HERITAGE NOOSA
HERITAGE NOOSA
Walter Leaney
DETAILS
Additional Information
It appears Walter Leaney began his involvement in photography around 1900 when he married Levinia Kitch and within a year had joined the Kitch & Co. photographic studio in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains area of NSW. Kitch & Co.'s primary photographic practice consolidated on scenes of the Upper Blue Mountains area of NSW and largely the Katoomba area and Jenolan Caves, producing postcards, photographs, souvenirs, imperials, carte de vistas and stereoscopic photos. The studio took photos of visiting dignitaries, local events, social engagements and community activities in and around Katoomba.
While it appears Leaney had some previous business experience, he seemed to have no experience in commercial photography upon joining Kitch & Co. Nevertheless he was associated with the business for eighteen years. He visited Milton, NSW for a period of time in 1913 but returned to Katoomba when Kitch & Co. became Kitch & Co. Ltd. He managed the new firm and studio. By the end of 1918, Leaney was no longer in Katoomba.
It is unknown exactly when W. Leaney visited the Noosa region although it is thought to be around 1908. His photos taken at Tewantin and Noosa depict prominent local families, businesses, attractions and locations typically associated with early tourism in Noosa. Some of these include Tait's Royal Mail Hotel at Tewantin, Boating on the Noosa River at Tewantin, Devil's Kitchen, Paradise Cave and other well-known locations. Leaney also captured scenes outside Noosa Shire, including Eumundi, Kenilworth and Maleny.
Several of Walter Leaney's postcards have postage dates of 1908. His distinctive handwriting of captions in his photographs is key to determining his works, as not all carry an ink stamp of "W. Leaney, Photographer" on the front or reverse for easy identification. His photo postcards from the Noosa Shire were primarily produced with "Shell Series" postcard backings.
References:
Blue Mountains Heritage
http://bluemountainsheritage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BM-History-Journal-Issue-9_compressed-1.pdf
Trove
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161275574?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103843620?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107959671?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108045477?searchTerm=Walter%20John%20leaney%20photographer#
It appears Walter Leaney began his involvement in photography around 1900 when he married Levinia Kitch and within a year had joined the Kitch & Co. photographic studio in Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains area of NSW. Kitch & Co.'s primary photographic practice consolidated on scenes of the Upper Blue Mountains area of NSW and largely the Katoomba area and Jenolan Caves, producing postcards, photographs, souvenirs, imperials, carte de vistas and stereoscopic photos. The studio took photos of visiting dignitaries, local events, social engagements and community activities in and around Katoomba.
While it appears Leaney had some previous business experience, he seemed to have no experience in commercial photography upon joining Kitch & Co. Nevertheless he was associated with the business for eighteen years. He visited Milton, NSW for a period of time in 1913 but returned to Katoomba when Kitch & Co. became Kitch & Co. Ltd. He managed the new firm and studio. By the end of 1918, Leaney was no longer in Katoomba.
It is unknown exactly when W. Leaney visited the Noosa region although it is thought to be around 1908. His photos taken at Tewantin and Noosa depict prominent local families, businesses, attractions and locations typically associated with early tourism in Noosa. Some of these include Tait's Royal Mail Hotel at Tewantin, Boating on the Noosa River at Tewantin, Devil's Kitchen, Paradise Cave and other well-known locations. Leaney also captured scenes outside Noosa Shire, including Eumundi, Kenilworth and Maleny.
Several of Walter Leaney's postcards have postage dates of 1908. His distinctive handwriting of captions in his photographs is key to determining his works, as not all carry an ink stamp of "W. Leaney, Photographer" on the front or reverse for easy identification. His photo postcards from the Noosa Shire were primarily produced with "Shell Series" postcard backings.
References:
Blue Mountains Heritage
http://bluemountainsheritage.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/BM-History-Journal-Issue-9_compressed-1.pdf
Trove
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/161275574?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103843620?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107959671?searchTerm=Leaney%20photographer#
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108045477?searchTerm=Walter%20John%20leaney%20photographer#
Photograph
IDENTIFIERS
Subject (Keywords)Photographers
Walter Leaney. Heritage Noosa, accessed 21/01/2026, https://heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au/nodes/view/25200
