Captain Charles Ferguson was born in Scotland in 1813. He was the Master of the "Rajah" from 1838 to 1850 on voyages from England to Australia and vice versa. He became the First Chief Harbour Master for the port of Melbourne in 1852 after being the first Harbour Master and Water Police Officer in Geelong for 12 months. On the 5th of April 1841, the Rajah sailed with James Donovan M.D. as Surgeon Superintendent, and the Rajah sailed from Woolwich with 180 female convicts. The Rajah arrived on the 19th of July in Hobart, with 179 females (one died during the voyage) and 10 children. Miss Kezia Elizabeth Hayter was the matron on board. On page 28 of the "Sailing directions for Port Phillip, in the colony of Victoria including the ports of Melbourne and Geelong", a mention is made of the Mariner's Hospital and Floating Church soon to be established. There were discussions to built the hospital in Williamstown but instead the Government decided to build it in Melbourne. The Harbour Master and a commiittee decided to use the water police hulk, Emily, left unsold in 1856, to create a floating church: the Bethel was open in July 1857 with Reverend Kerr Johnston as Chaplain. Latrobe wrote a letter to Captain Cole in 1869, a few months after learning his death : "To Captain George Ward Cole † [from a draft in another’s hand] Clapham House, Lewes, Sussex, January 28th, 1869. My dear Captain Cole, Last mail will have taken out the sad intelligence of the death of our excellent old friend, Captain Ferguson. This will have been a terrible blow to his children and to his friends in the colony, who may have held reason to expect his early return to his home, with a not unreasonable prospect of ultimate restoration to health and activity. In the course of last October I went up to town with one of my children, mainly with the purpose of finding my way to Pinner, where he and Mrs. Ferguson were staying with an intimate friend. I found him in excellent health and spirits, and enjoying the prospect of a speeding resumption of the service to which he had devoted his best days, and upon the furtherance of which his entire energy was still directed. A week or two later Captain and Mrs. Ferguson went to Dover for change of air, and being still under the impression received from the advisers by whom they had been guided during their residence at a hydropathic establishment at Matlock, felt encouraged to plan almost immediate return to the colony by the Jerusalem early in December. However, certain misgivings in the mind of a medical gentleman, then in England, under whose care Captain Ferguson had at one time placed himself in Williamtown, led them to consider it judicious before departure to take the advice of some surgeon of eminence in London. Accordingly they came up to town at the close of November. The first London practitioners they consulted shook their heads, and advised consultation with Sir Wm. Ferguson. The result was that amputation, without loss of time, was pronounced necessary. The rest is soon told. He received the painful intelligence with calmness and full resignation to God's will, and underwent the operation at King's College Hospital with exemplary firmness and Courage on the 28th of November. Perfect success seemingly attended it, and there seemed, humanly speaking, to be every prospect of a prompt cure and early convalescence; everything seemed in his favour. A few days later, however, all was clouded by symptoms of hospital fever (pyoe æm ia). This resisted all control, and finally carried him off on the 27th of December, just one month after the operation. He had lived a Christian life, and his death was the peaceful and resigned death of a Christian. It was a melancholy satisfaction to me to be able to join a few friends in following his remains to their resting place in one of the outlying London cemeteries on the last day of the year. You know Mrs Ferguson well, and will be prepared to hear me say that her whole conduct and demeanour throughout this period of suspense and bitter trial has been worthy of her high character and steadfast principle. Come what will, and happen what may, I have the fullest conviction that neither the widow nor the children will be forsaken, however doubtful and clouded the future may appear, in consequence of the irreparable loss which, they have sustained. And now, dear Captain Cole, it is possible that you may already have heard all this from other sources, but I have dictated it to you under strong impulse, for I feel assured that there is no member of the community in which you live who will more sincerely deplore the loss of Captain Ferguson on private grounds; at the same time that there is no one who, from long acquaintance with his official character and services, will be in a better position to estimate their real value or the loss which the colony has sustained. The circumstances in which Captain Ferguson's family are left not only demands the utmost display of sympathy and interest on the part of friends, but may call for decided and prompt action; therefore I cannot rest satisfied without discharging what I consider my duty, and seeking to strengthen your hands as far as I may in bringing the character of his long services before the existing colonial authorities. Of his private career previous to his entering the service of the Colonial Government in 1851 nothing need be said. Captain Ferguson was appointed as the Harbour Master at Geelong in April, 1851 – a few months before the separation of the colony from New South Wales. He there did excellent service in a variety of ways calculated to advance the interests of the port, and to introduce www.latrobesociety.org.au 27 order, where, from circumstances, but little order had hitherto prevailed. His was the first appointment of this class in that locality. The separation of the colony from New South Wales took place in the month of July following. Shortly after, the late Captain Bunbury resigned the Harbour Mastership of Port Phillip. Captain Ferguson was at once (February, 1852) appointed to succeed him, and from that time performed all duties of Chief Harbour Master of the colony. The previous year (May 1851) the first gold discoveries in New South Wales had taken place, and in the month of August those of our colony followed. At the time of Captain Ferguson’s taking charge of the Port of Melbourne their influence had begun to be fully felt, and in no department more seriously than in that of the Harbour Master. This is no place for statistical details, but they must bear me out in reminding you of a few facts connected with our late friend’s career. At the time of separation that department comprised only 30 individuals of all ranks, and when he took charge the number was much reduced. There were at that time, according to the returns, no fewer than 54 vessels, registering 26,785 tons, in Hobson’s Bay alone. The crews on arrival numbered 1,235 men. Of this number only 463 remained on board, 500 having deserted, and the rest having been discharged by arrangement or pure necessity. For the first six months after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office as Harbour Master the duties of Police Magistrate and Chief of the Water Police were superadded, and how much labour they involved may be surmised from the fact that from 1st of April to the 31st July, 1852, four months only, no less than 236 marine cases were brought before the bench at Williamstown - sometimes as many as 30 in a day. A year later (March 1853) the returns show that the number of vessels in the harbour in Hobson’s Bay alone were 91, tonnage 43,754; and passing on to the still later returns of May, 1853, two years after Captain Ferguson’s assumption of office, we find from the records that the number of ships in port had increased to 129; tonnage, 63,292; crew on board on arrival, 2872, and at the date of report, 1628; the amount of desertions at that time having, however, proportionally diminished, in consequence of the abatement of the gold fever, caused by the non-success attendant upon the labours of thousands at the goldfields. The above numbers take no account of the large number of vessels and amount of tonnage lying at the wharves at Melbourne or elsewhere. From these figures alone it may be judged what must have been a struggle in which the Chief Harbour Master was engaged from the very outset to secure order, and answer the innumerable calls on every branch of his department, at the same time that there was for many months an almost complete impossibility of securing subordinate agency, such as boatmen, pilots, and police, at any price. But I may bear witness to the untiring diligence, energy, and self-devotion with which Captain Ferguson grappled with the difficulties of his position, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles which stood in his way. Ashore and afloat he was always ready, showing the same directness of purpose, intelligence, and forgetfulness of self. He shunned no responsibility, and turned his hand from no work, whether within or beyond the ordinary scope of his duty, which the hard necessity of the times forced the Government to bring under his notice. Already in 1852, when the overflowing of our gaol and stockade rendered the adoption of other methods of restraint absolutely necessary, and addition to the existing buildings could not be thought of, it was Captain Ferguson who first suggested the employment of hulks; and it was with his personal assistance and supervision, and under his unflagging energy, that the three first of these – the Success, the President, and the Sacramento – were purchased, fitted up, and made available for the purpose in view, and the rules and regulations for the employment and safety of the men afloat and ashore prescribed and carried out. He carried the same energy into every branch of his department, and his influence was soon apparent. His subordinates of every class became actuated by his spirit. As time moved on, the range of his duties, both ordinary and extraordinary, increased. In the formation of the quarantine station at the heads, in the management if not the erection of lighthouses, sailing directions, port and wharf regulations, buoys, signal stations, www.latrobesociety.org.au 28 steam dredging &c., he was the main and most active agent. The whole pilot establishment and regulations, men, and vessels, were under his charge; and when I left the colony in May, 1854, the entire range of ports outside Port Phillip Heads from Point Lonsdale to Portland, as well as that of Geelong had felt the influence of his intelligent supervision and care. The entire department of Chief Harbour Master, which I have numbered at the period of separation about thirty individuals, then numbered 230. The character of Captain Ferguson’s unbroken service during the fourteen years which have elapsed since I left the colony must be well known to the Government and the people he has served so long and so faithfully. I confine myself to recalling to mind those earlier, and what must have been the hardest and most difficult, period – none can know how difficult but those who were in that fierce struggle for the maintenance of order under so many disadvantages; and on this subject I have spoken advisedly and with reason, for I may truly say he worked under my own eye. I had sincere regard for the man, and just pride in the qualities of his heart, head, and hand. Whatever mistakes may have been made by the Government of the colony in those hard and difficult times (and I am quite ready to admit that there were many, especially if the past is to be judged by the light of the present), I never have hesitated in believing that, in appointing Captain Ferguson to the office he has so long filled, it was the right man in the right place. I shall be heartily rejoiced to find that the Government and inhabitants of the colony admit that this has been the case, and to learn that they have not forgotten the strong claims of one who has served them so long and so faithfully, and who, removed by God’s providence, so to say, in the maturity of his powers, has left a widow and young family behind him. I have done, I leave you to make use of this communication, or any portion of it, which you may think judicious and called for. There may be among Ferguson’s friends those who may not be sorry to be reminded of facts. By-the-bye, I may mention as a proof how completely Captain Ferguson’s mind was engrossed by devotion to his public duty, that while in Dover, only ten days before the operation, he took an opportunity to drag himself up into the lantern of the S. Foreland Lighthouse, and made a most careful scrutiny of the whole apparatus and arrangement, with a view of the adoption of any hint for the perfection of those under his charge in the colony. And now, goodbye. I trust this will find you in good health, and in comparative vigour. Believe me ever, dear Captain Cole, Yours very truly, C. J. La Trobe"The attempt for a floating church was made as early as 1853 following similar examples in London like the Seamen's Hospital. Captain Ferguson was instrumental in the foundation of the Bethel Church.Digital copies of the 37 pages ; 22 cm.1854, hobsons bay, geelong, melbourne, williamstown, sandridge, mariner's hospital, floating church, seamen's hospital, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), kezia elizabeth hayter (1818-1885), rajah quilt, prison hulks, water police, harbour master, harbor master, gaols

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of 28 representatives of notable island families taken at a gathering at Erehwon in May 1942 Back row: L to R - G Smith, W E Thompson, S J McFee, R McIlwraith, W Evans, D Justice, Mrs P McFee, P McFee, Mrs J Bell, W Walton, Mrs A Churchill. Centre - Mrs J Spavin, W J Kennon, G Lock, F Piggott, A D Hardy, Mrs W Findlay, J Jansson, H West. Front row: Mrs H Bennall, Mrs E Matthews, Mrs Blamey, Mrs C West, Mrs Watson nee McGregor, Mrs Hardy, Miss M Evans, Mrs D Justice, C McGregor.local history, photography, photographs, centenary gathering at erehwon, black & white photograph, centenary celebrations, notable families, john jenner, bryant west

Photograph of 1927-28 C Team premiershipOther names may be J Munro, Harry Lever, N Lever, Stan Coopermurrumbeena, murrumbeena cricket club, cricket, cricket clubs, cricketers, jack ridgeway, ray harper, g hobart, j mills, p george, peter robertson, alf sanday, fred whelan, t j riley, wally gray, jim watson

In the Jottings Midwinter 1928: " We have had a splendidement addition in the Apprentices' Room (Level 1) - a beautiful polistes oak writing table with a glass top. It is large enough for two people to write letters at the same time, and is the lift of the Misses Breaks, in memory of their mother." Alice Jobson was born in 1856 Alice, born at St. John’s Westminster, England. On the 23rd. May, 1876 she married James Lennox Breaks at Holy Trinity Church of England at Williamstown, Victoria. James Breaks was born c.1848 in Portsmouth, England. At age 22, he sailed on the maidden voyage of the HMVS Cerberus from England to Australia via the Suez Canal. He was one of the 3 junior engineers. James and Alice Breaks had two daughters – Louise Amy born at Williamstown in 1877 and Alice Maud born at Williamstown in 1879. James remained associated with the Cerberus until his death. On the 6th. February, 1919, James Lenox Breaks, “Engineer Commander R.A.N.”, died at 34 The Strand, Williamstown from Chronic nephritis and Cardiac failure. James, aged 70 years at the time of his death, was buried in the Williamstown Cemetery. In 1920, Alice donated the model of the Cerberus made by James, to the Melbourne Museum. Alice Breaks passed away on the 31st of May 1927 in her 71st year.The Breaks were a locals of Williamstown. James Breaks was Engineedr-Commander on the HMS Cerberus and Mrs Breaks and their daughters (Maud and Louise) were all volunteering at the Williamstown Mission.Wooden table with two drawers and plaque on the top.On the plaque: In memory of / Alice Breaks / Mother to many a sailor lad / Far from his native home / Whose praise is in the seven seasmaude breaks, louise (lulu) amy breaks, alice breaks nee jobson, ladies harbour lights guild, williamstown, hms cerberus, james l. breaks

Kate Oliver is the granddaughter of Padre Oliver, and daughter of Rodney Oliver and chose to launch a self published album of children's songs at the Mission on 26 May 2019. She has also provided us with additional information and images of Moira Oliver, her grandmother, a keen photographer.Rev Frank Oliver served at the Mission as senior Chaplain from 1930-1960. Rev Rodney Oliver, his son, served on the MTS board in the late 20th C./21st C. Kate Oliver is his daughter.Album of songs for children released in 2018 the launching took place at the Mission on 26 May 2019.kate oliver, passing clouds, children, wellbeing, frank oliver, rodney oliver, events, concerts, hiring events, padre oliver, reverend frank leslie oliver, moira bird oliver, john rodney oliver, cultural events, padre frank leslie oliver, mindfullness, 2019

Mrs Geo Higgins was Beatrice Elizabeth Shuter, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Shuter. The plaque to Cecil De la mare Goldsmith who died in 1917 may have been added at a later date.st peter chapel, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), george higgins (c.1860-1943), orchard house, cecil de la mare goldsmith (1862-1917), gifts-1917

The "letters to Lillie" show the international nature of the Mission to Seafarers. They are an important display of the handwriting style of the time, revealing courting attempts and give us an insight into life in 1925. Page 1 S/S City of Norwich Port Said My Dear Old Lillie, Well, I never got so much of a shock in my life, when your postcard turned up 2 days before my birthday, wishing me many happy returns, for which I thank you sincerely, and am sorry to say I had forgotten yours, or being very quiet about your various qualities, you would not tell me. Well to get on with the news, the next day I had a telegram to report at the Line head office, on the 15th Aug. early, imagine how I swore, as a little do was to [be] held at night, they immediately shored me on this ship S/S City of Norwich to go to Port Said, then join the City of Corinth bound for Boston & New-York so I may come out to “little Aussie” again from there with a little luck, any way we ought to be in New-York about the 19th Sept to stay a month, I will write you more in detail from there, if you feel inclined and have forgiven me for being so long about answering your last letter, could you write to S/S City of Corinth, C/o Norton Lilly & Co, New-York. U.S.A. I would jump like L”l Page 2 how is the cow milking going on, but still that joke is as unfair as the small joke about my age now, both afflictions being cured by now I hope. Well really I am no letter writer and can find very little to interest you on paper Lillie, and my photo, I hate being taken as much as you, but will do my best, if you can wait a little please, hoping you are getting one that awfully exciting week with the mission as you call it. You must be A.1 actresses to amuse such a motley crew. Hoping you are all well at home, give Mr & Mrs Duncan my kind regards, sending my best love to you dear. Hoping you will recognize me if I can come along. with tons of love, Howard. P.S. I hope to be a little more sophisticated when I come next time [-] you may be able to tell me. Lillie Duncan was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild and this letter forms part of a collection of letters sent to her by different seafarers.Letter addressed to Miss L Duncan, 11 Paxton St, East Malvern, Melbourne, Australia from Howard in three parts: Part 1.1 (0007.1) Envelope Part 1.2 (0007.2) First page of letter Part 1.3 (0007.3) Second page of letter The pages, as is the envelope, are a creamy yellow colour with black cursive writing on one side of the page. Page 1 of the letter begins with the salutation "My Dear Old Lillie...". Page 2 of the letter concludes with "...you may be able to tell me".The envelope is torn across the top for access to its contents. It has two stamps on the top right hand corner both with the text "Port Said 23AU25.4.5P".lillie duncan, howard, port said, lhlg, ss city of norwich

This document reveals the way in which Mission to Seafarers grew in response to demand. With increased shipping to Australia for all purposes, the need for the then existing Mission to grow to be conveniently located and to accommodate seafarers became increasingly evident. This document also shows the formal nature of documents and petitions in the 1890s and documents the names of twenty-two contemporaneous ships and their respective captains. The Anna, Dharwar and Mermerus arrived in port at the end of July 1897. The Carmanina arrived on the 21 October 1897. The Loch Katrine, at the end of the list, arrived on 5 November 1897. The letter was published in the Argus, 22 December 1897: "APPEAL FOR SEAMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS. Sir, I beg that in the interests of the Victorian Seamen's Mission you will be kind enough to publish the appended testimony of the ship masters who for many years have been trading to this port, and therefore have had many opportunities of judging the effects of his work. The mission has much need of monetary assistance, and, should any of your numenous leaders deem it worthy of support, the committee would feel most grateful for any help that may be given in this direction. It has been the pleasure of the committee as far as possible to supply the crews of all outward bound steamers and sailing vessels with literature for their use on the voyage. My former appeals through your columns for leading matter have always been liberally responded to, and I trust that should any of our booksellers have any surplus stock of periodicals, religious and secular, illustrated or otherwise, at the end of the year, they will kindly remember the Victorian Seamen's Mission and the sailors. Private individuals also who may have stacks of literature by them, if they would kindly send some to the Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, would cause the cheering of many a dark and lonely hour in the seamen's life. From 900 to 1.200 parcels have hitherto been given to the sailors and firemen annually by this mission, and we should be extremely grateful to those who would place us in a position to continue such donations in the future. Yours, &c. , E. JAMES, Chaplain to the Mission. Seamen's Institute, Beach street, Port Melbourne, Dec. 10." -------------------------------------------------- "To the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, Melbourne. "Ladies and Gentleman, "We, the undersigned captains of several ships now lying at the Melbourne wharves think it most desirable that the Victorian Seamen's Mission, being the mission that has for so many years shown a most part their interest in the spiritual, moral, and social well-being of the seamen of all nationalities, shall him on the banks of the Yarra an institute such as that at Port Melbourne, where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings. At almost every other seaport in the world such institutions are being provided for seamen, and we are satisfied from our opinion of the Melbourne public that the matter needs only to be prominently brought under their notice to be accomplished. We are confident that the good work of the mission is being hampered by its not having such a place near the shipping at the Melbourne wharves. Our crews are at present placed at a great dis advantage through not having an institute more convenient to the scene of their labours than that at Port Melbourne, which, on a very wet or a very hot, is not easily reached. If a site could be obtained immediately above the Gasworks but on the other side of Flinders street extension, that is to say, on the lower part of the land on which the Harbour Trust offices are built, it would be most convenient for the shipping on both the north and south side of the river. Trusting that it may be possible to do some thing to meet this long felt want, We suscribe ourselves, Yours respectfully, Geo.H Steven, master ship Dharwar; Thos. Curd, master ship Narcissus; James Horne, master ship Loch Garry; T.Tait, master ship Loch Ryan; T. Nilsen, master ship Hebe; G. Ch Christian, master ship Anna; R.E. Peasley, master ship Seminole; Wm. Martin, master ship Loch Ness; T.C. Martin, master ship Loch Tay; W.H. Bennett, master ship Loch Vennachar; J. Raglan Brodie, master s.s. Warrnambool; James E. Coles, master ship Mermerus; J. H. Walker, master ship Hinemoa; R.J. Johns, master ship Ariel; D. Gorchem (sic. Gerckens), master ship Matador; H. Petersen, master ship Nesaia; Wm. J. Reid, master s.s. Star of New Zealand; A. F. Svhanstrom, master ship Hermes; Alex. Smith, master ship Sophocles; W. Y. Bunn, master ship Carmanian; William Anderson, master ship Loch Katrine."This petition is historically significant as it is documentary evidence of the need for a new facility for seafarers signed and presented by the captains of 21 ships, including several of the sister ships of the Loch Ard. The need for a new facility was a result of changes in shipping and the use of the Melbourne ports in the 1890's and this document supported the pressure on the Harbour offices to finally release land for an appropriate building in the early 20th C.Mounted hand-written petition to the Executive Committee of the Victorian Seaman's Mission Melbourne. The letter petitions the Executive Committee to create a facility on the wharves, "where sailors of every grade could profitably and pleasantly spend their evenings." This portion of the letter takes up three quarters of the document. The remainder has two lists, one of twelve captain's signatures and the other of the names of their ships. The list is continued on the reverse side with an additional nine signatures and corresponding ship names.In cursive handwriting: To The Executive Committee of the Victorian Seamans Mission', / Melbourne / Ladies and Gentlemen / we the undersigned captains....... We subscribe / ourselves respectfully, Captain signatures and names of ships ( NB Ship names in upper case for this entry ): Geo H. Stevens - DHARWAR / Thomas Curd - NARCISSUS; / James Horn - LOCH GARRY / T.Tait - LOCH RYAN ; / T.NIlsen - Hebe ; / G.C. Christians - ANNA ;/ R E Peasley - SEMIOLE ; / William Martin - LOCH NESS ; / T C Martin - LOCH TAY;/ W H Bennett - LOCH VENNUACHAR; / RJ Raglan Brodie - SS WARRNAMBOOL; ; / James E. Coles - MERMERUS; / ( signatures continue overleaf) J H Walker - HINEMORA ; / R J Johns - ARIEL; / D Gorchem - MATADOR; / H Petersen - NESAIA;/ William J Reid - STAR of N. ZELAND [sic] ; / TJ Sohanstrom - HERMES;/ Alex Smith - SOPHOCLES; / W Y Bunn - CARMANIAN;./ William Anderson - LOCH KATRINE;/ Handwritten in red ink on the front of the parchment: "8182" NB The second digit in the number sequence appears to have been written over and could also be a "9", an "8" or a "3". paper Watermark "HERCULES". Prior to conservation and taped to the glass on the reverse side of the parchment was a small piece of paper reading: "Letter written in 1897 and signed between the last week of October and the first week of November." T and C probably stands for Trade and Customs and 8382 is the file no." (H8.4 x W11.8)victoria, melbourne, ships, petition, australia-wharf, captains, signatures, 717-flinders-street-docklands, maritime welfare services, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, mermerus, captain coles, sir john coode, loch line, loch ness, loch gary, loch ryan, ss warrnambool, loch tay, loch vennachar, matador, nesaia, d. gerckens, h. petersen, a.f. svhanstrom, hermes, ariel, loch katrine, william anderson, dharwar, narcissus, hebe, anna, hinemoa, sophocles, carmanian, captains' petition

This organ was gifted by the Bethel Community in 1890 to the then Victorian Seamen's Mission, originally founded by the Bethel Union in 1857. The gift was intended to assist with worship. Despite all appearance, this organ is not a pipe organ but a reed organ that works in a similar manner to an accordion. In May 1890, the sum of seventy pounds was put towards the purchase of the organ. The sum being raised via subscriptions. The organ was inaugurated in September 1890. Jabez Carnegie (1832-1892), importer of piano and organs in Melbourne, had made a trip to Europe and Canada in 1887 and had secured the agency of Bell organs. W. Bell & Co were a Canadian organ and piano manufacturer, considered the premier organ manufacturer of the time. W Bell & Co changed its name to Bell Organ and Piano Co in 1888 meaning this organ had to be manufactured prior to the name change. The organ was first used in the mission main room from 1890 to 1915 when the St Nicholas chapel was built at the back (see item 0548. It was transfered to the new Port Melbourne mission in 1937 (link on postcard from State Library Victoria). In 1972, it was transferred to the Holy Trinity Church in Bay Street after the closure of the Mission In the late 1980s during a National Trust campaign to save the building, the organ was sold by the Anglican Men's Society to the Trust's organ committee, who carried out some restoration work and returned it to the former Missions to Seamen chapel. In 1991 the Office of Major Projects had control of the whole 'Bayside' development site. With the Mission to Seamen Building emptied and proposed for demolition, the Office of Major Projects removed the organ and placed it in storage in various locations - finally, in the Museum of Victoria store in Abbotsford. In 1995-6, enquiries by Jim Hillis resulted in the return of the organ to the control of the Port Melbourne HIstorical & Preservation Society. As the Society had no suitable location for the organ, several churches and schools in Port Melbourne were approached to take the organ with no results. The nearby suburbs were suggested next. Finally the Melbourne Maritime Museum (Polly Woodside) was approached and agreed to place it in their Museum on a long term loan. In 1997 it was on display in no 5 shed South Wharf (23/3/1997). In 2006, the Polly Woodside South Wharf site was to be re-developed, and they could no longer retain the organ. Accordingly, on 4 May 2006, the organ was transferred to the Mission To Seafarers building in Flinders Street Extension as an indefinite loan (refer OL 022) The PMHPS deaccessioned it to finally transfered it in 2018 to MTSV.(See also acquisition details re 21st C finalisation of acquisition) This organ is a tangible reminder of the longevity of the Mission to Seafarers, a link with the original Bethel Union which was instrumental in 1856 calling a public meeting and inviting subscriptions by various non-conformist churches to found a mission to Seamen. Rev Kerr-Johnson delivered the first service in 1857 aboard the Emily. The Mission to Seafarers has been in operation ever since and continues to operate to the same purpose today.Large reed organ that looks like a pipe organ with fifteen elaborately painted pipes bearing a floral motif. The body of the organ is elaborately decorated in carved wood. It has 17 knobs above the keyboard both which can be concealed when the keyboard cover is lowered. There are two foot pedals at the bottom of the organ with "Mouse Proof Pedals" cast into the framing iron. list of stop names: Viola 4Ft Diapason 8Ft Dolce 4Ft Violetta 2Ft Sub Bass 16 Ft Octave Coupler Vox Humana Forte Picciolo 2Ft Hautboy 8Ft Aeoline 8Ft Cremona 16Ft E---bone 16Ft Echo 8Ft Celeste 8Ft Melodia 8Ft Flute 4FtMaker's mark in gold lettering above keyboard: W. Bell & Co Brass plaque on front board: Presented to/The Victorian Seamen's Mission/by/Congregation worshipping in Bethel/& friends./1st September 1890 Behind the stops a wooden plaque: J. CARNEGIE & SONS, SOLE AGENTS FOR VICTORIA MELBOURNE organ, worship, bethel, pipes, reed, bethel union, pipe top, jabez carnegie, w. bell & co, port melbourne, mission to seafarers, seamens' mission, mission to seamen, guelph, ontario, canada, pmhps, polly woodside, harmonium, reed organ

The register is a record of the weddings that took place at the Mission to Seafarers church district in 1916. Each register is a legal contract, with all the information needed to legalise a marriage under Australian law. The last four pages of the register are consent forms.The register documents the weddings that took place at the Mission to Seafarers church in 1916.On the front cover, in the pink square, typed in black ink: OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT STATIST 1916 / NOTE /THIS BOOK OF MARRIAGE FORMS IS DEEMED SUFFICIENT FOR THE CELEBRATION OF AT LEAST 25 MARRIAGES, AND CONTAINS:- / 30 MARRIAGE INFORMATION PAPERS (FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSURING ACCURATE INFORMATION BEFORE TRANSCRIPTION INTO THE MARRIAGE REGISTER, AND OF SAVING TIME AT THE CEREMONY) / 5 CONSENT FORMS (FOR MARRIAGES OF MINORS); / 10 QUARTERLY SUMMERIES (WHICH MAY ALSO BE USED AS WRAPPERS FOR QUARTERLY RETURNS, &C.) / THIS BOOK IS TO BE REGARDED AS CHURCH PROPERTY, AND / IS TO BE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE CLERGYMAN OFFICIATING FOR THE / TIME BEING AT THE PARISH OF DISTRICT CHURCH. / 17595.register, wedding, marriage, marriages, mission to seafarers, dio-marriages, 1916

Photographs sourced by Rosie Bray from a descendant of the Whittingham family. a: Walter S Whittingham and wife Elsie (called Lily); b: Elsie and Eric Whittingham on wedding day; c: Whittingham family, not identified; d: Trinnie Di Giacomo (nee Whittingham) May 2014; e and f: Irene Taylor (Whittingham descendant); g: Ship "Ivanhoe" owned by Whittingham family (painting held by family member).Envelope containing 9 col. photographs of members of the Whittingham familywhittingham family

A study of the Labor government in Australia from December 1972 to May 1974447 p.australia - politics and government, australian labor party

Copy of text of the Petition to the Governor of Victoria, C. J. La Trobe, from 'Ladies resident on Plenty River' requesting protection from bushrangers, 5 May 1842, with list of petitioners.Indicates dangers of living in the remote location of Plenty River in 1842 and lists women living in the area.2p. col. printed 2 sidesplenty river, bushrangers, petitions

Studio portrait of unidentified male, taken circa 1882. From the Partington collection. [Note: In the Hobart Mercury 11 May 1882, page 3… Portraits: Secure the shadow ere the substance pass away. Persons desiring large life-like portraits; taken from life; or copied from any portrait; and finished in oil or water colours; Indian ink; or any other style known in the art; should go to C. W. and Co.; who are the only artist photographers (portrait painters) in Tasmania. The most perfect and highly finished card portraits. Only 7s. 6d. per dozen. Address: C. WHERRETT and CO. Melbourne Portrait Rooms. Elizabeth-street, Hobart.] Sepia studio portrait.In black pen on reverse "Mrs Partington Kindest regards WRC"partington family

Displayed in History HouseBlack and white photograph of crowd of people next to a pier. Ships in background. Pin trees and horse and buggy in foreground.Back: Opeining new pier C 13.2.1902/The Australian Squadron/off depwater pier, Portland./Pier 3.200 ft long/ 120ft wide./ "Gulf of Siam" loading at pier./Donated by Grace Capmbell (pen)./8 May 1978 (stamp)

'Box Cottage' is so named after the first recorded family to establish a house and market garden on the site in 1865. William and Elizabeth Box. After the death of Elizabeth Box in 1914 the house was leased to August Reitman a potter / sculptor who raised his family there 1917 - 1953. Stefanie Rennick nee Reitmann lived at the house until she left to study teaching. The Lewis Timber Company Ltd acquired the land with The Cottage c1970. The CMHS together with City of Moorabbin Council, a 150 Year Celebration Grant and assistance from Lewis Timber Merchants Pty Ltd reconstructed the original 'Box Cottage' on its present site May 1984. August Reitman 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878- 1942 raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006 and William 1920-1997 whilst living at the Box Cottage site. .August was a monumental mason and sculptor and was employed to carve war memorials in Victoria after WW1. He moved his business to Highett in 1953 but continued to use the cottage as a workshop until he sold the property to Lewis Timber P/L c 1970. . William and his descendants have continued the family business to the present day. August Reitman 1877-1951 and his wife Frieda 1878- 1942 raised 2 children Stefanie 1918-2006 and William 1920-1997 whilst living at the Box Cottage site. .August was a monumental mason and sculptor and was employed to carve war memorials in Victoria after WW1. He moved his business to Highett in 1953 but continued to use the cottage as a workshop until he sold the property to Lewis Timber P/L c 1970. . William and his descendants have continued the family business to the present day. Stefanie Rennick , a daughter of August and Frieda Reitman resided in Box Cottage 1918 - 1953.A colour photograph of Stefanie Rennick , nee Reitman 1918 - 2001, who spent her childhood living in Box Cottage.box william, box elisabeth, reitman august, reitman stefanie, reitman frieda, city of moorabbin council, lewis timber merchants pty ltd, pottery, sculpture, market gardens, pioneers, early settlers, dendy henry, box cottage museum, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, mckinnon, ormond, reitman william, rietmann

This brass slouch hat was hand made in France by 2203 LLB of the Australian Army Service Corps.The brass slouch hat is original and was presented by Geelong RSL to Alderman O C Hearne. A brass slouch hat, hand made.On the brim - made by 2203 LLB AASC AIF France May 12th 1918. 1914 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18. Underneath the fold of the hat - VSM, 80/44 Mk 11 A. On the hat - to Alderman O C Hearne, from Geelong Branch RS&SILA, the friend of the digger because he was the Diggers friendbrass, slouch hat, alderman o c hearne

Mrs Fraser was involved in many community groups and received recognition from many of them. Diamond Valley Little Athletics Centre was formed in May 1967 and by season's end had over 1300 little athletes competing.Presentation plaque on green wooden base. 'Diamond Valley L. A. C. 40th Anniversary - 28th April 2007. Presented to Shirley Fraser In recognition of the contribution made to the establishment of our centre.'shirley fraser, shirley black, diamond valley little athletics centre

This is a photocopy of a newspaper article entitled "By the skin of the teeth: a Grampians orchid rediscovery", written by "A. B. B.", published in the Melbourne newspaper "The Age" on 19 May 1930. It describes the rediscovery of the blue spiral sun-orchid in the Grampians by C.W. D'AltonA copy of a newspaper article entitled "By the skin of the teeth: a Grampians orchid rediscovery"."Flowers, cousin, C. W, D'Alton" written in blue pen at top of copy.media, newspaper articles

The main building and chalets were built by E. C. Mitchell of Stawell. He was given a 99 year lease by the shire to build his holiday house at the site of Borough Huts. David and May Mitchell took over ownership of the house and chalets. The women in the photo are May and Isabel Mitchell and the man is David Mitchell. The chalets were called "Flappers Roost", "Bower of Innocence" and "Last Resort". The two copies of the photo are taken from slight closer in and are not as clear and do not show the entire third chalet.The photo shows a collection of old buildings. Two women are standing in front of a car and a man is standing a short distance from them. A second car is parked between the main building and the huts. The building to the far right of the photo is painted in a cream colour and has a tin chimney. The other buildings are three small huts or chalets. Gum trees and a mountain range can be seen directly behind the buildings.buildings, houses

Source: La Trobe LibraryThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, warrandyte, gold mining

Reproduced on p21 of 'Pioneers & Painters' Mrs. R. Thornton notifies that she has taken over the Kangaroo Ground Hotel from Mr. Walker, and the house will be made attractive for weekenders, the table, wines, and spirits being A1 quality" - Advertiser 7 July, 1922" Mrs Ruby C. Thornton sold her interest in the Kangaroo Ground Hotel in September 1928 and moved away after seven years in the district. This photo is therefore dated between July 1922 and 1928. Other newspaper articles identify Mrs Thornton's first name. The lady to the left of frame appears to be taking a photograph of the car in front of the hotel. This may be Mrs Ruby Thornton taking a picture of her car in front of her hotel. A young boy with others standing near their horse and buggy look on. The property was destroyed by fire at 1.45 am on Friday 8 August 1930. The licensee was Mr Hugh Crichton who had taken over from Ruby Thornton. He and his wife just managed to escape the fire with nothing but their night attire. The property was owned by Mr Bruce Donaldson of Ivanhoe and had been erected over 60 years earlier (according to the Advertiser). In older times it was a famous hostelry at which Cobb & Co.’s coaches had a changing station on the journey from Alexandria to Melbourne.This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 120 format B&W negative Print 20 x 25 cm Print 9 x 12.5 cmshire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, kangaroo ground, kangaroo ground hotel, thornton, automobile, pioneers and painters, mrs ruby thornton, cobb and co, ford model t, horse drawn carriage, hotel

It is noted in the Reynolds Prior collection (Ivy Reynolds) as the first bridge in Eltham however given the current state of knowledge, this is considered unlikely and there is no other supporting source. John Hunter Langlands, owner of the farm known as ‘Ihurst’ on the west side of Diamond Creek to the south of John Wright Murray’s land, died in 1907. In 1909 his land was subdivided into 100 lots to become the ‘Glen Park Estate’. It is possible that the bidge may have crossed the Diamond Creek to Langland's land along the original alignment of Glen Park Road which used to run between present day Progress Road and Coleman Crescent. SEPP Source (c.1970): Mrs. E.R. Reynolds, Thompson Crescent, Research The Reynolds family were early settlers in Research. The Reynolds/ Prior collection of photographs were taken by Tom Prior, the maternal uncle of Ivy Reynolds, around 1900 and the 60 photos in the album give a fine overview of many of the landmarks of Research and Eltham over 100 years ago. lvy lived in the family home for many years at 106 Thompson Cres Research. Ivy's father, Ernst Richard Reynolds and grandfather, Richard Reynolds, lived at the same address. Ivy's father Richard worked for Mr. Trail on his property in Research. Reynolds Road is named after the family. Mr Tom Prior (wife Eva) worked at the Melbourne zoo. He was very innovative and made his own camera, using the black cloth hood to exclude the light. The photographs are a reminder of the rural nature of Research and Eltham and its rich heritage. This photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book,"Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as the 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital image 4 x 5 inch B&W Neg B&W printsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, langlands bridge, reynolds prior collection, bridge, john hunter langlands

Eltham Shire Councillor L. C. Docksey served on the Council from 1960-1966 and served as President twice. He returned to Council and was President when the first meeting took place in the brand new Eltham Shire Office building on 1 May 1965. One of a series of photos taken for the first council meeting held in the new Council ChamberThis photo forms part of a collection of photographs gathered by the Shire of Eltham for their centenary project book, "Pioneers and Painters: 100 years of the Shire of Eltham" by Alan Marshall (1971). The collection of over 500 images is held in partnership between Eltham District Historical Society and Yarra Plenty Regional Library (Eltham Library) and is now formally known as 'The Shire of Eltham Pioneers Photograph Collection.' It is significant in being the first community sourced collection representing the places and people of the Shire's first one hundred years.Digital imagesepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, shire president, council chamber, cr. l. docksey, eltham shire office, meeting