The Milton Collection of Photos – a new find reveals an important image

Included in a package of old photos from the grandson of Tom Milton was this photo of our original clubhouse and a rather large gathering of canoes and people.

This photo was labelled “Fairfield Canoe Club” but was undated. It looks an important occasion, but could we identify the date?

“Yes” is the answer! We have a labelled 1927 image of the drawn-out construction phase of the clubhouse taken by Harry De La Rue showing the roofline of House B just visible.

….and also, the finished product below, dated 1929:

Allowing for the change in perspective between each of the photographs the construction of ‘House A’ progresses between the undated ‘Grand Celebration’ photograph and the dated photograph of 1929. Thus, we believe that the grand celebration may well be the clubhouse opening ceremony well documented as being held in 1928.

Look carefully and you will see electric lighting festooned along the riverbank, the ever-present large FCC pennant flying from the flagpole (see earlier snippet) and, in addition, a uniformed brass band playing immediately below the clubhouse balcony. These items all being supported by a very large and well-dressed crowd of onlookers.

Question: We again ask, where is the splendid FCC pennant today?

“Come along to the clubhouse to view the Tom Milton Collection currently displayed on our History Board”

Note (updated 2 August 2025 after intelligence from the Bevans):  Houses A and B we think are on the north side of The Esplanade, House C to the south/river side.  "House A" at 4 The Esplanade had been built a long way off the ground and forward towards the river - this has since been replaced by the current No 4 (blue house).  "House B" at 2 The Esplanade was built in 1923 and is still there - was home to a former FCC chair for many years.     "House C" is probably on the site of No 3 The Esplanade, 2 doors along from FCC.  The chimneys beyond "House C" are those of the house on the upper corner of The Esplanade and Alphington St (18 Alphington St, picket fence).