A detailed description of the Mission and its activities written by a woman: Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), Friday 13 December 1918, page 34 A WOMAN'S MELBOURNE LETTER. Melbourne, Dec. 4. There is an idea abroad, which as regards Melbourne, at any rate, is quite erroneous, that our sailors are not as well looked after as our soldiers, and that the noble men of the Mercantile Marine are much neglected ! For once, perhaps, my readers will pardon a letter dealing with only one subject, but the steady, unostentatious work done by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in connection with the mission to seamen in Melbourne could not be adequately explained if dismissed in the usual short paragraph. Some of the most prominent names in Melbourne are associated with this guild and with the Mission Chaplain, and Mrs. Gurney Goldsmith, the members have made the Seamen's Institute a real home for those sailors of the Mercantile Marine, who touch our port. What we as a community owe to those men by their heroism in recent hostilities is certainly more understood by this band of enthusiastic workers than by the community generally. By using their unflagging energies, and influence on the sailor's behalf they endeavour to discharge a debt to which in some way or other we could and should all contribute. Even the most casual person can, if he thinks at all, sum up a few of the things our sailors - other than those belonging to our glorious navy - have done for us. On the spur of the moment we remember that those of the Mercantile Marine, are the men who manned our transports, who carried our wheat and wool, to oversea markets; who kept us in touch with our loved ones abroad; who kept the fires going in the furnaces of the great leviathans, bringing our wounded soldiers home again; who never flinched when self-sacrifice was demanded; who cared, with that tenderness, innate in all sailors, for the women and children, when the passenger ships were struck a dastardly blow by the wicked enemy; who, mocking death, gave up life with a heroism all the more heroic because it was always taken as a matter of course! Is it any wonder, then, that the members of the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild make it their business to provide a bright, homelike, spot in Melbourne, where the sailors are always certain of a cherry welcome ashore? The members of the guild are admirably drafted! The 360 non-workers each pay £1 1s. per annum. The workers, of whom there are between 700 and 800, donate 2s. 6d. and school members - it is confidently hoped that gradually all the schools will take an active interest in the mission - 1s. a year. The knights of the guild - as the men members are designated - are responsible for any sum they wish to name, from 5s. a year upwards. Everything is paid for out of these revenues, with the exception of a small grant from the Home Mission Fund - and such is the organisation, and management, that the entire concern is quite free from debt. The Seamen's Church and Institute, where the "Harbour Lights" gleam so brightly, is situated right in the midst of all the bustle and turmoil of the wharves, at the end of Flinders-street. The building, comprising chapel, and institute under the one red tiled roof, is grey stuccoed, with a small tower, from which flaunts the flag of 'The Flying Angel" - the badge of the guild. A visit to the institute makes one fully appreciate the boon the place must be to the voyage worn, weary, sailor. The atmosphere is eminently social in its best sense. While the architecture imparts an elegance, and quiet dignity which soothes by the very subtlety of its charm. With its comfortable furniture, its wealth of flowers, and the happy, wholesome, feminine influence which prevails everywhere, the quality which stands for the magic word "home" abounds. The Chaplain in the course of conversation said: -"We try to make this really a free club for sailors." But the habitues would probably tell you it was far more than that to them. The Institute is excellently appointed, and every little corner seems to have its particular history. It was built after the model of one of the old mission churches in California, and retains something of the old world attraction, while yet it combines all the advantages of modern, practical, conveniences. On entering the door the first thing, one notices is a huge compass, inlaid upon the floor, evidently to indicate one's proper bearings for it points due north - to the chapel! Only one other seamen's mission in the world boasts such a compass. As the sailor swings through the entrance he finds the office on his right, and there is, here, always a smiling face to welcome the shy, or timid, new comer. Quite a real post office is staffed by members of the guild, and all the letters received are listed alphabetically. Therefore, the expectant sailor has just to run his eye down the list, and he can immediately see whether there is a letter for him or not. If he is fortunate, he comes up to the member in charge, who unlocks the box, and produces the longed for missive. The boys are always encouraged to answer letters - and to write them. Often a few words about their mother, and their own home, will provoke a sleeping memory into activity. The writing room is well stocked with paper, envelopes, pens, and ink. The tables are so divided to ensure the utmost privacy, and through a calculated chain of circumstances, many an anxious mother receives a letter from her sailor lad, who, perhaps, might not have written but for these kindly inducements. The central hall - where social evenings are held every other night besides two special concerts a week - is inviting in the extreme. A handsome piano affords opportunity for those musically inclined. The tables are strewn with papers. The walls are bright with pictures, and here, and there, is a carved model, of a ship. One, of especial interest, is a model of "The Roon" carved, and presented by a French sailor. This German vessel will always be remembered in Australia. For it was across her bows that the first hostile shot was ever fired in Australian waters. In the corner is the canteen. It was fitted up entirely from the proceeds of a quotation calendar compiled by one of the members. The sailors may at any time, get a teapot of tea, or a tray of eatables, at a nominal cost. Before the canteen was in existence they had to go out for refreshments! - and sometimes they did not come back! Groups of sailors sit chatting at the tables. Half a dozen Swedes laugh and talk among themselves, for the simple reason they know no other language than their own. Several British sailors cluster about a dark-eyed Welsh lad - a perfect Celtic type - who, although only about twenty years of age, has been the victim of the Hun five times. Mines and torpedoes sank the ships he was in, either in the Channel or off the English coast, four times; and it is to his fifth experience, when the Inverness was wrecked, that everyone is eagerly listening. "We were in the boats eight days," he was saying, "I was pretty well mangled when they picked me up. The sufferings we endured were awful. At last we managed to reach Rapa, a Hawaiian island. The natives thought we were Germans, and came at us with spears. When they found we were British, they were awfully good to us. They even cried when we left, and the day before the rescue boat arrived they begged us to go into the hills and hide." At another table a Canadian lad - once a sailor - then a soldier, who trained at the Broadmeadows camp - was telling his experiences : - "The voyage which will always stick in my memory," he said, "was to a place which must be nameless. We left the United States not knowing whether we were bound, or what we were going to do. After some weeks we sighted a group of wonderfully beautiful islands, and we headed for the most remote and most lovely of them all. Then, and only then, we learned our mission from the skipper. We were taking their year's supply to a leprosy station! Oh no! I don't blame the skipper for not telling us ! Someone has to do these things, you know. A naval guard saw they didn't come near - and we all got sixty dollars extra. When the job was over we were quarantined on another island for two months, and one little chap - the baby of the crew, not eighteen - developed leprosy, and died before we left. Yes! I'll never forget that voyage, mates! Sometimes, I seem to see Leper's Island yet, with its lavish tropical vegetation and the gorgeous sunsets which stained all the water with blood. Then, too" - here the voice deepened - "there was an English girl - a leper - there. We heard she used to be an actress, and she contracted the disease somehow or other. She was always alone, and always watching us. In the distance we could see her come to the water's edge, and from there she would watch. Just watch . .. . watch . . .watch. ..." "Here come a couple of North Sea chaps," broke in an elderly man after pause. "One of them wounded, too, poor lad." It is not strange that all the sailors flock to the Institute. It is so comfortable, and essentially inviting, besides being full of human interest. The men's quarters comprise reading, writing and dressing rooms - hot and cold baths are always available - billiard room, and a special baggage room, where any sailor may leave his kit for as long as he likes. The payment of 3d. covers its complete insurance. Upstairs are the officers' quarters. These also have their own billiard room, writing and reading rooms, bath and dressing rooms. Just close are the apprentices' quarters - "The Half Deck," as popular parlance has it! The lads also have a billiard room of their own, and indulge in an easy armchair - amongst others - which was a donation from the Milverton School branch of the Guild. It is hoped by the committee to some day utilise the huge empty rooms, which run the length of the whole building. Their ultimate intention is to fit them up as cubicles, or "cabins," as they are to be called. They trust these "cabins" will be donated, either in memory, or in honour, of someone dear to the donor. Another forward movement soon to be put in hand, now that materials are available, is the establishment of "Norla Gymnasium." In a sailors' club such facility for exercise is absolutely essential. The men both need, and miss, exertion. As one boy, who had been backsliding, once said pathetically : -"If only there was something to do to get me into a good sweat, I would be all right." Soon such an one will be helped to swing from the trapese of the Norla Gymnasium into the right track! Sunday is always a fete day at the Institute, for 40 or 50 sailors generally come into tea. The up-to-date kitchen, which is fitted with every labour-saving appliance - all paid for out of working members' half crowns - is then a hive of animation, and methodical order. A formidable row of teapots await filling. Mrs. Goldsmith -, the chaplain's wife - rightly thinks it is far more homely to pour out the tea from a pot, than to serve it straight from the urns. So tea is poured out by a member, who sits at the head of a table gay with flowers, and chats to the guests. These latter are of all nationalities. But the French, the Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian - or any other sailor is equally welcome with the British. Two enthusiasts belonging to the Guild actually learnt Norwegian, so that men of this nation would have someone to talk to, and so be less lonely when they reached this, to them, foreign port ! The members of the Guild have their own private suite where they arrange the flow-err and do other necessary odds and ends undisturbed. No one appreciates flowers like a sailor, and the earliest and most beautiful may always be seen adorning the tables and rooms. Teas are served and lectures are held in the "Celia Little Hall," one of the most beautiful portions of the institute. It was erected by the chaplain in memory of his aunt from whom the hall takes its name. The Gothic windows open upon the cloisters, where, in the hot weather, the sailors enjoy their meals out of doors. The cloisters, indeed, form an exquisite spot. They are between a series of sweeping arches which lead to the chapel, and are sheltered by the open balcony of the chaplain's quarters. Grace of contour marks the architecture on every turn. Just around the corner is the chaplain's garden - a patch of green and colour, transformed from a desert waste, by a well-known woman horticulturist. The book room is a department especially valued by the sailors. There are two secretaries, one for home and the other for foreign literature. Books in French, English, Spanish, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and German may be found on the shelves. Each week about 36 convenient parcels of reading stuff are made up. These contain illustrated papers, books in various languages, and magazines. These parcels are eagerly accepted by the sailor with a long monotonous voyage before him. But complete as is every corner of the institute, no part is so well equipped as the memorial chapel erected by the Ladies' Harbour Light Guild, in memory of the officers and men, who have lost their lives during the war. St Peter's - for it is called after the sailor's patron saint - with its hallowed gentle dignity is a veritable sanctuary of peace, perhaps all the more so because it sprang out of war. The fittings are entirely of Australian wood. The pews, given in memory of some loved one by one of the members, are of Tasmanian hardwood. The reredos and altar chairs of carved blackwood. The rich carpet was provided by the members' magical half-crowns. Already this chapel holds memorials of peculiar historical interest. The altar lectern was given in memory of Commander Elwell, who, it will be remembered, was killed at Rabaul, in the early part of the war. The font commemorates two heroes - Nigel Hockley and Fred Hyde, who lost their lives at the hands of the Germans, although they survived the actual torpedoing of their ships, the Galgorn Castle off the coast of Ireland. The mother of one of them wrote out that her son had died as an Englishman should - fighting for the right. This noble sentiment is suitably paraphrased upon the inscription engraved upon the font. Practically every-hing enshrined in the chapel has its own sentimental value. The alms salver of beaten copper, studded with agate, is fragrant with the memory of a saintly woman.The eye of the sailor is caught and held by the pulpit, which is fashioned like a ship's hull and only a twist of rope guides the chaplain up the steps. For the last 13 years the Rev. A. Gurney Goldsmith, M.A., has acted as chaplain to the Seamen's Mission in Melbourne. Before that he and his wife worked in China. Mr Goldsmith visits all the boats and gets in touch personally with the sailor, over whom he has great influence. He is not only their chaplain and friend, but, amongst a wide range of other things, their banker besides. An exchange system exists between the various Missions, and the sailor who has "banked" his money with the chaplain, upon going away, receives a cheque which is cashed - minus exchange - by the chaplain of the next port. Mr. Goldsmith will tell you he has a soft spot in his heart for on old sailor he calls "Paddy." This ancient mariner has been wrecked ten times. It was a long time before the chaplain prevailed upon "Paddy" to partake of the spiritual and secular advantages afforded by the institute. He would not come, he said, until he could do so "with a good heart." Finally he frankly admitted that he had no "friends like those of 'the Flying Angel,' " and that he eventually proved his own "good heart" will be shown in this story. One day he came in to the chaplain and said bluffly, "Well, sir, I've been payin' off some old scores up Carlton way, an' I tells yer, plain, sir, not one of 'em would have seen a penny of their money but for the Mission." The Ladies' Harbour Light Guild has over thirty working suburban branches, and the excellent results achieved at the Institute now will no doubt be considerably augmented in the future. The practical actions of the members do more than anything else to convey the subtle meaning of the name of the Guild. To the visiting sailors the word "ladies" signifies the bread givers; "harbour" safety ; "lights" welcome; "guild" the welding of fraternity, and they one and all tell you the ideals thus embodied are unselfishly carried out by all the ladies who have banded together to care for the sailors' welfare.The article describes the Mission and the use of several spaces a year after its opening and gives details about the daily activities.Digital copy of an article published in the Western Mail on the 13th of December 1918. 717 flinders street, seamen's mission, norla dome, lhlg, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, celia little room, garden, frederica godfrey

Ring out Wild Bells!', an all-encompassing history of St Pauls Anglican Church from 1904 – 2004 by Southern cross ministries.com.au. The book takes in all aspects of the church’s ministry, from acquiring the first building, church festivals, Dramatic Club, Social dances, Annual fetes, tennis club, St Pauls Preparatory School; Darish Heros, the 16 memorial stained glass windows, St Pauls dance group, Home group, the healing team, St Pauls Juvenile Orchestra and womens guilds. Correspondence to Claire Barton, dated 29/04/2010 from Cynthia Nyholm, with enclosed book – Ring out Wild Bells the centenary book for St Pauls Anglican Church; Caulfield North 2004.st paul’s anglican church, lynch frank rev., nyholm cynthia, falkingham john canon, north caulfield, ivens george walter dr., kircher godfre rev., saunders harriet eleanor (nelly), wilson albert rev., thewlis brian rev., saunder elizabeth (topsy), meredith charles rev., rutherford. graeme rev., arnold leonard rev, drought john rev., hannaford. john rev., rich roger rev., grully/moore alison, charles oliver, bell towers, clarke henry lowther, roberts frank, ngaruk william, boon wurrung, aboriginal peoples, the black chapel, hawthorn road, balaclava road, glen eira road, taylor rev., seddon rev., edith street, park street, st. mary's parish, shelley edgar, ellerslie, roe thomas, salisbury street, st. elmo's community, mccartney hugh, herring nigel, robinson john, mollinson a.j., derby parade, vance george, statham rev., priest rev., cox rev., queen's hall caulfield, jolly edith, evans jan, societal event and activities, clubs and associations, sporting clubs, cohen leslie, cohen doris, 'anselm', manses, wilson albert mrs, wainwright emily, ivens eleanor, roberts frank, falkenstein lynaire, dove bill, lawn david, edwards peter, jenkins barry, backhouse gerald, triller henrietta, monahan marjorie, wainright bill, 'yanga', alma road, dandenong road, fitzwater mr, lovell house girls school, st paul's preparatory school, independent schools, kindergartens, hoggart mrs, jackson miss, davidson bob, hutchens bernard, meredith benjamin, mannett david, hutchins harry, vicars, foote sheila, scholes lillian, mee elroy, driver marjorie, manton betty, bottomley hilda, west joan, finn grace, dell hazel, guild of the holy spirit, carrigan john rev., allen douglas, thompson norman, hardy don, moroney john, scott-simmons harry, morphet george, houghton robert, drought tom, stringer alf, miller eddie, michie bill, roberts david, hardy bill, cohen vernon, cohen leon, thewlis jeremy, tanner simon, lambert luke, wainwright bill, wilson albert, meredith charles, williams louis r., architects, dawson and smith, builders, monuments and memorials, st. paul apostle and martyr, red hill, ackland a.l., drought peter, kircher virginia, martinu ignaz, metal working, crafts and craft equipment, mathieson w., stained glass, morgan kerr w., cohen ursula, french anne maree, stephens evelyn, roberts janet, tanner john, oliphant alison, oliphant david, drought alison, widdowson charles rev., rich regina, fettel rex, amson evan, amson angela, stonehouse elwyn, thewlis elsbeth, cranswick jim, byrne meredith, jackson jill, jackson family, fitzgerald anne, molineux john, pilkington merridee, wood noel, major paula, major tracy, kaines fiona, west ed, nelson jenny, booth anne, pental road, carnarvon road, daynes alysa, tanner john, tanner winkie, jackson les, thornton graham, thornton gwyn, drought gladys, mcgillivery joan, glennen jim canon, wood maureen, wood david boyle, wood felicity, corrie ian, corrie lesley, sharrock heidi, sharrock lynette, sharrock david, rutherford david, samuel anto (hilda), hannaford john, palliar bob, golden hope healing sanctuary, hostels, moore alison, johnson wendy, stringer barbara, carson penny, edwards joan, glen eira intercessary group, smith beverly, daynes aylsa, lyon tryphena, fitzgerald anne, de bibra (peggy) margaret, de bibra florence, singleton george, darke guy, thompson norman, hutchinson jay, lawry margaret, woddy julie, mcgrath lesley, amson angela, prashanthi samuel, mclean rob, st. elmo's fire alpha in victoria, kainey john, kainey dick rev., amson evan, hannaford janine, hannaford john rev., playgrounds, shinkfield thelma, west joan, staham clive, batey mandy, walker david rev., stokes tom rev., batey david, freeman lesley, social services, pittaway geoff, jones greg, turf club hotel, the angel, conway carolyn, razmaran (raz) rameen, moore peter, thewlis sharon, walker stephen, turuwhenva jo maka maka, redman dylan, jolly david, toombs nicole, hannaford/akins christy, akins ben, edwards rozanne, masson andrew, batey kyle, batey ailsa, kovars aranka, graffiti, mcallister alison, buchanen noel, cocks damien, holland m.w., artists, akins robert, barberis irene, reynolds chris, wolstencroft ivor, gully/moore alison, moore peter, engineers, kovacs joseph, architects, vicars-foote bequest dorothy, hallock shanta, newman philip, molineux john, stained glass, molineux kim, moorhouse philip, o'farrell gavan, smith beverley rev., peppercorn miss, corrigan mrs, choirs, thomas ronald, geo fincham and sons, wicks mr, mcgillivery alf, organs, mcgillivery ian, touzeau mme, triller lily, lawrence jean, falkingham john, bonsal/boone peter, tweeddale alistair, worsnop paul, stonehouse pam, rutherford graeme, rutherford caroline, braun doug, naughton celia, correll madge, edwards joan, paranavitana darshini, gebert barb, wood felicity, cowell alison, mannaford lawson, ellankoon robby, knight sheila, thornton graeme, kyle estelle, davies john, roberts frank, welch ian, de saint-ferjeux, francis peggy, gill heather, lambert dale, newing joyce, young rosemary, mcallister (pownell/washington), roeland linda, mcdonald brendan, lewis irene, lewis graham, fitzgerald anne, hoffman tim, kaines fiona, marriott dianne, stryk angela, leaf narelle, choo lucy, fitzgerald narelle, nunis mark, waterman roma, beggs joshua, cramer deb, beggs camilla, gebert kelvin, oakes joanne, sargeant john, schulz wendy, smith lerisse, austin adrian, mitchell stephanie, oakes jessica, cropley stan, banks caroline, banks peter, chen caroline, west rob, chen family, mcgough virginia (now mcdonald_, fin tania, stonehouse elwyn, ryan luisa, knight sheila, savage ian rev., kircher jillian, kircher pamela, kircher margaret, bernaldo darryl, rich cassandra, rich leighton, james scott, correll madge (nee gamble), correll tony, o'brien maureen, rodwell kevin, de vries isabella, de vries andre, de vries darren, cummins mr, roberts mr, de vries ngaio (nee morre), wainright emily, wainright william, massauelli lionel, roberts frank, foster muriel, thomas janet, laycock gordon, shiel john, langmuir keith, langford alan, burns jack, manson ian, manton john, mclean robert, lund milton, carr sylvia, ross margie, naughton michael, edwards joan, chappele ethel, chappele marion, pollard mrs, moorhouse michelle, shipp joyce, hayman jean, bright-parker kath, stringer thelma, armstrong wendy, martin neil, stonehouse janet, eddy elsie, gras elsie, macartney kitty, ormond special school (katandra), herring nigel, roe sisters, watson w.g., nicholls w., beith harley, cullen phyllis, burns leline, hayman eric, boyd-jones ennys, roberts frank, ellankoon chrissie, blommestein michael, ahn sil

Photocopynon-fictionRe milking of venom from Taipan snake involving former Director David Fleay.1950s

Photocopynon-fictionTiger cat on the loose.1950s

Photocopynon-fictionYoung boys encouraged to collect worms and yabbies to feed platypuses at the Sanctuary.1950

Photocopynon-fictionDemonstrations of snake handling and first aid.1950s

Reports on submissions for various places for recognition by the Australian Heritage Commission. Only Schwerkolt Cottage is listed as Registered. Also list of criteria for registration.Reports on submissions for various places for recognition by the Australian Heritage Commission. australian heritage commission, yarran dheran, wandinong sanctuary, blackburn lake sanctuary, schwerkolt cottage, r. e.gray reserve.

Blackburn Village Residents' Group express anger at VCAT decision to approve Regis Group's nursing home plan near Blackburn LakeBlackburn Village Residents' Group express anger at VCAT decision to approve Regis Group's nursing home plan near Blackburn Lakenursing homes, blackburn lake sanctuary, planning development

Enlarged aerial photograph of Blackburn Lake area.Enlarged aerial photograph of Blackburn Lake area.blackburn lake sanctuary, adult deaf & dumb home, lake road, blackburn, central road, blackburn, aerial photographs