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his gift to the Mission for visiting seamen between 1937 and late 20th C. The story of the donation is told in an unpublished autobiography by the then Rev'd Frank Oliver, based at 717 Flinders st.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

This photograph was taken at the Triennial Congress, Melbourne. Frank Leslie Oliver served as chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne for 30 years from 1930 - 1960. He is in this photograph, second from right, with a cigarette in his hand. Also in this photograph, at the far right, is the Most Reverend F. Head, Archbishop of Melbourne. The photograph is a record of a historic conference of MTS representatives from Australia and New Zealand. , September 1-3 , 1936: Revd Wm Hoog (Brisbane) Revd W.H. Terry (Port Pirie) Revd H.C Cuthbertson (Adelaide) Revd W.R. Tyler (Melbourne) Mr J.W. Neill (Melbourne) Revd. F. J. Evans (Sydney) Revd Frank L. Oliver ( Melbourne MTS) F W Melbourne (Archbishop F W Head 1929- 1942) Mr J.C. Grahame (Hobart) Rev B.J. Williams ((Wellington NZ) Rev J.C. Clift (Fremantle)Frank Leslie Oliver served as chaplain at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne for 30 years from 1930 - 1960, including time served as chaplain with the Royal Australia Navy aboard HMAS Australia. He was a live-in chaplain and was supported by his entire family, including wife Moira, for whom a memorial window exists in the chapel. The Chaplains' Conference was held in 1936.Black and white photograph of a group of chaplains outside the Mission to Seafarers building in Flinders Street, Melbourne. Frank Oliver is second from right holding a cigarette in his right hand.Top left in blue ink (written by Padre Oliver): Australian MTS, Chaplains gathered in Triennal Congress, with most Rev.J Head, Abp of Melbourne. Top right corner in black ink: prior to 1939 In black and blue ink some names: Archbishop Head, Dad, Bill Tyler Port Melbourne, Padre Williams Wellington, Pat Neil Layreader Faded stamp in pink ink: Herald Feature Service, Melbourne A sticker with: Ret to B Kentroyal australian navy, mission to seafarers, anglican, frank leslie oliver, archbishop head, triennial conference, chaplains, herald newspaper, cigarette, robin kent, beverley kent nee oliver, chaplains conference, padre oliver, new zealand, pat neil, lay reader, bill tyler, port melbourne, reverend william wellington, chaplains group