivanhoe’s 50th birthday with a 1960s theme. With the many regular storytimes and events, special programs, student study time, community room learning and meetings - the view from the top floor made the place feel extra special.

The history of public library service in the City of Heidelberg dates back to before the beginning of the twentieth century with the first bookmobile in Victoria at Heidelberg in 1954.

On 16 March 2020 all YPRL branches (including book return chutes) were closed after the Victorian State Government declared a State of Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was an opportunity to make a record of the space, many staff, volunteers and patrons have a personal connection with. View these special 360 Photographs Other photos of the library can be viewed here and here.   Ivanhoe Library staff worked to clean out the oldest building in the region with staff vacating the building on 31 May, 2020. 

Back in 1965, we were all watching The Sound of Music and the community was divided on Australian troops in Vietnam. Today we are binge watching Ozark and other newly discovered TV series, movies, books, podcasts, crafts, walking routes and plants in our garden - and wondering how the world will be changed after COVID-19.

Construction of the new Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub Project is underway and we look forward to the opening later in the year and a new chapter in the history of library service in the City of Banyule - and YPRL.

Read more about Yarra Plenty Regional Library at Wikipedia

First published 19 June 2020

History of Ivanhoe Real Estate

Heidelberg Historical Society celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2017.  They are kicking off the year with a guest speaker from Miles Real Estate, a local business which has operated in the Ivanhoe and Heidelberg area for over 85 years.  Director Stewart Oldmeadow will speak about the history of the firm on Tuesday 14 February at the Uniting Church Community Centre, Ivanhoe. More details at Heidelberg Historical Society

Image: View from York Street, Ivanhoe. Rose Postcard.  In the right foreground is "Rangeworthy" (house with tower); in the middle distance is Ivanhoe Park (before croquet and bowling greens were set out). Top right, among the trees, is "Ivanhoe House" at Ivanhoe Boys Grammar School; and to the left, The Boulevard.  HH0075 Ca 1940-1954 (Rose Postcards were typically ca 1920 - 1954)

Yarra Plenty Regional Library in partnership with Heidelberg Historical Society

New Local History titles

New titles for local history have been added to the collection at Ivanhoe Library
The Centre: 40 years of Banyule Community Health

The history of the centre began in 1975 as a result of community meetings that agitated for better services in the Heidelberg West Olympic Village in the early 1970s.  The Whitlam government at the time implemented major reforms.  The book includes a timeline and many local community photographs.

Ivanhoe Harriers:from St James Church to Willinda Park by Andrew Edney
Ivanhoe Harriers was founded by the Rev. S. L. Buckley in March, 1914, as a cross-country team. In the early 1920's with the help of the YMCA and the Ivanhoe Grammar School, the Club grew into a powerful combination, which dominated and indeed became unbeatable in A Grade competition through the 1930's. After the Second World War, we became less dominant until the 1970's, which proved to be an excellent decade for the Club. During the 1980's and 1990's, our under-age teams were among the strongest in Victoria.

This history was revised and updated in 2014 and is a very detailed account of the Club's first 100 years.
A number of past members have represented Australia at Olympic Games, World Championships, Commonwealth Games and other international events. That said, the Club provides a supportive and friendly environment for athletes of all standards.
From : Ivanhoe Harriers

Copies can be accessed from the local history collection. Loan copies are also available

Ravenswood

The first meeting for Heidelberg Historical Society will feature author Jennifer O'Donnell about the research for her book Ravenswood. She will discuss the mansion's design and decoration and the changes made over time, culminating in detailed descriptions of the restoration work undertaken by skilled artisans. Ravenswood located in Beauview Parade, Ivanhoe was built by Robert Kennedy. The property, originally 16 acres, fronted onto Lower Heidelberg Road and was a venue for many social and charity functions, later a home for elderly ladies, now privately owned.
This free talk will be held at Uniting Church Community Centre, Seddon Street, Ivanhoe on Tuesday 9 February at 8 pm.

Ivanhoe Grammar School - A Passion to serve

Ivanhoe Grammar is celebrating its centenary in 2015.

In time for the celebration a lovely new book has been published and is now available for loan or access in Ivanhoe Library’s Local History collection this month.  A Passion toServe: 100 years of Ivanhoe Grammar School by Helen Penrose brings together one hundred years of local education.  It is will described on the back cover: “Service, citizenship and leadership are central to the story of this school that was born of a passion to serve the people of Ivanhoe in 1915.  These values, and the school’s church foundations, became deeply embedded in the small boys’ school by its many long serving headmasters, teachers and supporters.  As the school faced the challenges of limited finance, wartime and competition from other schools, it drew from these strengths to embrace curriculum innovation, a new campus at Mernda, coeducation and internationalism.  Richly illustrated, this book explores the school’s aims, achievements and challenges during its first century”.

Heidelberg's favourite music teacher

Mr Renn Wortley, a long-time member of the Heidelberg Historical Society, will be the guest speaker at next month's Heidelberg Historical Society Meeting. His talk is on: MADAME MARY CONLY: A Brilliant Australian Soprano in Edwardian England Fitzroy-born soprano Mary Conly arrived virtually unknown in London in 1902, aged 27.  Within a year she was well on the way to widespread recognition as a first rate professional concert and oratorio singer.  She was a “dramatic soprano”, her voice noted for its beauty and sweetness of tone, coupled with immense power. For a decade she appeared regularly in London and across regional Britain as a soloist with the leading choral and orchestral societies of the day, in company with the best principal vocalists in the land.

In 1913 Mary finally returned to Australia and her house Koonung, Ivanhoe Parade, Ivanhoe.  She continued to accept engagements as solo soprano in oratorio with the principal Melbourne choral societies, including from its inception in 1920 the Heidelberg District Musical Society (later renamed Heidelberg City Choir).  Madame Conly also taught singing to private students at her home studio in Ivanhoe.

She suffered a stroke at her Ivanhoe home in August 1930 and died there a couple of days later, aged 56.   She was survived by her husband John Jarrett (died 1934), whom she married in Melbourne in 1900.  They had no children. Mary Conly’s admirers placed a monument over her grave in the Warringal Cemetery, Heidelberg in memory of “a brilliant artist and soprano of international fame”.

Renn was born in Ivanhoe in 1947, and attended Ivanhoe Grammar School.  His family were well-known in Heidelberg district business and musical circles for more than 60 years after World War 1.  He grew up hearing lively and affectionate stories of Mary Conly.  She was the singing teacher of many of his extended family.

Renn Wortley is a retired solicitor who served Monash University as its senior in-house legal counsel for 24 years until 2007.  He is an active baritone singer in music theatre and community choirs, and an enthusiastic amateur historian.  His successful pursuit of research clues was gratefully acknowledged by Ann Blainey in I am Melba (2008), her award winning biography of the legendary Australian opera diva.

When: Tuesday, 12^th August 2014 at the Uniting Church Community Centre, Seddon Street, Ivanhoe at 8pm.  Ph: 9455 2130.  Free.

All welcome.

The Red Queen: A Walk around Ivanhoe's Edwardian houses

The Red Queen: A Walk around Ivanhoe's Edwardian houses

Sunday 28 October 2.00 p.m.

As part of History Week 2012, Heidelberg Historical Society is hosting a heritage walk around the many Edwardian houses in Ivanhoe. The walk, conducted by Steven Barlow, will take approximately 1.5 hours and will depart from the War Memorial Reserve at the corner of Studley and Upper Heidelberg Roads at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday 28th October.

Cost $10.00 which includes booklet.
Bookings essential. Ring the museum on 9455 2130 and leave a message. A A return call will confirm your booking.

 Edwardian Melbourne in Picture Postcards

Ivanhoe Memories

Local author Russell Beedles will present his memoirs of growing up in the Ivanhoe area in the 1940s and 1950s and his experiences in the St Paul's Cathedral boys Choir at Ivanhoe Library, Monday 20 September 7.00pm - 8.00 pm.

Further information including booking details here

His memoir has been added to the local history collection in Ivanhoe Library. There are also loan copies available.

A Tribe of Angels

A new memoir has been added to the local history collection in Ivanhoe Library. A Tribe of Angles: coming of age in Melbourne by Russell Beedles is an "evocation of daily life in Melbourne during the 1940s and 1950s". Part one of this autobiographical memoir centres on his childhood in Ivanhoe.

Photos from the Beedles Family collection living in Ivanhoe are in the collection of Museum Victoria and can be accessed via their website

Guest speaker at Heidelberg Historical Society

The Next meeting of the Heidelberg Historical Society is a talk entititled
Finding Fairy Hills: Using local records for Historical Research by Susan Reidy
on Tuesday 8th June 2010, 8pm Uniting Church Community Centre, Seddon St, Ivanhoe.

Fairy Hills is a small residential place in the south-western corner of Ivanhoe. The name referes to just a few streets above the junction of the Yarra River and the Darebin Creek.

Susan Reidy has just completed her MA thesis in 20th century suburban history and for this research she used Fairy Hills as a case study.

Her talk will be accompanied by a range of illustrations, many drawn from the Heidelberg Historical Society's records.