Sunday 21 April 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Meet at Tennyson Street entrance to St Kilda Botanical Gardens
St Kilda Botanical Gardens were developed in 1860, immediately attracting the rich and powerful who built their grand mansions along Blessington, Tennyson and Dickens Streets to take advantage of the views and peaceful proximity of the gardens.
Many of these early residents were integral to Melbourne’s and Victoria’s development and brought with them extraordinary stories. In the 20th century, long after the wealthier cohort fled St Kilda, the garden surrounds housed bohemians and radicals, who were still being extraordinary.
The walk is hosted by committee members Liz Kelly and Philip Bird, whose research has uncovered tales of the Ned Kelly trial; the owner of two Caulfield Cup winners who drove a gold Rolls Royce; Australia’s first ice hockey team; the NSW pastoral lease which had an annoying rocky outcrop called ‘Broken Hill’; the glamorous 1950s-night club; the trial of multiple murderer Martha Needle; and more . . . including stories of a shared house - the filmmakers, photographers, musicians and painters who lived there.
This is a free member only event. Booking essential. As the walk can only cater for 20 people, we have limited bookings to one ticket per member, to ensure more members can join the walk.