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 photograph depicts a picnic for Cup Day (Tuesday 2 November 1909) organised by the Mission and the LHLG members at Orchard House. The property belongs to Mr George Higgins, engineer and his wife, Beatrice who was the LHLG Malvern branch secretary. Beatrice nee Shuter was the daughter of Charles Shuter. In the Punch published on 11 November 1909, we could read: "The pretty garden of "Orchard House," and the paddock adjoining (kindly lent by Mr. and Mrs. Singleton), was the scene on Cup Day of a most successful sailors' picnic, when Mr. and Mrs. George Higgins and the Malvern members of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild entertained some 110 sailors from the Royal Navy and Merchant Service. A football match, sports, and "costume" races were indulged in by the more active members of the party, while others enjoyed the unusual pleasure of sitting on the green grass under the trees. Mrs. MacLeod, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Simon Fraser, Mrs. H. B. Higgins, Mrs. Albert Keep, Miss Ethel Godfrey, the Misses Wollaston, and a number of other ladies assisted to wait on the "tars." One "Jack," from H.M.S. Cambrian, voted it the "nicest day he had had since leaving the Old Country." Hearty cheers for the kind hostesses closed the proceedings. The evening was spent at the Institutes of the Missions to Seamen on the Australian Wharf and at Port Melbourne respectively, where prizes were distributed to the successful competitors. "Small monochrome photograph1909, malvern, cup day, mr george higgins, mce, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), h.m.s. cambrian, ethel augusta godfrey, orchard house, ina higgins, rica godfrey, rita godfrey, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, picnics, social events, frederica godfrey, entertainments, sailors, seafarers, seamen, goldsmith album

The photograph was taken in 1934 and published in the Annual report of 1934. From left to right: Standing: Mr A.J.G. Williams, Rev. R.L. Kerdel, Mr J.W. Neill Sitting: Miss Edna D. Atkins (Chaplain's secretary), Chaplain Superintendent Rev. F.L. Oliver , Miss O. Norman (Organizing secretary)Mounted photograph depicting a group of chaplains (three standing and one sitting on a bench between two women)padre oliver, frank oliver, padre frank leslie oliver, chaplains group, a.j.g. williams, reverend r. kerdell, r.l.kerdel, j.w.neill, edna d.atkins, o. norman, secretary

reverend a. gurney-goldsmith, reverend john reginald weller, chaplain conferences, chaplains group, courtyard, flinders street

The Australasian triennal conference of chaplains was held at the Melbourne Mission for several years. The General Superintendant of the Seamens' Mission in London, Reverend Brown, came to Australia.He's sitting on Padre Oliver's left side.Group photograph of chaplains standing and sitting in the Spanish courtyard of the Mission to Seamen.padre oliver, frank leslie oliver, mission to seafares, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, conference, chaplains, flinders street, melbourne, triennal conference, australasian conference, reverend c.j. brown, general superintendant, chaplain conferences, chaplains group

A similar plaque was placed in the chapel of the former Institute to Seamen, Siddeley Street, as indicated on this one. Some money from Miss Little's estate, in England, went to the construction of the new wing of the Siddeley Street Insitute on condition it was used as a chapel until a permanent church was built. We can see the plaque on the top corner of photographs taken in the chapel at that time. Celia Little (1822-1895) was the Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith's aunt. She was the sister of his mother Mary Anne Little (1820-1877) who married Malcolm Goldsmith (1818-1871). Celia didn't marry and lived with her nephew John Philip Goldsmith (1847-1919), Alfred's brother, and his family in Devonport, where she died. Bronze plaque placed on the east wall of the "Celia Little Room" in the Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street.This hall is built in loving memory of Celia Little of Devonport England / who died March 4th 1895 / It replaces the wing of the former institute which served as the chapel from 1909 to 1917 / Erected by her nephew.celia little, celia little room, plaque, memorial plaque, chapel, siddeley street institute, alfred gurney goldsmith

The photograph depicts the interior of the chapel located on the east wing of the Siddeley Street Mission.The chapel is decorated for Easter service. The altar, the pulpit were reused in the St Peter's chapel of the Flinders Street Mission. On the wall hangs the plaque erected to Celia Little, another plaque in memory of Celia Little is now in the "Celia Little" room at the Flinders Street Mission. In the "Jottings from our log" number 30, dated from Easter 1913, it is written: "Miss Tracy kindly did The Easter decorations with white flowers and palms in pots, all in beautiful keeping with the glad thoughts of Easter." Maybe the picture was taken on that occasion.The chapel was built in 1909. Celia Little (1822-1895), was the Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith's aunt. Some funds from her estate were used to build the chapel. Small monochrome photograph, inside chapel, Siddeley Street Institute, decorated with white flowers and palms.'Stevedore's Bldg Siddeley St Easter Sunday in the Chapel old Institute' siddeley street institute, chapel, easter, pulpit, reverend w.f. haire, celia little, plaque, alfred gurney goldsmith

The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Seamen's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."In 1928 there were not many stained glass windows in the chapel, giving that bright light inside.2 original prints and a reprinted versionwedding, dora walker, st peter chapel, flinders street, dora simpson, lhlg, amy dora walker, molly walker, elle kendall, reverend j.r. weller, harry simpson, missals, flowers, bookcase

Dora Walker, a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild married H.P. Simpson on 14 February 1928. The wedding was celebrated at the Mission's chapel at 2.45pm. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."2 original prints and a reprinted version depicting the St Peter chapel decorated with flowers for Dora Walker's wedding in 1928 wedding, dora walker, st peter chapel, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flinders st, lhlg, dora simpson, 1928, valentine's day, amy dora walker, ladies harbour lights guild, malvern, reverend j.r. weller, molly walker, ella kendall, flowers

Small monochrome photograph (faded) of seamen aloft a sailing shipaloft, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, ship visit, life on board, seamen, rigging, sails, mast, windjammers

Small monochrome photograph depicting 3 men standing on a ladder with paint pots and brushes next to the keel, secured by ropes.Written in pencil on verso "12"barque crocodile, liverpool, seafarers, painting, life on board, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, goldsmith album, paint, brushes, keel, ropes, ladder

large rectangular heavy card b/w photograph in landscape format. Photo includes printed description as part of photo.Description printed beneath actual photo on front: "The floating church vessel of the Missions To Seamen, "John Ashley," has the river Thames as its Parish. In one year 17,000 men came aboard. To many seamen it was their first contact with the Church."reverend john ashley (1801-1886), floating church, mission to seamen, river thames, england

reverend stephen wong, john wong, timothy wong

Medium--sized hardcover book of 244 pages. Cover of mid-blue colour, blank front and back covers, book title and author at top of spine in gold print. Book contains a number of illustrations and maps. London : Longmans, Green and Co., 1930 xi., 244 p., [16] leaves of plates : ill., maps, 2 ports. ; 20 cm. non-fictionThis book documents help and guidance provided by the Christian church to merchant seafarers as they traverse the world, particularly at their points of departure and arrival, and the interactions and activities that they are involved in at these ports.flying angel, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, georgina anne gollock, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, alice sibthorpe tracy

A picnic organised on the first of January 1928 on the grounds of the Duckett family home, Riversdale in Hawthorn. (See Jottings 90, January 1928) Mr Duckett , an ironmaster and manufacturer. In 2017 a link with a Mrs Marjorie Duckett (nee Mclennan) in the late 20th C confirmed her role as secretary of the Altona Op Shop which provided funds to the Mission in the late 20th C. An image was also found in Ship to Shore newsletter of the MTSV.The Ducketts had links to the McLennan family also supporters of the Mission. Connections and memberships with both families identified in the records and Archive. This image links to just one of the the strong local networks of MTS supporters and their substantial residential properties made available to host seafarer events and for leisure outings. small B & W photograph mounted in album depicts grip of seafarers and Mission to seamen hosts posed for photograph on verandah of large house in Hawthorn circa 1920s.Inscription found on page below: see title entryflying angel league, picnics, outings, melbourne-missions-to-seamen, ladies' harbour lights guild, riversdale, hawthorn, lhlg, reverend reginald weller, edward duckett, fan album

on page 10finhaven, kew, mr john inerrarity buchan, cup day, picnic, 1928, fan album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, veranda

Mr and Mrs Buchan organised many picnics on the ground of their house Finhaven, Kew.on page 11finhaven, kew, mr john inerrarity buchan, cup day, wooden boat, picnic, lhlg, yarra river, reverend weller, fan album, social events

on page 11finhaven, kew, mr john inerrarity buchan, cup day, picnics, social events, fan album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969)

on page 12.finhaven, kew, mr john inerrarity buchan, picnics, social events, fan album, cup day, 1928, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969)

Mr Robertson is probably the gentleman on the left, behind him the captain of the SS Marken.The photograph was taken by Reverend Weller during a ship visit. It was published in the Annual Report or 1927.reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), ss marken, mr robertson, crews and ships, weller album, life buoy, dog, ship visit

weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), ss marken, 1927

weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969)

weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969)

weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), alexina weller (nee caley)

The picture was possibly taken for the opening of the tennis court Saturday 18 September 1926. Lady Creswell was invited to officially open the court and about a 100 persons attended the ceremony.Photograph taken in 1926 on the tennis court of the Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street. First plan are unidentified men turning their back to the photographer. On the court are two ladies wearing white tennis attire are playing double. In the background the former Seamen's Institute, Siddeley Street, can be seen as well as the docks on Australian Wharf.tennis, mission to seafarers victoria, tennis court, lady creswell, reverend john reginald weller, 1926, lady adelaide elizabeth creswell nee stow, 1859-1945, william rooke creswell (1852-1933), mission to seamen, weller album

The picture was possibly taken during the opening of the court.The 20s was the golden age of tennis around the world and its popularity was growing in Australia as well. It is unclear why it was decided to build a tennis court at the Mission but Reverend Weller, freshly arrived from the UK, probably saw the opportunity to entertain the benefactors and attract a younger generation to visit the Mission. And it was surely popular with the young ladies of the Harbour Light Guild. See pictures 0518 and 0521.Young unidentified tennis players (men and women) posing behind the net of the Mission to Seamen court.tennis court, sports, lhlg, seamen, officers, siddeley street, weller album, cadets, 1926

weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969)

Mr John Innerarity Buchan, Scottish real estate, and his wife. organised at least 4 known outings at their property - Finhaven - in Studley Park, Kew. Those parties were hosted for Cup Day in 1920, 1922, 1924 and 1928. Mr Buchan died in December 1922, but his wife continued with the tradition. The house was sold and demolished in 1941 to create several allotments around Finhaven Court.on oage 13finhaven, mr john inerrarity buchan, cup day, studley park, kew, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), 1928, fan album

The Elverland, a New Zealand barque, was in Victoria in August 1906. It was wrecked in January 1907 near the Three Kings Islands (Manawatāwhi) on its way to Auckland from Newcastle with a cargo of coal. Captain Savory and his men were saved.Small monochrome photograph with thin white border depicting a group of 4 men on board a shipWritten in pencil on verso "12"reverend a. gurney-goldsmith, crew, ship visit, elverland, barque, captain savory, three kings, new zealand