This site looks like it was never developed until this house was built. The MMBW for 1904, shows the site as empty.
In 1913-18, the house was occupied by Charles W Gray, who was an Oven Builder (Sands Directory 1913-1918, Sands & McDougall Directory 1915). I am not sure where he operated prior, but he had employees who were paid on the last Thursday of the Month (Sands Victorian Directory 1912).
I imagine Charles would have moved into the property in August 1912, as this is when the first adverts run in the Age:
In May 1918, however an advert runs, which suggests that the house has changed purpose. The last advert while Chas W Gray was living there, was in Feb 1917 selling a portable grill and iron grill (for a restaurant or cafe).
There are no articles then for some time until Rosina Patrick. It looks like she may have passed at 464 Rae Street, and on 23 July 1943 (The Age), it explains that Rosina Patrick was a spinster, who died without a will. Arthur William Patrick who lived at 464 Rae Street, North Fitzroy (described as a button manufacturer) and a brother of Ms Patrick would apply for Letters of Administration.
From looking into Arthur William Patrick, he lived in North Carlton before moving to 440 Rae Street and presumably starting his button factory. He is recorded as living at 440 Rae St from at least 1914-1931. And from 464 Rae Street from 1936 (Electoral Roll), where he lived with Myrtle Adelina (home duties).
From the ‘Patrick Australia‘ website, I learned that Arthur William (b. 1864) was the oldest of 5 brothers born to Joseph and Julia Patrick in Ballarat. There were 9 children in all. By 1903, Arthur was living in Brisbane and working as a photo enameller, and by 1913 had established himself as a button badge manufacturer and photo enameller in Sydney. The site is interesting because it suggests, Melbourne was established in 1916, and that he convinced Herbert Patrick and then Victor Patrick to manage it, but this is different to my history (see 440 Rae St, which shows it was his address on the electoral roll in 1914).
According to Russ Anderson (a relation of AW Patrick and who worked at the button factory):
The house may have been bought by AW Patrick for his factory manager and friend Herb White. The house at 464 was the home of Arthur Patrick and wife Myrtle {my Maternal aunt). The gate in the colour picture of 464 lead to the rear of the house and woodshed and outside toilet. Further to the back of the property was another covered in shed and old stables used for the printshop and engineering area for the badge works at 440 Rae. There was an overhead pulley/belt system to run the machinery.
In 1936, Herbert Spencer Layley White, is listed as a chauffeur and is living next door at 462 Rae Street.
The following has been generously provided to me my Russ Anderson in July 2025 – I have asked Russ exactly when this was but it looks mid 1950-1960:
464 Rae Street is a double fronted brick Edwardian villa with a servants loft attached to the rear of the house.
A large shed housed lathes and a pedestal drill and platen printing presses, and a hand lever guillotine. Machinery was run by an overhead pulley and belt system from an electric motor.
The former stables at the rear of the property and opening onto Moss Street held the main printing area which was originally an Arab Platen and then later in the early sixties a Thompson Platen was purchased.
Much printing was still done on a hand lever platen as Name badges for Rotary, Lions etc only required one off overprinted on pre printed stock with the Clubs Name and Insignia in a range of colours, from either handset type arranged in circular forms or by blocks made from paste up artwork at a photo gravure business.
At one stage the business would have made its own blocks and stereos (Letterpress blocks made by pressing the phot etched block into a soft cardboard and then poring molten type metal in to a gas heated forme).
The second premises was a short walk up the street along Moss Street to 440 Rae street (refer to 440 Rae St for more information on the AW Patrick Button Factory).
