Two member badges from the The Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA). The number 68 on the front could be 1968 as it is detachable and could be updated each year. The badge with 1921 could be the year of membership. The member number is engraved on the rear. The shield design is symbolic of the protection provided to those who wear it. Within the badge, red represents the blood ties of war that exist between comrades; white stands for the purity of the motives in joining the league – to render service without personal gain or ambition; and blue indicates a willingness to serve a comrade anywhere under the blue sky. The wattle represents Australia, with the leek, the rose, the thistle and the shamrock standing for Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland respectively. The RSSILA was the precursor to the Returned Services League (RSL) and provided support for returned servicemen after World War One. Worn by members of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, those eligible being members of all services, both wars, including nurses, who have returned from active service outside Australia. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).The RSSILA was an important organisation for ex-servicemen and many Legatees would have been members.Enamel badges from the R.S.S.I.L.A. The centre of the badge shows a sailor and a soldier in raised detail. A blue enamel circle surrounds the central detail and has 'RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS / IMPERIAL LEAGUE' in gilt lettering. The outer edges of the badge are white enamel with a floral spray to the top left and right of the blue circle. At the bottom of the badge is a red enamelled scroll with 'AUSTRALIA' written in gilt lettering. On the reverse of the badge are soldered two brass lugs with a split pin attached for securing the badge to clothing. 01124.1 Front has '68' and 'Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia'. On the reverse 'V92210 Badge remains the property of League'. 01124.2 Front has '1921' and 'Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia'. On the reverse 'R 3871' and 'C.C Roeszler and Son Pty Ltd Melb.'world war one, rssila

A lapel badge of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. Very similar in shape to current R.S.L. Badge but twice the size, provision is made at the top of the badge for a crown clip (removable) with a date showing membership year. Blue, white and red enamel on brass.Sailors and Soldiers League Australiaaustralia, sailors, soldiers, inperial, league, badge

Undated black & white photo of the lifeboat sailor in Scotland.RealismMrs D BeavisBlack & white photo of a lifeboat sailor from ScotlandOn the reverse - 'year 1890?', 'one of the lifeboat crew', 'duplicate may be had any time' - Wm McLeod, 20 Keith St Stornoway'.lifeboat, boat crew, sailor, uniform

The Siddely Street Sailors' Home was built in 1904 to replace the former Spencer Street building. The home closed its doors on 31 January 1963. In 1965 the building was sold and it was later demolished and the site redeveloped. Ernst (Ernest) Waldemar Kaiser (1893-1968) was the last and longest serving superintendent of the home (March 1933 - March 1965). He was employed till 31 March 1965 (year of the article) when he finished up after 32 years in the position. He continued to be employed for a year or so after the home closed, probably serving as caretaker till it was sold. (see Mark Howard paper in the Great Circle (Vol.42, No1).) The plaque photographed on page 25 is to be incorporated in the Seafarers park located next to the new Seafarers residential building and at the back of the Mission.3 pages (p21 to 26) of the Port Melbourne Quarterly issue July-September 1965 about the Melbourne Sailors Home located on Spencer Street.Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: Meetings of Melb. Sailors' Home held at office of Mr Theo H. Swanton Managing Dir. of William Crosby & Co., 464 Collins St. Melb.nancy oakley, sailors' home, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, mrs v. kaiser, chinese dolls, kakariki, ernest kaiser, theo h. swanton, ernest waldemar kaiser

The reports were produced and readily distributed annually to a number of organisational stakeholders and included reports from the Committee, Chaplain, extracts of letters, Ladies auxiliary and a list of subscribers. In the Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 24 February 1900, page 15: VICTORIAN SEAMEN'S MISSION The annual meeting of the Victorian Seamen's Mission was held in the institute at Port Melbourne last night. There was a fair attendance, the large proportion being ladies, and the chair was occupied by Sir Frederick Sargood MLC. Mr Hugh R Reid, the president of the institute, was also president. The annual report, which was lead and adopted, stated that the Seamen's Institute at Port Melbourne, and also the Sailors' Rest at Williamstown, had sustained their reputation for usefulness and attractiveness. The attendances had been very large at each place and 114 seamen had taken the pledge at the Port Melbourne Institute. Regreat was felt that owing to the preliminary steps having met with opposition in Parliament the building of the long contemplated additional institute near the Melbourne wharves was deferred but the project had not been abandoned. Large parcels of literature had been distributed gratuitiously among ships' crews and the concerts held for the entertainment of seamen had been very successful. The mission had been in existence for over 40 years. It aimed at promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of seamen. It had been the means of completely eradicating "crimping" and the sailors' "boarding masters" curie, and otherwise removing many of the abuses which still exist in other ports. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, referred to the great benefits which seamen derived from the institute. He was particularly struck by the fact that during the past year close on 2,000 letters had been written by visiting seamen from the institute namely, 1,720 at Port Melbourne, and 261 at Williamstown. It was also a very note-worthy feature, which perhaps the residents of Williamstown might be able to explain that, whilst out of 49,567 attendances at the Port Melbourne institute 114 had taken the pledge there, there was not a single instance on record of the pledge having been taken at the Sailors' Rest, Williamstown, out of 8,218 attendances. (Laughter) Referring to the projected new institute near the wharves, he was amazed to find that its construction had been, according to the report, orefused by some of the labour members. He did not know the details of the matter, but was of opinion that there was no institution more deserving of the support of labour members than the one advocated. In his opinion, the representatives of labour should disown the action of their delegates in Parliament in this matter. (Cheers ) Selections of vocal and instrumental music were given during the evening.These reports were produced annually and include a number of smaller reports from the Executive Committee, Chaplain and auxiliary. They sometimes included photographs and a list of subscribers and amounts pledged. These reports provide an organisational overview as well as many stories of the people who populated the Mission to Seafarers.Handwritten in ink on top right hand corner: "F T Derham [indecipherable]" Handwritten in ink on bottom left hand corner: "Melbourne Sailors' Home"annual report, 1899, victorian seamen's mission, port melbourne, williamstown, sailors' rest, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, seamen's institute, sailors' home, f.t. derham, reverend ebenezer james, whc darvall, frederick sargood, hugh r. reid, administrative document-annual report

Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia Rules booklet 1919.Queenscliffe RSL Club HistoryReturned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia Rules booklet 1919.Reverse " NIL "historical references

Photograph of a sailor from Warrnambool WW1. Hat band HMAS Tinca Formal black and white photograph of a sailor from WW1 standing against a stool.Stamp of back with Quote no “97921” Backing board on front “rococo” from “Tesla Studios Q.V. Market, George Street, Sydney. ww1, sailor, warrnambool

These booklets were issued to Soldiers and/or Sailors for the purchase of food,etc whilst on leave.They were only valid from the time your leave began until it finishes.Pass containing Leave or Duty Ration Book - Pte J.L. McIntyre issued 1918.Both are rectangular in shape.One is yellow in colour,the other is grey.Leave or duty ration book. Soldier or Sailor.booklet,ration book,lara r.s.l., mcintyre collection

Probably grandchild of Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson) Child seated on swing dressed in sailor suit with lace collar sailor hat has the word FOAM inscribed around head band *Needs more work to identify childFrom Emma Nightingale (nee Thompson) collection The family ran a nursery during 1940's and 50's in the vacinity of Margaret Street Avonsleigh. B/W photograph on dark card of young boy dressed in sailor suit with lace collar on swing"To Dear Grandma with from from Lettie. Our dear baby will be 5 years on Sunday Nov. 25 1906"child sailor suit nightingale (nee thompson) collection

Found in loft of Bank of NSW, Linton, 1980s.Printed cream-coloured certificate, certifies that S. Devy of Linton is the owner of 100 shares, numbered 11,101 to 11,200, in the Corona Gold Mining Company at Sailors Fall, Daylesford. Certificate number 14. Certificate dated 10th September 1900Text: " THE CORONA GOLD MINING COMPANY / NO LIABILITY, / SAILOR'S FALL, DAYLESFORD, VICTORIA. "corona gold mining company, samuel devy, share certificates

Padre Oliver is shaking hands with sailors. On the flyer behind him we can read: The war is over. Funds are hard to get. If you want to "throw in", here's your chance with an arrow pointing to the donation slot in the wall. On the left is a notice about the social events at the mission.Medium size black and white photograph depicting Padre Oliver shacking hands with a sailor near the entrance door of the hall. Three other sailors are waiting to do the same probably. padre frank leslie oliver, ww2, wartime, 717 flinders street, mission to seamen, donations

Black and white photograph of Returned Soldiers and Sailors Woollen Mills Girls' Interhouse Sports 1940 'A' Team.Black and white photograph of Returned Soldiers and Sailors Woollen Mills Girls' Interhouse Sports 1940 'A' Team.textile mill, s textile mills sporting teams, returned soldiers and sailors mill, sport, leibhardt, c i.s. - returned soldiers and sailors mill, textile mills, textile mills - sporting teams

The badge was made in the 1940s for Victoria Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League (RSSL). The word 'Imperial' has been dropped frrom the title.This is an original badge from the 1940s.A round brass badge with a scroll at the bottom and a crown at the top, red, blue, brass colours,Front - Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League, Victoria, War Service Fund. White background RSL badge with sailor and soldier in the middle. Back - the number 156, Stokes, Melb.rssl, rssila, victoria, 1940s, rsl badge

The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (RSSILA) was the forerunner of today's Returned and Services League (RSL). Formed after the First World War, the organisation was a veterans' association formed by returned servicemen to care for and advocate for the returned service community. The organisation later changed its name to the RSL. This badge is dated to the 1920's by the name of the organisation. It is significant because it has the capacity to represent an earlier incarnation of today's RSL.Small blue, white and red enamel and metal badge. Inset embossing of two soldiers advancing. Words enscribed on the front. A white shield shape with a crown mounted on the top.Returned Sailors & Soldiers Imperial League Australia.rsl, rssila, returned services

An example of an early Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia members badge. This badge has a 1920 clip attached to the crown (the clip was changed each year to indicate membership renewal). The rear of the badge is stamped with the member number 39561 and has been engraved with the name G Bolger.The badge has the following inscription "RETURNED SAILORS & SOLDIERS IMPERIAL LEAGUE" and "AUSTRALIA".

Nothing is known about this young sailor but the photograph was possibly taken by the mission's staff for their newsletter or report.This photograph demonstrates this importance of the mission in delivering messages, letters and news to the seafarers.The young sailor is probably in front of the Seamen Institute Siddeley Street. The building in the background on the right of the photograph could be the Goods Shed.sailor, seaman, letter, seamen's mission, melbourne

giftMiniature of a monument with three masted ship at top of long column and sailor saluting on lower pedestal with brass plaque featuring Russian inscription."владивосток (Vladivostok)" Russian inscription on brass plaque under sailor "PMA 0174" tag associated: "PMA 0174/ Marble Russian Souvenir/ Port of Melbourne Authority/ 60"

Framed Charter establishing The Doncaster Branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. Cream background with black lettering in a brown wooden frameThe Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia, Victoria Branch, Doth Hereby Establish and Constitute the Doncaster Branch. Dated first day July 1920 signed by the President and Secretary

The Geelong Rest located at 3 Moorabool Street was created in 1895. The building depicted in the photograph ( taken from the Western Beach Road) is known as the King Edward VII Sailors' Rest building; it was designed by architect Percy Everett and replaced the older building in 1912. In 1901, it became the Geelong branch of the Mission to Seamen. The building is still standing on the waterfront in Geelong and has a commercial use.Medium b & w photograph depicting the front facade of the Sailors' Rest in Geelong.geelong, sailors' rest, seafarer, king edward vii sailors' rest building, 1912, percy everett, kombi

This Badge is a limited edition replica of the first RSL Badge which was worn by soldiers and sailors returning from WW1... The original RSL badges were issued to founding RSL membersThese Badges are original Limited Editions.A gold plated badge in the shape of the first RSL Badge Issue.On the front - Returned Sailors Solders Imperial League Australia 1919 On the Reverse - Made in Australiaww1, rsl badge, limited editions

A Façade of Sailor's Gully Hotel, converted to Sailor's Gully Galleries B Interior of Sailor's Gully Galleries ( formerly Sailor's Gully Hotel)

Undated black & white photo of the lifeboat Queenscliffe with its sailors about to step the sail mast.RealismBlack & white photo of the original Queenscliffe lifeboat, being at sea in Port Phillip, showing its sailors about to step the sail mast. There is a steamship in the background and is similar to the Akuna.On the reverse - Photo 1 - "stepping the mast on the "Queenscliffe"' and 'from Tom & Eunice April 21st 1962', '4' and 'original'.lifeboat, boat crew, stepping the sail mast

Black and white photo of five girls in sailor costumes backstage during an Annual Demonstration. The year is not known but it is in the 1940s or 1950s as the album was a collection of press photos taken during dress rehearsals from that time. Throughout the year Melbourne Legacy provided classes for Junior Legatees such as dancing, gymnastics and Eurythmics. The Demonstration was an annual event to showcase their skills. Melbourne Legacy conducted Annual Demonstrations / Parades from 1928 through to the 1980's, usually held at Melbourne Town Hall. The beautiful costumes were made by members of the Junior Legacy Mothers' Club and the Melbourne Legacy Wives' Association.A record of the displays at the Annual Demonstrations. Also that Legacy provided classes for junior legatees and the skills learned were displayed in the Annual Demonstration.Black and white photo in an album of 5 dancers in sailor outfits backstage.junior legatees, demonstration, annual demonstration, girls classes, costumes

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918. Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography.An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.Views of Victoria (General Series) No.32 / 'View of Sailor’s Creek Falls’ / Albumen silver photograph mounted on boardOn Reverse: ‘The Sailor’s Creek Falls are situated near Daylesford, in one of the valleys of the Jim Crow Ranges. The Creek at this particular juncture is naturally adapted for the formation of a large reservoir. The stream of water is small during summer months, but a great body of water may sometimes be seen during the winter or wet seasons.’nicholas caire (1837-1918), sailor's creek (vic), jim crow ranges, daylesford, sailor's falls, photography - landscapes - victoria