Photo of Tara Oldfield

Author: Tara Oldfield

Senior Communications Advisor

A range of fascinating historical records have recently been added to Public Record Office Victoria’s (PROV) collection. From photographs of community activities in Darebin, through to 1920s insolvency files and a 1930s register of autopsies – there’s much to explore about Victoria’s history through these new collection items.

All of these recent transfers are in physical format and can be ordered from the North Melbourne reading room. Learn more and find links to order the records below. 


Monash Health records

Monash Health has been progressively transferring their remaining permanent records of former hospitals to PROV. This most recent transfer includes records created by some of their predecessor hospitals including Queen Victoria, Prince Henry's, Kingston Centre and Moorabbin Hospital. The records include mainly administrative and property files, with the exception of an autopsy register from Queen Victoria dating back to 1934. 
 

a book labeled autopsies being flipped through
Autopsy register. VPRS 21632/C1.


The Autopsy Register is contained within a small ‘minute book’ style volume and commences on the 5th of July 1934. Each entry contains the date, ward, name of the deceased, age if known, pathologist, and the pathologist’s report which covers topics such as a general inspection of the patient, medical history, clinical autopsy results and the cause of death. The record provides a fascinating insight into medical history and how autopsies were conducted almost a century ago.  
Within a series of planning and development records is a 1992 report sketch plan submission for an extension of the Jessie McPherson Private Hospital to take it from 100 to 160 beds. 
 

someone flipping through a book of plans
Report Sketch Plan Submission for Jessie McPherson Private Hospital Extension and Monash Medical Centre Children's Hospital to the Board of Management Monash. VPRS 21646/C1.


The Hospital has been co-located at Monash Medical Centre Clayton since 1987, and the Victorian Heart Hospital since 2023. Other records in this series include planning briefs, traffic studies, project reports, decommissioning reports, relocation reports, discussion papers, commissioning reports and design briefs.

Find links to each series of recent Monash transfers below. 

Queen Victoria Medical Centre

Prince Henry’s Hospital

Monash Medical Centre

Kingston Centre

Prince Henry’s, Queen Victoria, Moorabbin Hospital and Monash Medical Centre


Insolvency files

A person was considered insolvent when unable to meet their debts in full. Supreme Court hearings established that the debt outweighed the insolvent person's estate, and heard creditors' claims. The records created provide a powerful insight into business and personal dealings of the past – building a clearer picture of the effects of the depression in Melbourne on a wide range of people. 
 

a box of files with one being held up to the camera, tied in pink twine
Insolvency records. VPRS 10246/C1 Box 1.


More than thirty insolvency records from the 1920s have been added to our collection including the record for a Mr McBean from Kew. His record is dated 6 August 1926, and he is described as a shoe manufacturer who was in debt to the Commercial Bank and various leather merchants and related businesses throughout Melbourne. It was determined his properties would be sold to pay his debts. 

Discover these records at the link below. 

Darebin photographs, reports and war loan and saving certificates 

Records transferred from Darebin Council and their predecessor councils, Northcote and Preston, include annual reports from the 1960s, war loan and savings certificates from the 1940s, committee minutes dating back to 1876 and a huge range of undated photographs. 
 

a gloved hand holding up a photo over a stack of folders and other photos
Photographs from Darebin, Preston and Northcote. VPRS 22631/C1 Box 1.


The photographs provide a stunning depiction of the local community over the years, including community groups, local theatre productions, streetscapes and public buildings. There are photos of police at work, large crowds at community events and protests, and street signs providing a snapshot in time. Here’s a small selection from Box 1. Most photos do not contain location or dates, but perhaps you may recognise some of these scenes? They were most likely captured prior to the council amalgamation in 1994.
 

people peeking out from behind a tree


 

a view of the city from rooftops in the suburbs


 

outside a pub, cars driving by


 

a sign outside a house


 

a sign for northcote plaza


 

a woman and two children at a lake

 

Follow the links below to order these photographs and other Darebin records recently added to the collection.

Northern Grampians Shire records

More than three hundred records of Northern Grampian Shire Council have been added to our collection, consisting largely of council and committee minutes of predecessor agencies including the waterworks trust and sewerage authorities. The records reveal the local history of the region including council priorities over time. 

Visit the links below to order records:

Files for plans of land subdivision  

From Land Use Victoria, we have added a large selection of survey information files for plans of land subdivision, assigned a LP (lodged plan) number; as well as a small quantity of plans of subdivision, also with a LP number. 

The subdivision survey information series contains details about subdivisions granted approval. These files contain reports prepared by a Licensed Surveyor including field notes, survey plan, and correspondence.   

The certified plans of subdivision contain original certified plans sealed or certified by the municipal council before lodging with the Office of Titles. Records from 1988 and 1989 have most recently been added to our already extensive collection of certified plans.  
 

a plan
A plan from the Certified Plans of Subdivision - Lodged Plan (LP) series. VPRS 17865 C8 LP210052.


Researchers can search for parcels of land by LP number to retrieve either subdivision survey information or plans of subdivision.

You can order these records at the links below.

Korumburra rate and valuation records

The South Gippsland Shire Council has transferred a range of historic records of their predecessor agency, the Shire of Korumburra. Records range from property sale registers, to rate and valuation cards, and by-laws. 

Click through the links below to order the records for viewing in our North Melbourne reading room. 

 

Material in the Public Record Office Victoria archival collection contains words and descriptions that reflect attitudes and government policies at different times which may be insensitive and upsetting

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples should be aware the collection and website may contain images, voices and names of deceased persons.

PROV provides advice to researchers wishing to access, publish or re-use records about Aboriginal Peoples

Learn more