Showing 15842 items matching "mission-to-seafarers"
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Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Sepia, circa 1910
The motorboat Southern Cross was used for ship visits and also to Bring sailors back to the Mission or picnics.A group of ladies and seamen sitting on the "Southern Cross", the Mission's motor launch, leaving the Australian Wharf and crossing the Yarra River. In the background we can see the "Robur Tea House" warehouse and the south wharf.motor launch, southern cross, yarra river, australian wharf, south wharf, flag, lhlg, robur tea house, missions to seamen, goldsmith album, motorboat, charles blunt, blunt boatbuilders, geelong -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Colour, 2019
St Michael Paternoster Royal accommodates the offices of the central Mission to Seafarers in London. Obtained during a visit by Keith and Pat Dann to the Uk and historic London Mission.Part of a collection of Hasting Memorabilia collected by Keith and Pat Dann over a number of years. Prior to helping set up Hastings mission Keith Dann was also an active member at 717 Flinders St Mission.Photograph of a chapel interior with large pipe organ and wall plaquesst michael paternoster royal, london-uk, organ, mission to seafarers -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Photograph
Rev. Archibald E. Newton (1893 - 1959) entered Home Mission work at Waratah. He commenced his ministry in 1927 at Mt. Lyell and Strahan in Tasmania, and subsequently served at Wynard (1930), Wycheproof (1933), Traralgon (1937), Pascoe Vale & Merlynston (1943). He was appointed chaplain to metropolitan gaols in 1941, and from 1946 he was chaplain to gaols and hospitals, including mental hospitals. He parish was known as the "Pitiful Parish". Newton died in Dromana on 30 July 1959.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. Archibald E. Newton.Methodist Home Missions. Rev. A.E. Newton, Chaplain to Gaols & Hospitals.archibald e. newton, methodist, minister, home missionary, chaplain, pentridge prison -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book (item) - Visitor log book, Melbourne Visitors logbook, 2007
... seafarers ...This book records the date, name, ship, nationality and signature of seafarers who visited the mission.A picture of where ships came from and the nationalities of their crews is presented. Front cover: MTS Visitors Book 10/08/07 to 22/02/08visitors, crew, ship, nationality, seamen, sailors, seafarers, melbourne, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen mission -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book (item) - Visitor log book, Melbourne Visitors Log, 2005
This book records the date, name, ship, nationality and signature of seafarers who visited the mission. A clear picture is provided of the nationalities of crew members coming to Melbourne and the of the ships on which they worked. Cover: Melbourne Visitors Log 22/03/05 to 28/10/2005ship, crew, nationality, visitor, logbook -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Archive, Emerging Artists Project - Maritime Exhibition, 2012
Emerging Artists Project was a exhibition organised with the Mission to Seafarers in the World Trade Centre in 2012The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals. And with its heritage feature is also a sought after filming location.Poster, postcards and catalogue of exhibitioncultural events, emerging artists project, eap, maritime exhibition, wtc, world trade centre -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Archive, Emerging Artists Project - Spirituality, an Exhibition: Come Sail Your Ships Around Me, 2012
Emerging Artists Project was a exhibition organised with the Mission to Seafarers in the World Trade Centre in 2012The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals. And with its heritage feature is also a sought after filming location.Poster, postcards of exhibitioncultural events, emerging artists project, eap, wtc, world trade centre, spirituality -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Archive, Emerging Artists Project - Exhibition of Cultural DIversity: Same, Same but Different, 2012
Emerging Artists Project was a exhibition organised with the Mission to Seafarers in the World Trade Centre in 2012The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals. And with its heritage feature is also a sought after filming location.Poster, postcard and catalogue of exhibitioncultural events, emerging artists project, eap, wtc, world trade centre, cultural diversity -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Card - Thank You Card, Thanks, 2018
received in thanks for an address about the Mission to Seafarers, Vic.to the Probus Club Sandown in 2018Card of thanksHandwritten inscription inside card in black ink.sue dight, mission to seafarers, flinders street, promus club, sandown -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Book, Gavin Fry, Ray Honisett, An Illustrated Life, 2021
The first comprehensive study of the life and work of Ray Honisett [1931-2019], one of the most significant illustrators of his generation and the doyen of Australian aviation art.164 pages, softcover with colour illustrations.non-fictionThe first comprehensive study of the life and work of Ray Honisett [1931-2019], one of the most significant illustrators of his generation and the doyen of Australian aviation art.ray honisett, gavin fry -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Missions to Seamen, Port Melbourne. Interior, Alison Kelly, 1990
Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991 Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen building, colour view of sculpture in Huntingfield Hall, showing wave motif on ventilators, mural by Brian Couldrey 1987. From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly:missions to seamen, built environment -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Rear of Missions to Seamen, Port Melbourne, Alison Kelly, 1990
Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Missions to Seamen building, black and white print of rear of east wing, showing caretaker's kitchen window and back door, and men's toilet block.missions to seamen, built environment -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Sundeck of Chaplain's quarters, Missions to Seamen, Port Melbourne, Alison Kelly, 1988
Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991 Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen, view from roof to sundeck of Chaplain's quarters (studio/living quarters for three artists in residence 1987-89) From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly:missions to seamen, built environment, alison kelly -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Tennis court opening, 18 September 1926
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 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Audio - Radio interview, Triple RRR, Radio Marinara - Triple RRR, 26 June 2022
On Saturday 26 June 2022, Phillip Cornish, Acting CEO of the Mission, was interviewed by Radio Marinara. They talked about the role of the Mission, the life conditions of seafarers and the theft of the windvane.mission to seafarers, radio marinara, triple rrr, radio interview, podcast, weathervane, phillip cornish, windvane, theft -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Document - Invitation, Mission Arts Centre exhibition, Brian Couldrey, Art at Work, Jun 1987
Devised by Director Brian Couldrey for the June 1987 exhibition at the Missions to Seamen Building when it was in use as a community arts centreOne of two 'invitations' to the 'Art at Work' exhbition held by the Mission Arts Centre 6-7 June 1987. Made of pages from a copy of 'Alice in Wonderland' with rubber stamping added,each is unique.(rubber stamp impressions)missions to seamen, arts and entertainment - community arts, mission arts centre, brian couldrey -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Document - Invitation, Mission Arts Centre exhibition, Brian Couldrey, Art at Work, Jun 1987
Devised by Director Brian Couldrey for the June 1987 exhibition at the Missions to Seamen Building when it was in use as a community arts centreOne of two 'invitations' to the 'Art at Work' exhbition held by the Mission Arts Centre 6-7 June 1987. Made of pages from a copy of 'Alice in Wonderland' with rubber stamping added,each is unique.(rubber stamp impressions)missions to seamen, arts and entertainment - community arts, mission arts centre, brian couldrey -
Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Equipment - Projector, from Huntingfield Hall, Missions to Seamen Building. Port Melbourne, Power's Cameragraph 6B, 1920s
An occasional cinema night was held in Hungtingfield Hall at the Missions to Seamen building, where dances and concert entertainments for the crews of visiting ships also took place.Slide projector from the bio-box projector room above Huntingfield Hall in the Missions to Seamen building. Shell only, repainted in black some time ago. See also 1615.missions to seamen, arts and entertainment - film/cinema -
Bendigo Military Museum
Administrative record - LOGBOOK, Royal Australian Air Force Flying Log Book, 4.1937
WWII Flight Log of Flying Officer Frederick Gardner DAVEY. Item re Frederick Gardner DAVEY DFC No 410533 RAAF. Refer Reg No 3536P for his service details.Hard blue buckram cover. Cream cut edge pages. Each page is a pro forma printed in black ink. Some pages have flying mission details written in both black / red ink. Personal details & a photo of F G DAVEY appear on the first page.Handwritten on front cover: AUST 410533 DAVEY F G Handwritten inside: Flying missions & training. Handwritten on edge at bottom of pages: DAVEYlog books, raaf, records -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Drawing - Sketch, Walter Butler, Chapel of the Missions to Seamen, c. 1916
... Chapel of the Missions to Seamen ...This original drawing for the St Peter chapel on Flinders Street building designed by Walter Richmond Butler. Butler changed the design of the chapel for the Spanish Mission style. This drawing seems to be for a printing block and doesn't have Butler's signature.The drawing show the first design of the chapel.Small black and white sketch depicting the facade of the St Peter chapel.walter richmond butler (1864–1949), flinders street, building, built heritage, st peter chapel, bell tower -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph and letter, attached, T. Bateman, The members of the crew S.S. Siltonhall 1929, 16/10/1929
... seafarers ...This letter was written by a representative of the crew of the SS Siltonhall to the Mission to Seafarers in Oct 1929. Their ship caught fire in the Indian Ocean and were rescued by the SS Anthea. The crew was sent to Melbourne and spent some time at the Mission. Article in the Argus, Tuesday 15 October 1929, page 6 "THE SILTONHALL'S SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS Sir, the story of the disaster to the s.s. Siltonhall is still fresh in the public mind. The ship caught fire and she was abandoned and sank in the Indian Ocean. The crew took to the boats and were rescued and brought safely in to Melbourne. They have been with us now for nearly a week now, taking full advantage of the hospitality of the Mission to Seamen Institute.So far they have been provided with the bare necessities of one complete suit of clothing by the shipping authorities. They leave here to return home to England on Wednesday. If anyone will kindly contribute any articles of clothing or boots they will be most acceptable, especially as the men will be going to a cooler climate. Please send them to me. Yours Sincerily, HOWARD S. BAILEY, Chaplain, Missions to Seamen, Australian Wharf, Oct. 14."This letter and photograph indicate the valuable service that the Mission to Seafarers provides to crews of ships wrecked off the Australian coast. The smiling crew of the S.S. Siltonhall evidently appreciated that when they were in desperate need they were cared for. The picture was possibly taken in a nautical context, perhaps at the docks or on board a ship.B/W photograph of group of 22 men. Letter signed T. Bateman from crew of the SS Siltonhall dated Oct. 16th 1929. "Oct 16th 1929. / The members of the crew of the SS Siltonhall, / which caught fire in the Indian Ocean, and / was abandoned on Sept 21st 1929, wish to / thank the 'Missions to Seamen', and all those / concerned, for their hospitality, in the way of / Concerts, Socials, etc., also for boots and clothing / gratefully received. / On behalf of the crew. T. Bateman." photograph, letter, 1929, siltonhall, ship, crew, mission, seafarers, wreck, fire, bateman, melbourne, australia, shipwreck, reverend howard s. bailey, j. bateman -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Flag - Church pennant, Southern Cross flags, Mid - Late 20th C
The Flag was donated by the Paynesville Maritime Museum for use from time to time in the Chapel at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria.This type of signal flag was hoisted by ships afloat to indicate that a church service was in progress. Loose weave blend of synthetic and natural fibre large triangular pennant with red cross near hoist hem and long parallel panels of blue and red down the length of the pennant on white ground; rope hoist tethered and steel hoist fixings all calico bound along hem.Inscribed in black texta top corner 5966 and in lwr crnr CHURCHpennants, flags, signal flag, church pennant, paynesville maritime museum -
The 5th/6th Battalion Royal Victoria Regiment Historical Collection
Print - Reproduction, framed, Bardia (action leading to the fall of Post 11)
... Bardia (action leading to the fall of Post 11) ...Ivor Hele was the Australian official war artist of World War II. This painting depicts the members of 17 platoon 2nd/6th Battalions in their first action of the war. their mission was to "attack and capture Post 11" in order to provide a faint or diversionary attack for the brigades main penetration. The attack was pressed home with the characteristic vigour of Australian soldiers Prior to the attack the commanding officer demanded that " No matter what happens to us, when we go forward we shall give the enemy such a thrashing that they will never willingly stand up to an assault by Australian Infantry again." The Battalion succeeded in its mission and went on to play a vital role in many of the most arduous battles of the war. This painting depicts the actions of one of the predecessor units to 5/6 RVR. Large framed print of painting by Ivor Hele shows 17 Platoon 2/6th Infantry Battalion in an Italian trench during the attack on Bardia. The painting depicts the scene after the capture of one of the Italian dugouts by Corporal Brian Latham's Section. The print is in a large mahogany coloured frame and has a matt finish to the picture. A smaller, separate frame sits below the print and contains the history of the painting. it is in a matching frame and has an olive card backing and the story is printed on an off white sheet. A manufacturers label is located on the obverse " GRAPHIC IMPRESSIONS 239 Burwood Road Hawthorn Vic. 3122 Telephone 9819 5800 76 Harold Street Camberwell Vic 3123 Telephone bardia, 2/6th australian infantry battalion, ww2, ivor hele, wark vc club -
Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Photograph, 1955 - 1962
Alec Pederick was born in 1902 and left school at 15 to work on his parents' farm at Wyuna, Kyabrum,Victoria. After receiving a sense of call he trained for the Methodist ministry and was appointed to his first parish at Zeehan, Tasmania in 1927. He was called to serve with the Methodist Overseas Mission in New Britain and New Ireland in 1929. He married Dorothy Clarke just before he left. After four years in PNG he returned through ill-health to Victoria. He was appointed to the Beaufort Circuit in 1933 and then in 1936 to the Methodist Home Missions Department. He was called up as an Army chaplain in 1942 and sent on active service in Papua New Guinea. He was discharged in 1944 and returned to the Home Missions Department. He was appointed acting General Superintendent in 1944 and then General Superintendent in 1946, a position he held until 1962. He also served as Director of the Federal Methodist Inland Mission for a time. He died in 1972.Set of 8 photos (F68-3 has two additional copies) of Rev. Alec W. Pederick L. Th. All six photographs were taken at approximately the same age - late middle age - while still General Superintendent of the Victorian Home Missions department. Mostly bald, bespectacled man wearing glasses and clerical collar and stock and dark suit. All B&W. F68-1 is a cutting from The Spectator. F68-2 shows Pederick looking directly at the camera, unsmiling. F68-3 shows Pederick smiling looking to the right of the camera. F68-4 and F68-5 were taken as he was seated holding a large, open folder of papers, looking at the folder in -4 and to the right of the camera in -5. F 68-6 shows Pederick standing outside in a garden or "the bush" dressed in clerical garb with an overcoat. He is holding what looks like a camera and he is looking away from the camera.All the photos except F68-6 have an identification by name (Rev. A. W. Pederick" and all bar F68-6 have also identified him as General Superintendent and F68-3-5 identify him as General Superintendent Methodist Home Missions. F68-3 has "President of Conference 1955" typed on the back in red ink.pederick, a. w., zeehan, methodist overseas mission, methodist inland mission, beaufort, army chaplain, new britain, new ireland -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Article, Kerrie O'Brien, Want to peek inside Melbourne’s finest mansions and buildings? This is your chance, 30 June 2022
... Want to peek inside Melbourne’s finest mansions and ...Open House 2022: "Like many Melburnians, Ying-Lan Dann has long been fascinated by the Mission to Seafarers, in Docklands. When she was invited to create a work in response to a building as part of this year’s Open House Melbourne, she knew immediately which it would be. Taking a peek behind the closed doors of some of Melbourne’s finest and most interesting buildings is a core premise of the weekend event, now in its 15th year. During that time, the program has grown from half a dozen buildings to a 200-plus strong list that extends to Ballarat and Bendigo. “[It’s] much more expansive and citizen-led,” says Fleur Watson, Open House Melbourne’s executive director. “As a public festival, it has always had a spirit of generosity, this gesture of opening up and allowing visitors to come and look and experience things.” Swinging open their doors at the end of the month will be some of the city’s finest mansions, including Villa Alba in Kew and Brighton’s Billilla, the Cairo flats in Fitzroy, the newly renovated Jewish Museum designed by Kerstin Thompson, the Melbourne Quakers Centre, the Albanian Mosque in Carlton North and many more. Considering how to approach the event this year, held remotely for the past two, Watson decided to explore beyond the traditional, with associate professor and director of curatorial practice at Monash University Tara McDowell. The two have co-curated an exhibition of works to run concurrently with the Open House program, called Take Hold of the Clouds. That’s where Dann’s work, Circular Temporalities, comes in, one of seven commissions around town in which local and international artists respond to chosen buildings or sites. A lecturer in interior design at RMIT as well as an artist, she is interested in time and finding different mediums to show things in flux and, having grown up on Phillip Island, she often uses water as a theme. When she started spending time at the Mission, Dann found there was an oculus at the top of the dome, known as the Norla Dome. She thought about how that small but significant opening related to where sailors spent so many months of the year, the sky being the only thing they would see much of the time, stars guiding the way in times gone by, and of the recent stories she’d heard about sailors being trapped at sea during COVID. Built in the Arts and Craft style between 1916 and 1919 and designed by architect Walter Butler, the Mission includes a chapel, clubroom, Chaplain’s house, a small cottage and the Norla Dome, which was apparently inspired by the Pantheon. The Mission was funded by the government and the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, who Dann was also intrigued by. “One of the things those women identified is that life at sea is very dangerous [and they] wanted to give them a space of sanctuary and support,” she says, adding that for many years, the dome was used as a gymnasium. Her work inside the dome includes a 35-minute loop film, recorded from the ferry during the crossing from Queenscliff to Sorrento. The horizon takes up about a third of the shot and moves as the waves rise and fall, mirroring the journeys made by the sailors who found refuge at the mission over the years; it will be projected onto a gauze-like fabric, allowing glimpses of the building behind. Dann also plans to activate the site over the course of the weekend and will read a poem by Justin Clemens.The articles gives an insight of the création of the artwork by Ying-Lan Dann. digital copy of an article with photographs published in the Ageopen house melbourne, 2022, ying-lan dann, take hold of the clouds, norla dome, exhibition, the age, cultural events -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Artwork, other - Stained glass window, Gerry Cummins & Jill Stehn Pty. Ltd, In memory of those who have gone down to the sea in ships, 1980-1981
... In memory of those who have gone down to the sea in ships ...In conjunction with the fraternal visits of Hearts of Oak and the Maritime Lodge (now defunct), joint chapel services have been held in the chapel of St. Peter at the Missions to Seaman in Flinders St over many years. In 1975, the two lodges jointly funded the donation of a window in the Mission's chapel. The window was also part commissioned by what was then the Kanimbla Association who loaned the artist a book called "Cry Havoc - HMAS Kanimbla, a postscript" of photographs which was very valuable and formed part of Gerry's research. Interestingly the Association wanted the Kanimbla depicted in its post WWII passenger liner livery not during WW2. Reverend G.B Muston consecrated the window with Reverend Reginald Bolt on Christmas Eve 1981.Arched windows depicting a yacht shilling in the ocean, in the background a ship liner, on top the freemasonry symbols.st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, stained glass windows, win, memorial chapel, yachting, freemasonry, hmas kanimbla, hearts of oak lodge, gerry cummins, jill stehn, ss kanimbla, freemasons, sandringham yacht club, hms kanimbla, kanimbla association -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Article, Herald, Gymnasium of novel design to be lighted from dome, 23 October 1919
... Gymnasium of novel design to be lighted from dome ..."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 -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
Photograph - Photograph, copy, circa 1956
Example of entertainment at the Mission in the 1950's. Lay Reader David Conolly featured in photo.small rectangular black and white photograph in landscape format.Inscription on back of photo: "Circa 1956-7 - the regular dance band for the dance at the Flinders Street Mission. Standing by the piano the staff compere, Lay Reader David Conolly."david conolly, lay reader, orchestra, music, dance, lhlg, concerts, band, saxophone, piano, drums, flowers, curtains, events -
Mission to Seafarers Victoria
photograph - Photograph, Black and white, Three Asian seamen playing pool in the billiard room
... seafarers ...large b & w photograph of three Asian seafarers playing pool in the billiard roombilliard room, pool table, seamen, seafarers, sailors, asian, corduroy -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Textile - Seat Squabs, mid-20th century
The term 'seat squabs' is no longer commonly used, but is sometimes referred to in the upholstery and motor vehicle industries. Squabs are padded cushions frequently added to wooden chairs or benches to add comfort to their hard forms. They have been made to an 18th-to-19th-century pattern using beautiful, richly coloured satin fabric and fancy cord tassels. The weighted flap at the rear of the squabs helps to keep them in place on the chair, and could be used on the top of the backrest instead of on the seat. These days, squabs are attached with fabric ties or hook-and-loop tabs. These seat squabs were once used in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, which was purchased and furnished around 1943. The furniture and furnishings are now part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church collection. DETAILED HISTORY of the Missions to Seamen: - The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has served the world’s seafarers since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley, who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired, others continued the work, founding the Missions to Seamen. It adopted a Flying Angel as its symbol, inspired by a verse from the Bible in Revelation 14. Today, over 200 world ports have Missions to Seamen centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club warmly welcomes sailors of all colours, creeds and races and provides a wide range of facilities. The Missions to Seamen organisation changed its name to the Mission to Seafarers in 2000, continuing to include Missions to Seamen clubs in Victoria’s cities of Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake from Williamstown, Victoria, which began in 1857. Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church, which was known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860, a Sailors’ Rest started operating from rented premises in Williamstown. In 1878, the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year, they managed to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883, they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished because it was no longer safe. While they raised funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to premises in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. Around this time, in 1906, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild was formed in Australia to support and raise funds for the Mission to Seamen organisation in Melbourne. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founding members Ethel Godfrey and Alice Sibthorpe. During the Mission's time at Siddeley Street, Melbourne, the activities of the Guild raised funds for the Mission to Seamen's Chapel at their new, and still current, premises in Flinders Street, Melbourne, opened in 1917. The Guild continued its important work until the 1960s. In 1908, the Williamstown Mission had enough money to purchase the former Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street, Williamstown. In August of that year, they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1943, the former ES&A Bank building at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was purchased for the new Mission to Seaman’s Club. The official opening was on May 6th, 1944. It was described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church, after St Nicholas, fourth-century bishop and patron saint of sailors. Services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, newly founded by Mrs Ethel Margaret Musther in 1943, as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s Church operated until 1966, when large international ships no longer used the Port of Williamstown. The Commonwealth Government then leased the premises. In the formative years of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Advisory Board decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its village. The Missions organisation was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the period that the Village represents. They often erected Missions to house social and worshipful activities for seamen. Flagstaff Hill’s curator, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board permitted the furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. A provision of the transfer was that the Victoria Missions to Seamen be recognised, that the items would remain as a collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. Flagstaff Hill's St. Nicholas Seamen's Church: - The idea behind Flagstaff Hill’s Missions to Seamen’s Church was partly driven by the offer of Stained Glass Memorial Windows that originated from the Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, which was undergoing multi-storey expansion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The hospital’s Manager/Secretary was eager to see the historic window installed in a suitable place. The church, or chapel, was designed by a local architectural draftsman in collaboration with the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board and was constructed by Mr Leon Habel. The designers hoped the church would be used for formal worship, such as weddings, funerals, and multi-denominational special services like war commemorations. Its design was inspired by the ‘Missions to Seamen’ buildings in Portland and the Port of Melbourne. The furniture and furnishings were placed as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and with assistance from local clergy. The Recreation Room was furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. A framed document in the building recognises the donor of the furnishings, Victoria Missions to Seamen, and includes the names of some original donors and their donated item/s. The building’s design incorporates local features such as Warrnambool sandstone, which was no longer commercially available but was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut to use as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Also, traditional green American roofing slate was used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck “Falls of Halladale” by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. Additional furnishings were acquired locally, and several items were donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms were assembled to simulate 19th-century gas light fittings. The stained-glass window at the back of the church is a memorial to Dr Connell, a well-respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was originally installed in 1928 in the main building of Warrnambool Hospital. The St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday, 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then, the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. This pair of seat squabs is historically significant for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for seafarers’ physical, social, and spiritual needs. The organisation originated in Bristol, England, when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The squabs are also significant for their use in the St Nicholas Missions to Seamen's chapel, Williamstown, as the original building is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Squabs or padded seat cushions, a pair of two. These 18th to 19th-century design squabs have crimson and cream satin fabric on top and underneath, and weighted tassels are attached to their rear corners. They can be used for comfort on hard seats and benches. The squabs were furnishings from the Missions to Seamen chapel in Williamstown, and they are now part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, st nicholas mission to seamen's church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, mission to seamen victoria, st nicholas mission to seamen, st nicholas seamen's church, religion, religious service, sailor's rest, ladies harbour light guild, squab, seat covers, cushions, squabs, religious furnishing, padded seats, seating, accessory