Carlton Community History Group
News
Remembering Paula Huston
Paula Huston
28 April 1949 – 14 November 2025
The Carlton Community History Group (CCHG) was saddened to learn of the recent death of Paula Huston. A vivacious and charming woman, Paula was a volunteer on the Carlton Community History Group's guiding Committee until she became seriously ill in May 2025. She brought to her volunteer work an intense interest in the history and heritage of Carlton, North Carlton, Princes Hill and Parkville. Her home city was Perth, Western Australia, and our local history was new to her. As a former teacher of History and English, she did a great job proofreading articles for the CCHG website. As a former well-travelled RAAF wife, she brought fresh ideas to our meetings. She was a remarkable woman and will be greatly missed.
From the Aeolian Islands to Lygon Street
Photo: CCHG
Eolian Hall, 836 Lygon Street, North Carlton
The Società Isole Eolie, Melbourne's longest-running Italian social club, celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025. The Società Mutuo Soccorso Isole Eolie, as it was originally known, was established in 1925 by a group of migrants from the volcanic Aeolian islands, off the coast of Italy. The wording "Mutuo Soccorso", translated as "Mutual Aid", reflects the founding charter to be a social, cultural and welfare point of reference, aiming to help Aeolian migrants settle in Melbourne, offering them a place to meet, as well as providing moral and financial assistance in times of need. The Società is a not for profit organisation, funded by member contributions.
In the early years, the Società met at various locations, and in November 1968 acquired its present home at 836 Lygon Street, North Carlton. The impressive building was originally a Jewish Kadimah, designed by Architect C. J. White and constructed by F.N. Mann Pty Ltd in 1932, and officially opened in March 1933. The former Jewish National Library and Celia Grosby Memorial Hall was renamed Eolian Hall and has undergone extensive alterations over the decades. The 100th anniversary is being celebrated in a series of events in 2025.
More information: https://eoliemelbourne.com.au/100years/
From Spaghetti to String Bikinis
677-679 Nicholson Street North Carlton
Photo: Courtesy of Swimwear Galore
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. If you're looking to buy a new swimsuit, a North Carlton business may have the answer. After five years of vacancy, the former Maria's Pasta factory and shopfront in Nicholson Street, North Carlton, has had a makeover as the new retail premises for Swimwear Galore, formerly of Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. The wide shopfront opened in October 2025 and offers a very different range of products, compared to Maria's Pasta.
The large brick building at 677-679 Nicholson Street has had several incarnations during its 139 year history. It was originally built by James Spicer, staircase maker, as a joinery factory in 1886. James Spicer died in 1893 and the factory building was bought by William Angliss, a local butcher who went on to build a business empire in the meat and pastoral trades. Under his ownership, the factory became a printing works and, in 1898, it was home to Madame Demaret & Company, publisher of dressmaking patterns and the "Glass of Fashion" journal. Madame Demaret's patterns were widely sold, with agents appointed in Victoria and interstate.
From 1906 to the early 1930s, brewing was the business of the day. The Stacey Brewing Company was well known for its non-alcoholic beer, favoured by temperance advocates, while Bux Brewing had its signature "Stockade" brand, made from Tasmanian hops. Then there was a succession of motor tyre businesses from the mid 1930s through to the 1970s – Thompson & Son Motor Tyres, the Indo Rubber & Tyre Company, and Firestone Australia Pty Ltd. The original 1880s brick structure was substantially rebuilt in 1944, following a fire that sent clouds of acrid smoke from burning tyres over the city and surrounding suburbs. A new roof and verandah were added in later years, between the most recent businesses – A distribution centre for Sigma Pharmaceuticals and, from 1995 to 2000, Maria's Pasta. 1,2,3
References:
1 Business occupancy information sourced from Sands & McDougall directories and newspaper advertisements,
with additional information from Maria's Pasta.
2 The Argus, 8 April 1944, p. 4
3 Melbourne Building Application Index
Stories of Service and Sacrifice
Carlton During World War 2
Image: NAA: A9301, 119330
Joseph Anthony Battanta of Princes Hill
Patrick Ferry from National Archives of Australia gave an outstanding presentation at the Kathleen Syme Library & Community Centre, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton, on 24 May 2025. Patrick is the Project Manager for the Digitising Services Team (Defence Services Records) of the National Archives. The topic was stories of service and sacrifice by volunteers from the Carlton area during World War Two. The case studies brought history to life as well as illustrating the methodology of the National Archives. Military historians were among those who attended. This presentation was part of an ongoing Carlton Community History Group collaboration with the Kathleen Syme Library & Community Centre. The venue offers meeting rooms available for booking and a café nearby.
The public can access digitised service records online at www.naa.gov.au or by ordering original records held in Melbourne for viewing at the Victorian Archives Centre, 99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne. The reading room is co-located with the Public Record Office of Victoria and open from Wednesday to Friday from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm.