Graylings estate was purchased by Frederick Race Godfrey around 1872 on return of a family trip to England. Reverend Gurney Goldsmith met Ethel Godfrey here while he was invited for lunch and rose her interest in the cause of the sailors. The Godfreys organised two picnics for sailors on their property, one in 1905 and one in 1910. The estate was auctioned and subdivided in 1910 after Fredrick's death. But early the same year he had a second house built on the estate. A brick building that may be what is now the Graylings apartments. According to electoral rolls, Ethel Godfrey and her sisters Frederica and Winifred lived at 95 Alma Road. Ferderica Godfrey, one of the earliest female student of Burnley Horticultural College (1899 or1900-1903) is thought to have created the landscaping of the Graylings gardens. Street signs in St Kilda East depicting the area surrounding the former Grayling estate owned by Frederick Race Godfrey until his death in 1910.graylings, frederick race godfrey (1828-1910), ethel augusta godfrey, alma road, st kilda east, burnley horticultural colleg, frederica godfrey, rica godfrey, rita godfrey

This photograph depicts a picnic for Cup Day (Tuesday 2 November 1909) organised by the Mission and the LHLG members at Orchard House. The property belongs to Mr George Higgins, engineer and his wife, Beatrice who was the LHLG Malvern branch secretary. Beatrice nee Shuter was the daughter of Charles Shuter. In the Punch published on 11 November 1909, we could read: "The pretty garden of "Orchard House," and the paddock adjoining (kindly lent by Mr. and Mrs. Singleton), was the scene on Cup Day of a most successful sailors' picnic, when Mr. and Mrs. George Higgins and the Malvern members of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild entertained some 110 sailors from the Royal Navy and Merchant Service. A football match, sports, and "costume" races were indulged in by the more active members of the party, while others enjoyed the unusual pleasure of sitting on the green grass under the trees. Mrs. MacLeod, Mrs. Knight, Mrs. Simon Fraser, Mrs. H. B. Higgins, Mrs. Albert Keep, Miss Ethel Godfrey, the Misses Wollaston, and a number of other ladies assisted to wait on the "tars." One "Jack," from H.M.S. Cambrian, voted it the "nicest day he had had since leaving the Old Country." Hearty cheers for the kind hostesses closed the proceedings. The evening was spent at the Institutes of the Missions to Seamen on the Australian Wharf and at Port Melbourne respectively, where prizes were distributed to the successful competitors. "Small monochrome photograph1909, malvern, cup day, mr george higgins, mce, beatrice elizabeth higgins (nee shuter), h.m.s. cambrian, ethel augusta godfrey, orchard house, ina higgins, rica godfrey, rita godfrey, reverend alfred gurney goldsmith, picnics, social events, frederica godfrey, entertainments, sailors, seafarers, seamen, goldsmith album

For Trafalgar Day, 20 October 1914, the Archbishop of Canterbury in England had "drawn up a new form of private prayer to be offered up specially for the sailors of the Fleets in the present crisis. He suggested its use particularly at noon as a silent prayer, when those at work may be reminded by the ringing of the " Angelus" bell to lift up their hearts to the Lord. The prayer was as follow: "O Thou that slumberest not nor sleepest, protect, we pray Thee, our sailors from the hidden perils of the sea, from the snares and assaults of the enemy. In the anxious hours of waiting, steady and support those on whom the burdens of responsibility lies heavily, and grant that in dangers often, watching often, in weariness often, they may serve Thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” The prayer illustrated by English artist G.M. Langley became popular. Prints were sold as gift for 7/9 each with an oak frame. As mentioned in the ' Quarterly Jottings from our log" no 47 midwinter 1917: the etching was gifted to the Mission for display in the new Chapel by the Godfrey sisters. The frame was gifted by their cousin's wife, Mrs William Scott Purves Godfrey ( ' Quarterly Jottings from our log" no 48 Michaelmas 1917).The print was gifted by the Misses Godfrey, influential and long term members and supporters of the Ladies Harbour Light Guild. At the time of the completion of the St Peter's Chapel in September 1917, it was dedicated to the memory of all merchant seamen serving in the long war. The print subject, of the sailor guarded by Jesus was no doubt intended to inspire faith and hope but also acknowledges and reflects the anxious days of waiting not only of the sailors and seafarers negotiating the dangerous waters and oceans but also the challenge for families, experiencing the widespread anxieties of a world at war. Wood framed and glazed engraved print of Jesus Christ with sailor in the foreground and printed inscription on mount belowSignature of artist lower left of print.: G M Langley Printed on mount at lower right: "In the Anxious hours of waiting"g.m. langley, prints, engravings, merchant seamen, seafarers, ww1, godfrey family, ethel augusta godfrey, frederica godfrey, first world war, great war, mrs william scott purves godfrey, rica godfrey, rita godfrey, artwork-paintings