This photograph shows one of the many weddings held at the Mission to Seafarers over the years and provides an overview of wedding fashion of the late 1920s. The bridesmaids were Ella Kendall and Molly Walker. In this image a horse and cart can be seen in the background on Flinders St and a Telegraph pole. Dora would continue association with the Mission and as president of the Flying angels in the 1960s-70s she would be awarded the MBE for services to Community presented by the State Governor of Victoria. This photograph shows one of the many weddings performed at the Mission to Seafarers over the years. Cross referencing with the marriage registers, also held in the collection, reveals that this photograph is Amy Dora Walker (known as Dora) of East Malvern marrying Harold Priestley Simpson of Surrey Hills / Mornington on 14 February 1928. Dora's son David Simpson, a former architect still volunteers for the Mission in 2018. Dora is listed on the Women of achievement listing.Sepia toned photograph of bride and attendants in the courtyard of the Mission to Seafarers. The bride's dress is calf length and she has just stepped out of a large car assisted by her Father Mr Walker. The Bride is holding a large bouquet. There are two attendants or Bridesmaids to the right of the photograph, wearing layered calf length dresses, cloche hats and holding a small bouquet. Both are standing outside the Mission to Seamen on Flinders St waiting to assist the bride. small circular Blue ink stamp on rear of photograph: PRINTED BY HARRINGTONS. numerals stamped on the back 3 and 8 hat, flowers, veil, wedding, dress, shoes, motorcar, bridesmaids, dora walker, dora simpson, harry simpson, flinders street, 1928, david simpson, fan album, john reginald weller (1880-1969), arthur walker, molly walker, ella kendall

dora walker, kath drury, officers, lhlg, cadets, south yarra, melbourne, palermo, dora simpson

Dora Walker, a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild married H.P. Simpson on 14 February 1928. The wedding was celebrated at the Mission's chapel at 2.45pm. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."2 original prints and a reprinted version depicting the St Peter chapel decorated with flowers for Dora Walker's wedding in 1928 wedding, dora walker, st peter chapel, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flinders st, lhlg, dora simpson, 1928, valentine's day, amy dora walker, ladies harbour lights guild, malvern, reverend j.r. weller, molly walker, ella kendall, flowers

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

Dora Walker and husband at Governor's house the day she received the Order of the British Empire on 13 June 1970.dora walker, order of the british empire, obe, lhlg, dora simpson

The photograph depicts how the Mission entry looked at the time the photograph was taken circa 1920s. It shows that the Mission was used for formal occasions as well as showing a car model and clothing styles typical of the era. Wedding of Dora Walker , a member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and Harry Simpson, 14 February 1928Dora Simpson nee Walker was a long time Lady from the Guild becoming the Honorary Secretary and being awarded an Order of the British EmpireBlack and white photograph taken outside the Mission to Seafarer's entrance. The photograph depicts a group of people surrounding a car. The photograph may have been taken at a wedding or similar function due to the formal wear of the mean and women.Reserve: manufacturer's inscription: FUJICOLOR CRYSTAL ARCHIVE / PAPERcar, entrance, wedding, lhlg, dora walker, harry simpson, dora simpson, 717 flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, david simpson, 1928, marriages, st peter chapel, dora simpson nee walker

Dora Walker was a student of Milverton school, one of the Ladies Schools, a branch of the Ladies Harbour Light's Guild. Amy Dora Walker (known as Dora) of East Malvern married Harold Priestley Simpson of Surrey Hills on 14 February 1928. The bride's maids were Ella Kendall and Molly Walker. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."A member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, Dora is one of the few ladies who married at the Mission.Sepia toned photograph of bride and attendants in the courtyard of the Mission to Seafarers. The bride's dress is calf length and she is standing with her veil draped in front of her, holding a large bouquet. There is one attendant to the right of the photograph, wearing a layered calf length dress and holding a smaller bouquet. Both are standing in front of one of the columns in the courtyard which has ivy growing over it.Blue ink on rear of photograph: 4 49hat, flowers, veil, wedding, dress, ivy, columns, shoes, dora walker, dora simpson, milverton school, ladies school, lhlg, mrs h.p. simpson, mrs harry simpson, courtyard, amy dora walker, ella kendall, molly walker, reverend j.r. weller, david simpson

The short message was written on the occasion of Dora and Hary Walker's son, David in 1929, a year after their wedding at the Mission.Dora Walker (married 1928 taking the name Simpson) had a long association with the Mission as a member of the Ladies Harbour light guild. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire for her community work.Letter (1756A) with a short message and signatures from the "Victoria Missions to Seamen" with the Flying Angel flag on the left hand side and envelope (1756B) addressed to Mrs H. Simpson dated July 1929Written in pencil : Top right corner: On David's birth Dated from Sunday 28 July 1929 it reads: " Loving thoughts and best wishes from us all: awfully glad to hear from the much needed man." and signed by 13 persons.: Ethel Godfrey/Alice Sibthopre Tracy/?/Linda Kerferd/Claire Morres/?/Roy McMillan/Maude Breaks/Lulu A. Breaks/Olive Cramer/Emilie?/Beth ?/Ella? The Mission to Seamen Melbourne envelop addressed to Mrs H.Simpson in East Malvern. The stamp indicates the mail was sent on the 29 July 2019. dora walker, dora simpson, lhlg, ethel godfrey, alice sibthorpe tracy, maude breaks, louise (lulu) amy breaks, olive cramer, linda kerferd, roy mcmillan, david simpson, louise breaks, birth, lulu breaks

In January 1929, two parties were organised in the honour of the Wellers as they left Melbourne. Reverend Weller had been appointed assistant superintendent to the headquarters of the Missions to Seamen in London. They boarded the Osterley on the 22 January. Unfortunately Mrs Weller died in 1934. Many ladies on the photograph are yet to be identified. Refer to the identification numbers: 7 - Alexina Weller (nee Caley) (marked by red cross). 8 - Alice Sibthorpe Tracy 20 - Ethel Godfrey 23 - Dora walker Group portrait of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild in the cloister at the Mission to Seamen Flinders Street. Written in blue ink at the back: Farewell party in courtyard Missions to Seamen for Mrs Wellerlhlg, alexina weller (nee caley), dora walker, ethel augusta godfrey, alice sibthorpe tracy

The Marriage Register lists Harold Priestley Simpson and Amy Dora Walker as the bride and groom, and the wedding date as 14th of February 1928. The photograph uses the personal Harry and Dora, instead of the formal Harold and Amy. In the Register, Amy started signing her name as Dora. before correcting it. The photograph shows that weddings took place at the Chapel during the late 1920's, and the style of weddings at the time. This includes the type of outfits worn, such as the length of the veil and the type of bouquet carried. Dora's Bridesmaids are depicted in 2 other images in the MTSV collection also an image of the chapel decked with flowers for the occasion. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."The photograph shows St. Peter chapel was being used for weddings in 1928. The Anglican church has been used for weddings since being finished in 1917. The Marriage Register shows that these weddings were legal in the Commonwealth of Australia, and lists Church of England as the denomination for this wedding. Miss Amy Dora Simpson (nee Walker) had a long association with the Mission, first as a young Volunteer with the Ladies Harbour Light Guild circa WW1, and through to her wedding in early 1928 and beyond. Square sepia, glossy photograph of a bride and groom, taken as they leave a building. Guests are throwing rice at the newlywed. The groom is turned towards the camera, while the bride is looking ahead, carrying a bouquet. There is a white border around top, bottom and left edges, the photograph seems to have been cut in half along the right edge.On the reverse: handwritten in blue pen JUST MARRIED!/DORA & HARRY/28/2/28. 618 is stamped in blue ink . (date is incorrect as wedding took place on 14/2/28)bride, wedding, groom, 1928, dora simpson, dora walker, st peter chapel, harry simpson, lhlg, flinders street, harold priestley simpson, valentine's day, amy dora walker, ladies harbour lights guild, mr and mrs a.w. walker, malvern, manning road, reverend j.r weller, molly walker, ella kendall, david simpson

This photograph shows one of the many weddings held at the Mission to Seafarers over the years and provides an overview of wedding fashion of the late 1920s. The Bride is posing in the courtyard of the Mission to Seamen. The bridesmaids were Ella Kendall and Molly Walker. The Walkers and Dora had a long association with the Mission and the LHLG and in the 1960s becoming president of the Flying Angel League which amalgamated with the LHLG in the early 1960s. In 1970 Dora received an OBE. Private images of the day for the record were supplied to the Mission by sons David and Brian in 2018. The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Sea men's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."This photograph shows one of the many weddings performed at the Mission to Seafarers chapel over the years. Cross referencing with the marriage registers, also held in the collection, records that this photograph is Amy Dora Simpson (nee Dora Walker) of East Malvern marrying Harold Priestley Simpson of Surrey Hills / Mornington? on 14 February 1928.Sepia toned photograph of bride and attendants in the courtyard of the Mission to Seafarers. The bride's dress is calf length and she is standing with her veil draped in front of her, holding a large bouquet. There are two attendants to the right of the photograph, wearing layered calf length dresses and wearing cloche hats and holding small posy bouquets. The bridal group is posed standing in in the courtyard near the entrance to the MTS chapel.Small circular Blue ink stamp on rear of photograph: Printed by Harringtons stamped 2 small numerals : 3 and 8hat, flowers, veil, wedding, dress, ivy, shoes, dora walker, dora simpson, ella kendall, molly walker, amy dora walker, reverend j.r. weller, flinders street, st peter chapel, mission to seamen, seamen's mission, mission to seafarers, david simpson

The article in the Herald of the day describes the event: "WEDDING AT SEAMEN'S CHAPEL Reception at Hotel Windsor The pretty little chapel at the Seamen's Institute was packed with interested friends this afternoon, when Miss Dora Walker, one of the Mission's most enthusiastic and efficient voluntary helpers, chose it as the setting for her marriage with Mr H. P. Simpson, son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Simpson, of Mornington. A group of her fellow workers decorated the chapel with lovely pink and white gladioli, carnations and roses. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. R. Weller, chaplain of the Mission, and the bride was given away by her father, Mr A. W. Walker, of Manning road, East Malvern. She wore a lovely ivory georgette frock, the finely tucked skirt being fashioned with a deep transparent hem of Chantilly lace. Over it fell a beautiful Honiton lace veil mounted on tulle and arranged to give the ef fect of a train. Fragrant white roses composed her bouquet. Two attendants followed her down the aisle — her sister, Miss Molly Walker, and Miss Ella Kendall — both wearing dainty shrimp pink georgette frocks and large crinoline straw hats in the same shade with a dainty edging of tulle. They carried bouquets of pink cactus dahlias nnd delphiniums. Mr Louis Buscombe was best man, and Mr George Thompson grooms man. After the ceremony Mr and Mrs Walker entertained about 50 guests at the Hotel Windsor."In 1928 there were not many stained glass windows in the chapel, giving that bright light inside.2 original prints and a reprinted versionwedding, dora walker, st peter chapel, flinders street, dora simpson, lhlg, amy dora walker, molly walker, elle kendall, reverend j.r. weller, harry simpson, missals, flowers, bookcase

In January 1923, 5 years after the end of WWI, the two French cruisers Jules Michelet and Victor Hugo went on a tour in South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand consolidating the friendship between the countries. The cruisers arrived in January 1923 and Melbournians were invited to visit the ships. Amongst them the ladies from the Guild and especially Dora Walker. In the "Jottings from Our Log"number 69 dated from January 1923 we can read: Our French Visitors The French cruisers, “Jules Michelet” and “Victor Hugo”, each with a complement of 26 officers and 747 men, paid a visit to this port towards the end of the year. Many of the sailors made good use of our institute, and were supplied with French magazines and papers, and were delighted to find that quite a number of ladies could speak French fluently. Over one hundred men were present at the Institute on one of our special nights during Christmas week, when each French visitor was supplied with refreshments and a cigar. Through the great kindness of some of our ladies, each man aboard the two cruisers was supplied with a packet of cigarettes. These were greatly appreciated by the men, and a warm letter of thanks was received from each of the captains."Reflects the close links and mutual friendships developed between French and Australian community developed between LHLG members from 1906 onward especially during WW1 and support of the French Red Cross.Black and white photograph jules michelet, victor hugo, french cruiser, ww1, france, dora walker, french sailors, dora simpson, lhlg, navy

This album containing 50 photographs depicts a year at the Mission in 1928: Wedding of the Dora Walker with Harry Simpson on 14 February. Picnic at Riversdale Hawthorn, 1 January 1928 Ships in Port Melbourne in November: HMAS Australia, HMAS Brisbane, and destroyers Anzac, Success, Swordsman Wharfs, Victoria Dock, Stevedores Picnic in Finhaven, Kew, the Buchan's Property for Cup Day (6 November) Views of Port Melbourne from 1888 building Monday 29 October: return of Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Harrington Lees), who had spent a 10-month holiday in England with his wife. Arrival on the RMS Maloja Two photographs are missing.Pre Great Depression, 1928 was a difficult year in Melbourne and also for the Mission. Ships were rare on the wharfs meaning seamen were also rare in the missions. However they started the fundraising for the extension of the 1888 Port Melbourne building which was becoming too small. At the end of the year, Reverend Weller announced he was appointed assistant in London. He and his wife Alexina left in January 1929 after five years. They sailed on the Osterley on the 22 January 1929.Embossed yellow font on cover reads: ALBUMfan, strikes, police, reverend john reginald weller (1880-1969), alexina weller (nee caley), freda oxley, hmas australia, hmas brisbane, great depression, unemployment, port melbourne, station pier, sugar cane, queensland, dora simpson nee walker, weddings, cup day, finhaven, kew, the ducketts, mrs john buchan, flinders street extension, gasworks, wharfs, victoria dock, motorboat, southern cross, success, destroyers, football, sports, rms maloja, lhlg, fan album, anzac, swordsman, freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, annie alexandrina caley (known as alexina) 1885-1934

This is a copy of an album of photographs held at the National Library of Australia. The album was photographed by Reverend's Weller grand daughter. Freda Oxley was a friend of the Wellers. She was born in Windsor in 1882 where Alexina Weller (nee Caley) was also born in 1885. She travelled on the SS Persic from England and arrived in 1925. She stayed at the Mission for several years, and became a host of the many picnics, making friends with the ladies from the Guild, taking photographs of people and events. Page 1 to 3: Outward Bound - SS Persic - September 26th .... November 12th 1925 Page 4: Interiors of the Mission to Seamen Melbourne Page 5: Mission to Seamen exteriors and wharf Page 6: Wellers with officers during lunch in the Manse Page 7-8: Mission's staff, garden, Wellers Page 8: Freda Oxley, the Wellers, Alexina Weller, Xmas Day 1927, Dora Walker and Rev. Weller Page 9: Gardens: the photographs show the garden's plants in its early years / Botanical Gardens / Nellie Melba's gardens in her estate Coombe: Walter Butler, the architect of the Mission had designed some extensions for Nellie Melba's estate and part of the gardens of the property, so it was likely through they acquaintance that the Mission's reverend and friends were invited. Page 10: Ships in the Yarra River Page 11: Skaregrom and Mitchell ships Page 12-15: Picnics Page 16: Christmas at the Mission, tennis court Page 17: Picnic Page 18: Dora Walker's wedding Page 19: Beach holiday Freda went back to the UK in March 1929 on the Cathay. But she came back to help the Mission as she's listed on the electoral roll in 1931 living there with the Olivers.This album provides valuable photographs of the Mission's interiors, garden, staff, guests and activities during the Wellers stay. It also provides the provenance of the Weller album held in the Mission's collection.The album was donated to the National Library of Australia by Miss Elizabeth Phillips, with her address in England, with a typed note attached that reads: 'These photographs were taken by my aunt Miss Freda Oxley between 1925 and 1928. She went out to Melbourne at that time and stayed at the Mission to Seamen with her friends the Revd Jack Weller and Mrs Weller. The Revd Weller later became Bishop of the Falkland Islands.'freda kathleen oxley 1882-1969, ss persic, gardens, botanical garden, picnics, officers, portsea, sydney, rev. w.m robertson, dora simpson nee walker, wedding, alice sibthorpe tracy, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, royal botanical garden, nellie melba, coombe, zoo, seamen, sailors, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), juan oyarzo, john oyarzo, fern tree gully, kerferd family

Given to Catherine Morgan Walker by her husband E. E. Walker, father of donor.A birthday card with a vase of flowers on each side and a verse by Cecelia Havergal - 'A Birthday Meditation' - on one side, - 'A Birthday Thought "He Knows" on the other. Card has a a fringe of green silk.wood, dora, walker, catherine, morgan, catherine, walker, edgar edwards, birthday, cards, ephemera

In March 2018, David Simpson, son of Dora, brought the metal along with a photograph to be digitised.Brought to the Mission to Seafarer Victoria by her sons on 28 April 2018 to be photographeddora simpson nee walker, obe, order of the british empire, harbour lights guild, hlg

dora simpson nee walker, retirement, 1971, hlg, lhlg

Certificate of Title Vol 2773 Fol 554485, Wallace Bruce, 68 High Street Windsor, Gentleman, is now the proprietor (of) sixty acres or there abouts being part of Crown Allotment 43, Parish of Ringwood, County of Mornington, dated 11th June, 1900.Proprietors and transferees include: Thomas Oates, July 1903, Dora Staniforth Davies, October 1909 and December 1909, Frank Leslie Walker, April 1914.

The Ballarat Technical Art School opened in 1907 as a division of the Ballarat School of Mines.Ledger with brown and blue marbled paper cover and brown tape spine. Some names are listed under keywords.ballarat technical art school, h.w. malin, lilliam moyle, queens college, .doris walker, emily turnbull, viola jackson, c.w. sergeant, hilda wardell, hettie gilbert, alice benoit, ella morrow, d.g. johnston, p. brokenshire, edna tweedie, millicent white, dorisn walker, isla gray, mollie brophy, annie speak, c.v. clegg, agnes w. reid, nin z. woinarski, bessie yates, bessie landles, jean mcdonald, harold herbert, harold h. herbert, lizzie develin, florrie sides, fletcher j. crane, catherine ronald, gertrude owen, m.d. hamilton, clara v. clegg, leslie sim, ida barker, charlotte turner, florrie barnes, james n. boyce, leo coburn, carrie peters, mabel chapman, fred mcintyre, elsie rich, henry c. hart, g. bannerman, jack meadows, preston white, lyn hamilton, a. murray, lillian moyle, nina davies, maggie kittelty, m. snell, samuel mee, agnes carley, ida delina, katherine dillon, nellie mccubbin, lila lynch, e. owen, g. owen, d. owen, alice m. coltman, ruby bawden, elsie joy, ellen j. norton, herbert rich, g. medwell, maria loader, agnes gibb, quennie young, a.e. kennedy, o. geddes, ruby l. smith, roy proctor, elsie naples, w.b.g. mcdonald, cecil brittain, elsie fawcett, g. calvert, albert coates, catherine hogan, may vercoe, daisy saunders, dora furness, matilda johnson, gordon steele, c.w. sargeant, e. cornell, irene hewitt, wilie finn, clare clegg, jessie mccallum, c.f. white, e. kilsall, kate morris, ella garrett, winnie trompf, ellie mckissock, oswald gedded, doris walker, elsie tipping, rose smith, daisy lewellin, eliza frank, una e. fitts, may wasley, grace medwell, mollie laffey, a. duck, pearl sergent, e. penny, r. bieske, f. pattendon, e.g. bailymay booth, nelliw evans, gertie evans, e. baker, c. brittain, ralph leyland, e. tipping, mary sheehan, may chenery, j. bickart, e. perry, m. bessemeres, george richardson, f. mcintyre, h. fern, d. little, o. tolputt, arthur toop, p. lakeland, charles j. rawlings, jack hooly, thomas pattenden, elsie finch, ernest murfett, gordone steele, frank power, n.j. coote, william ewart, patrick ryan, david walker, john perry, vera lindsay, robert cooper, violet leadbeater, maggie skelton, clara mann, laura ritchie, james m. johnston, ida brown, ethel butcher, michael glenane, f.j. branigan, keith booth, henry elliot, reg cutter, stan westcott, frank king, lottie finch, ladies art association, pauline lakeland, cyril thermeyer, albert berryman, stanley lindsay, joseph bickart, alf berryman, leo hewitt, hilda tweedie, vera carroll, lionel davies, isabel kiel, alex dickens, henry elliott, mollie buley, meg moore, harrie fern, eileen conway, minnie buchanan, thomas price, edward stewart, joy lugg, olive grainger, m. heinz, d. gooch, p. moon, g. bailey, charles bray, daisy dickman, george calvert, florence sides, tom hannah, eileen blake, ethel benoit, ruby oaff, chrissie ware, harrie wilson, muriel cornel, phoebe wilkinson, fanny kay, john norcott, stewart o'loughlan, m. featherstone, f. tweedie, a. corbould, d. allanby, f. buchanan, l. cody, v. fisher, r. murphy, hilda jamieson, bessie eason, phyllis palmer, lila hall, vera hall, anie walton, ruby stevens, dorotthy davison, ethel hancock, anas ross, lizzie williams, lional davies, leslie page, frank page, lilian bell, may henry, doreen mclean, dorothy dobson, helen mcintosh, charles fraser, murial cornell, j.b. sutcliffe, dorothy dawson, emma mavin, agnes lumsden, virginia kerr, emily figgis, beryl craddock, winnie treloar, gladstone procter, f.w. procter, effie baker

Plan of Subdivision LP41463 - Part of Crown Allotment 43, Parish of Ringwood, County of Mornington. Map includes Bedford Road, Homebush Court, Vista Avenue and Vista Court, Heathmont. Allotments include LP201659, LP139446, LP115253, LP207494, LP216905, PS335874, LP206161, PS305345, PS300083, LP92899."Reaghill”; a 30 acre property in Bedford Road, Heathmont was bought from the Blood family about 1910 by Mr Seymour Davies as a weekend retreat from his busy life as a manager with the Glenferrie (or Hawthorn) branch of the English, Scottish and Australian (ES&A) Bank. He and his family came by train to Ringwood and then drove a pony cart up Bedford Road to a gateway at about number 139 and then a long drive, which wound up to the top of the hill. There was a wonderful view of Mount Dandenong which later became obliterated by tall eucalyptus trees. The land which became “Reaghill” was part of an 80 acre crown land sale to Mr Robert Blood on 12 March 1872. More information on the Blood family involvement with the area is given on pages 13-17 of the original 1974 edition of Hugh Anderson, Ringwood, Place of Many Eagles. Another section of this land was bought by Mr Frank L Walker and subsequently became "Wombalano Park". There is a quarry on the property from which stone was used for the long driveway. The garden was mainly left natural although we have two large Liquidamber trees which were planted by his wife Dora Davies (nee Hall). Surely these were some of the first to be planted in Melbourne gardens. A small weatherboard, galvanised iron roofed cottage was built on the top of the hill. At the time the house was built there was a strike of plasterers - as a result it was lined with timber, an unusual combination at that time. The Davies had a daughter and two sons - Dora (born 1897), Geoffrey (1900), John (1902). All studied medicine at Melbourne and practised, Geoffrey in Sydney, John in general practice Melbourne while Dora went to England in the 1930s and never returned. John and Dora married in 1933 and 1938 respectively and had families. Soon after the beginning of the 1939-45 war Geoffrey enlisted in the AIF as a Medical Officer and was in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese. He spent the remaining war years in various POW camps, including Changi and others in Malaya and Thailand. While there he earned the gratitude of his fellows by his innovative use of available plants to treat tropical diseases. After this war Geoffrey returned to Melbourne and worked as a pathologist at the. Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital while living for part of the time at "Reaghill". Seymour Davies died in October 19-35 and his wife, Dora, in February 1945. Of their children, John died in 1976, Dora in 1985 and Geoffrey in 1986. In July 1968 Geoffrey moved to East Ringwood and the two acre house block* and an adjacent one were sold to Dr James Hamilton Kelly, then of New York State, USA (Title Vol 8740 folio 991). As far as is known he never lived there. The house was let to a Mr and Mrs Ingamels for some years. The relatively fertile lower slopes on the south side of the land were cleared and farmed by descendants of the Blood family. At the time of the 1957 subdivision there were clear signs of the ploughed area. It was said that they used to grow strawberries in those paddocks. In about 1955 Dr Geoff Davies decided to sub-divide the property, he was unmarried and found it too large to maintain. Initially five of the seven normal house sized blocks fronting Bedford Road were sold and in about 1957 the remainder, was divided into 15 blocks (averaging nearly two acres) and put on the market. These were sold for £1000 ($2000) per acre. Homebush Court and Vista Court were formed to give access to- these blocks. The Homebush Court blocks have close access to Heathmont and the others to East Ringwood although all are lumped into East Ringwood by the municipal and postal authorities. The name "Reaghill" possibly comes from the Davies family's Irish origins. Homebush Court was named by Geoff Davies from the Sydney suburb of that name where he had lived in the 1930s. It was originally the name of a property owned by one of the early NSW Governors. Vista was a reminder to Geoff Davies of the once-grand views he remembered seeing from the hilltop. The earlier history in this article was recounted by my mother, a niece of Mr Seymour Davies, who remembered coming on a great outing to "Reaghill" as a child. Other recollections are from our own conversations with Geoff Davies. Ian and Margaret McKellar. 16 January, 1996

This record is the Parent Record for researching the subdivision of Reaghill, 139 Bedford Road, Ringwood, compiled by Richard Carter. "Reaghill" is part of an older larger holding of sixty acres which came to comprise Vista Avenue, Vista Court, Homebush Court, Rawson Court and Wombalano ParkTranscript: Researching “Reaghill" The property “Reaghill” originally stood at 139 Bedford Road, Ringwood East before the property was subdivided in the 1950s and took a new address and frontage to Vista Avenue, Ringwood East. The purpose of these notes is to trace the origins of the property from the year 1900 to the present day. Information in the notes is sourced from the archives of Carter Real Estate, from Land Titles Office records and from the book of the history of Ringwood, “Ringwood, Place of Many Eagles” by Hugh Anderson. “Reaghill” is part of an older larger holding of sixty acres. It Is the story of those 60 acres, which now comprise Vista Avenue, Vista Court, Homebush Court, Rawson Court and Wombalano Park, which Is the subject of these notes. Earlier Times A convenient starting point for these notes Is the year 1900. On 11th June 1900 Wallace Bruce of 68 High Street, Windsor became registered as the proprietor of “sixty acres or thereabouts” (24.28 hectares) being part of Crown Allotment 43 Parish of Ringwood County of Mornington. That title. Volume 2773 Folio 485 did not name the streets to which the property abutted but clearly they were Canterbury Road at its intersection with Bedford Road. Title records a lease of the property from Wallace Bruce to Thomas Oates, with the lease endorsed on title on 22 July 1903 and removed 16 June 1908. Wallace Bruce subsequently subdivided the land Into three parcels, two of which he sold to Dora Stanisforth Davies during 1909 and the balance he sold to Frank Leslie Walker in 1914. The Era of the Davies Wallace Bruce firstly sold the western portion of the property, containing twenty four acres three roods and 20 perches (24.875 acres or 10.0667 hectares) on 6 October 1909. The new title, Volume 3381 Folio 021, records the new proprietor as “Dora Stanisforth Davies, wife of Seymour George Pilkington Davies of Burwood Road, Hawthorn, Bank Manager”. Shortly thereafter, Wallace Bruce sold a further parcel of “ten acres or thereabouts” (4 hectares) being the north eastern portion of his original holding. That title, Volume 3384 Folio 795, showed the purchaser once again as “Dora Stanisforth Davies, wife of Seymour George Pilkington Davies of Burwood Road Hawthorn, Bank Manager”. It is noteable that the second, title which is dated 8 December 1909, had no abuttal to any road, nor was it at any time (even when subdivided in the 1950s) consolidated with Davies' adjoining title. Both titles then recorded that Dora Stanisforth Davies died on 19 February 1945 with probate of her will being granted to John Seymour Davies of 69 Grantham Street West Brunswick, Medical Practitioner, and Hugh Percival Hall of 339 Collins Street Melbourne, Solicitor. Almost two years later, on 6th December 1946, both parcels of land were transferred by the Executors to Geoffrey Francis Seymour Davies of 20 Albert Road Strathfield N.S.W, Medical Practitioner. From this chronology it could be surmised that one of Dora Davies’ executors, John Seymour Davies, was probably her son. Was Geoffrey Francis Seymour Davies another son, or was he her grandson? In any event Geoffrey Francis Seymour Davies set about subdividing what was then the property “Reaghill” and its 34.875 acres (14.11 hectares). The Subdivision of “Reaghill The subdivision of “Reaghill” was made more viable by the subdivision in 1931 of the property to the north and the creation of Scenic Avenue, Vista Avenue and Grandview Avenue, all of which abutted “Reaghill’s” northern boundary. In fact Geoffrey Francis Seymour Davies bought the freehold to Grandview Avenue, Scenic Avenue and Vista Avenue in July 1955 for £84-9-0 to give him legal rights over those roads. Title to those roads and the newly created Vista Avenue, Vista Court and Homebush Court remain in his name to this day. It is particularly interesting to note that whilst those streets had typical allotments of about 1000 square metres, the subdivision of Reaghill was into blocks of one to two acres or more (4000 square metres to about one hectare) except for the blocks fronting Bedford Road. That speaks volumes about Davies’ attitude to the land, its natural beauty, its topography and vegetation. “Reaghill” was subdivided into twenty two lots by Plan of Subdivision LP 41463. The first eleven lots came off Vista Avenue and formed an extension of Vista Avenue and a newly created Vista Court. Lot sizes ranged from 1 acre 1 rood 1½ perches (5097 square metres) to 2 acres 3 roods 21½ perches (1.167 hectares). A further four lots came off Homebush Court, a newly created court off Bedford Road. Those lots ranged from 1 acre 1 rood 29 perches (5792 square metres) to 2 acres 1 rood 39 ®/io perches (1.01 hectares). Seven further lots, parallelogram in configuration, fronted Bedford Road and had a typical area of 1518 square metres. The names of the streets (“Vista” Avenue/Court and “Homebush” Court) give an insight into the elevation of the land, the views it offered and the bushland it featured. The Covenant As evidence of Davies’ desire to maintain the bush setting of the property, covenants were imposed on the transfers of Lots 1 to 15 (the acreage lots). That covenant allowed for only one dwelling house to be erected on each of those lots for a period of 15 years from sale. Effectively it froze subdivision for 15 years. But 15 years came around quickly. The Sales “Reaghill” 139 Bedford Road, Ringwood was offered for Private Sale as “22 Excellent Residential Allotments” by estate agents Anderson & Hickling of 239 Collins Street Melbourne (telephone Central 25!), with a “protective covenant” of one dwelling house only on lots 1-15 for a period of 15 years. Solicitors for the vendor were Messrs Meares, Duigan & Hall of 139 Collins Street Melbourne. Sales commenced in 1955 and went through to 1967. Prices were typically from £1350, the price paid for Lot 13 in 1957. The Role of Frank Leslie Walker These notes have so far recorded that of the sixty acres originally owned by Wallace Bruce in 1900, some 34.875 acres were sold to Dora Davies in 1909 and subdivided and sold by her descendants. The balance of Wallace Bruce’s land was sold on 6th April 1914 to Frank Leslie Walker. This is the land at the south east corner of Bruce’s holding fronting Canterbury Road and which now comprises Rawson Court and Wombalano Park. Frank Leslie Walker “of Albany Chambers, Collins Street Melbourne” was described as an Art Decorator. In “Ringwood - Place of Many Eagles” he is shown as living on his land “in a house which was surrounded by a four foot high brick wall and the long drive of rough cream-coloured Lilydale gravel was entered through handsome wrought iron gates obtained from some building wrecker”. The “old rambling house" had been extended and renovated using secondhand doors, windows and timber. “Every inch of wall space seemed to be crammed from floor to ceiling with oils, watercolours, etchings and drawings of all sorts by well known artists”. On 13th August 1954 Frank Leslie Walker transferred an area of 12 acres 3 rood 21 perches (5.213 hectares) to The Mayor Councillors and Burgesses of the Borough of Ringwood for no consideration as a Gift “for the providing of pleasure grounds on places of public resort or public recreation”. That is now Wombalano Park. The balance of his property, containing 6 acres 1 rood 5 perches (2.54 hectares) and including the original homestead (named Wombalano?) was gifted by Frank Leslie Walker to his nephew on 25 November 1955. It was later subdivided as Rawson Court in 1956. The house no longer survives. The “Reaghill” Homestead The original homestead on Wallace Bruce’s holding, as has just been described fronted Canterbury Road in the area which is now Rawson Court. The age of the house is unknown but is described in 1914 as being “old and rambling”. The “Reaghill” homestead is likely to have been built by the Davies and was retained on Lot 11 of their subdivision. Its date of construction is not known but might have been soon after the Davies bought the land in 1909. Lot 11, with “Reaghill” was not sold in the 1950s as part of the land subdivision and sale. It remained as the family home of Dr. Davies until its sale in 1968 (without the 15 year covenant) to James Hamilton Kelly of New York, USA for $15,000. In time, Lot 11 was resubdivided. The house today remains on a reduced site of 7112 square metres, still on the highest point in the locality with fine views. Further Subdivisions Once the 15 year time frame of the covenant expired, the various owners of the lots, having built homes, proceeded to subdivide their surplus land. Lot 1 was first, followed by Lot 7. Only four of the original 15 acreage lots have not been subdivided. Some subdivisions were less respectful of their environment and neighbourhood than others. Maroondah City Council's planning scheme provides for a minimum lot size of 864 square metres in the locality. But the horse has already bolted. Summary “Reaghill” in its heyday, and the acreage properties which later surrounded it, contributed some of the finest and most exclusive properties in Ringwood East. Notably, the locality was home to a significant number of local medicos over the years. Its location dose to the newly relocated Tintern CEGGS gave it added exclusivity. Subdivision over the years has impinged on the beauty and the environment. However it is still a most important part of Ringwood East, with a rich history. R.A Carter January 2005