Reverend Alexander Morton was the Presbyterian minister in Orbost between 1894 and 1904. Rev. Alexander Morton earned great respect from the Orbost community, during his ministry here between 1894-1904. He brought with him from the New Hebrides timber which was used for the pulpit. Affectionately known as “Sandy” Morton, he was very friendly and endeavoured to reach all his bush parishioners, often on horseback. He was known up the Gelantipy Valley as an itinerant Preacher with a difference, he often doubled as a dentist, who was quite adept at pulling teeth, often with a pair of pliers. ( information from Margaret Smith Newsletter August 2012)Reverend Alexander Morton was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. He was associated with the Presbyterian Church in Orbost.A black / white portrait photograph on a dark grey buff card. It is a head and shoulders posed photograph of a bearded man in a suit.on back - Rev. Alex Morton, Presbyterian Minister at Orbost"morton-alexander presbyterian-church-orbost

The outrigger gives greater stability and seaworthiness to the canoe. Outrigger canoes were originally developed by the peoples of the islands of Southeast Asia for sea travel, and were used to transport these peoples eastward through to Polynesia and New Zealand more than 2000 Years ago. Today they are still in use. This item possibly came to Orbost with Reverend Alexander Morton . Morton was the minister at the Presbyterian church about 1890. He had spent time in new Hebrides and went on to New Zealand.This item is an example of a handcrafted artefact from the New Hebrides.Detailed model of an outrigger canoe from the Polynesian islands. It isa handmade wooden (possibly breadfruit wood) model of an outrigger canoe - one outrigger attached to the main hull. Bound with string. It has two wooden paddles.handcraft morton-alexander model-outrigger-canoe