Located at 277-279 St Helena Road Saint Helena, Victoria. In 1841 Anthony Beale, born on the Island if St Helena took a pastoral lease on the Plenty River where he built a cottage, St Helena, which ultimately gave this area its name. Beale's wife Katherine Rose, nee Young died in 1856 and he erected "The rose Chapel" to her memory. After his death in 1865 the chapel was willed to the Church of England and consecrated in 1876. It was severely damaged by bushfire in 1957. It was fully restored and rededicated in November 1957. The bell calls parishoners to Sunday services is believed to a have come from the Island of St Helena. Source: Mr. A.E. Parsons, Pryor St., Eltham (Mrs. Glasgow - daughter)Statement of Significance Last updated on - October 10, 2005 St Helena's is a rare surviving example of a churchyard cemetery. It is of local historical significance because of its association with the local pioneering family, the Beales, and other notable citizens including Walter Withers and Graham Webster. The cemetery is also the oldest in the municipality, of State significance. The high level of maintenance and the rural ambience contribute to the overall significance of the site. St Katherine's Church building has been reconstructed and is of local historical interest, principally for its value in interpreting the original setting within the Cemetery. It contains stained glass windows of local historical significance, commemorating casualties of the Beale family in World War One. - Victorian Heritage Database 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"St Katharine's Church, St Helena, Victoria"sepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, other areas, st katherine's church, st helena

Situated near the top of what was known as 'Policeman's Hill' according to Miss Ivy Reynolds, neice of the photographer, Tom Prior. From the left, Eltham Court House, Police Residence and Police station on Main Road and corner of Brougham Street. These buildings formed part of Little Eltham and still stand (without the front fence) today though the Police Station was demolished in 1986 due to termite damage. A replica was built circa 1989. The institutions of law and order in Colonial Victoria included the police, courts and prisons. The 1852 report of the Snodgrass Select Committee appointed to "identify the policing needs of the colony” noted there existed seven independent police forces that did not co-operate or regularly communicate. Following the committee's report all these police entities were merged into the Victoria Police, founded on 8 January 1853, to implement law and order responsibilities throughout the Colony of Victoria. The Eltham Courthouse (1860) and adjacent Police Residence (1859) formed a justice precinct established in the immediate aftermath of the 1852 police inquiry and the effects of the gold rush. The physical presence of these buildings, in the centre of the early Eltham township, defined centralised control over law and order. In the early days the Police Constable in charge would conduct his duties travelling around the district by horse; a stable was located at the rear of the residence. At times the horse would be grazed on the paddocks across the road. Horseshoes were forged by the blacksmith beside the Courthouse on the high side of “Policeman’s Hill”. Along with the stable, there was a two-cell bluestone lockup where prisoners were held awaiting trial in the adjacent Courthouse. Their meals were usually provided by the policeman’s wife or from the hotel just up the road. With the arrival of the railway in 1902 the town centre gradually shifted towards the railway station. The Police Station and operations were moved into the town centre in 1961 to a renovated house in Pryor Street, which was later replaced by the current Police Station. From 1961-1981 the residence was occupied by the Vermin and Noxious Weeds Destruction Section of the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. Prior to August 1967 the former Police Station was dragged to the rear of Police Residence to make way for the construction of a driveway and access from Main Road. The building was placed on the site of a former Scullery and modified for Lands Department use. In 1981 the Shire of Eltham took over management of the former Police Residence in Eltham. It remained unoccupied for a period whilst its future was discussed in Council. It was then used for a community job creation scheme until 1985. In 1985 the Shire of Eltham Parks and Environment occupied the residence. Council improved the driveway but later added a second rear access from Brougham Street due to the dangerous nature of the Main Road entrance. Additionally, a rear toilet facility between the Police Residence and the relocated former Police Station, which was doubling up as a lunchroom. Council also commenced discussions to re-establish a replica Police Station. Around November 1986 the former Police Station was demolished; believed to have been suffering termite damage. About 1989, after some years of discussion, a replica Police Station was built, based on photographs, to act as a lunchroom and meeting room for the Parks and Environment staff and volunteers doing community service. In 1996 Eltham District Historical Society held discussions with Nillumbik Shire Council commissioners throughout the year regarding a home for the Society. A proposal was put forward by the Society in October to occupy the former Police Residence. In March 1997 Eltham District Historical Society gained access to former Police Residence and on July 12, 1998, moved into its Local History Centre. In July 2018, Eltham District Historical Society gained access to the replica Police Station (which had been used as a music library and storage for the Eltham Concert Band) for use as part of regular heritage tours for schools and community-based groups.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 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. 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.Digital imagechildren, court house, courthouse, eltham, eltham district historical society, eltham justice precinct, little eltham, local history centre, main road, police residence, police station, reynolds prior collection, sepp, shadow, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection

View looking up from near the Eltham Railway Trestle Bridge over what was to become the Eltham Common at Shillinglaw Cottage in its new location prior to restoration. The former Gahan house, seen in the background was demolished in 1968 when the Main Road was duplicated in this section. The Eltham Common was taken over with the construction of the new Eltham Library which opened in 1994.Shillinglaw Cottage is itself historically, aesthetically and socially significant to the Shire of Nillumbik and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database. 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 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 Negsepp, shire of eltham pioneers photograph collection, eltham, shillinglaw cottage, eltham shire office, gahan house, derril, gahan, george w. bell collection, houses, main road

Shillinglaw Cottage is itself historically, aesthetically and socially significant to the Shire of Nillumbik and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database. 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 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, eltham, shillinglaw cottage

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Two colour photographsactivities, bridge street, eltham, heritage excursion, main road

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographactivities, bridge street, eltham, heritage excursion, main road

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographactivities, heritage excursion, main road, burgoyne store, milk bar, shops

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographactivities, heritage excursion, main road, eltham, john street, cba bank

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographactivities, heritage excursion, main road, eltham, john street, uniting church

L-R: Phyllis McDonald, Dolly Smith, Russell Yeoman, Joyce McMahon, Opal Smith, Brian Smith, Lu Robertson, Jack Shallard [from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, main road, eltham, 150th anniversary monument, 20th anniversary, activities, eltham community centre, pitt street, plaques, time capsule

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, eltham community centre

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, main road, eltham hotel

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, main road, police residence

L-R: Doug Orford, Russell Yeoman [from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, doug orford, russell yeoman, eltham courthouse

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, eltham courthouse, opal smith, sue law

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, eltham, jarrold cottage, main road

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographheritage excursion, activities, montsalvat

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographeltham rsl sub-branch, main road

[from EDHS Newsletter No. 65, March, 1989:] ELTHAM HERITAGE WALK The Society's contribution to Heritage Week this year will be a guided walk around Eltham featuring a number of buildings and locations of historical and environmental interest. Three dates are listed as official Heritage Week events, Sundays 16th and 23rd April and Saturday 22nd. In addition, there will be a walk on Saturday 15th for Society Members. All walks will start at 1:00 p.m. in Panther Place near Shillinglaw Cottage. Each will take about four hours and the distance is about 5km. Old photos of locations visited will be available for viewing.Colour photographjohn street, main road, uniting church

Farmhouse built in the late 1800s by the Crozier Family. Subsequently owned by the Hill Family. Purchased in the early 1960s and by 1965 the property was owned by the Shire of Eltham. Employees of the Shire lived in the house. In 2006 the Shire of Nillumbik demolished the house which had been subject to extensive vandalism. In accordance with heritage advicde and a permit condition a sign was placed on the site outlining the history of the building. This was installed and remained in place till about 2016 when it was removed. The lands adjoins Alistair Knox Park. By 2010 the Eltham Skate Park was developed. In 2022 a major renovation and extension took place. Sources: EDHS Newsletter No 171 November 2006 and Google Street View. Digital file only; created from original colour positive slide transparencyeltham, streets, houses, susan street, alistair knox park, eltham skate park, russell yeoman collection, fc holden sedan

These photographs were taken just after the McKillop's Bridge was completed after the flood damage. The current McKillop’s Bridge was built by the Country Roads Board in two stages between 1931-36, during which its height was raised after the original bridge superstructure was washed away in record floods of January 1934, prior to its original official opening. In its reconstructed form the original concrete abutments were turned into additional piers and the welded-steel trusses were cantilevered back over them to meet the new higher road approaches. It is sited at McKillops Crossing, named after pioneer overlanding squatter George McKillop who crossed here in 1835. This was a stock crossing place for almost a century before the bridge was constructed. (info. from Victoria Heritage Register)This is a pictorial record of the history of McKillop's Bridge, in itself of historical significance for its association with Victoria's long and important pastoral history, its technicl significance and aesthetic significance.Three black / white photographs. 3133.1 shows the approach to a washed away bridge. 3133.2 is of a bridge over a river with men clearing debris. 3133.3 is a close-up showing the wreckage of the bridge.mckillop's-bridge snowy-river flood-damage-1934

A4 size wire-bound book compiled by Bryce RaworthINTRODUCTION: This heritage impact assessment (HIS) was prepared at the request of the City of Maroondah, the owner of the subject property at 1 Bedford Street (sic), Ringwood. It relates to a proposal to demolish the existing shop on the site and construct a multi-storey car park incorporating a commercial tenancy at the lower levels. It reviews the significance of the existing building on the site and the contribution it makes to the surrounding streetscapes, then comments on the heritage impacts of the proposed demolition in the context of the significance of the place and broader considerations. This office has previously provided an Historical Overview of the subject site (June 2020) and this assessment draws upon that previous research and analysis. The report has been prepared by Guy Murphy and Bryce Raworth. CONCLUSION: The proposed demolition of the former Blood Brothers Store at 1 Bedford Street (sic), Ringwood and the construction of a multi-storey car park on the enlarged site will result in the loss of some significance to the Heritage Overlay. The degree of loss is moderated by the partial intactness of the store, its modest character and the loss of its original setting, as well the proposal to implement a heritage interpretation strategy for the site. When considered in the context of the broader range of urban planning considerations and broader net community benefit, the proposed development is supported with respect to heritage impacts.

This oar is from the Lifeboat Warrnambool, which is on sit at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later, 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by the Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was foreman boat builder. Mr Beagley built the lifeboat with his fellow workmen. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature was on the plaque that was found concealed in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. His signature and the dates of the start and finish of the boat’s construction are pencilled on the raw timber 'plaque' found in the hull in the early 1990’s when the lifeboat was being restored. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is quite possibly the business of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in early 1900's. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares, and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990 she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The oar is significant for its association with the lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL, which is significant for its half century service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel. She was also used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Large wooden oar, shaped two handgrip with tapering shaft to large flattened blade, (2) copper reinforcing strips on blade. Sweep oar is from the Lifeboat Warrnambool. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, oar, lifeboat warrnambool, sweep oar

This round, stained glass window, titled "Christ Showing the Helmsman the Way", was installed in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The window was referred to as the Sanctuary Window and was installed in the chapel above the altar. This memorial window has significance as a part of Victoria's War Heritage and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database. The window was donated to St Nicholas Seamen’s Church as a memorial to the members of the Merchant Navy whose lives were lost in the Second World War, 1939-1945. The donor was the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary, an independent ladies association working with the Williamstown Missions to Seamen (the Missions to Seamen organisation was re-named the Mission to Seafarers in the year 2000). The window was officially dedicated on December 14, 1947 by Geelong's Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. J.D. McKie. In the early months of 1948 a bronze plaque was also placed in the chapel above the altar. It recognises the lost souls of the Merchant Navy during World War 2, as well as the donor of the window, the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary. The inscription impressed on the rectangular bronze plaque, 20.4 x 10.2cm, is as follows: “IN MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MERCHANT NAVY WHO WERE LOST IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. THE WINDOW ABOVE THE ALTAR WAS ERECTED BY THE WILLIAMSTOWN LIGHTKEEPERS AUXILIARY 1947.” The Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church ceased operation in 1966. In 1979 the Victoria Missions to Seamen donated this round, stained glass window and the memorial plaque to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, along with many other items and furnishings. These items have been used to simulate the Williamstown Mission and Chapel as much as possible. The round space that formerly displayed the window can still be seen at the back of the old St Nicholas Seamen’s Church, previously the ES&A bank, in Williamstown. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This stained glass window is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It was donated to the Mission by the Lightkeepers Auxiliary (Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, which was formed in 1905). The Missions to Seamen organisation had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson’s Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. The connection of this window the Mission to Seamen and the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. This memorial window has significant as a part of Victoria's War Heritage and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, Heritage Number 196973.Window, stained glass, circular, with reinforcing bars. The window represents Christ showing the helmsman the way. It shows a man in blue knitted jumper holding onto a ship's wheel, looking over his right shoulder. Behind him stands a man in a white robe pointing to his right and looking to his left, his left hand gesturing to pause. The background has various shapes and patterns of blue glass, bordered by two arcs, the outer one is white, the inner one is red. This beautiful window is in our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection and was brought to Warrnambool from the original St Nicholas Seamen’s Church in Williamstown. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, lightkeepers auxiliary, ladies harbour light guild, 139 nelson place williamstown, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, e. s. & a. bank williamstown, christ directing a sailor, christ showing the helmsman the way, quartermaster’s hand on the wheel, stained glass window, church window, religious window, sanctuary window, memorial window, war memorial window, victorian war heritage inventory, victorian heritage database, merchant navy ww2, 1939-1945, anglican church, bishop mckie, mrs musther, brooks robinson & co, flying angel club, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary, ladies' harbour lights guild, commemorative window

The Andrew Ross Museum was offically opened on 27th March 1993 as part of heritage week. A book launch of "Reminscences of Andrew Ross" was also launched. A set of photographs taken illustrate the displays in place at the time.Colour photographactivities, andrew ross museum, garnet burges, mary ryan, heritage week

The Andrew Ross Museum was offically opened on 27th March 1993 as part of heritage week. A book launch of "Reminscences of Andrew Ross" was also launched. A set of photographs taken illustrate the displays in place at the time.Colour photographactivities, andrew ross museum, heritage week

The Andrew Ross Museum was offically opened on 27th March 1993 as part of heritage week. A book launch of "Reminscences of Andrew Ross" was also launched. A set of photographs taken illustrate the displays in place at the time.Colour photographactivities, andrew ross museum, heritage week

The Andrew Ross Museum was offically opened on 27th March 1993 as part of heritage week. A book launch of "Reminscences of Andrew Ross" was also launched. A set of photographs taken illustrate the displays in place at the time.Colour photographactivities, andrew ross museum, heritage week

The Andrew Ross Museum was offically opened on 27th March 1993 as part of heritage week. A book launch of "Reminscences of Andrew Ross" was also launched. A set of photographs taken illustrate the displays in place at the time.Colour photographactivities, andrew ross museum, heritage week