Dora Walker (married 1928 taking the name Simpson) had a long association with the Mission as a member of the Ladies Harbour light guild. This image is similar to another image in the collection which depicts the garden of the Walker family where many fund-raising events and hosting of seafarers took place. Rev Weller dates the image to around mid to late 1920s. In the 1960s and 70s Dora was president of the LHLG which later merged with the Flying Angels. She was awarded the MBE for her services to the community in the 1970s. Dora's son David Simpson is a volunteer still iat MTS n the 21stC. The Walker and Simpson families are examples of long association and commitment supporting the Mission to Seafarers. As they are researched it is clear the stories of these families document not only support for the Mission but are also shown to have been significant contributors, leaders and donors to the broader Melbourne and Victorian community from the 19th Century and up to the present day. The photograph shows the garden in its early years.Group portrait depicting 4 men in suits standing (reverend Weller on the right), a man sitting on the grass, next to a woman in white summer dress (Dora Walker), sitting on a chair in front of the men. They are photographed outdoor probably in the mission's garden (in the background we can see the letters E-EX on a building wall, thought to be from the Extension Bond and Free Stores located next to the mission at the time)dora walker, reverend reginald weller, picnic, cadets, officers, lhlg, amy dora walker, dora simpson, mission's garden, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, ladies harbour lights guild, melbourne, lawn, grass, trees, plants, peppercorn tree, weller album, dora simpson nee walker

Reverend John Weller and his wife with young officers on the terrace of the Manse.Reverend Weller, his wife Alexina (nee Caley) and young sailors are posing on the terrace of the Mission, Flinders Street. In the background we can see the Harbour Bond Store with the inscription "-ne 770-" (Phone 7704).alexina weller (nee caley), officers, manse, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), terrace, weller album, 1926, verandah

weller album, picnics, st andrews, brighton, christmas day, 1925, xmas

The photograph was taken by Reverend Weller and published in the Annual report for 1926.Small photograph depicting the hall of the Flinders Street mission with tables and chairs placed in from of the stage. The tables are covered with a white cloth and decorated with flowers in vases. Above the tables, are garland of banners representing flags from different country: Japan, England, USA and Chinese lanterns. On the stage are more vases with flowers, a Christmas Brig in the shape of a ship.brig, ship, flags, chinese lanterns, paper lanterns, flowers, vases, chairs, tables, meals, dinner, central hall, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, flinders street, weller album, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), new year's day, 1926

weller album, archbishop lees, new year's day, 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.Three ladies and three gentlemen in front of the tennis court. From left to right: Lady Creswell / unknown lady / unknown lady with the umbrella / unknown man / Reverend Weller / unknown mantennis court, lady creswell, lady adelaide elizabeth creswell nee stow, 1859-1945, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), 1926, weller album

The picture was taken during the opening of the tennis court Saturday 18 September 1926. On the photograph are from left to right : two unknown ladies, Lady Creswell, Reverend Weller, Charles Holmes, and unknown man. Lady Adelaide Creswell was invited to officially open the court and about a 100 persons attended the ceremony.The photograph taken by Mrs Weller was published in the Annual report for 1926.tennis court, lady adelaide elizabeth creswell nee stow, 1859-1945, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), 1926, 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, officers

weller album, officers

freda oxley, weller album, picnic

weller album, 1926, picnics, fancy dress

tug-of-war, picnics, 1926, weller album

The Boxing Day 1926 picnic was organised in St Mary's, Caulfield. Seamen of the SS Osterley, SV Law Hill, SS Magdeberg and MV Nyhaug were invited.picnics, flinders street, canopy, weller album, boxing day, 1926

The Boxing Day 1926 picnic was organised in St Mary's, Caulfield. Seamen of the SS Osterley, SV Law Hill, SS Magdeberg and MV Nyhaug were invited.weller album, flinders street, canopy, boxing day, 1926, picnics

weller album, picnics

weller album, picnics

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

Picnic Picnics were one the events the Mission with the Ladies Harbour Light Guild would organise on regular basis. This was an opportunity for the sailors to enjoy some time off on the land, a time to play games and sports.Black and white photograph depicting sailors wearing suits and hats seated in two motor boats on the river. In the background on the right is the ship they might have just left to go to a picnic. On loose page 14Below on the album page is written: Boats going to picnic 1928.picnic, lhlg, sailors, seamen, yarra river, ship, melbourne, 1928, fan album, john reginald weller (1880-1969)

fan album, 1928

On page 14 (cut page from fan album)1928, picnic, motor boat, cup day, fan album

on page 141928, life on board, fan album

on page 14anzac, success, port melbourne, 1928, fan album

on page 14ss anchises, 1928, port melbourne, fan album

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 page 13 (has been cut)mr john inerrarity buchan, finhaven, studley park, kew, cup day, 1928, fan album

This journal provides the reader with glimpses of the adventures and hardships of a seaman's life. Many of the stories are of sailing ships.Contributes to our knowledge of the importance of shipping and places on record those stories of the sea which would otherwise be lost.The foreword is written by the Hon. Sir Arthur Warner then Minister for Transportsailing ships, steamships, shipping, seafaring life, shiplovers' society of victoria, dog watch

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

Wednesday 26 December 1906: Mrs Audrey Bowen received over 70 sailors on her property. According to the article published in The Standard (5 January 1907): "On Boxing Day a most enjoyable time was spent at "Findon," by the kindness of Mrs. Aubrey Bowen and the trustees. During the afternoon Mrs Bowen drove on to the ground and was received with hearty cheers by over 70 sailors. A game of football and races filled up the time only too rapidly, and the party returned to the tea a the Institute." Another outing at Findon was organised for Boxing Day in 1907, this time 125 men took part to the party.Group of seamen standing and sitting in front of house.findon, boxing day, mrs audrey bowen, football, races, seamen's institute, lhlg, kew, sports, tea, ladies harbour lights guild, mansion, anne treverton goldsmith (nee lobb, picnics

Seafarers compete in 3-legged race at the zooSmall monochrome outdoor photograph, depicting seamen playing three legged race.zoo, 1907, race, picnic, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, sailors, seamen, sports, games, 3-legged race, anne treverton goldsmith (nee lobb

Seafarers and LHLG members photographed during their zoo outing on New year's day, 1907Small monochrome outdoor photograph, depicting a large gathering of men and women grouped in a rough semi-circle, quite formally dressed, posing to be photographedzoo, 1907, mr dudley le souef, picnic, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, sailors, seamen, seafarers, gardens, parks, new year, umbrella