Everyone seemed to know Frances – it was November 1985 – I met Frances at the Victorian Synod office as she lent me her office to interview staff for St Philip’s which I was taking over in 1986. The interviews completed, she took me to a nearby coffee shop where we had a delightful chat. I came away much the richer, more informed about St Philip’s and feeling I had known Frances forever. And so started our 23 year friendship, with me hearing the first of many stories – for Frances was a wonderfully gifted story teller with a capacity to turn the past into life, and its characters into real people. It seems fitting that a person destined to add to Australia’s history should be born down the beach from Mendonca’s Mahogany ship – Port Fairy on the 28 January 1924. There she went to school – first to primary school then to Camperdown’s Higher Elementary School which went to Year 10. She was the eldest of four children with three brothers, Jock, Norman and Rod. After Year 10, Frances took a job in Camperdown as a dental nurse. She tackled this successfully until deciding to study at Rolland House in Carlton to become a Deaconess. Jock, her brother, recalls asking Frances what made her decide to be a Deaconess. At a Presbyterian Fellowship camp at Warrnambool, Frances and the others were sleeping in the Church Hall on palliases. During the night she awoke and her eye was drawn to a stained glass window, unusually brightly lit. On the window were the words “Follow Me”. Without flinching Frances took the words to heart and decided to serve God as a Deaconess, and during her time with the Australian Inland Mission she became quite a legend. What a patriot Frances was! She loved the stories of pioneers and knew well the history of where she had come from – the Western District. A keen follower of cricket, she would be right up with the last test and the issues of the team. Originally a Melbourne football supporter, she became an avid Geelong supporter and would often score at the annual self destruct St Philip’s vs Flynn Church match. She loved the gladiatorial, albeit often suicidal display. And though an Aussie through and through she loved her Scottish roots. Through her stories, she could easily transport a person in the Centralian landscape onto the heather of the Highlands. In spite of her love for Scotland, the city which was her favourite was New York. Frances – truly a citizen of the world. As a citizen of the world Frances fought for Indigenous and migrant women’s rights and was active in the World Council of Churches, sponsoring local and overseas women to study in Australia and to return to their homes as trained teachers and theologians. Up until recently she was involved in the Spina Bifida and Hydro Cephalis Association of SA. By the time she had taken up with the AIM Frances had a well tuned desire for social justice. To her it was important that the poor and less fortunate were given a go. She felt that the Labor Party provided her best avenue to push her social justice desires. After joining the party in 1956, she quickly became a respected member of the party and worked tirelessly for it, being honoured in the end with life membership. In the party she knew everyone and everyone knew her. She introduced me to Bob Hawke and when I spoke to Gough Whitlam once on a plane, he affirmed to me his friendship with Frances. In her cottage was a picture of her with Kevin Rudd with his arm around her. She is remembered by her party colleagues as someone who had a real compassion for helping people. She believed in the traditional ethic of the Labor Party which is to help those who are less fortunate. Interestingly, she supported St Philip’s moving from solely being a residential college to a school because we had chosen a relatively low fee base to enable maximum access for people and our boarding house continued to, and still does, offer accommodation to any student wishing to attend schools in Alice. Having supported the outback for years from the engine rooms of the mission arm of the church in Victoria, Frances then decided to move to Alice for her retirement. Settling in the little cottage at the far south eastern corner of Old Timers, this became to me, my family and I’m sure to plenty of people, Frances’ Cottage. But moving to Alice was hardly moving into retirement. She quickly became Chaplain at St Philip’s where she clearly showed her love for the children and staff and a real belief in St Philip’s role – to provide access to education for isolated children. She became a stalwart of the Adelaide House Museum, a wonderful member of the congregation, a powerful contributor to the Presbytery and the Annual Synod. Frances was strong, never flinched on a point of principle and discussed things face to face so that you truly knew where you stood with her. She had a great feeling for the pastoralists and knew many of them well. As Chaplain of the College she related well to the children and in addition, knew many of their families. She also felt deeply for the Indigenous people and regularly tackled the issue of how conditions could be improved for them. As we developed the school at St Philip’s, Frances worked with me on so many things. She would visit the College each week for Chapel, run a Sunday school for little kids and the service for all the boarders. When the school was ready to start she wrote the College prayer, said now every week by all students. The prayer says so much about Frances. She pioneered the RE program, teaching RE and in addition to Sunday, visited staff and students every Wednesday. At Presentation Night she presented a homily and provided the blessing – always a strong presence in front of the College community. She was so much part of St Philip’s that when we built the new boarding house in 1990 it seemed so obvious to call it McKechnie House. As a faithful servant of Adelaide House for years and an enthusiastic member of the National Trust, Frances was the first chairperson of the committee, a driving force to redevelop Adelaide House and she worked tirelessly to present John Flynn’s Hospital in the best light. She helped to deliver the stories of Flynn and McKay and the Outback missionaries to so many people and was instrumental in producing meaningful displays. I enjoyed walking around the museum with her intensely, enjoying her detailed stories of the past missionary era and I know many others would have as well. As a loyal and loving member of the Flynn Church, and being such a comrade of Fred McKay’s, Frances understood intricately the symbols which lie within the architecture. Once again, as a story teller, each one had a yarn attached to it. Over her twenty-three years as a member of the Flynn Church she has made a wonderful contribution. As a charismatic personality people were naturally attracted to Frances and were touched and affected by her. Peter Robson, twenty-two years at St Philip’s, remembers her asking him why he had stayed so long at the College. He explained to her that it was her address one day in Chapel in the early times that inspired him to keep going. With great wisdom she had said, “You can’t conquer something, unless you allow it to conquer you.” St Philip’s had conquered him. Wherever she went, whomever she was with, she had a real and lasting impact. Frances brought the reality of the Outback to so many as she addressed congregations around Victoria. She started the Australian Church Women’s Fellowship in the Northern Territory in 1997. She was also involved in setting up the Institute for Aboriginal Development. I believe that Frances should have been recognised nationally for her work with an AM. However, she was the Northern Territory finalist in the Senior Australian of the Year Awards in 2003. In 2004 she was awarded an OBE – not from the Queen but at Old Timers. This is a coveted award which means “Over Bloody Eighty”. Frances was part of it all, in the river, at a bush dance, at a dinner, at a service, at a party, at a meeting, at a footy game, at a cricket game, at Synod, at Presbytery, at Labour meetings, I could go on. Frances McKechnie, what a wonderful Australian. (Eulogy by Chris Tudor) Frances McKechnie died mid-2008. Deaconess Frances McKechnie is seated in front of a map of Australia marked with Australian Inland Mission places identified.At the time the photo was taken, McKechnie was the Victorian Regional Officer for the Australian Inland Mission (Presbyterian). At one stage, she worked for National Mission Frontier Services from 1968 to 1986. See below for the eulogy at her funeral by Chris Tudor. (Frances died May or June 2008.)deaconess frances mckechnie; australian inland mission; presbyterian church

Rev. MJL Griffiths (1926 - ) was Directory Stewardship and Promotion Vic in 1963 and Superintendent Australian Inland Mission in 1972 MBE.Semigloss, black and white, head and shoulders photograph of Rev. Maxwell John Lewis Griffiths who is wearing a collar and tie and looking to the right of the camera. The photograph is mounted on card and has a grey cardboard mount with a gold border and inscription."REV. M.J.L. GRIFFITHS - B.A., B.D., B.COMM. MINISTER ST ANDREWS 1960-1963"superintendent australian inland mission, rev maxwell john lewis griffiths presbyterian minsiter, st andrew's presbyterian church oakleigh

Hilda Charlotte Foster, 1902 - 1990, was a Double Certified Nurse when, at the age of 35, she successfully applied to the board of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) to work at an outback field centre in South Australia. Born and raised in suburban Melbourne, she had been inspired by stories told to her by other missionaries about the fulfilment to be gained working amongst Aboriginal communities. Given her religious faith and nursing skills, she believed she could make a difference. She worked in Oodnadatta in South Australia for two years (1937-1939), followed by a stint in Innamincka in New South Wales in 1940 -1942. Before she became a nurse, Hilda Foster trained to be a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Sunday School Council of Victoria. She completed first aid courses run through the Presbyterian Deaconesses Institute in Carlton, Victoria, and in 1930 successfully applied to become a trainee nurse at the Austin Hospital for Incurables, in Heidelberg. She commenced her training there in 1931, before moving to the Women's Hospital in 1933. In 1934 she had six months at the Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital, before returning to the Austin, where she was employed when she sat her final exams in November 1934. Her combined skills made her a most attractive option for the Australian Inland Mission. As well as being multi-skilled as a nurse, she provided religious instruction and spiritual ministry to members of the community. https://trove.nla.gov.au/people/762093?c=people Sister Foster nursed at Toora Bush Hospital prior to leaving for the Paton Memorial Hospital, Vila, New Hebrides in 1944. She left the New Hebrides in 1946.Matt, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Sister Hilda Charlotte Foster on card.australian inland mission, presbyterian deaconess, sister hilda charlotte foster, paton memorial hospital vila new hebrides

Cream linen tea towel with terracotta, brown and green print. The AIM emblem is in the centre with cars, a plane and gumnuts around the border. "AIM"australian inland mission frontier services, aim, australian inland mission

Hilda Elizabeth Foster (1890-1982) was commissioned as a Deaconess in 1914 giving a lifetime of service to the church particularly in the social care aspect of the Gospel. She was also a double certified nurse. Deaconess Hilda Foster began her work as a Deaconess in South Melbourne and then served for 13 years with the Presbyterian Sisterhood in North Fitzroy caring for unmarried mothers and their babies. In 1933 she was appointed Matron of the Presbyterian Girls' Home in Elsternwick where she worked for 15 years. She retired in 1948 when it was noted "In complete dedication matron has given herself to this care of souls". Deaconess Foster was awarded the British Empire Medal for her work in the Queen's birthday honours in 1981. Deaconess Foster was one of the first qualified Mother Christmasses in Australia. [Minutes of the Sixth Synod, Oct 1982]Six pairs and four odd assorted cuff studs in a green plastic box with a clear lid which bears an inscription."Where are those darned studs? RIGHT HERE WITH BEST WISHES FROM"deaconess hilda foster, sunday school council of victoria, australian inland mission, deaconess hilda elizabeth foster, mother christmas, presbyterian girls' home elsternwick

The jacket belonged to RAAF Chaplain Aubrey Alfred Quick. Rev Quick served in seven Methodist Circuits in Victoria, one in Tasmania, one City Mission (North Melbourne) and also an appointment with the Methodist Inland Mission in Central Australia. He was one of the first ministers to be appointed to the new John Flynn Memorial Church in Alice Springs. Aubrey Quick was a part-time Chaplain in the Royal Australian Airforce and received an Order of Australia for his pastoral care of the apprentices the RAAF. He served on the University of Melbourne Queens College Council for 23 years. Navy blue wool belted jacket with four brass buttons and a brass buckle. The jacket has four pleated pockets, each with a brass button, one small ticket pocket on the RHS and two pale blue grosgrain ribbons at the cuffs. It is lined with black cotton and the sleeves with cream striped lining. The right pocket contains two metal Chaplain's RAAF metal hat badges and two colour bars.rev aubrey quick, raaf chaplain, methodist circuit, australian inland mission

Attributed to have been used in the Melbourne office in John Flynn's early days.G080.1 Silver teaspoon with engraving on the handle. G080.2 Silver fruit fork with a decorative handle. .G080.1 "AIM"australian inland mission

Murrell is dressed in clerical collar and stock, with jacket and long trousers, standing next to open driver's side door of a truck."Padre Vic Murrell of AIM with Sturt Patrol Vehicle, November 1959."murrell, vic, australian inland mission

See F516-4 for details.Deaconess Frances McKechnie and three other people (unnamed) are in discussion.Deaconess Frances McKechniedeaconess frances mckechnie; australian inland mission; presbyterian church

A Memorial In The Heart of Australia. Special issue of the The A.I.M. Frontier News. Published by The Australia Inland Mission of the Presyterian Church of Australia. Volume 41presyterian church

Colour photograph of the house at 93 Central Road, Blackburn, purchased from William Elliott Wilson, by the Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission, for his sister Rosetta Flynn in 1928. Photo shows rear of house.central road, blackburn, no.93, wilson, william, elliott, flynn, rev. john, rosetta

Colour photograph of the house at 93 Central Road, Blackburn, purchased from William Elliott Wilson, by the Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission, for his sister Rosetta Flynn in 1928. Photo shows portion of front of house.central road, blackburn, no.93, wilson, william, elliott, flynn, rev. john, rosetta

Colour photograph of the house at 93 Central Road, Blackburn, purchased from William Elliott Wilson, by the Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission, for his sister Rosetta Flynn in 1928. Photo shows view of side of house.central road, blackburn, no.93, wilson, william, elliott, flynn, rev. john, rosetta

Colour photograph of the house at 93 Central Road, Blackburn, purchased from William Elliott Wilson, by the Rev. John Flynn of the Australian Inland Mission, for his sister Rosetta Flynn in 1928. Photo shows view of house from street.central road, blackburn, no.93, wilson, william, elliott, flynn, rev. john, rosetta

Stories by Robert Bruce Plowman, the first patrol padre to the Australian Inland Mission 1912 - 1917. This is the first book in a trilogy.Brown hardcover logbook with the title, The man from Oodnadatta by R.B Plowman on front cover with black lines and a tiny black symbol. Spine has title, author and publisher. Black and white photographs throughout and endpapers have maps of the area and of Australia. Second Edition."Auntie - "Best wishes", from "Jean "Auntie" 22/9/33non fiction book, australia, religion

Rev Albert Bell was ordained in 1956 at Poowong. Served 1961 Bentleigh East; 1966 Australian Inland Mission. Principal St. Phillip's College Alice Springs; 1971 Chaplain Geelong College; 1973 retired.B & W photo of Deaconess Jess Metherell seated at a desk with Reverend Albert Bell standing beside her. "Hamilton Aikin 162 Russell Street Melbourne."deaconess, minister, rev. albert bell, methodist, jess metherell

Rev Albert Bell was ordained in 1956 at Poowong. Served 1961 Bentleigh East; 1966 Australian Inland Mission. Principal St. Phillip's College Alice Springs; 1971 Chaplain Geelong College; 1973 retired.B & W photo of Rev. Albert Bell seated at a desk with Deaconess Jess Metherell standing beside him. "Hamilton Aikin 162 Russell Street Melbourne."deaconess, minister, jess metherall, presbyterian, rev albert bell

Randall Collection: Selection of badges relating to R Bruce Plowman. 7782.7a three brass and enamel badges, with pins; 7782.7b card from donor describing the badges: Description there of ''St Andrews PWMU'' badge - this is actually inscribed on the badge as: ''PYMBC Union of Victoria''; the 1937 Centenary badge is described by the donor as burning Bush group's but this is not noted on the badge itself; 7782.7c handwritten note from donor explaining some detail as to Plowman family and donor's father - he was an Elder at St. Andrews (when Rev. McLean was minister), he was known as the ''Man from Oodnadatta'' re this Australian Inland Mission work, he was at some stage President of the Bendigo Competitions and on the committee.badges, bruce plowman, st andrews church

Book. ALEC H CHISHOLM COLLECTION. 96 page hardcover book of verse by Tom Quilty. Printed and published in 1958 by F. H. Johnston Publishing Co., Sydney. Published to benefit the Flying Doctor Service (A.I.M). Illustrated with ten B & W photos of the Kimberly Region including one of the author opposite page 5. Catalogue sticker '2050 QUI' on spine. Two newspaper reviews of the book inside front cover. The Bulletin 30 July 1958 and the Daily Telegraph 3 May 1958. Also a bookmark saying that 1000 copies had been donated to the Australian Inland Mission and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.Tom Quiltybooks, collections, poetry, alec h chisholm collection, tom quilty, poetry

The life of Elizabeth Burchill has produced five books. Her most recent book, 'The paths I've trod' brings together her previous four books, providing a remarkable insight, not only into a lifetime of nursing, but the entire period from the 19020's to the 1970's. When Elisabeth first trained in Melbourne, leeches were still part of accepted medical practice. She volunteered to serve with the Australian Inland Mission at Innaminka in her twenties. When she returned to Melbourne she undertook further specialised training at the Tweddle Baby Hospital, Footscray. After her outback adventure she developed 'itchy feet syndrome' and decided to test the saying that nursing was the best passport to travel. She became a registered nurse in six countries. Elizabeth volunteered for service caring for refugee children in Spain towards the end of the Civil War there. When she returned to Australia she enlisted in the first Victorian contingent if nurses with the second AIF.. She travelled to the Middle East, with her time in Nazareth being especially interesting. After the war she tried her hand at radio announcing before retuning to nursing. In the 1970's Elizabeth became a mature age student, gained her HSC and went on to graduate as a Bachelor of Arts in 1981 at Monash University. Currently she is studying for her Bachelor of Literature at Melbourne University. Donating $10,000 to Monash saw the 'Burchill Room' named. It is a repository for Australiana, including memorbilia from Elizabeth herself.A newspaper clipping of a title, four columns of text and two black and white photos. The large photo is of an older woman holding several books. The smaller photo is of three women wearing nurse's uniforms.'NC7' [blue ink, top right]blackburn, labrador memories, innaminka, new guinea nurse, thursday island nurse, hawthorn, dora elizabeth burchill, south australia, queensland, new south wales, burke and wills, london, west london hospital, wilfred grenfell, usa, indian harbour, queen mary, australian imperial force, middle east, radio 3sr shepparton, sepik district, new guinea, high school certificate, box hill, tafe, maroondah singers, alan marshall, army education, spectrum melbourne

In 1945 the Reverend Harry Griffiths, who worked for the Methodist Inland Mission in Alice Springs, saw the need for a boarding facility for children of families living in remote areas in Central Australia who needed access to schools. He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people. In the late 1950's the Rev Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start. Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school. An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964. Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday. On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College. For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only. The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs. The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988. To this day there continues to be further development with the new landscaping underway near The Minnamurra Hall, Reception and Rivergum Cafe, plus the recent completion of the Science & Food Technology building and the new Rivergum Cafe.Head & Shoulders of Chris Eldridgest. philip's college, tudor, chris, eldridge, chris

In 1945 the Reverend Harry Griffiths, who worked for the Methodist Inland Mission in Alice Springs, saw the need for a boarding facility for children of families living in remote areas in Central Australia who needed access to schools. He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people. In the late 1950's the Rev Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start. Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school. An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964. Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday. On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College. For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only. The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs. The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988. To this day there continues to be further development with the new landscaping underway near The Minnamurra Hall, Reception and Rivergum Cafe, plus the recent completion of the Science & Food Technology building and the new Rivergum Cafe.Head & Shoulders of Chris Tudor.st. philip's college, tudor, chris, eldridge, chris

In 1945 the Reverend Harry Griffiths, who worked for the Methodist Inland Mission in Alice Springs, saw the need for a boarding facility for children of families living in remote areas in Central Australia who needed access to schools. He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people. In the late 1950's the Rev Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start. Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school. An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964. Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday. On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College. For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only. The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs. The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988. To this day there continues to be further development with the new landscaping underway near The Minnamurra Hall, Reception and Rivergum Cafe, plus the recent completion of the Science & Food Technology building and the new Rivergum Cafe.Tudor and Eldridge in conversation with the College in the background.st. philip's college, tudor, chris, eldridge, chris

Alonzo Box, of Oakleigh ,a nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who resided in 'Box Cottage' 1865 - 1914, married Mary Closter (Kloster), of Oakleigh, on June 12th 1918. Alozo's elder sister, Rebecca, sent a bolt of Chinese hand-embroidered silk from which this wedding dress was made. Rebecca Viloudakia, nee Box, was a missionary in China, and married to a Greek Silk Merchant. Alonzo Box, the 9th child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box , enlisted in the Army and landed at Gallipoli 25/4/1918. He was evacuated to Egypt and then sent to the battlefields of France and Flanders before returning home to Melbourne in February 1918. Rebecca Box, the eldest child of John and Martha Sheldrake Box, was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890. During the Boxer Uprising 1900-1901 her Mission outpost was attacked but she escaped and was taken to Shanghai. She later married one of the rescue party Nicholas Viloudakia a Greek silk merchant .Australian Dress Register ID 573 12/5/2015 Following Henry Dendy's Special Survey 1841 pioneer settlers bought allotments of land in the area of Moorabbin Parish. Alonzo Box was the nephew of William and Elizabeth Box who bought the cottage on the 30acre allotment from an unknown pioneer settler in 1868 and resided there until Elizabeth's death in 1914. Alonzo Box served in the Army World War 1 1914- 1918 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca Box -Viloudakia was in the first party of Methodist Missionaries to leave Australia for the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was rescued during the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901 and taken to Shanghai by her future husband.A cream two piece wedding dress made from a bolt of hand embroidered Chinese silk for the marriage of Mary Closter and Alonzo Box on June 12th, 1918. The bolt of Chinese silk was sent by Alonzo’s older sister, Mrs Rebecca Viloudakia, a missionary in China, who was married to a Greek silk merchant. The machine sewn dress was made by a dressmaker in Dandenong, Victoria. The jacket is blouson, with a front opening and is gathered at the waist by a band enclosing a drawstring. The collar is a sailor style that forms a slight / high V-shape front neckline. Four vertical roses are separated by three bands of lacework. The back of the jacket is plain silk. The right front of the jacket has a panel of embroidered roses, band of lacework and a facing fold that encloses 4 fastening presses. There are crocheted bobbles on the front representing buttons. The left jacket front also has the panel of embroidered roses, lacework and matching fold for the 4 fastening studs. The full length inset sleeves are gathered to a cuff that fastens with silk covered buttons. The sleeves have floral embroidery down the outside centre line. The left sleeve has an extra detachable cuff with embroidery on the flounce that matches the bottom panel of the skirt. It is held in position around the wrist by 4 white metal press studs. The skirt sits above the ankle. It consists of 5 panels slightly gathered at the back waistline with a left side placket 21cm with hooks and eyes and press studs. The waistband is lined with petersham and has 6 whalebone inserts. The front of the skirt has small pleats to fit the 3 decorated panels to the waistline. The front has 3 bands of lacework around the lower part. 3 panels form the centre front each embroidered with a different floral pattern. The back of the skirt is plain with 3 bands of lacework rising from the hem, which is sewn with spoke work stitch. The long waist sash/belt is plain silk with embroidered ends and 3 silk balls with crocheted caps suspended on 3 crocheted silk chains. It has a rose knot with 2 metal press stud fasteners. There are a variety of floral designs embroidered on the material including ‘corner motifs’ on the 2nd inner front panel of skirt. brighton, moorabbin, silk, box william, box elizabeth, box alonzo, box mary, kloster mary, closter mary, oakleigh, dandenong, chinese silk merchant, boxer rebellion 1900-1901, box rebecca, methodist china inland mission, viloudakia nichols, anzac landings, world war 1, gallipoli

John Box 1841 - 1914, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children. Rebecca Anne b 1863 was in the first party from Australia to go to the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was known as 'Faith' because of her evangelical zeal. The Mission Post was invaded by the Boxers during the Rebellion 1900-01and she was moved to the safety of Shanghai by Nicholas Viloudakia, a Greek silk merchant whom she later married. Rebecca sent the bolt of hand embroidered silk material to her brother Alonzo for his marriage to Mary Closter. Mary Box nee Closter's Wedding Dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum . Martha Sheldrake died 1895 and John married Eleanor Rushall b1866 and they had 3 children. John was well respected in the community and was a Methodist lay preacher. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white professional photograph of John Box c1880Photographed by J. Read Brennand / 83 Chapel St. Prahranbox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, boxer rebellion 1900, methodist chinese missionary, methodist china inland mission, shanghai china, silk merchants, mary box wedding dress

John Box 1841 - 1914, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children who were all born in East Brighton ( now Ormond ). Their eldest daughter Rebecca 'Faith' Box 1863 -1950 was a member of the 1st Australian party to go to China with the Methodist Church China Inland Mission in 1890. During the Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901 Rebecca was rescued from her inland mission post by a group of traders from Shanghai. She later married Nicolas Viloudaki, a Greek Silk merchant , who was a member of the rescue party. Rebecca sent a bolt of chinese hand embroidered cream silk to Mary Closter for her wedding dress at her marriage to Alonzo Box, who was Rebecca's younger brother. This Dress has been published on the Australian Dress Register in 2015 and is on display at Box Cottage Museum Ormond. John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in North Road, East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Louise Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died John Box married Eleanor Rushall c 1900 and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. Inscribed in Album “ The early photos in this album were found by Mr (Laurie) Lewis when he was demolishing the Old Box Cottage. He gave them to Mrs Avis Box Eldridge who in turn gave them to me. They were not identified. I believe they rightly belong in the Cottage. I have attempted to identify them and present them in a way they can be preserved as a historical record of the era.” A B Leigh A black and white photograph of Martha Sheldrake d1895 the 1st wife of John Box 1841-1914Photographed by J Read Brennand / 83 Chapel St. Prahran

John Box 1841 - 1914, the 4th son of George and Mary Box, was born in Withyham, Sussex England and came to Australia in 1856 with his parents. He lived and worked on his fathers market garden in East Brighton ( now Bentleigh) for several years and then rented a property in Tucker Road in 1862. John married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10children. Rebecca Anne b 1863 was in the first party from Australia to go to the China Inland Mission in 1890 and was known as 'Faith' because of her evangelical zeal. The Mission Post was invaded by the Boxers during the Rebellion 1900-01and she was moved to the safety of Shanghai by Nicholas Viloudakia, a Greek silk merchant whom she later married. Rebecca sent the bolt of hand embroidered silk material to her brother Alonzo for his marriage to Mary Closter. Mary Box nee Closter's Wedding Dress is on display at Box Cottage Museum . Martha Sheldrake died 1895 and John married Eleanor Rushall b1866 and they had 3 children. John was well respected in the community and was a Methodist lay preacher.John Box is the brother of William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Box, lived in Box Cottage . John Box was a pioneer market gardener in East Brighton now Bentleigh. He married Martha Sheldrake and they had 10 children. The eldest daughter Rebecca was a Methodist Missionary in China and Alonzo, their 9th child, served in the Army WW1 at Gallipoli, France and Flanders. Rebecca sent the hand embroidered Chinese silk material for the Wedding Dress worn by Mary Closter at her marriage to Alonzo Box 1918. After Martha died he married Eleanor Rushall and they had 3 children. John was well respected by the community and also a Methodist lay preacher. Box Cottage Museum, a reconstruction of an early settler hut, is named after the Box family who resided there 1865 -1913 . William Box who, with his wife Elizabeth Avis Box and 13 children, lived and farmed on the block of land in Jasper Road, East Brighton ( now McKinnon / Ormond) that was part of the Henry Dendy Special Survey 1841. An oval shaped black and white photograph of John Box 1841 - 1913nilbox william, box elizabeth, box george, box john, sheldrake martha, box alonzo, box mary, box rebecca, rushall eleanor, moorabbin, bentleigh, brighton, ormond, market gardeners, pioneers, early settlers, withyham sussex england, boxer rebellion 1900, methodist chinese missionary, methodist china inland mission, shanghai china, silk merchants, mary box wedding dress