Original altar of Immaculate Conception Hawthorn 52/11/3

Original altar of Immaculate Conception Hawthorn 52/11/3, a photo by Boroondara Libraries on Flickr.

The original altar of Immaculate Conception Church in Hawthorn is a beautiful example of wood carving. It was imported from Belgium by Parish Priest Father Edward Nolan for the opening of the church in 1869 at a total cost including freight and duty of 170 pounds. It is the work of distinguished Louvain wood carver, M. Vermeylen.

The Melbourne Advocate reporter at the opening was amazed by the altar and reredos forming a triple arch behind it to contain the tabernacle and the statues of Our Lady and St Joseph. He stated: "We believe that this is the first altar of oak imported into these colonies, and it is certainly unequalled for beauty in Australia."

Flamboyant Tay Creggan 52/11/2

Flamboyant Tay Creggan 52/11/2, a photo by Boroondara Libraries on Flickr.

Tay Creggan in Yarra Street Hawthorn was built in 1891/2 for prominent Melbourne architect Robert Guyon Whittlesey Purchas. When the 1890s depression hit he sold the house and it went through various owners and states until being bought by Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar in 1969.

Purchas was one of the most prominent architects in Melbourne around the turn of the century, one of the first to be influenced by the English Arts and Crafts movement, and helped to establish the journal Arts and Crafts in 1895.

Tay Creggan is on the Victorian Heritage Register and classified by the National Trust.

Green treasure: Peel, Zion and Yule 52/10/1

Green treasure: Peel, Zion and Yule 52/10/1, a photo by Boroondara Libraries on Flickr.

This photo is part of Boroondara Library Service's contribution to the Flickr Friday Photos 2012 challenge under this week's theme of "Green".

Peel, Zion and Yule's History of Hawthorn is a book I always have at the ready both at home or at work. It covers the history of Hawthorn from the earliest days until the early 1990s. Although commissioned before local government amalgamations in Victoria, the launch of the book coincided with knowledge that the municipality of Hawthorn would no longer exist.

The book is a well illustrated, great read. Maybe next time you are in the library, you might like to borrow a copy?