Built in 1888, the building at Port Melbourne was in need of renovation. In February 1929 a fundraising was organised by the Box Hill branch of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild: "The Mayoress of Box Hill (Mrs. C. Palling) opened a very successful Australian tea, held on Tuesday afternoon in St. Peter's Parish Hall, by members of the Box Hill branch of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, to raise funds towards the cost of renovating the Port Melbourne Seamen's institute. The building is in a very dilapidated condition, and is totally inadequate for the extensive requirements of the Mission to Seamen." (1929 'AUSTRALIAN TEA.', Box Hill Reporter (Vic. : 1925 - 1930), 15 February, p. 7.) "Additional buildings at the Seamen's Institute, conducted by the Victoria Missions to Seamen, at Port Melbourne, were officially opened and dedicated yesterday (23 January 1930) by Archbishop Head. The additions, which have been erected at a cost of £3000, comprise an extension of the recreation hall, new canteen and office, ladies' rest room, apprentices' room, officers' room, and five-roomed dwelling, for the caretaker." 1930 'MISSION TO SEAMEN.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 24 January, p. 13.Rectangular foundation stone with inscription inlayed in a bluestone wall.To the glory of God and the welfare of seamen/ This stone was unveiled by the most Rev. Frederick Waldegrave Head B.O. Archbishop of Melbourne, on the 23rd day of January 1930archbishop head, port melbourne, reverend h. s. bailey, building renovations, 1930, port melbourne mission

Sponsored by Alfred M. Nicholas the Deco era Mission building facing Beach street built by Architect Harry Norris opened in 1937. The building was then in WW2 requisitioned with the Mission returning to full use of the complex some years after the War ended. The building in later years was relinquished due to decreasing shipping at Port Melbourne and need to consolidate seafarers services in the Central Mission at 717 Flinders St. The building was used as an art centre just prior to demolition in the 1990s. The Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society was instrumental in ensuring the the old foundation stone was preserved in the sea wall opposite the original site. A single brick from the building is also part of the MtSV Heritage Collection. This stone is one of the few items remaining from this building demolished in 1995.Photograph depicting the foundation stone laid on the 18 May 1937 for the new Mission in Port Melbourne.TO THE GLORY OF GOD/AND THE WELFARE OF ALL SEAFARERS / THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY / HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA / THE LORD HUNTINGFIELD K.C.M.G. / MAY 18th 1937 / THIS BRANCH INSTITUTE OF / THE VICTORIA MISSIONS TO SEAMEN / WAS ERECTED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF / ALFRED M.NICHOLAS ESQ. / OFFICE OF HARRY A.NORRIS ARCHITECTSfoundation stone, lord huntingfield, port melbourne, beach street, art deco, brick, harry a. norris, alfred m. nicholas, maurice nicholas

One of 2 volumes of late 19th early 20th Century letter books. Each volume provides us with extensive listings of correspondence with supporters, fundraisers, patrons, architects, Mission staff and business transactions carried out by the Honorary Secretary Mr WHC Darvall over the period of a decade. Queen Victoria, Governors of Victoria: Earl of Hopetoun, Lord Brassey, Sir George Sydenham Clark, Lord Talbot and Governors General: Baron Northcote, performers such as Nellie Melba, Kitty Grindley, Sir Samuel Gllott president of the Law Institute, Hugh Reid, Crawford Pasco R.N. FRGS are just a few. The late 19th C - early 20th C period covered by the 2 vol collection of correspondence records together with annual reports and minutes documents a significant transition period not only across centuries but also towards a new framework of operations for the original mid 19th C founded Mission to seamen. The death of a long-standing Chaplain, Wesleyan, Ebenezer James in 1901 eventually led to a proposed merger in 1905 which resulted in the amalgamation of the Victorian Mission with the Anglican based Mission to Seafarers under the leadership of Rev'd Gurney Goldsmith who arrived in 1905. The new Mission was launched in 1906 with a long planned and much needed new central building opened in 1907 on the Australian Wharf. Mr Darvall, in his time produced a handwritten 40 page epitomised history, drawn from annual reports and was exceptionally meticulous in his efforts to cross reference related correspondence, press clippings, report material and documents. He was a strong supporter of Libraries and first town clerk of Beechworth.Primary inscription on title page ( see title field this record) also: "Commencing on Sunday 1st of February , 1895. / Ending on Saturday 18th December , 1902 / Indexed to / Page 18,22,29,32,34,35,44,45,48,53,63,75,80,82, 90, 112, 120, 121,136,151,167,171,173,174, 185, 200, 212, 216, 218, 232, 233, 241, 361, 362, 373, 375, 378, 428, 455, 477, 508, 509, 516, 520, 521, 543, 562, 607, 657, 658, 667, 669, 706, 718, 724, 732, 735, 738, 741, 745 748, 749 ./ WHC Darvall / Hon'y Secretary. "correspondence records, seafarer advocacy, seafarer shore facilities, ship to shore, index, missions to seamen, seamen's missions, mission to seafarers, correspondance, letters, letter book, welfare, nellie melba, kitty grindley, crawford pasco, lord thomas brassey, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)

One of 2 volumes of late 19th early 20th Century letter books. Each volume provides us with extensive listings of correspondence with supporters, fundraisers, patrons, architects, Mission staff and business transactions carried out by the Honorary Secretary Mr WHC Darvall over the period of a decade. Queen Victoria, Governors of Victoria: Earl of Hopetoun, Lord Brassey, Sir George Sydenham Clark, Lord Talbot and Governors General: Baron Northcote, performers such as Nellie Melba, Kitty Grindley, Sir Samuel Gllott president of the Law Institute, Hugh Reid, Crawford Pasco R.N. FRGS are just a few. The late 19th C - early 20th C period covered by the 2 vol collection of correspondence records together with annual reports and minutes documents a significant transition period not only across centuries but also towards a new framework of operations for the original mid 19th C founded Mission to seamen. The death of a long-standing Chaplain, Wesleyan, Ebenezer James in 1901 eventually led to a proposed merger in 1905 which resulted in the amalgamation of the Victorian Mission with the Anglican based Mission to Seafarers under the leadership of Rev'd Gurney Goldsmith who arrived in 1905. The new Mission was launched in 1906 with a long planned and much needed new central building opened in 1907 on the Australian Wharf. Mr Darvall, in his time produced a handwritten 40 page epitomised history, drawn from annual reports and was exceptionally meticulous in his efforts to cross reference related correspondence, press clippings, report material and documents. He was a strong supporter of public Libraries and first town clerk of Beechworth.In handwritten black ink primary inscription on title page (see title field this record...) also: "Commencing on 19th October 1902 Ending ...1905 / Indexed to:.../ WHC Darvall / Hon'y Secretary. "correspondence records, seafarer advocacy, seafarer shore facilities, ship to shore, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906), letters, sailors' rest, welfare, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, correspondence, letter book, nellie melba, kitty grindley, lord thomas brassey, crawford pasco

Long awaited building renovations in 2019 commenced with the replacement and upgrade of the 102 year old floorboards in the main hall and old Billiard room of the Mission to Seafarers Victoria. Some stumping replaced and repaired in places. Many older seafarers especially recall the regular dances hosted by chaperoned local young women and members of the Ladies Harbour lights Guild that commenced in the 1930s and carried on through to the 1960s. (see also significance statement)These photographs are another historical record. As a listed Building of Heritage significance the Mission to Seafarers commenced in consultation with heritage advice as per Burra Charter, the first phase of renovations to the century old building complex at 717 Flinders St which is still providing services and facilities to seafarers as per the original purpose and design. The club room or main hall was the sight of many performances, slide shows, film screenings, and events to entertain or raise funds for the Mission. Series of photographs depicting the new floor boards in the main hall, Flying Angel Club after renovation winter 2019 and before recarpetingbuilding renovations, flying angel club

Herald Newspaper section shows various ads including one for a VIP refrigerator; main story features article about a murderess.non-fictionnewspapers, cape paterson, time capsule