Summary

One of approximately 3,000 negatives from the Payens Collection taken by Jim Payens, the Melbourne based aerial photographer. The images span the period predominantly between the 1950s - 1970s.

Jim Payens was one of a very small number of Australian photographers to have specialised in oblique and survey aerial photography. He was also one of the earliest Australian aerial photographers. This collection consists predominantly of aerial views of the city of Melbourne, surrounding suburbs and regional Victoria but also extends to other parts of Australia. The Collection depicts a variety of landmark events and major engineering projects throughout Australia including the Australian Grand Prix, Olympic Games (Melbourne & Sydney) and the construction of Eildon Weir.

The Museum also holds the aerial camera and equipment used by Payens to take these images as well as an oral history interview with the photographer.

Description of Content

Oblique aerial photograph of the Mobil (Vacuum Oil Company) refinery at Altona looking north-west towards Laverton North. Kororoit Creek runs along the left side of the refinery.

Physical Description

negative; black and white; silver gelatin; cellulose acetate.

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