This is one in a series of letters written by various seafarers to Lillie Duncan. Lillie was a member of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild during the 1920s. She seems to have struck up a number of friendships with seafarers who used the facility. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild was responsible for much of the fundraising that constructed and maintained the organisation from its inception in 1902. They were also responsible for arranging dances and other social activities designed to make seafarers welcome in a strange environment.The purpose of the Mission to Seafarers is, as it always was, to provide comfort and welfare services to visiting seafarers. This letter, and the series of which it is a part, underscores the importance of making relationships abroad for those who earned their living on the seas.Handwritten letter in four parts consisting of an envelope with three pages of handwritten text in black ink using only the face of each page.Postmark in top right hand corner of envelope is indecipherable. Postmark in bottom left hand corner of envelope: PORT SAID/indecipherable/12JA.28.8-9A/indecipherablemelbourne, ted, letters, somerset, lillie duncan, lillian duncan, ladies harbour lights guild, lhlg, port said, mission to seafarers, stamp, africa, seamen's mission, ss mandasor

This book documents visitation fo seafarers to the Williamstown rest from 1945-47. The book appears to have been donated. The contents are signed in some instances by what appear to be whole crew. It provides an insight into the comments and also the practice of some seafarers who adopted other identities such as Churchill or Clement Atlee. The book predates the requirement to supply official ID and registration.The book and register is one of the earliest to survive, only one or two others have survived as records of seafarers visiting the Missions. It is therefore significant as an example of a register and entries names, home ports , ships and commentary. Front cover: VISITORS BOOK in gold gilt. Spine: white sticker WILLIAMSTOWN M.T.S/VISITORS 1945-7.williamstown, seafarers, logbook, signatures, seamen, sailors, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, betty mcaleese, ships name

The Marriage Register lists Harold Priestley Simpson and Amy Dora Walker as the bride and groom, and the wedding date as 14th of February 1928. The photograph uses the personal Harry and Dora, instead of the formal Harold and Amy. In the Register, Amy started signing her name as Dora. before correcting it. The photograph shows that weddings took place at the Chapel during the late 1920's, and the style of weddings at the time. This includes the type of outfits worn, such as the length of the veil and the type of bouquet carried. Dora's Bridesmaids are depicted in 2 other images in the MTSV collection also an image of the chapel decked with flowers for the occasion. 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."The photograph shows St. Peter chapel was being used for weddings in 1928. The Anglican church has been used for weddings since being finished in 1917. The Marriage Register shows that these weddings were legal in the Commonwealth of Australia, and lists Church of England as the denomination for this wedding. Miss Amy Dora Simpson (nee Walker) had a long association with the Mission, first as a young Volunteer with the Ladies Harbour Light Guild circa WW1, and through to her wedding in early 1928 and beyond. Square sepia, glossy photograph of a bride and groom, taken as they leave a building. Guests are throwing rice at the newlywed. The groom is turned towards the camera, while the bride is looking ahead, carrying a bouquet. There is a white border around top, bottom and left edges, the photograph seems to have been cut in half along the right edge.On the reverse: handwritten in blue pen JUST MARRIED!/DORA & HARRY/28/2/28. 618 is stamped in blue ink . (date is incorrect as wedding took place on 14/2/28)bride, wedding, groom, 1928, dora simpson, dora walker, st peter chapel, harry simpson, lhlg, flinders street, harold priestley simpson, valentine's day, amy dora walker, ladies harbour lights guild, mr and mrs a.w. walker, malvern, manning road, reverend j.r weller, molly walker, ella kendall, david simpson

Documents the minutes from the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild from the 5th of May, 1953 to 2nd of November, 1960. The minutes lists the dates, locations and attendance of all meetings during this time. There are several lose documents in the book, such as an Annual Report, Accounts and Requests for Subscriptions, which have been used at note paper.This is a record of all members, meetings and activities undertaken by the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild between 1953 to 1960.Front cover: LHLG MINUTES / 3/53 - 12/60 handwritten on a white sticker.handwriting, minutes, 1960, williamstown, 1953, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, 1953-1960, seamen's mission, hlg, lhlg minutes, dora simpson

An historical visual record of some of the members of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, circa 1950. Many events run by the LHLG founded in 1906, were initially held in venues across Melbourne. In later years the main hall of the building opened in 1917 became a main venue for entertainment, meals and dancing. The LHLG organisation eventually amalgamated with the Flying Angels at the Mission circa 1962 and many LHLG members such as Dora Simpson, later elected as FA President went on to officiate.The Ladies Harbour Lights Guild (LHLG) a Melbourne and statewide network initially raised funds and held events for the Mission to Seafarers. Originally founded in 1906 the LHLG were responsible in 1917 for raising the funding for the Chapel and Dome at the Mission. The group and network developed a structure promoted to and adopted in one form or another by other similar auxiliary groups supporting Missions around the world. Black and white photograph. Image shows a number of women sitting in front of the stage in the main hall of the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. In the background there is a three-piece band situated on the stage. Depicts the MtSV stage decorated with flowers, and lengths of material woven through an arch.The ladies seated in two rows in front of the stage all wearing summer dresses and have short hair styles typical of the 1950s Printed title and donor information printed across the top of the mount. See also historical informationpiano, drums, band, floorboards, stage, 1950s, dresses, main-hall, curtain, celebrations, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, mission to seafarers, seamen mission, mission to seamen, flying angel, melbourne, flinders street, prue leggoe, music, dance, entertainment, events, sailors, seafarers, seamen, lynette reynolds (nee madson), king george vi

Black and white photograph with a white border. Image is taken from inside the main hall of the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. It shows a radiator, noticeboard, group of six chairs around a coffee table (all situated on a mat), jukebox, two chairs next to a wall and three vases of flowers in front of two of the main hall's arch windows. The hardwood floorboards are visible, as is the wainscote (wood panelling) on the walls in the background. Overhead lights are also visible as is a fan next to one of the windows.window, jukebox, main-hall, wainscote, wood-panelling, arch, chairs, mission to seafarers, mission to seamen, music, arched windows, floorboards, flowers

The receipts are dated from the 3rd of April 1965 to the 29th of November 1966. 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 1965 to 1966.Printed on the front cover: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / CERTIFICATES OF MARRIAGE.receipt, register, 1965-1966, st peter chapel, st andrew chapel, marriages, dio-marriages, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission

The book was used as a visitors book for the early Mission to Seafarers. The first date in the book is the 13th of December, 1907, although there are almost six pages of signatures before this. The last signature is dated the 28th of June, 1951. The book documents some of the most significant moments of the Central Institute: - the Opening Ceremony of the "new" Mission to Seafarers building in September 1917. - the signature of HRH Edward, then Prince of Wales, and a newspaper clipping, detailing his visit, during has Australian tour in 1920. - the visit by the Governors General including HRH the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 1945. Also registered: the Australian Chaplains conference attendees of both 1936 and 1949. Many supporters, ladies from the Guild and seafarers signed the book.The book is a significant record of VIP visitors to the Mission to Seafarers 1907 to 1951. It records respective Opening Ceremonies for Mission Buildings of both 1907 and 1917 and attendees. The book also documents a visit from Edward, Prince of Wales in 1920, travelling on the H.M.S "Renown". Significant national and international visitors throughout the first half of the 20th Century range from the royal, Vice regal and political through to international Members of the Mission to Seafarers, participants in diocesan conferences and AGMs.Printed in gold on the front cover: VISITORS; First name registered and handwritten: "Northcote" in black ink ; Last name entered "Paul Morra"signatures, handwriting, 1907-1951, h.m.s-renown, duke of gloucester, chaplain conferences, catherine florence aviss nee frampton, martin frampton, elizabeth frampton, herbert aviss, prince of wales, duchess of gloucester, seafarers, sailors, seamen, prince edward, opening ceremony, edward northcote (1854-1926)

This photograph shows how the Flying Angel club room was once used. The photograph is part of a serie likely to have been taken by Bill Doyle (Reverend C.J. Eldridge-Doyle), who was a keen photographer like many of the chaplains as he often uses the Ilford paper to print his images.Dancing was permitted by Padre Oliver in 1932 under strict rules. Black and white photograph with six people standing next to the stage in Flying Angel Club room. One man facing the camera is formally dressed and speaking to a lady who is less formally dressed. Pictures are seen hanging up in the background.On reverse: ILFORD (maker's mark stamped across the back of the photograph). 1940 (slightly faded)photography, flying-angel, club-room, black-and-white, mission-to-seafarers, dance, lhlg, asian, seamen, flinders street

The photograph is part of a serie likely to have been taken by Bill Doyle (Reverend C.J. Eldridge-Doyle), who was a keen photographer like many of the chaplains as he often uses the Ilford paper to print his images. It demonstrates one of the activities on offer at the Mission and documents how common indoor smoking was at the time.The photograph depicts the activities offered to seafarers while on shore leave at the Mission during the 1950s-60sBlack and white photograph depicting two men standing by a table tennis table. One is smoking while the other is holding a table tennis paddle. There is a poster visible in the background.Reverse: ILFORD in repeat 1940: stamped in redtable tennis, ping pong, sports, games, flying angel, mission to seamen, flinders street, seamen's mission, seamen, seafarers, sailors, smoking, claude james eldridge-doyle, reverend c.j. eldridge-doyle

The photograph depicts how the Mission entry looked at the time the photograph was taken circa 1920s. It shows that the Mission was used for formal occasions as well as showing a car model and clothing styles typical of the era. Wedding of Dora Walker , a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and Harry Simpson, 14 February 1928Dora Simpson nee Walker was a long time Lady from the Guild becoming the Honorary Secretary and being awarded an Order of the British EmpireBlack and white photograph taken outside the Mission to Seafarer's entrance. The photograph depicts a group of people surrounding a car. The photograph may have been taken at a wedding or similar function due to the formal wear of the mean and women.Reserve: manufacturer's inscription: FUJICOLOR CRYSTAL ARCHIVE / PAPERcar, entrance, wedding, lhlg, dora walker, harry simpson, dora simpson, 717 flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, david simpson, 1928, marriages, st peter chapel, dora simpson nee walker

The postcard shows how the Mission to Seafarers, then known as the Seamens Institute, looked early in its operation - probably circa 1920. It also documents the types of activities were offered to visitors, and how the visitors used the facilities.The postcard records the fittings and furnishings of the Mission to Seafarers, then known as the Seamens' Institute: tables, chairs but also the paintings which were often donated. The largest one on the main wall above the stage is "Start Point Light, Devonshire" (see item 0230), painted and donated by Miss Madeline R. Lewellin (1854-1944) in 1918. A sepia-toned postcard, of the main hall/club room of the "Seamens Institute" Mission to Seafarers. The image shows the arrangement of tables, pool table and bar in the club room, as well as the decorations and fitting of the room.On front: INTERIOR OF SEAMENS INSTITUTE, FLINDERS STREET MELBOURNE VALENTINES SERIES M. 4968 printed in black. On reverse: VALENTINES / REAL PHOTO SERIES logo in the middle of the top of the postcard. Along the left-hand edge: PUBLISHED BY THE VALENTINE PUBLISHING CO. PTY. LTD / QUEEN ST., MELB. printed in black.postcard, seamens-institute, club-room, bar

“Yarram Park” Willaura Visited by American Seamen. Gentleman is Mr William Jennings Kinsella. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships which completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907 to February 22, 1909 by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world. One goal was to deter a threatened war with Japan since tensions were high in 1907. It familiarized the 14,500 officers and men with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home. Hulls were painted a stark white, giving the armada its nickname. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts.[1][2] Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and blue-water navy capability.willaura simmons

“Yarram Park” Willaura Hunting Trip with American Seamen. Gentleman at top center back is William Jennings Kinsella. The Great White Fleet was the popular nickname for the group of United States Navy battleships which completed a journey around the globe from December 16, 1907 to February 22, 1909 by order of President Theodore Roosevelt. Its mission was to make friendly courtesy visits to numerous countries while displaying new U.S. naval power to the world. One goal was to deter a threatened war with Japan since tensions were high in 1907. It familiarized the 14,500 officers and men with the logistical and planning needs for extended fleet action far from home. Hulls were painted a stark white, giving the armada its nickname. It consisted of 16 battleships divided into two squadrons, along with various small escorts.[1][2] Roosevelt sought to demonstrate growing American military power and blue-water navy capability.willaura simmons

Chapel of Port Melbourne MissionEarly photo of the Port Melbourne mission chapel.Photograph depicting the interior of the St Andrew chapel at the Port Melbourne Mission. Reed organ on the leftchapel, port melbourne, organ, reed organ, st nicholas chapel, seamen's institute, beach road, pews, altar, wwi, duncan album

This is a photograph of crew members that formed the football team of the S.S. Hororata. The vessel was ordered by the New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd of London, completed in 1914. In august of that year she was requisitioned ( as A20) for transport of the Australian expeditionary force in WW1. In WW2 she was known as the SS Waroonga and torpedoed in 1943. (Internet ref 2018) This vessel was a regular visitor to Melbourne and crews visited and contributed donations to the MTS.This photograph provides an early record of the many crew based football (soccer) teams that would enjoy matches when ashore with other crews. The Mission to seamen organised and promoted many such matches and encouraged the friendly competition during outings. In addition this particular group photograph is of interest as it indicates the many talents and interests of the crew through the items and animals the individuals are posed with. Sepia toned photograph of the S.S. "Hororata" Football Team dated April 1923. The photograph has been mounted onto a brown cardboard frame with the text 'S.S. "Hororata's" Football Team/April 1923' on the top and the bottom. The photograph itself is of 24 men in three rows, 9 on the top row, 8 in the middle row and 7 on the bottom row. The man in the bottom row furthest left is kneeling behind a bird cage with a cockatoo in it. The man second from the left is holding a guitar. The man third from the left is holding a cat. The man fourth from the left is lying down peeking through the buoy with the text "S.S. Hororata's/Plymouth". The man second from the right is holding a lute and the man furthest right on the bottom row is also kneeling behind a bird cage with a cockatoo. In the middle row, the man second from the left is holding a banjo. The man third from the right is holding a flute. The man second from the right is holding an accordion. All other men in the middle and top rows have their arms crossed. The men are situated on the ships deck. Behind them is a ladder and what appears to be a door opening and on the left side of the photograph are some ropes and a pulley system.On lower edge of mount handwritten in black ink: S.S. "Hororata" Football Team April 1923hat, 1923, uniform, pulley, cap, banjo, guitar, rope, cockatoo, accordion, flute, cat, ladder, ss hororata football team, ss hororata, lute, ww1, ww2, troopship, ship crew, deck, soccer, football, sports, crew photo, crews and ships

Various ports in all parts of the world would provide a photographic service documenting ship crews and passengers. The crew members in this photograph would have primarily worked in the engine rooms of the Steam ship Virgilia. Names of the crewmen: Trevanna, Jones, Jeffries, Mathews, Gunther, Dingle, O'Callaghan , Finn , Whittaker, Duffey, O'Leary, FurlongAppears to have been presented to the Mission possibly in appreciation of the services these crewmen had used or events they had attended. The photograph is valuable as all the crew featured are named with surnames and may crosslink with documented records of their visits also held in the archive collection.Studio Mounted Black and white Photograph of 12 crewmen on board ship with ship kitten and with primary and secondary inscriptionsOn top in black ink: Presented by the Firemen and Trimmers of S.S. Virgilia Christmas 1920-21 also crew names handwritten in ink above image: Trevanna, Jones, Jeffries, Mathews, Gunther below image: Dingle, O'Callaghan , Finn , Whittaker, Duffey / O'Leary, Furlong In pencil handwritten lower centre: S.S. VIRGILIA On Verso in pencil Lwr right quadrant PH-SC 24steam ships, ss virgilia, trimmers, firemen, christmas, crew, seafarers, seamen, 1920, 1921, crews and ships

David Conolly, former lay reader in the 1950s and Nigel Porteous, Chairman in 2016, talk about their experience at the Mission. The movie uses images from the collection and images from the 1952 film.Part of the permanent exhibition "Early Origins" curated by Georgia Melville.Interviews filmed in the Mission to Seafarers for the Early Origins exhibition in 2016early origins, 2016, sarah rood, david conolly, way back when, oral history, interview, mission to seafarers, lay reader, seamen's mission, nigel porteous

The photograph was published in the 1936 Annual Report with the title: Cadet-ship "Nardana" Communion group of Cadets, showing, on extreme right, our Wellington Chaplain, Rev. B.J WilliamsSmall black and white photograph depicting gathering of seamen and Reverend Wellington, at 717 Flinders Street Docklandsofficers, reverend b.j. williams, wellington mission, cadet ship, nardana, cadets

The life buoy from the Largs Bay located above the bar helps dating the photograph to post 1957: Largs Bay was launched in 1921, as a mixed passenger/cargo ship. During WW2 she took part in a large number of convoys.nIt was scrapped in 1957 so had a service life of 36 years. Her sister ships were Jervis Bay, Moreton Bay, Esperance Bay and Hobsons Bay. She carried many passengers to Australia to start new lives after WW2. In the bar we can notice advertising helping dating: Peters ice cream Choc Wedge (launched in 1949) at 6d, Cottee's flavoured drinks (Passiona, Lime Coola, Orange, Lemon) In the 1950s, the ladies from the LHLG were still active and dancing with seamen was part of their activities.BW photograph depicting couples dancing in the Flying Angel Club of the Flinders Street Mission.lhlg, dance, seamen, flinders street, cottees, lime coola, passiona, orange, lemon, choc wedge, life buoy, largs bay, ice cream, peters

The Williamstown Lightkeepers' was largely formed by the wives of local seafarers and came to an end in 1966 after 23 years. The standard lights âtre mentioned in the 1966 annual report.Lightkeepers was another affiliated category of membership associated with the LHLG which post WW2 became known as Harbour Lights Guild. Williamstown was one of the earliest sites where a Mission to seamen was available in the form of a seamen's rest which relocated within the township several times.Small rectangular brass plaque mounted on a wooden board.The standard lights in this sanctuary were given by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary to commemorate 23 years of devoted work for seafarers in the Williamstown Mission 1966.williamstown, lightkeepers, auxiliary, mission, plaque, memorial, standard lights, 1966, chapel, williamstown lightkeepers auxiliary

Sailors have the custom of leaving a self portrait in the ports they have visited.These photographs show the importance of places like the Mission where seafarers can rest.Framed montage of passeports pictures and foreign bills.sailors, seamen, seafarers, traditions, myths

Two plaques in chapel are mentioning the donation of lights for the chapel: one mentions the standard lights donated by the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary in 1966 for the Sanctuary and another one (in the Baptistry) mentions the church lighting in memory of Miss Kimberley, Ballarat, December 1975.chapel, flinders street, st peter chapel, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, miss kimberley

Along with money changing, the purchase os a SIM card is the most used service at the Mission once seafarers arrived.Communication has always been part of the Mission's services: with technology developing the service has changed from letters posting and receiving to installing phones then computers with internet connection to selling SIM cards from the 2000s, aiding seafarers to communicate with their family. go talk, mobile phone, sim card, australia, ship, seafarers, sailors, seamen, international calls, communication, welfare