"GYMNASIUM OF NOVEL DESIGN TO BE LIGHTED FROM DOME Trafalgar Day (October 21) was selected as a fittlng occasion for the laying of the foundation stone of the "Norla" gymnasium In connection with the Missions to Seamen new building in Flinders street extension. The ceremony was performed by Lady Fraser. The design of the gymnasium is an entirely novel one. The building is of reinforced concrete, with a dome having a span of 40 feet. The design is based on that of the Pantheon at Rome, and like the Pantheon has no windows. The entire lighting is from an opening In the centre of the dome. Through this aperture the light radiates equally throughout tho gymnasium; and the necessary ventilation is also secured. Between the gymnasium and the main building there is an ambulatory 12ft. wide, from which onlookers may watch the games and exercises. The floor Is to be laid with a fall to the centre for rlnking purposes. The gymnasium will complete the buildings connected with the Missions to Seamen In Melbourne, and the claim Is made that the society has not anywhere a flner or more complete set of buildings than the seamen are favored with here. The ladies who take an active interest in the Mission are inviting subscriptions to furnish the gymnasium with trapeze, punch balls, and other exercising apparatus. Messrs Walter and Richard Butler are the architects."norla dome, lady fraser, 1919, foundation stone, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), richard butler, gymnasium, trafalgar day, simon fraser (1832-1919), pantheon

Myrniong in Hamilton was built in 1906-07 as a country residence for wealthy Melbourne businessman Leslie Jenner. Mrs Jenner, Gulielina Bertha (Gulie) (1874–1972) was a daughter of Frederick Sargood, of Ripponlea. "Recently Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Jenner threw open their beautiful drawing-room at Mvrniong, Hamilton, for the purpose below. Mr. Leslie Jenner presided, and gave the chaplain from Melbourne, Rev. A. G. Goldsmith, a cordial welcome. The Rev. A. Barber offered prayer, and was followed by Mr. Goldsmith, who, with the aid of limelight views (well managed in the darkened drawing-room), succeeded in giving his audience an idea of the work of the Missions to Seamen in the 93 ports of the world in which its operations are carried on. The Ven. Archdeacon Harris added his personal testimony to the value of the work. A branch of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild (the ladies' organisation of the Victoria Missions to Seamen) was then formed, and the Misses Laidlaw and Eva Brougliton were appointed joint hon. secretaries for Hamilton. This makes the twentieth branch formed in Victoria. Miss Ethel Godfrey and Miss Tracy, Graylings, St. Kilda, are general secretaries of the guild, which numbers between 500 and 600 members."myrniong, hamilton, lhlg, drawing room meeting, leslie jenner, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, alice sibthorpe tracy, miss laidlaw, eva broughton, frederick sargood, gulielina bertha jenner nee sargood, supporters

This plaque was made to commemorate the generous funds donated Mr A.M Nicholas in 1936 almost entirely funding the building of the new Mission to Seamen at Port Melbourne opened in 1937. Mr Nicholas died in Feb 1937. The new building was opened on the 4th of December 1937 by Lord Huntingfield, the plaque was dedicated and unveiled the same by his nephew Mr Nicholas Lightfoot. The plaque was removed from the building which ws demolished in 1995. The plaque is really similar to the memorial plaque made in memory of Ethel Godfrey (see item 2053).Mr Nicholas together with Mr HW Shmith organised rights to produce Aspirin aka ASPRO in Australia in 1915 during WW1. The Nicholas Family were significant philanthropists in Melbourne and Victoria and this plaque commemorates his gift to the Mission for visiting seamen between 1937 and late 20th C. The story of the donation is told in an unpublished autobiography by the then Rev'd Frank Oliver, based at 717 Flinders st. as senior Mission Chaplain 1930-1960.A heavy ceramic plaque with moulded metal alloy frame, polychrome glazed irregular ceramic tesserae design and memorial text in Gothic script in central lozenge set into a rectangular clay base.in each corner design features initials: "ihs" / IN central lozenge of design text reads: " To the Glory of God/ and in grateful memory of/ ALFRED MICHAEL NICHOLAS Esq / through whose generous gift/ the whole of this Institute / and Chapel were built./ Died February 26th 1937"1908, plaque, alfred m. nicholas, memorial, alfred michael nicholas, port melbourne, 1937, aspro

From Record (Emerald Hill, Vic. : 1881 - 1954), Saturday 12 April 1930, page 3 "On Wednesday, at the 24th meeting of the Victorian Mission to Seamen. Archbishop Head welcomed a new chaplain, the Rev. F. L. Oliver, formerly of Newcastle. Mrs. Oliver was also welcomed. The old executive was re-elected except Messrs. Durham and Holmes, who declined the honor. Lady Fraser was elected president of the Harbour Lights Guild. The Rev. \V. M. Robertson of the Port Melbourne Mission, was among the speakers."First photograph of Padre Oliver and his family at the Mission in 1930.Written in black on verso: Dad (Padre Oliver) , Miss Tracy, Mum (Mrs Oliver), Phyllis Atkins (secretary), Beverleyfrank oliver, flinders street, garden, phyllis atkins, secretary, alice sibthrope tracy, moira bird oliver (nee good), archbishop head, beverley oliver, rev. w.m robertson

The receipts are dated from the 17th of December 1977 to the 2nd of October 1982. The last receipt has been cancelled. They document some of the information needed on the actual marriage certificate, such as the date and location, bride, bridegroom and celebrant's names, as well as the date the each certificate was sent to registering authority.Part of the record of weddings performed at the Mission to Seafarers between 1977 to 1982.A typed note taped to the front cover: THIS BOOK IS ISSUED FOR USE OF THE MINISTER ATTACHED TO THE / (handwritten) MISSION TO SEAMEN, MELB, (typed) CHURCH AND IN THE EVENT OF HIS TRANSFER FROM THAT CHURCH NOT BY TAKEN WITH HIM BUT / SHOULD BE LEFT FOR HIS SUCCESSOR. ANY CANCELLED CERTIFICATES / SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTERING AUTHORITY MARKED "CANCELLED". Printed under this is the Australian crest. Printed under this: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / CERTIFICATES OF MARRIAGE.marriage, wedding, register, receipt, 1977-1982, mission-to-seafarers, port-melbourne, marriages, dio-marriages, st peter chapel, st andrew chapel

Barque Metropolis was possibly that of the 1887 4 masted barque built by R & J Evans, Liverpool. Officers of the Barque Metropolis are also joined by crew of the Penryhn Castle in port at the time. The ladies on the far right of the funeral party may be relatives but more likely to be representatives from the Mission to Seamen offering sympathy to fellow crew members and honouring the burial of the apprentice, Ray Rattley name also reported in the LHLG newsletter as Rutley. The Apprentice was ill after arriving from S. America in August 1914 and was taken to a local hospital but died the following day. The Mission chaplain attended him.The image of the burial is significant in the depiction of a multi-cultural crew and the presence of local women representing and symbolising the concern and sympathy felt for the apprentice's family and the plight of young seafarers far from home ports. The inscription with identifying names provides a valuable chronological link with seafarers and clergy attending the burial and funeral. Black and white photographic print adhered to mount board with handwritten inscription identifying some of the people depicted photographed while attending an internment and funeral service.Inscriptions in black ink along the lower edge of the mount beneath Photograph: Left to right names of crew and chaplain see image.at Lwr left printed in cursive : 'The Swiss Studios' and at right corner: "Melbourne" on reverse: in Pencil handwritten cursive " To Rev A G Goldsmith / from Capt P Jones / Barque Metropolis " roy rutley, barque metropolis, funeral, burial

John Rodney Oliver (7 July 1931 – 26 September 2010) was the son of Frank and Moira. Rodney Oliver was born on 7 July 1931, and lived for many years at the Missions to Seamen at the Flinders St Extension. Rodney was schooled at Melbourne Grammar, matriculating in 1948. Then, after a couple of years as a lumberjack and jackaroo, he commenced at University of Melbourne, beginning more than half a century’s association with Trinity College. Graduating with a BA in 1953, Rodney then made the first of many trips to England, reading theology at Bishop’s College, Cheshunt. A man who revelled in scholarship, he was also a competitive and energetic bowler, snooker and squash player. Ordained deacon on 23 September 1956, in the St Albans Diocese, his first ministry as curate began at the picturebook village of Much Hadham, where he met the love of his life, Lesley Brooks. Rodney was ordained priest on 5 January 1958, at the Missions to Seamen, Melbourne, commenced twelve years as Chaplain of Ballarat Grammar School in February 1958, and returned to England to marry Lesley in early 1961. Each of his and Lesley’s four children, Jeremy (TC 1979), David, Antony and Kate (TC 1987) was born at that time, during which amongst other things, Rodney taught Religious Instruction, Latin and English, pioneered bushwalking and mountain climbing in western Victoria, ran a large scouting group and coached an Australian archer.Medium format photograph depicting two chaplains.rodney oliver, frank leslie oliver, mission to seafarers, flinders street, st peter chapel, courtyard, ordination, john rodney oliver (1931-2010)

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)

The register documents twenty-five weddings that took place in the Mission to Seamen's church district between the 21st of April, 1947 to the 8th of June 1950. Each certificate is a record of all the information needed to legalise a marriage under Commonwealth law, such as names, dates of birth, marital status, parents and employment. Within the register, there are four Forms of Consent, used when the bride or groom were below the age of twenty-one. There is a memo confirming the death of one bride's previous husband, a letter confirming one groom was actually a bachelor, and letters from a ship's captain, swearing a bride and groom are both unmarried.The register is a historical record of weddings performed at the Mission to Seamen church between 1947 to 1950.On front cover, handwritten in blue ink: REGISTER NO 6 / 21-4-47 - 8-6-50 / NOTE NO 94 (underlined) / CELEBRATED AT ST NICHOLAS'MARINERS'CHURCH / WILLIAMSTOWN / NO 103 (underlined) AT ST ANDREWS " " / PORT MELBOURNEwedding, marriage, 1947-1950, register, church, marriages, dio-marriages, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission

The photograph indicates that in c.1950, dances were held at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria main hall.The photograph shows one of the many dances (literally) held at the Missions to Seamen during the 1950s. These events were organised by the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild with many of these members participating in the dances with seafarers. This image is significant as it documents a point in history, in part, the services provided to visiting seafarers in the 1950s.Black and white photograph, with a white border, in the main hall at Missions to Seamen Victoria. The photograph shows a number of couples dancing in the main hall. Two couples are visible in the foreground. The ladies are to the right of the men, with one arm around each other. The couples seem to be doing a 'progressive' dance around the hall in a circle. The lady at the front right of the photograph is looking back at the couple behind, is wearing a light cardigan and has short, light coloured hair. There is in arch in the background that is one of the doorways out to the courtyard. A couple in the background appear to be moving towards the left of the photograph, while the couple visible in the foreground appear to be moving toward the right. This would suggest the dance is moving in an anticlockwise direction.dance, suit, mission-to-seafarers, missions-to-seamen, ladies-harbour-lights-guild, main-hall, wainscote, cardigan, arch, progressive, hardwood-timber-flooring

Walter Lindrum OBE (1898 - 1960) is often considered to be the greatest player ever seen in the sport of billiards, with some 57 world records to his credit. He is often referred to as one of the Australian all-time great sporting heroes along with Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Hubert Opperman. During World War II, he raised over $1 million for charity, mainly through staging nearly 4000 exhibition matches throughout Australia. The full date of the exhibition is not shown on the program but, given that it was held during WWII, it was likely to have been 9 June 1943. It raised money for Our Missions to Seamen and Merchant Navy.Cream paper (discoloured with age) printed in dark blue on both sides and folded in halfwalter lundrum, missions to seamen, merchant navy, wwii fund-raising

Louise Hearman used the Norla Dome and painted a mural which had taken her around a year to complete. The exhibition called Elephant Room was shown from May 1988. The work was vandalised in June 1989 and subsequently demolished.Louise Hearman is a Melbourne born artist and Archibald Prize winner. Hearman first came to public notice in 1987/88 when she spent a year painting the mural in the Norla Dome. The premises of the Mission also served as her studio at that timeBlack and white flyer with dual lengthways ribbings on the back side, possibly indicative of an intent to fold the flyer in three.The Elephant Room You are invited into the dome at the “Mission to Seamen” building, no. 717 Flinders St (ext), painted by Louise Hearman. Opening night Thurs May 28th 6 pm - 9 pm Visiting hours 11am -6 pm Tues to Sun from May 29th to June 11th Or by appointment ph (03) 328 1400 a.h. Sponsored by: Australian Council, Crown Hire, Art Stretchers Oliver-Davey Glass and Box Archer Emery.cultural events, exhibitions, paintings, artists, norla dome, 1988, louise hearman, elephant room, flinders street, melbourne

The photograph was taken after 1910 when the chapel, on the left, was built.This is a rare photograph of the Central Institute built in 1907 replaced by the Flinders Street Institute in 1917. The two buildings coexisted for many years until the this one was demolished (date still unknown).Small monochrome photograph at 45 degree angle depicting a horse carriage passing in front of the Siddeley Street mission, known as the Central Seamen Institute.In pencil: 137seamen institute, siddeley street, brick, huddard company, australian wharf, horse carriage, smoke, flag, chapel, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), goldsmith album

Icon, likely painted by a seamen, possibly depicting an archangel, was given to the mission in 1985 by Polish seamen.IsographyMission to Seafarers Victoria CollectionThick panel of recycled wood with acrylic painted image of an archangel on one side and painted black on verso with blue painted inscriptionupper left : (indecipherable) Golden HERH; upper centre: WITH COMPLIMENTS / FROM POLISH SEAMEN; lwr right corner date: 1985 . 09. 21 [sic]icon painting, isography, polish, seafarer gifts, hobbies, orthodox, byzantine, archangel, saint, seamen, seafarers

Moira Bird Oliver (nee Good) daughter of Rev Good of St Jude's Carlton first met Frank Oliver circa 1915. They were engaged for some 7 years while Frank did wartime service and then on return to Melbourne completed a Theology degree at Trinity College and was then ordained. They married on the 18th of July 1925 at St Jude's Church in Carlton. Frank Oliver was then naval chaplain on the HMAS Platypus. After various postings the married couple eventually arrived and were appointed to the Chaplaincy to the Mission to Seamen based at 717 Flinders St from 1930-1960. The Olivers weathered many significant issues between 1930 and 1960, a depression, WW2, strikes and waterfront unrest in the 1950s and financial struggles resulting from changed shipping patterns. This photograph was gifted by a descendant who told us that Mrs Oliver was a very enthusiastic photographer. Mrs Oliver was a well loved and respected woman and is memorialised by a window in the Mission Chapel. It is possible she is one of the many anonymous photographers who contributed various photographs especially of the 1930s and forties that make up a substantial part of the Mission Heritage Collection. Mrs Oliver died in 1969 see elsewhere this database for memorial plaque and window.Mounted studio b & w photograph portrait of a bride in white dress and trainpadre oliver, reverend good, st. jude's church, reverend frank leslie oliver, moira bird good, moira oliver, hmas platypus, royal australian navy, r.a.n. chaplain

This promotional film made in the early 1950s in Melbourne. Padre Oliver may have been inspired by an earlier film also called The Flying Angel, shon at the Mission in 1948. An article for the Herald, Saturday 27 December 1952, page 9, mentions the screening of a Cinesound short about the world's merchant fleets and the Missions to Seamen. An illuminated light house beside the ship - a £5000 model of an ocean-going cargo ship on display at the State Theatre for a week - was a collection box for the work of the mission. Flying Angel flag. Padre Oliver with flyer from the Flying Angel Club on a ship visit. Crew on a ship. Clubs at the Port Melbourne, Williamstown, and Melbourne. Activities: dances, outings. boxing, movies. Ladies from the Harbour Lights Guild. Motorbus donated by Prahran Patriotic Funds The Cruel Sea, by Nicholas Montsarrat was published in 1951.The documentary was shown for a week at the State Theatre along with a £5000 model of an ocean-going cargo ship was on display and visitors could donate money in a box in a shape of a lighthouse.Promotional documentary produced in 1951 presenting the different activities of the Mission. The 3 buildings are depicted.port melbourne, williamstown, melbourne, ww2, nicholas montsarrat, cinesound productions, the cruel sea, frank leslie oliver, padre oliver, dance, movies, picnics, motorbus, activities, appeal, hobart, cinema, dandenongs

Given to Barbara NUGENT by local male resident in 1980s. Displayed at the heritage exhibition, Seamen's Mission, 1988.Hand-made shopping trolley (or jeep). Construction: wooden frame, three-ply metal arms, wooden handle, rear cloth pocket, pram wheels, metal foot plate with Dunlop "kromhyo" kick plate, metal bands top and bottom. (Ref item 15)domestic life, barbara nugent

The flag represents The Mission to Seafarers worldwide organisation. From about the year 2000 particular flag was once flown from Flagstaff Hill's masthead on top of the turret on the St Nicholas Seamen's Church but this practice ceased around 2010 for safety reasons. The Australian beginnings were in 1856 when the Church of England (Anglican Church) established the ‘Society for Promoting Missions to Seamen Afloat, at Home and Abroad. Lord Shaftesbury was the first President and Mr William Kingston was the first Secretary. Its Constitution declared: (1)) the Object is the spiritual welfare of the seafaring classes at home and abroad. (2) In pursuance of this Object, Society will use every means consistent with the principles and received practice of the Church of England. Mr Kingston’s wife and sister designed a flag to clearly depict the Society’s Objects. It depicted the first of the three angels in Revelation 14, who possessed ‘an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. The ‘Flying Angel’ (the angel of Revelation) became the official logo of the Society and gained great popularity. In July 2000 the Missions to Seamen changed its name to the Mission to Seafarers to better reflect the group's function, an unbiased society that cares for all who earn their living at sea. The Logo was modernised and simplified, the word changed to 'seafarer' to be gender-neutral. The angel logo no longer holds a book (Bible). The organisation states: “The Mission to Seafarers is an Anglican organisation ... The Mission offers fellowship and a warm welcome in centres where seafarers can relax away from their ships, meet local people and contact their homes, from ports around the world. The Mission provides and promotes” … “The Mission to Seafarers now has a presence in 200 ports in 50 countries worldwide. This makes us the largest sea-port-based welfare organisation in the world. We provide support to seafarers 365 days per year, regardless of their rank, nationality, gender or religion” This flag was a gift from the Mission to Seafarers Victoria at the time of the organisation's change of name from the Missions to Seamen. It was flown from the Masthead on top of the turret on the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at Flagstaff Hill from the years 2000 to around 2010. The donation of this flag signifies the ongoing association between the historical organisation and St Nicholas Seamen's Church building at Flagstaff Hill', which displays an extensive collection of furniture and furnishings from that organisation's Williamstown branch. The design on the flag is an example of several updates of the flag over the organisation's lifetime.Flag, fine linen, The Mission to Seafarers. Rectangle of blue fabric with white text around white flying angel logo. Flag has a plastic hook on top of the halyard.Printed "THE MISSION TO SEAFARERS" and logo of FLYING ANGEL symbolflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, flying angel’s club, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, mission to seafarers flag, flag, missions to seamen, turret

This Flying Angel lamp bracket was recovered from the wreck site of the steam sailing ship, "Loch Ard", which sank near Port Campbell, Victoria in 1878. It formed part of the ship's cargo. The 'flying angel' lamp was, for a time, displayed in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at Flagstaff Hill. The design was very appropriate to the Missions to Seamen, being associated with the emblem of the 'flying angel' on the Missions' to Seamen's flag. Brief history of the Loch Ard: The vessel Loch Ard was constructed on the Clyde River in Scotland in 1873 for the prestigious Loch Line of colonial clipper ships, designed for the Australian run. She sailed from England on 1 March 1878 carrying 37 crew, 17 passengers and a diverse general cargo ranging from luxury items to bulk railway iron. On 1 June 1878, emerging from fog and hearing too late the sound of breakers against the tall limestone cliffs, the vessel struck the southern foot of Mutton Bird Island and sank in 23 metres of water. Of the fifty-four people on board only two survived, one young male crewman, Tom Pearce, and one young female passenger, Eva Carmichael. A century later, despite the pounding seas and the efforts of looters, the wreck site continued to provide ample evidence of the extraordinary range of goods being imported into the Colony of Victoria in the post-Gold Rush era. Flagstaff Hill divers in the 1970s reported finds of “Bottles of champagne, window panes, rolls of zinc, barrels of cement, iron rails, clocks, lead shot, corrugated iron, lead, marble, salad oil bottles, ink bottles, copper wire, gin bottles, rolls of carpet, floor tiles, copper rivets, gas light fittings, pocket knives, toys, crystal chandeliers, beer mugs, cutlery, candles sticks, wick scissors, cow bells, and sauce bottles.” The lamp bracket is significant for its connection with the wreck of the sailing ship, Loch Ard, in 1878. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Gas lamp, brass, single burner, wall-mounting bracket, delicately crafted. Ornate decoration features bust of an angel with up-swept wings, or 'flying angel'. Recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, loch ard, captain gibbs, eva carmichael, tom pearce, glenample station, mutton bird island, loch ard gorge, lamp fitting, shipwreck artifact, 1878, shipwreck cargo, household effects, 19th century lighting, angel lamp, loch ard lamp, angelic lamp, lighting at sea, marine technology, ship's lighting, flying angel, gas lamp, maritime archaeology, port campbell

Reverend Weller succeeded the senior chaplain role after Rev Gurney Goldsmith in the mid 1920s until the end of the decade. He was a keen photographer himself. Freda Kathleen Oxley (1882-1969) pictured here holding a camera took pictures during a voyage to Melbourne on S.S. Persic via Cape Town in 1925. An album of 126 photographs is now held at the National Library of Australia in Canberra., containing views of the Mission to Seamen, Melbourne, with visiting sailors and clergy; family groups, gardens, ships, church picnics, a wedding, some views of Portsea. She seems to have been a childhood friend of Mrs Weller as she was like her born in Windsor, UK. She lived in the chaplaincy for 3 years and became a volunteer; she can be seen in a few photographs of picnics. She left in 1929 shortly after the Wellers (see Jottings Easter 1929) and went back to the UK.Provides early 20th C. records of MTS senior personnel and images of LHLG supporters and members.small black and white photograph mounted on an album page depicting clerically dressed male figure flanked by two females in 1920s dress posed in front of a large palm tree. on page 12On album page handwritten: "Reverend JR Weller, Mrs Weller, Mrs Orley (holding a Kodak Brownie camera)"alexina weller (nee caley), reverend john reginald weller, finhaven, kew, mr john inerrarity buchan, cup day, freda oxley, 1928, ss persic, fan album, annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969