Moonee Valley Family & Local History Blog

Painter Hugh Ramsay grew up in Essendon and was considered to be one of the great up and coming artists of his generation. Tragically his career came to an end when he was struck down with tuberculosis at age 29. But he left a legacy of brilliant and dynamic painting. Self-portrait of Hugh Ramsay, from the National Gallery of Australia collection. You can learn more about Ramsay's life and work at an upcoming talk at the Incinerator Gallery in Moonee Ponds, on Monday 13th October, 10am - 2pm. The talk is being given by Gregory Smith, President of The Victorian Artists Society. Book online or call 8325 1750.

Many mansions built in Essendon in the 1880's and 1890's later became schools. One being Ave Maria the former home of the Ramsay family. The house was built in 1889 in the Victorian Italianate style, and previously known as "Clydebank". Home of noted artist Hugh Ramsay who studied at the National Gallery of Victoria and in 1899 left Australia to study painting in Paris, where he contracted tuberculosis and returned to Australia in 1902 where he died four years later. The National Gallery of Victoria holds a number of his paintings. Since 1963 the home as been the administrative functions of the Ave Maria College , Vida Street, Essendon.