From the Rogue Academy website: Over the last 100 years, volunteering has been the mainstay of the Mission To Seafarers. We were invited to create an artwork for the MTS centennial celebration, which was held in September 2107 In highlighting the essential nature of volunteering to the organisation, we further explored the richness and vitality of the MTS volunteer community by gathering information about the volunteer. We initiated conversations that sought individual stories, their role within the organisation and heir feelings, opinions and ideas about the generous act of giving time. This information was being used to create further artworks in the leadup to the September that highlight the impact and importance of your role at the Mission and the changes in these roles after the introduction of shipping containers. Food for Conversation recipe booklets which show old recipes that may have been served by the famous Ladies Harbour Lights Guild at their many functions, sea shanty evenings and volunteer BBQs accompanied the main even – a diiner at the exhibiion.The Rogue Academy is a social and participatory agency run by artists Amanda Shone and Fiona Lee that is working with the Mission’s volunteers to rethink the capacity of volunteering as a form of social engagement and unpaid labour in the 21st century. For Opening Night, they will host a casual dinner for Mission volunteers and their families, offering a hearty meal that would be the envy of the Ladies of the Harbour Lights Guild. As seats become available seafarers and members of the public will be invited to join in the conversation, and adding to the atmosphere will be three seafaring knotters.PerformanceSmall blue booklet with the Flying Angel logo in cover.mission to seafarers, 2017, 100th anniversary, sounding histories, the rogue academy, food for conversation, lhlg, ladies harbour lights guild, recipes, centenary, flinders street, cameron bishop, anne wilson, maree clarke, artworks, deakin university, fiona lee, amanda shone, dinner, volunteers, michael needham, catherine bell, bishop and reis, michael graeve, anne scott wilson, performance, installation, community, cultural events

Slovenians love gatherings and picnics. In 1959 buses took Slovenians to Mt Macedon, where they had a picnic with traditional Slovenian foods, game of volleyball, singing and having conversation in Slovenian language as well as meeting new friendsslovenian club melbourne, slovenian association melbourne, slovenian picnic, mt macedon

This photograph, taken during the 1990 Jacana Primary School Christmas picnic, depicts children and adults gathered on the grass in a relaxed, park-like setting—likely Greenvale Reservoir Park in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Groups are seated on blankets or directly on the grass, sharing snacks and drinks, suggesting a casual and inclusive celebration to mark the end of the school year. Jacana Primary School, established in 1959, was a central institution in the Jacana community until its closure in the early 2000s. Annual events such as the Christmas picnic were a key part of the school’s culture, fostering a sense of community among students, families, and staff. These gatherings provided opportunities for informal interaction, celebration, and connection beyond the classroom. The use of Greenvale Reservoir Park reflects the school’s emphasis on accessible, natural spaces that supported outdoor learning and social engagement. The park’s open environment encouraged intergenerational participation and reinforced the school’s values of inclusivity and community spirit. This image is historically significant as it illustrates the role of public education in promoting social cohesion and local identity in Melbourne’s outer suburbs during a period of suburban expansion. It also serves as a visual record of Jacana Primary School’s enduring legacy in shaping community life through shared experiences.This photograph, taken during the 1990 Jacana Primary School Christmas picnic, is a valuable visual record of community engagement and school culture in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. It depicts children and adults gathered on the grass in a relaxed, park-like setting—likely Greenvale Reservoir Park—sharing food, conversation, and companionship in celebration of the end of the school year. Jacana Primary School, established in 1959 and closed in the early 2000s, played a central role in the Jacana community. Annual events such as the Christmas picnic were integral to the school’s identity, fostering a sense of belonging and connection among students, families, and staff. These gatherings encouraged informal interaction and reinforced the school’s commitment to inclusivity and community-building. The image is historically significant as it reflects the broader role of public education in promoting social cohesion, local identity, and intergenerational relationships during a period of suburban growth and transformation. It also highlights the importance of accessible public spaces—like Greenvale Reservoir Park—in supporting educational and social experiences beyond the classroom.Photograph on glossy paper of a group children in the park.PH18289 (crossed out) PH-4209 (crossed out) PH-4868jacana primary school, christmas picnic, 1990, jacana, christmas party

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