Snapshots: Norman ‘Col’ Colliver and his studio - Source: McGuire’s Punt book.
Toska Art Studio — Norman ‘Col’ Colliver
Photography has been an interest of mine for about 40 years but more so since I bought my first serious camera, a Canon 7D DSLR, in 2012. Since that time I have experimented with many types of photography and in particular birdlife, historic places/items, macro (close-up) and street photography.
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It was about this time that I became very interested in Shepparton’s historic photos and started scanning people’s old photos and now have a substantial archive of digital images.
‘Bring babies early’: Newspaper advert in the Dookie and Katamatite Recorder, 1905.
One of my favourites is the work of Norman ‘Col’ Colliver and his Toska Art Studios photos. Over the years I have scanned many photographs and postcards that bear his name and have endeavoured to gather as much of his history as possible. Here is a snapshot of his life.
He was born in 1871 and grew up in Ballarat. He became an apprentice to Mr T. F. Chuck, photographer, of the Gallery of Art in Ballarat and also acquired artistic talents such as watercolours and oils. Over the years he gained further experience and management skills in South Australia and Sydney and then in Melbourne. He decided to take a holiday due to ill health and while visiting Shepparton in circa 1900 he decided he would like to live there. He purchased three shops in Wyndham St next to the Queen’s Gardens and called his business the Toska Art Studios.
Popular: Toska Art Studio postcard samples - Source: Lost Shepparton.
“He decided to establish himself in business there on his own account, and, finding it very difficult to secure suitable premises, purchased the businesses of the two photographers of the place. The premises were then entrusted to Bellamy and Co, contractors and builders, and on the old site now stands the finest and most up-to-date studios outside of Melbourne. Mr Colliver enjoys a large and extensive connection, people coming from all parts of the district to be photographed by him, and his productions well deserve the reputation they have gained for excellence of work and delicacy of finish.” (The Cyclopedia of Victoria Volume 3)
He remained in Shepparton for the rest of his life, building a reputable business and also exhibiting some of his work overseas, winning a number of gold medallions. He was also an important member of the Masonic Lodge, Urban Water Trust and the Shepparton Progress Association. He died of a heart attack in the Una Hospital in 1958, at the age of 88 years.
I would be very interested in seeing your Toska Art Studio photos. Please email or share on Lost Shepparton by private message with any information you may have.
Quiet: Wyndham St North, Shepparton - Source: Lost Shepparton.
