The Weekly Times of June 3, 1905 had the results of the poll -
The results of the Ten Best Citizens poll
Weekly Times June 3, 1905 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222767399#
Here's a summary of who these people are -
Sir John Madden John Madden (1844-1918) lawyer, member of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Lieutenant Governor of Victoria. You can read more about him here, in the Australian Dictionary of Biography (ADB). I have recently acquired the John Madden postcard.
Sir John Madden postcard, sent to Miss MacMeikan, Newlands, Apsley.
Postmarked Apsley September 1, 1905.
Janet, Lady Clarke Lady Clarke (1851 - 1909) was born Janet Snodgrass and married William Clarke (1831 - 1897) in 1873. They lived at Rupertswood in Sunbury and Clivenden in East Melbourne. Her entry (see here) in the ADB said her enthusiasm and drive made her a vigorous supporter of philanthropic, cultural, educational and political movements. Janet Clarke Hall at Melbourne University, founded in 1889 to house female university students, is named after her.
Mr T. Bent, M.L.A Sir Thomas Bent (1838 - 1909) Premier of Victoria February 1904 to January 1909 - revered by some, reviled by others - read about him in the ADB here.
Sir George Turner, M.P Sir George Turner (1851 - 1916) Premier of Victoria September 1894 to December 1899. He was later elected to the Federal Parliament and became the Federal Treasurer. His ADB entry is here.
Miss Sutherland Selina Murray Sutherland (1839 - 1909) worked with neglected children and established, amongst other organizations, the Neglected Children's Aid Society and the Society in Aid of Maternity Hospital Patients. Her entry (see here) in the ADB, written by Ruth Hoban, rates her contribution to society with that of Caroline Chisholm.
Rev. A. R. Edgar Alexander Robert Edgar (1850 - 1914) The Reverend Edgar is the subject of our postcard - he was a Methodist Minister and social reformer. he was the superintendent of the Central Methodist Mission at Wesley Church and involved in the anti-sweating movement and fought against the exploitation of workers. How glad I am that I have his postcard, the Reverend Edgar is, along with Miss Sutherland, my favourite people from this list. Read his ADB entry here.
Mr W. H Irvine, M.L.A Sir William Hill Irvine (1858 - 1943) Premier of Victoria from June 1902 - February 1904. Read about him, here.
Sir Samuel Gillot, M.L.A Sir Samuel Gillott (1838 - 1913) Lord Mayor of Melbourne and member of the Legislative Assembly - read his ADB entry, here.
Mr A Deakin, M.P Sir Alfred Deakin (1856 - 1919) Prime Minister on three occasions - 1903-1904, 1905-1908, 1909-1910. Read his ADB entry, here.
Mr George Coppin George Selth Coppin (1819 - 1906) Actor, theatre manager and owner, Richmond City Councillor, Member of the Legislative Council. Read more about him in the ADB here.
These photos of Ten Best Citizens of Victoria appeared in The Herald on June 1, 1905.
The postcard was sent on March 25, 1907 to Mrs R. Moore of Glenferrie Road in Malvern, by Charlie. This is what Charlie wrote - Another for your collection. I suppose by this time your new album will be getting a bit weighty. Trust you and Uncle Dick are well. I am just the glassy. My album is nearly full. I forgot to get Olive Ebbott's ad from you, if I get it I'll have a lark. Love from Charlie.
So what can we discover from this card? Charlie was the nephew of Dick or Richard Moore of Glenferrie Road and both he and his aunt collected postcards. The Electoral Roll of 1905 has a Richard Inghley Moore and Sara Isabel Moore at 61 Glenferrie Road, Malvern - his occupation was a confectioner. According to the Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages Richard married Jane Lewis in 1876, she died in 1899 and he then remarried in 1903 to Sara Isabel Potts (born 1866).
Richard died in 1930, aged 76 and I can't work out when Sara died.
The Australasian July 18, 1903
I do not have any other information about Charlie. He mentioned 'Olive Ebbott's ad' Olive Ebbott (born 1885) is in the 1908 Electoral Roll at 72 Union Street, Malvern with a Leslie and a Reginald Ebbott who, I believe, are her brothers. Next door at 82 Union Street are Elizabeth (nee Temby) and Phillip Ebbott - her parents. Phillip Ebbott was a wood dealer, so did the ad concern a job or perhaps Olive took in boarders? I don't know. You can read about the Ebbott family in the Malvern Historical Society Newsletter from April 2007 - access it here. It also has some photographs of the family.
