Irvine Green

Irvine Green was a co-founder of the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society in 1967 and held many positions within the Society until his death in 1997. In addition to President and photographer, he edited and printed that newsletter for many years. He was also Secretary for some time, Chairman of the Schramm's Cottage Preservation Committee and a member of the Heritage Committee and actively involved in so many areas of the Society's endeavours.

Irvine Green's portrait hangs on the wall of the schoolroom in Schramm's Cottage. Here are some other photos of him in some of his DTHS roles and a photo of the plaque at the entrance to the Irvine Green Memorial Garden established in the grounds of the Schramm's Cottage Complex in 2001.

Irvine died in 1997 aged 84 years (see  Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust )

Girl Guide presenting the key to Schramm's Cottage to the Chairman of the Schramm's Cottage Preservation Committee, Irvine Green, at the official opening of Schramm's Cottage. 1976 DTHS dp0558



Irvine Green on the left with the printing press used for printing our early newsletters. 1987. Private collection.

DTHS Heritage Committee. L-R: Irvine Green, Judith Leaney, Ken Smith, ? and Eric Collyer. Undated. Private collection

Photograph of the plaque at the entrance of the Irvine Green Memorial Garden. The garden was dedicated on the 28th April 2001 to the memory of Irvine Green by the Mayor of the City of Manningham, Cr. Eisenbeise.  2001 Photographer: Valerie McLaine. DTHS  dp0789a


Source: Kay Mack writing on DTHS Facebook page May 10 2017


Irvine Green, DTHS President

One important task in the recording of history is the collection of photographs. Our Society is most fortunate to have the help of an expert in this regard, in the person of its President, Irvine Green, A.I.A.P.

During the past three years, he has been busy photographing buildings and points of interest in the district, as well as making copies of old photographs, with the result that his collection now numbers several hundred. He prepared seventy slides for his talk on Doncaster Road , and a further hundred for the talk "Pioneer Women", given by his wife, Mrs. Muriel Green. He is now engaged in completing file prints for the Society.

Irvine is a professional photographer in Collins Street, Melbourne, and was earlier a member of the Melbourne Camera Club. He was once Secretary of the Commercial Group of the Institute of Victorian Photographers and has, among many awards, an Empire Medal awarded for photographs in a London Exhibition. He is at present a member of the Photographic Group of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), and has just completed photographs of the Exhibition and Treasury Buildings for the Trust's next publication - Historic Public Buildings of Australia.

Source: 1970 04 DTHS Newsletter


Publications by Irvine Green in the National Library:

  • Schramms cottage complex : including Schramms cottage, Fingers Barn, the Orchard Museum, Waldau Cemetery, the Box Hill - Doncaster Tram, the Gazebo from Templestowe Cemetery,... by Green, Irvine 1993
  • The orchards of Doncaster Templestowe / by Irvine Green by Green, Irvine 1985
  • History of the Doncaster Rotary Club / by Irvine Green by Green, Irvine : Rotary Club of Doncaster, 1993
  • Petticoats in the orchard / Irvine Green by Green, Irvine 1987
  • Aborigines of Bulleen : the history of the Aborigines of the Wurundjeri tribe who inhabited the area which became the city of Doncaster and Templestowe / Irvine Green by Green, Irvine 1989
  • Early days : a geographical history of Doncaster - Templestowe / by Irvine Green by Green, Irvine 1980
  • Templestowe : the story of Templestowe and Bulleen / written and illustrated by Irvine Green by Green, Irvine 1982
  • Park Orchards : a short history / by Irvine Green and Beatty Beavis by Green, Irvine 1983
  • Victorian splendour : Australian interior decorations, 1837-1901 / Suzanne Forge ; photographs by Irvine Green by Forge, Suzanne. Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 1981
  • Doncaster : a short history / by Eric Collyer ; designed and illustrated by Irvine Green by Collyer, Eric c1994
  • Waldau cemetery register / compiled by Eric Collyer and Irvine Green by Collyer, Eric c1988
  • Doncaster : a short history / by Eric Collyer and Ken Smith ; illustrated by Irvine Green by Collyer, Eric 1981
  • Tails up [Melbourne] : Comment Publications, [ca. 1943]
  • The Tower and tram at Doncaster 1980
Source: National Library of Australia


Vale Irvine Heber Green

On Monday August 4th, our Past President and friend, Irvine Green died.  Irvine was the spirit and moving force of our Historical Society for thirty years. His talents were many and varied, ranging from research skills to concreting, all of which he did with enthusiasm and flair.  It is only now that he is gone, that we fully realize the extent of our loss and are aware of the myriad of tasks which he performed so quietly.  As was Irvine's family's wish, his funeral was held at his beloved Schramm's Cottage on Friday August 8th. The service was attended by many, including family, Manningham Council Representatives, Historical Society members, Rotary Club of Doncaster members and individuals who knew and loved Irvine.  We dedicate this newsletter to Irvine's memory this the first in nearly thirty years not prepared by Irvine himself.  We include tributes from many members of his family, officials from the groups he belonged to and friends.   Vale Irvine - heartfelt thanks from us ail for a job well done.

Judith Leaney, President-Doncaster and Teinplestowe Historical Society

Quotes from speeches.

The Mayor CA Bold Beynon: Council 5/8/97:  For the benefit of Councillors and members of the gallery, one of our prominent citizens passed away yesterday, Mr. Irvine Green  In 1967 he set up the Historical Society, he was the prime mover in having the Schramm's Cottage saved from being demolished. He was responsible for the historical photographs of Doncaster which are located in the Municipal Offices.  He gave countless talks to schools and groups within the municipality.  He was awarded the key to the City of Doncaster- Temples towe.  He will be sadly missed by all the residents of the City and if I could ask for you all to observe one minutes silence for Mr, Irvine Green.

Lawrance Reilly: at meeting of Historical Society 6th August 1997. Some individuals by their dedication will always be remembered and more important may leave behind an indelible mark of standard for others for others to follow. Irvine Green was such a man.  The Historical Society is much the richer for the time and effort of Irvine Green since its inception and we are now diminished by his passing.  Schramm's Cottage stands as a memorial to his life and this Society the occupant of the building is the off spring of his dedication to and union with history.  Our Irvine Green was a powerful man who lived 80 years of useful achievement.  That the minutes of this meeting record our grateful appreciation for the life of our founder Irvine Green and his untiring support. We regret his vacant chair at our meetings but for ever appreciate the legacy he has left  us.

Australian Quilters Association:  A member of A.Q.A. since 1989 Irvine’s contribution to the association was immeasurable. In his unassuming manner he was always there to share his technical and photographic skill, the latter in abundance.  A man of many talents and interests Irvine will be greatly missed.

David Green 8th August 1997:  "About my Father”.  Until recently he just never seemed to grow older. He has been such a constant "home base" for all of us that it was easy to assume he would be here for ever.  My father was always willing to share himself with others. There seemed to be no end to the pains he would take on other people’s behalf....  Many people would not appreciate how good an artist  Dad was----at the National Gallery a treasured exhibit of lino cut art by prominent Australian artist - Irvine Green.

Tony Green - 8th August 1997:  Dad had a long full life.  I remember him building the wooden vaulting horse for our youth club, showing us the sputnik satellite, buying too much plaster of paris for my school project, yelling at me at age 6 for bringing home an old TV tube and breaking it ... . working with him building the roof of the dogs kennel. I watched in horror as he tore up many photo prints because they were not perfect. I took some pictures of him in the war to school.... I told them he was holding a machine gun but it was only a camera. He was a gentle man.  In the end his selfless work was honoured with the Order of Australia Medal. People have noticed him.

Grand daughter, Laurel - 8th August 1997:  I think the thing I loved most about Poppa was his jokes . ... he had a funny sarcastic wit that made you burst out laughing - when he made his straight face comments. He was a wonderful man.  I always admired him with all his hidden talents .... but most of all I always loved him.

Grandson - Russell 8th August 1997:  Papa was always a loving caring man----when he would nod off during one of our conversations, when he woke up he knew exactly what you had just said. I always wondered about that........seeing him with a pony tail, not a toupee but a real pony tail. Papa will always be with us, in our stories our memories and our hearts.

John C. Turner 8th August 1997. Rotary Club of Doncaster Irvine Green fellow Rotarian. A man when invited to join Rotary, embraced die ideals of Rotary "service above self’. He didn’t have to learn the Four way test.... His code was Irvine Green.  Whenever a dream of his or others was mooted .... he would, with a twinkle in his eye and a deep quiet chuckle say - why not? No matter what was asked of him he went the extra mile .... he was a "quiet achiever". A great man, a great friend an example to all.

Marilyn - Daughter 8th August 1997: To us dad was a very kind and loving father .... always ready to listen.... lie was there through good times and hard times. He had a way of making everyone feel special. He had several hobbies which he loved dearly.  1st Photography .... Fie begun his career in this field taking photos for Australian intelligence during World War 2.  2nd He loved History.  He was a true gentleman and a fantastic person right to the end. His grandchildren.... All sincerely loved him.

Loretta Childs: I would like to tell you of the person I knew as a father figure and friend of great importance in my life and that of his other five other step-children, their spouses and children. He had a great influence on a huge part of our lives. The influence I speak of has been something so special and has touched all of us; observing this man of such tenderness and -wealth of mind and spirit. This is also something he brought into our mother’s life. We have watched with wonderment how Paddy and Irvine grew together over the years  Irvine was a man of immense humour and versatility, ’he drier the humour, the more he laughed.  Irvine’s five year old grandson said to me after finding out he had died, "You know Mummy, I think all the hard things go down to hell and all the soft things go down to heaven, so I think Poppa must have gone up to heaven."  What more can we say about a man we all loved and respected so much.

Eric Collyer 8th August 1997:  Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society.  His passing marks the end of an era in the life of our society - a unique association spanning 30 years ....  He was in every sense of the word a leader, serving at various times and for extended periods as secretary, president, newsletter editor and compiler, photographer, author and printer----Irvine had an unparalleled depth and breadth of knowledge of the history of this district.- .the authority on local history.  When I thought about Irvine these characteristics came to mind - reserved unassuming in nature, quiet achiever, one who showed genuine humility, persistent worker, totally committed, great encourager, good organiser and above all loyal and sincere in relationship with others.  We remember Irvine for the monumental legacy he has left us .... his documented history and extensive collection of photographs are ours to treasure and safeguard and may they long serve to advance the cause of history within this municipality.

Source: 1997 12 DTHS Newsletter


Irvine Green, OAM, AIAP, photographer and historian 1913-1997

Irvine was born in inner city Melbourne into a well-educated family, youngest of five children. When his father died in the early thirties, he was unable to pursue Architecture at University so developed skills as a photographer, gaining courses, work experience and awards.  During World War II he served in the RAAF as a photographer both in New Guinea and at home. Through the succeeding years he excelled as a commercial photographer with many contributions to books, especially of historic homes and buildings.

Starting in the mid-1960s, Irvine and his wife at that time, Muriel became heavily involved in the Doncaster-Templestowe Historical Society activities, helping save Schramm’s Cottage and other buildings as a museum. While writing books and drawing for them, he also did much new photography plus preservation and copy work. He was busy photographing buildings and points of interest in the district, as well as making copies of old photographs, resulting in a collection of several hundred. He prepared many slides for his talk on Doncaster Road, a talk "Pioneer Women” by Muriel Green amongst many others. After Muriel’s passing he was involved in numerous more photographic projects for the Society with his wife Paddy.

While a meek and modest person, his long service to the community deservedly earned him the keys to the city of Doncaster and Templestowe and the Order of Australia.

Source: Tony Green, eMail Aug2025

Other references:

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