The Exhibition of Nautical Curios and Fancy Fair was held on the 14th of November 1901 at the Melbourne Athenaeum. It was opened by the Governor, Lord Hopetoun.

Digitally enhanced copy of the flyer pasted in the 1896-1902 scrapbook

nautical curios, fancy fair, melbourne athenaeum

After an attempt of building a Seamen's Hospital in Williamstown, the ship Emily was transformed in a floating chapel to welcome seamen for service. Captain Charles Ferguson (1813-1868) was one of the members of the committee who founded the floating church. The ship Emily may have been a convict ship sailing from England to the Van Diemen's land in 1842 and 1844. Before 1856, it was used as a "water police hulk" then transformed in an accommodation for Reverend Kerr Johnson and his large family and fitted to receive 200 attendees in the chapel.

The article is significant as it describes the ship and its location: "The hulk is moored midway between Sandridge and Williamstown, and is distinguished by a blue flag flying at the mainmast with "Bethel" inscribed on it; and in one corner of the flag is the star of Bethlehem, in another a dove with an olive branch."

1 column article in the Argus

ship emily, floating church, reverend kerr johnston, 1812-1887, hobson's bay, sandridge, captain ferguson, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), convict ships

Small illustration by Charles George Darvall (1831-1924), cousin of William Henry Charles Darvall.

Born in England in 1831, he arrived in Victoria in 1858. A watercolour artist, he travelled around the goldfields and later taught at the Sandhurst School of Arts and Design.

Small ink seaside landscape found on the 1896-1902 scrapbook

Bottom right corner: C.G.D. 99

charles georges darvall (1831-1924), william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)

W.H.C. Darvall was a solicitor; ha became the Honoray Secretary of the Mission in 1895. Interested in libraires and archives, he kept a scrapbook of the events organised at the Mission during his time. He also wrote an Epitomised History. Hugh Reid ws a member of the Harbour Trust, the Sailors' Home and the Mission.

This letter of recommandation shows that W.H.C. Darvall was highly respected.

Typewritten letter in purple ink onto creamy colour paper with The Victorian Seamen's Mission, Institute & Rests letterhead.

hugh ronald reid, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)

He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.

Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background

missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, bethel union, mariners' church

He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.

Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background

missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, mariners' church, bethel union

He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.

Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background

missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, mariners' church, bethel union

Margaret Woodward is a an artist and an an associate professor of design at Charles Sturt University. Artist statement: "The Sea is All Around us is a multi-layered event which creates a memorable experience for those visiting the Dome Gallery and the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands. The event acknowledges and raises awareness of the often difficult and dangerous working lives and journeys of seafarers by making visible their role in transporting commodities, materials and objects to and from Australia’s shores. This installation at the Dome Gallery in the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands marks the third stage of an ongoing research project which seeks to reveal the ‘social life’ of souvenirs. Beyond their representational role souvenirs also trigger intangible, affective qualities – reminders of journeys and places, new associations with tastes, sounds and people, and thereby becoming objects which focus and hold memories. This installation invites seafarers and visitors to participate in a global project which aims to witness sea journeys and trace the mobile life of seafarers and souvenirs. For a fortnight in May 2015, the Dome Gallery became an architectural large scale compass, with the circular floor marking the intersection of its latitude and longitude (37 º 49'21" S 144º 57'03"E). Over these two weeks the Dome Gallery was inscribed with marks recording journeys made by seafarers, recording destination and departure ports, home lands and waterways, and in doing so making visible a small segment of the global patterns of seafaring. Custom-made souvenirs designed for the installation are given to seafarers as gestures of welcome and a memento of their visit. The souvenirs originating in Poland continue their journey by sea, to destinations beyond the Dome becoming part of the global network of seafaring, with an invitation for seafarers to record their future journeys using QR code scanning technologies. It is hoped that by releasing the 200 limited edition souvenirs accompanying the seafarers the mobile life of souvenirs and seafarers will also become visible. Like messages in bottles they leave our shores, becoming ambassadors, representing the Dome Gallery at the Mission to Seafarers, the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Australia’s red soil and vegetation, and carrying memories of visiting Melbourne."

The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals.

Orange enamel and teal mug created for the art installation by artist Margaret Woodward at the Mission to Seafarers. On one side it is decorated with a compass and a latitude and longitude; on the opposite side, a leaf, a QR code on the bottom takes you to the website.

Written at the bottom of the mug: Please scan to map the journey of this souvenir * www.sensingtheremote.net *2015

cultural events, norla dome, mso, 2015, art installation, margaret woodward

A Williamstown local, Ethel Margaret Musther nee Barber (1872-1956) was the daughter of Captain John Henry Barber (1842-1924), a sea pilot and Janet Lidell (1846-1891) Her grandfather, Captain Lidell, was also a seaman. In 1900, she married Nathan George Musther,(18..-1933) a chemist, and dentist in the Navy. They had two daughters: Rosamund Janet Musther(born 1903) and Nanoya Gwendoline Musther (born 1906). She was the principal of the Ladies' College in Footscray. She was involved in many philantropic associations especially for sailors but also during WWI and WW2. She worked for the Anzac Club, the Red Cross, She formed: 1941: the R.A.N. Friendly Union of Sailor's Wives and Mothers. 1943: the Lightkeepers Auxiliary to help the Mission raised funds. The plaque was a gift of the Lightskeeper Auxiliaire and unveiled on 30 July 1959 at the St Nicholas Chapel, by her eldest daughter, Mrs Jean McDonald. It was originally on stained and polished hardwood mount made by Mrs Murdoch (AR1959, page 24). On the day, a desk service-book was also dedicated in memory of Dr John Thompson at the request of his daughter, Mrs Sparrow.

In early 1943, Ethel Margaret Musther formed the Lightkeepers' Auxiliaire and raised funds for the third building purchased for the Williamstown branch of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, the former E,S & A Bank. Thanks to her philanthropic work, she was rewarded with a Medal of the British Empire in 1953 for all her charitable work.

Folded booklet on creamy colour paper and black ink

ethel margaret musther, st nicholas' mariners' chapel, nelson place, williamstown, lightkeepers' auxiliary, dr john thompson

A Williamstown local, Ethel Margaret Musther nee Barber (1872-1956) was the daughter of Captain John Henry Barber (1842-1924), a sea pilot and Janet Lidell (1846-1891) Her grandfather, Captain Lidell, was also a seaman. In 1900, she married Nathan George Musther,(18..-1933) a chemist, and dentist in the Navy. They had two daughters: Rosamund Janet Musther(born 1903) and Nanoya Gwendoline Musther (born 1906). She was the principal of the Ladies' College in Footscray. She was involved in many philantropic associations especially for sailors but also during WWI and WW2. She worked for the Anzac Club, the Red Cross, She formed: 1941: the R.A.N. Friendly Union of Sailor's Wives and Mothers. 1943: the Lightkeepers Auxiliary to help the Mission raised funds. The plaque was a gift of the Lightskeeper Auxiliaire and unveiled on 30 July 1959 at the St Nicholas Chapel, by her eldest daughter, Mrs Jean McDonald.It was originally on stained and polished hardwood mount made by Mrs Murdoch (AR1959, page 24). On the day, a desk service-book was also dedicated in memory of Dr John Thompson at the request of his daughter, Mrs Sparrow.

In early 1943, Ethel Margaret Musther formed the Lightkeepers' Auxiliaire and raised funds for the third building purchased for the Williamstown branch of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, the former E,S & A Bank. Thanks to her philanthropic work, she was rewarded with a Medal of the British Empire in 1953 for all her charitable work.

Invitation card to the dedication of a brass plaque in memory of Ethel Margaret Musther

ethel margaret musther, st nicholas' mariners' chapel, nelson place, williamstown, lightkeepers' auxiliary

Belaying pins used on the Polly Woodside, former Rona, ship now berthed on the Yarra River.

The Polly Woodside was saved in the 1970s and use as a Maritime Museum until its collection was dispersed. Now one of the National Trust assets. Some Mission's volunteers were also part of the team of volunteers restoring the Polly Woodside in the 1970s.

Painted: 1885 POLLY WOODSIDE 1977

polly woodside, rona, yarra river, national trust, interest group

3rd September

Framed artwork printed on textile

Written in ink on verso: "Rachel / SOLD Y"

merchant navy day, lest we forget, ww2, ww1

These armchairs seem to be dated from the 1960s and are seen in a photograph taken by the Melbourne Harbour Trust around 1963.

3 armchairs

armchairs

The author of the letter the Princess Royal is patron of the Mission to Seafarers in Australia.

The letter marks the centenary in 2007 of the establishment of the Seafarers Service in Australia.

Letter, signed, on Buckingham Palace letterhead mounted and housed in gilt painted frame, glazed . Fitted with single twist hanging wire, and 4 felt stoppers; Core flute backing with Brown paper tape to seal.

Signature bottom right in Black ink "Anne" / Conservation Framer's label initials in black ink : "E LH 22/2/08"

mission to seafarers, commemorations, princess anne, princess royal, letter, 2007, centenary, seafarers service

The photograph was taken on board the English four-masted barque Crocodile which was a a regular visitor of the Port Phillip bay ports, transporting wheat from Australia to the UK.

A rare photograph of seamen's intimate life on board.

Sepia photograph depicting the two seamen eating their dinner on board the ship Crocodile.

Written in pencil at the back: "12"

cook, barque crocodile, liverpool, tureen, goldsmith album, life on board, meals, steward, portholes

Captain Crawford Atchinson Denman Pasco, Royal Navy, was member of the Mission's Committee.

Sepia tone photograph of man in uniform seating in armchair

crawford atchison denman pasco (1818-1898)

Plan of Williamstown in 1855

The map helps locate the Wesleyan church on Ann Street which was converted in the Sailors' Rest in 1875.

ann street, wesleyan church, sailors' rest, williamstown

Newspaper clipping about Mary Benin working at the Williamstown Mission to Seamen in the 1960s containing two photographs.

williamstown, mission to seamen, mary bennion, the missions to seamen, 1964, port kembla, warden, caretaker, 139 nelson place

Ethel Godfrey was interviewed for this article. She shared the history of the Guild and its role.

Article published in the Weekly Times in 1910 with a portrait of Ethel Godfrey.

ethel augusta godfrey, ethel godfrey, lhlg

Walter Butler was the official architect of the Anglican Diocese. He designed the Flinders Street Mission, the weathervane, and the first storey of the Port Melbourne Mission.

Copy of photograph of Walter Richmond Butler

walter richmond butler (1864–1949)

mission to seamen, ww1, 1917, badge, button day, bulldog, lady hennessy

dora simpson nee walker, retirement, 1971, hlg, lhlg

255 pages with colour and black and white illustrations; notes, bibliography, index.

non-fiction

Almost hidden within religious buildings, hospitals, school chapels and civic buildings, stained-glass windows tell of Australians at war. Bronwyn Hughes focuses on commemorative stained glass—an overlooked art form—describing its rich artistic and architectural heritage and the artists and firms who created it. Memorial stained glass serves to depict and illuminate the men and women who fought and died for their faith and their country. It has a tragic beauty. The book includes stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel of the Mission to Seafarers.

australian history, ww1, ww2, boer war, vietnam war, stained glass windows, bronwyn hughes

396 pages with colour and black and white illustrations; notes, bibliography, index.

non-fiction

australian history, ships, shipping, clippers

201 pages with black and white illustrations; notes, bibliography, index.

non-fiction

yachties, dominion yachtsmen scheme, royal navy, ww2

Charles Emerson Blunt built the motor boat, the Souther Cross for the Mission in 1906 when the workshop was in Geelong.

The Blunt workshop is heritage listed and has Links with the Mission; they visited the Mission in 2019 and depictions of the workshop are often entered at the Maritime Art Prize.

Series of 4 digital photographs depicting the Blunt Boatbuilders workshop in Williamstown, its interior and a portrait of Charles Emerson Blunt.

blunt boatbuilders, williamstown, motor boat, southern cross