Little Oxford Street, Collingwood, C.1935
Collingwood is an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne, and along with neighbouring Fitzroy, is one of the first urban areas established. The first subdivisions in the area date from as early as 1839, just 4 years after the founding of Melbourne.
This shot from 100 years later looks along Little Oxford Street which runs north south for about 600 metres between Stanley and Langridge Streets, to the east of (and parallel) to Smith Street.
Brick, stone and timber cottages from the previous century line the street, not necessarily in good condition. A girl stands on the footpath outside a timber fronted cottage with two boys.
This photo is one of many dozens taken by social reformer Frederick Oswald Barnett in an effort to raise public awareness of the plight of inner city slum dwellers and thus bring about change. He was successful…
In 1935, a new government, heavily influenced by Barnett's study group, appointed a Slum Abolition Committee. At the same time, Barnett and his group formed their own Housing Reform Council determined to help overcome post depression poverty.
Without going into lengthy detail, Barnett’s group pressured the Government into passing the Housing Act of 1937 which eventually lead to the establishment of the Housing Commission of Victoria which helped many thousands of Melburnians into improved accommodation.