Heavily annotated, suggesting possible changes of box numbering.

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

This concert programme is advertising a concert to be held for the Mission to Seamen, Pt. Pirie on Saturday, 23rd November 1923. Although it was held for the Port Pirie Mission the actual concert was to take place on board the T.S.S. Port Campbell. The names of the Captain of the ship, the Chairman of the concert, the Accompaniste and Pianist are mentioned. Listed in the programme are the names of the performers and the items they are to perform. A representative example of entertainment offered to seamen in the ports of Australia as organised by Ladies Harbor Lights Guild active in the various Missions to Seamen around Australia. This is a rare example of a concert programme from Port Pirie.A beige-coloured two-sided printed programmeFront page heading reads 'CONTINENTAL'. The title is located half-way down the front page. On pages 2 and 3 Concert Programme .......(full details of performers are listed in centre panel with humorous faux advertisements on outer panels on either side). The programme is hand inscribed on the back page with three signatures: upper left F or T Newman, / J. O'Donoghue; upper right A S C Cooper port pirie, concert, t.s.s. port campbell, missions-to-seamen, ladies harbour lights guild, dances, programmes, commonwealth and dominion line ltd, comic advertisements, lhlg, australian missions

Moderator Rev R.B.Horsfield's gift. Plastic plaque with brown plastic frame in blue synthetic velvet box. Korean and English script."The Centenary of the Australian Mission in Korea" "The Visitors from Busan to Australia October 19-31, 1989"uca moderators' gift

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

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

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

Gallipoli Revisited - In the footsteps of Charles Bean and the Australian Historical Mission. Dr Janda Gooding, Author, Head of Photographs, Film and Sound Section at the Australian War Memorial.Hard cardboard cover, buckram, brown colour white & light brown print on spine. Dust cover is white / dark brown, light brown print on front & spine. Background front sepia photos of the Gallipoli landscape. Back has sepia photo of group of soldiers in a trench. 236 pages, cut glossy white. Illustrated, black & white / colour photos, paintings, posters, drawings.book, gallipoli, bean

Wood and metal box with 2 doors with a plaque inserted. "PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION. Deaconess Cath Ritchie. The Uniting Church of Australia Seoul, Korea October 2, 1989. We give thanks for the precious work of missionary who for the salvation of our Korean people came to this land with the love of Christ and through the tears and sweat gave us the good news of the gospel. By these words the Presbyterian Church of Korea at its 74th General Assembly records this intent as we offer a service of praise to God commemorating one hundred years of Korea-Australia mission. (Rev.) Meng Syul Park, Moderator Presbyterian Church of Korea."deaconess cath ritchie, presbyterian church of korea

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

Born 22/1/1870; died 23/9/1958. Ordained Maldon 1909. Ministry at Northcote, Maldon, Kyneton, Hampton, Subiaco (WA), Secretary Congregational Union of Western Australia; Armadale Mission (WA) and Claremont (concluded 1948). Son of Rev. Samuel Bryant with whom he shared ministry at Hampton 1917–1918.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev Thomas Otto Bryant. Mounted on buff card."The Rev T. O. Bryant, 1918 - 1923". Verso: "Hampton Congregational Church"rev thomas otto bryant, rev samuel bryant, hampton congregational church, minister

Produced as one of a series of 24 prints commissioned by Nunawading & District Historical Society -|Theme: Intersections of Mitcham and Nunawading 2000/2001.|See also Series by P. Simmenauer on the same theme.Black and white photograph - print and negative of Corner of Station and Colombo Street, Mitcham, looking North from Mitcham Station. From L:R: Mitcham Post Office; Pru$hka Debt Recovery Agency; Assemblies of God in Australia' ; AOG World Missions. Note above ground electricity cables that stop short of Whitehorse Road.mitcham post office, pru$hka debt recovery agency, assemblies of god in australia, aog world missions, electricity supply

Fifty four page magazine featuring black and cream printed graphics and text. The colour cover shows a woman and child both dressed in matching knitted jumpers.front: [printed] MAY 12, 1965 / 1'. / New Idea / The USELESS SEX / The year's most / talked about book / 8 / ADORABLE / COLLARS / TO CROCHET / MOTHER-DAUGHTER / COVER GIRL / SWEATERS TO KNIT / Instructions inside / Registered in Australia for trans- / mission by post as a newspaper. front: [handwritten] Abbsknitting, pattern, fashion, knitwear, children, women, new idea

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

Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection.A black and white photograph of Huey 'slick' Helicopters from 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, loaded with seven fully equiped infantry soldiers plus the four RAAF crew, heading for a landing zone in Phuoc Tuy Province at the start of another Australian search and destroy mission.photograph, huey helicopter, raaf, 9 squadron, phuoc tuy province, infantry soldiers, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, raaf crew, search and destroy mission