Colour photograph of the Williamstown Swimming Pool.swimming pool, sport, swimming, pre olympic, williamstown, williamstown swimming pool

Subject had a long standing connection with the Mission This is a rare picture of the interior of the St Nicholas chapel which was erected behind the former E, S & A Bank building used by the Williamstown Seamen's Mission branch from 1944. The picture also shows the round stained glass dedicated on Sunday 14 December 1947. Article in the Age reading: "Seamen's Window Dedicated - A window in St. Nicholas' Mariners' Church, at Williamstown, in memory of the merchant seamen who were killed on active service In the last war, was unveiled and dedicated yesterday.The ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Geelong (Rt. Rev. J. D. McKie). The window, erected by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary of the Victoria Missions to Seamen is placed behind the altar. It shows a quartermaster, with his hand on the wheel, and the figure of Christ pointing ahead. Bishop McKie paid a tribute to the spirit of the men who gave their lives at sea in the service of their country. He said the work of the auxiliary would still be of great value, although the war was over." The decision of the window was published in August 1947, Mrs Musther -who created the Lightkeepers' Auxiliary branch in Williamstown - ordered it from Brooks, Robinson & Co. (job books 1923-1966). The furniture and window were donated in 1979 to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnanbool, and located in the chapel.Black and White Gloss print photograph - Image features a minister delivering a chapel serviceHand written in black texta; ... Mission to Seamen, Williamstown Chapel service... Circa 1957randall stewart murray, st nicholas the mariner chapel, chapel, lay reader, williamstown, victorian-seamens-mission, 139 nelson place, e,s and a bank, english, scottish and australian bank, stained-glass window, pews, lightkeepers' auxiliary, warrnambool, mrs musther, brooks, robinson & co

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens Loris was born and grew up in Williamstown. She lived across the street from the Gardens at 122 Osborne Street with her parents and siblings. A primary source of information on memories of the Gardens from the 1950s until the time of the interview.CD and transcript of interview with Loris Wood about her memories of Williamstown Botanic Gardenswilliamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, fish pond, cannons, aviary, adam lindsay gordon, pinetum, fearon reserve, band platform, clarke statue, ernie anderson, osborne street, weddings, horses, gardeners cottage, curators lodge

The Maréchal de Turenne, a three mast barque, was built in the "Chantiers de la Loire" shipyard in Nantes, port in the West of France, in 1899 by the company René Guillon et René Fleury. Capacity of 3000 barrels. The barque is called a "cap-hornier" in French. In a book written in 1973 by Georges Aubin, "La mer douce et cruelle", ed. France-Empire, a chapter "Une traversée du trois-mâts nantais Maréchal de Turenne" (page 285 to 319) tells how the ship was navigating from London to New-York to load barrels of petrol bound for Melbourne.The photograph demonstrates how prepared the merchant navy was during the First World War. The French Merchant Navy had additional men from the Navy: the six sailors in uniform and sailor "bachi" bonnet with the AMBC inscription were on the ship to support the crew in case of enemy attack. Two of those soldiers carry a bayonet. One of the sailors is wearing headphones: World War One saw telecommunication progress. At sea, the threat were the German submarines: the U-boats.The photograph depicting the 22 members of the crew was taken in October 1918 onboard the Marechal de Turenne. The two on the right and left side are holding a picture of the barque. One man at the back is holding a cat. 11 names are written at the back. The photograph was turned into a postcard.Printed at the back: On the left: Green Bros/Photo/251 Nelson Place, Williamstown Centered: Post Card/Correspondence/Address only Top right corner for the stamp: Kodak Australia Written at the back: octobre 1918 Souvenir du navire Maréchal de Turenne Berthot Jacquet Renaut R. Renaut H. Lecoq Mercier Berger Dubas Lorie Coat Tilloncrew, barque, french, 1918, marechal de turenne, nantes, wwi, world war one, first world war, great war, buoy, ship mascot, cat, a.m.b.c, bayonet, african, black man, apprentices, armement militaire des bâtiments de commerce, bachi, sailor beret, radio transmitters, telegraph, morse, telecommunication, german submarines, u-boats, cigarettes, smoking, williamstown, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, nelson place

This framed document titled "The Victorian Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown" shows a list of donors of significant items to the St Nicholas Missions to Seamen's Church in Williamstown when the new building opened in 1944. The organisation ceased in 1966 and the furnishings were later donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool by the Missions to Seamen Victoria. The transcription of the document is as follows: The Victoria Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown To the Glory of God List of Gifts Altar - Mrs. and Miss J.R. Schutt Cross - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Chalice and Paten - Mr. and Mrs. Percy Taylor 1 Pair Altar Lights - Mrs. R.J. Ewart 1 Pair Altar Lights - Mrs. M. Jackson Sanctuary Lamp - Miss C. Roberts Rerebos - Miss. M. Breaks, in memoriam Miss. L.A. Breaks Sanctuary Window - Victoria Missions to Seamen Lightkeepers' Auxiliary Missal - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Missal Desk - Mrs. R. Hodgkiss Altar Vases - Mrs. R. Kaybould Bible - Mrs. R.J. Ewart Sanctuary Chairs - Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Twist Credence Table - Mrs. F. Clark Altar Dish – Mrs L. Clark Font - Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Dyble Prayer Desk - H.M.H.S. "Centaur" Reed Organ - "Joy Club for Fighters" Collection Plates - Mr. D. MacKae Hymn Board - St. David's Musical Society, Brighton Pews, Carpet and Hangings - Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary Bell - Mrs. A.L. Feenes THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity, which has been serving the seafarers of the world since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired because of ill health, others determined that the work should continue, and they founded the Missions to Seamen. It adopted as its symbol a Flying Angel, inspired by a verse from Revelation 14 in the Bible. Today there are over 200 ports in the world where the Missions to Seamen has centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club offers a warm welcome to sailors of all colours, creeds and races. A sailor can watch television, have a drink and a chat, change money or buy goods from the club shop or worship in the Chapel. In Victoria, the Missions to Seamen still has a clubs in Melbourne, Portland and Geelong. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake that once operated in Williamstown, Victoria. It began in 1857 when Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church, known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860 a Sailors’ Rest began operating from various rented premises at Williamstown, supported by the Ladies Harbour Light Guild, which came into being in 1859. The Guild provided a reading room, writing facilities, a canteen and a large annexe with emergency sleeping quarters attached to the chapel. In 1878 the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year they were able to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883 they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished as it was no longer safe. While they were raising funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to a building in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. In 1908 they were able to purchase the Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street. In August that year they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1944 the Mission to Seaman’s Club was officially opened in the former E.S.& A. Bank at 139 Nelson Place, described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the newly formed Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s church was operational until 1966. The time had come when the Port of Williamstown was no longer used by large international ships. The premises was then leased to the Commonwealth Government. At around the same time, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Advisory Board had decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its maritime village; Missions to Seamen churches were significant features of ports during the time period that the Village represents. The curator of Flagstaff Hill at that time, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board gave permission for the entire furnishings of the original chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The provision of the transfer was that the donor of the collection would be recognised, that the items would remain as a complete collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and used to conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. In the year 2000 the Missions to Seamen became the Mission to Seafarers. The design of Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas Church incorporates many features found in local churches of the same era. Warrnambool sandstone, no longer commercially available, was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut, to be used as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Traditional slate rooming tiles were used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck of the “Falls of Halladale”. Much of its cargo of green American roofing slates was salvaged by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers and some was used on this building. Placement of the furnishings has been done as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown Chapel and with assistance from local clergy. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. The Recreation Room has been furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. The furnishings have been acquired locally and several items have been donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms have been assembled to simulate gas light fittings available in the 19th century. The St Nicholas’ Mission to Seamen Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. Amongst the donated furnishings is the original missal, which was donated to the church as a memorial to those who lost their lives when the HS Centaur was sunk. (Of the 368 on board only two crew members survived.) The reed organ came from Canada. The sanctuary lamp was in memory of Edward Roberts, who died in August 1905. The stained glass window above the altar was a gift from the Lighthouse Auxiliary Guild and is called “’Christ Guiding the Helmsman”. The stained glass window at the back of the church was a memorial to Dr Connell, who was a much respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was installed in 1928 above the landing of the stairs going up to the second floor of what was then the main building of the Warrnambool Hospital. The plaque with the inscription is now with Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The inscription reads: “A tribute to Egbert John Connell M.B., B.S., who for 30 years rendered devoted and valuable service to this institution. April 4th 1928.” Note: St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, children, pawnbrokers and merchants. He was a bishop from the fourth century whose feast day was on December 6th. This document is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857. The document is socially significant as it connects the community of Williamstown with the St Nicholas' Missions to Seamen and represents the importance of the church to the community. The items in our collection from the Missions to Seamen in Williamstown, Victoria, have historical and social significance. They show that people of the 1800s and 1900s cared about the seafarers’ religious, moral, and social welfare, no matter what the religion, social status or nationality. It had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson's Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. Document titled "The Victorian Missions to Seamen, St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown". The document is a list of gifts originally given to the St Nicholas Seaman's Church in Williamstown, Victoria. The document is mounted in a decorative wooden frame with glass cover. This is one of the original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, framed document, donations to st nicholas seamen's church williamstown, 139 nelson place williamstown, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, mission to seafarers, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, flying angel club, mrs. and miss j.r. schutt, mrs. r.j. ewart, mr. and mrs. percy taylor, mrs. m. jackson, miss c. roberts, miss. l.a. breaks, miss. m. breaks, victoria missions to seamen lightkeepers' auxiliary, mrs. r. hodgkiss, mrs. r. kaybould, mr. and mrs. f.h. twist, mrs. f. clark, mrs l. clark, mr. and mrs. c.v. dyble, h.m.h.s. "centaur", "joy club for fighters", mr. d. mackae, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary, mrs. a.l. feenes, st. david's musical society brighton

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Shelley Wood. Shelley was born in Williamstown, as was her mother Margaret McLean. Shelley recalls her mother telling her about spending many hours in the Gardens when she was young with her friend Chic, who was the daughter of the Curator Ernie Anderson. Shelley, who was the first female gardener appointed in the western region, served her apprenticeship at Gardens and is currently the Curator. shelley wood, margaret mclean, tom wood, chic anderson, ernie anderson, 1979, apprentice, fish pond, pinetum, barry heath, golden elm, palms, brian turner, dean splatt, robert anderson, 1988, bicentennial funding, 1987, angela altair, helen page, mary klestadt, mike hirst, john hawker, landscape advisory group, williamstown technical school, gates, buffalo lawn, ian brown, storytime, adam lindsay gordon, statue, archie matthews, aviary, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

This window was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Street, Williamstown, Victoria. The charity began in 1857 when a Sailors’ Rest was opened in Williamstown to offer sailors of all colours, creeds and races a warm welcome. In 1859 the Ladies Harbour Light Guild came into being to support the work with services and facilities. Much of the furniture and furnishings were donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by the Missions to Seamen Victoria on 29th May 1979, after the church closed.This item is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857.Photograph of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown. Sepia photograph with wooden frame. Photograph shows the inside of the chapel of Mission to Seamen, including organ, bench seats and other furniture and furnishings. There is a circular stained glass window high on the back wall depicting a sailor at the helm of a ship and a man standing behind him and pointing the way - "Christ Showing The Helmsman The Way" This is one of the original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, st nicholas mission to seamen's church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, mission to seamen victoria, st nicholas mission to seamen, chapel window, christ showing the helmsman the way, stained glass window, st nicholas seamen's church, religion, religious service, sailor's rest, ladies harbour light guild

The construction of the lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ began 15th September 1909 and was completed almost 12 months later, 1st September 1910. It was built at the Government Dockyard in Williamstown, Victoria, along the lines designed by the Great Britain’s Royal Lifeboat Institution, and included whaleback decks fore and aft, mast and centreboard, and rudder and tiller hung from the sternpost. It could be propelled by both sail and oar. At that time Captain Ferguson was Chief Harbour Master and Mr Beagley was foreman boat builder when he and his fellow workmen built the boat. The boat was described as “… a fine piece of workmanship and does credit to her builders and designers…” It had all the latest improvements in shape, disposition of weight and watertight compartments, and it had space for a large number of people in addition to the crew. It appears that 'H Meiers' whose signature, along with building dates, is pencilled on a concealed timber 'plaque' in the hull, was involved with the building of the lifeboat. It is interesting that the ‘Melbourne Directory’ of 1911, published by Sands and MacDougal, lists McAuley and Meiers, boat builders, Nelson Place foreshore, between Pasco and Parker Streets, Williamstown, (Victorian Heritage Database, ‘Contextual History, Maritime Facilities’), It is probably the company of the person whose name is inscribed on the lifeboat plaque. Flagstaff Hill’s documentation also mentions that the keel was laid at ‘Harry Myers, boat builders, Williamstown, Melbourne’ – the name ‘Myers’ can also be spelled ‘Meiers’, which could be the same person as the Meiers in “McAuley and Meiers” (as mentioned in genealogy lines of Myers). The new lifeboat, to be named ‘Warrnambool’ was brought to town by train and launched at the breakwater on 1st March 1911 using the Titan crane (the old lifeboat built in 1858, was then returned to Melbourne in 1911). This new lifeboat was stationed at Warrnambool in a shed located at the base of the Breakwater, adjacent to the slipway. A winch was used to bring it in and out of the water. The lifeboat ‘Warrnambool’ was similar in size to the old lifeboat but far superior in design, build and sea-going qualities such as greater manoeuvrability. The ‘self-righting, self-draining’ design was “practically non-capsizeable” and even if the boat overturned it would right itself to an even keel and the water would drain away. The hull was built of New Zealand Kauri, using double diagonal planking, laid in two layers at right angles, with a layer of canvas and red lead paint between the timbers to help seal the planking. It has “… plenty of freeboard, high watertight spaces between the deck and bottom… through which pipes lead…” The backbone timbers were made of Jarrah. The lifeboat Warrnambool was one of several rescue boats used at Port Fairy and Warrnambool in early 1900's. In late 1914 the Warrnambool lifeboat and crew were used to help find what was left of the tragic wreckage of the Antares, and were able to discover the body of one of the crewmen, which they brought back to Warrnambool. Between 1951 and 1954 the lifeboat was manned under the guidance of Captain Carrington. He held lifeboat practice each month on a Sunday morning, to comply with the Ports and Harbour’s request that lifeboats be manned by a strong and competent crew, ready for action in case of emergency. In the early 1960’s it ended its service as a lifeboat and was used in Port Fairy as a barge to help dredge the Moyne River, bolted to the Port Fairy lifeboat. Flagstaff Hill obtained the Warrnambool in 1975. In 1984 it was on display at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. On 23rd May 1990 she was lifted from the water and placed in a cradle for restoration. The name ‘WARRNAMBOOL could be seen faintly on the lifeboat before it was restored. It was during the restoration that Flagstaff Hill's boat builder discovered the 'plaque' inside the hull. A copy of the blueprint plans has the name “V.E.E. Gotch” printed on it. His advertisement in Footscray’s ‘Independent’ newspaper of Saturday 11th May 1901 states he is “Principal and Skilled member (Naval Architect) to the Court of Marine Inquiry of Victoria and holds classes for naval architectural drawing and arithmetic.” The lifeboat WARRNAMBOOL is significant for its half century service to the local community as a lifesaving vessel. She was also used to help retrieve the body of a shipwrecked crew member of the ANTARES. Lifeboat "Warrnambool", wooden, clinker hull, 'self-righting, self-draining' design, single mast, pivoting centreboard. Complete with sail and yardarm. A 'plaque' was found inside the hull of the lifeboat, made of untreated wood, disc shaped with one straight edge (Diam 15.5cm), inscribed by one of the boat builders in pencil script "Life Boat Start building / 15/9/09 - complete 1/9/10 / (signature looks like H Meiers) / Boat Builder)."'Plaque' inside body of boat is inscribed in pencil, script writing "Life Boat Start building / 15/9/09 - complete 1/9/10 / (signature looks like H Meiels) / Boat Builder)." flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, lifeboat, life boat, vessel, life saving, 1910 vessel, port fairy, boat builder plaque, rescue boat, beagley, williamstown, government dockyard, v.e.e. gotch, royal lifeboat institution, captain ferguson, meiers, nelson place, non-capsizeable, self-righting, titan crane, double diagonal planking, captain carrington, barge, antares

This round, stained glass window, titled "Christ Showing the Helmsman the Way", was installed in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The window was referred to as the Sanctuary Window and was installed in the chapel above the altar. This memorial window has significance as a part of Victoria's War Heritage and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database. The window was donated to St Nicholas Seamen’s Church as a memorial to the members of the Merchant Navy whose lives were lost in the Second World War, 1939-1945. The donor was the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary, an independent ladies association working with the Williamstown Missions to Seamen (the Missions to Seamen organisation was re-named the Mission to Seafarers in the year 2000). The window was officially dedicated on December 14, 1947 by Geelong's Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. J.D. McKie. In the early months of 1948 a bronze plaque was also placed in the chapel above the altar. It recognises the lost souls of the Merchant Navy during World War 2, as well as the donor of the window, the Williamstown Lightkeepers Auxiliary. The inscription impressed on the rectangular bronze plaque, 20.4 x 10.2cm, is as follows: “IN MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MERCHANT NAVY WHO WERE LOST IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1945 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH. THE WINDOW ABOVE THE ALTAR WAS ERECTED BY THE WILLIAMSTOWN LIGHTKEEPERS AUXILIARY 1947.” The Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church ceased operation in 1966. In 1979 the Victoria Missions to Seamen donated this round, stained glass window and the memorial plaque to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, along with many other items and furnishings. These items have been used to simulate the Williamstown Mission and Chapel as much as possible. The round space that formerly displayed the window can still be seen at the back of the old St Nicholas Seamen’s Church, previously the ES&A bank, in Williamstown. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has been serving the seafarers of the world since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired others continued the work, founding the Missions to Seamen. It adopted a Flying Angel as its symbol, inspired by a verse from the Bible in Revelation 14. Today over 200 ports in the world have Missions to Seamen centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club offers a warm welcome to sailors of all colours, creeds and races and provides a wide range of facilities. The Missions to Seamen organisation changed its name to the Mission to Seafarers in the year 2000 and continues on, including Missions to Seamen clubs in Victoria’s cities of Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake from Williamstown, Victoria, which began in 1857. Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church there, known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860 a Sailors’ Rest began operating from various rented premises at Williamstown. In 1878 the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year they were able to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883 they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished as it was no longer safe. While they were raising funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to a building in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. Around this time, in 1906, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild was formed in Australia to support and raise funds for the Mission to Seamen organisation in Melbourne. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founding members Ethel Godfrey and Alice Sibthorpe. During the Mission's time at Siddeley Street, Melbourne, the activities of the Guild raised funds for the Mission to Seamen's Chapel at their new, and still current, premises in Flinders Street, Melbourne, opened in 1917. The Guild continued its important work until the 1960s. In 1908 the Williamstown Mission had enough money to purchase the former Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street, Williamstown. In August that year they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1943 the former ES&A Bank building at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was purchased to become the new Mission to Seaman’s Club. On May 6th, 1944, it was officially opened, described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church, after St Nicholas, fourth century bishop and patron saint of sailors. Services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, newly founded by Mrs Ethel Margaret Musther in 1943, as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s Church operated until 1966, when the Port of Williamstown was no longer used by large international ships. The Commonwealth Government then leased the premises. In the formative years of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Advisory Board decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its village. The Missions organisation was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the period that the Village represents. They often erected Missions to house social and worshipful activities for seamen. Flagstaff Hill’s curator, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board gave its permission for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. A provision of the transfer was that the Victoria Missions to Seamen be recognised, that the items would remain as a collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. FLAGSTAFF HILL’S ‘ST NICHOLAS SEAMEN’S CHURCH’ Flagstaff Hill’s Missions to Seamen’s conception was partly motivated by the offer of Stained Glass Memorial Windows, originally from the local Warrnambool and District Base Hospital, which was undergoing multi-storey development in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The hospital’s Manager/Secretary was keen to see the historical window installed in an appropriate location. The church, or chapel, was designed by a local architectural draftsman in conjunction with the Flagstaff Hill Planning Board and was built by Mr Leon Habel. The designers had the hope that the church would be used for formal worship such as weddings, funerals and multi-denominational special services such as War commemorations. The design is based on the ‘Missions to Seamen’ buildings in both Portland and the Port of Melbourne. Placement of the furnishings was done as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and with assistance from local clergy. The Recreation Room was furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. A framed document in the building recognises the donor of the furnishings, Victoria Missions to Seamen, as well as the names of some of the original donors and their donated item/s. The design of the building incorporates local features such as Warrnambool sandstone, which was no longer commercially available but was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut, to be used as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Also, traditional green American roofing slate were used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck “Falls of Halladale” by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. The additional furnishings were acquired locally and several items were donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms were assembled to simulate 19th century gas light fittings. The stained glass window at the back of the church is a memorial to Dr Connell, a well-respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was originally installed in 1928 in what was then the main building of Warrnambool Hospital. The St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. This stained glass window is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It was donated to the Mission by the Lightkeepers Auxiliary (Ladies Harbour Lights Guild, which was formed in 1905). The Missions to Seamen organisation had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson’s Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. The connection of this window the Mission to Seamen and the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. This memorial window has significant as a part of Victoria's War Heritage and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database, Heritage Number 196973.Window, stained glass, circular, with reinforcing bars. The window represents Christ showing the helmsman the way. It shows a man in blue knitted jumper holding onto a ship's wheel, looking over his right shoulder. Behind him stands a man in a white robe pointing to his right and looking to his left, his left hand gesturing to pause. The background has various shapes and patterns of blue glass, bordered by two arcs, the outer one is white, the inner one is red. This beautiful window is in our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection and was brought to Warrnambool from the original St Nicholas Seamen’s Church in Williamstown. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, lightkeepers auxiliary, ladies harbour light guild, 139 nelson place williamstown, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, e. s. & a. bank williamstown, christ directing a sailor, christ showing the helmsman the way, quartermaster’s hand on the wheel, stained glass window, church window, religious window, sanctuary window, memorial window, war memorial window, victorian war heritage inventory, victorian heritage database, merchant navy ww2, 1939-1945, anglican church, bishop mckie, mrs musther, brooks robinson & co, flying angel club, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary, ladies' harbour lights guild, commemorative window

This pair of kneeling rails was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. A kneeling rail is part of the furniture of a church and is used during religious prayer, assisting the person to be in the position of kneeling. A padded kneeling mat or cushion would also be provided for comfort. The Missions to Seamen The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity, which has been serving the seafarers of the world since 1856. It was inspired by the work of Rev. John Ashley who, 20 years earlier, had pioneered a ministry to seafarers in the Bristol Channel in Great Britain. When Ashley retired because of ill health, others determined that the work should continue, and they founded the Missions to Seamen. It adopted as its symbol a Flying Angel, inspired by a verse from Revelation 14 in the Bible. Today there are over 200 ports in the world where the Missions to Seamen has centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club offers a warm welcome to sailors of all colours, creeds and races. A sailor can watch television, have a drink and a chat, change money or buy goods from the club shop or worship in the Chapel. In Victoria, the Missions to Seamen still has a clubs in Melbourne, Portland and Geelong. Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church is named after its namesake that once operated in Williamstown, Victoria. It began in 1857 when Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church, known as ‘Bethel’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. In 1860 a Sailors’ Rest began operating from various rented premises at Williamstown, supported by the Ladies Harbour Light Guild, which came into being in 1859. The Guild provided a reading room, writing facilities, a canteen and a large annexe with emergency sleeping quarters attached to the chapel. In 1878 the Sailors’ Church moved into an old Wesleyan chapel in Ann Street. By the end of that year they were able to purchase the building, which they had already refurbished. In 1883 they affiliated with the Victorian Seamen’s Mission. A few years later, in 1906, the building had to be demolished as it was no longer safe. While they were raising funds for a new building, the Sailors’ Rest temporarily moved to a building in front of Customs House in Nelson Place. In 1908 they were able to purchase the Mascotte skating rink on Thompson Street. In August that year they were inaugurated into the Victorian Missions to Seamen. They continued at that venue for a few decades. In 1944 the Mission to Seaman’s Club was officially opened in the former E.S.& A. Bank at 139 Nelson Place, described as a ‘distinctive little building’. Funds had previously been raised for the building and furnishing of the chapel at the rear. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the newly formed Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary as well as the Harbour Lights Guild and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s church was operational until 1966. The time had come when the Port of Williamstown was no longer used by large international ships. The premises was then leased to the Commonwealth Government. At around the same time, the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village Advisory Board had decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its maritime village; Missions to Seamen churches were significant features of ports during the period that the Village represents. The curator of Flagstaff Hill at that time, Mr Ken Marshman, approached the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen regarding the Williamstown branch. Consequently, the Board gave its permission for the entire furnishings of the original chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The provision of the transfer was that the donor of the collection would be recognised, that the items would remain as a complete collection, and that the chapel would be called St Nicholas Seamen’s Church and used to conduct Divine services. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979. In the year 2000, the Missions to Seamen became the Mission to Seafarers. The design of Flagstaff Hill’s St Nicholas Church incorporates many features found in local churches of the same era. Warrnambool sandstone, no longer commercially available, was procured from demolished buildings and uniformly cut, to be used as a veneer over the stronger Mt. Gambier stone. Traditional slate rooming tiles were used, sourced from the 1908 local shipwreck of the “Falls of Halladale”. Much of its cargo of green American roofing slates were salvaged by Flagstaff Hill volunteer divers and some were used on this building. Placement of the furnishings has been done as accurately as possible according to photographs of the Williamstown Chapel and with assistance from local clergy. The bell tower includes a bell believed to be from a local shipwreck. The Recreation Room has been furnished and arranged on advice from experienced members of the Missions to Seamen organisation. The furnishings have been acquired locally and several items have been donated by Warrnambool residents. Light fittings in both rooms have been assembled to simulate gas light fittings available in the 19th century. The St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church at Flagstaff Hill was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor, Cr. John Lindsay, on Sunday 11th October 1981. The event included a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Warrnambool Ministers Fraternal. Since then the Chapel has been the historic venue for many weddings. Amongst the donated furnishings is the original missal, which was donated to the church as a memorial to those who lost their lives when the HS Centaur was sunk. (Of the 368 onboard only two crew members survived.) The reed organ came from Canada. The sanctuary lamp was in memory of Edward Roberts, who died in August 1905. The stained glass window above the altar was a gift from the Lighthouse Auxiliary Guild and is called “Christ Guiding the Helmsman”. The stained glass window at the back of the church was a memorial to Dr Connell, who was a well-respected member of the Warrnambool community. It was installed in 1928 above the landing of the stairs going up to the second floor of what was then the main building of the Warrnambool Hospital. The plaque with the inscription is now with Warrnambool and District Historical Society. The inscription reads: “A tribute to Egbert John Connell M.B., B.S., who for 30 years rendered devoted and valuable service to this institution. April 4th 1928.” Note: St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, children, pawnbrokers and merchants. He was a bishop from the fourth century whose feast day was on December 6th. This pair of kneeling rails is significant through its association with the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen Church in Williamstown, Melbourne, established in 1857. The items in our collection from the Missions to Seamen in Williamstown, Victoria, have historical and social significance. They show that people of the 1800s and 1900s cared about the seafarers’ religious, moral, and social welfare, no matter what the religion, social status or nationality. It had its origins in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The first Australian branch was started in 1856 by the Rev. Kerr Johnston, a Church of England clergyman, and operated from a hulk moored in Hobson’s Bay; later the Mission occupied buildings in Williamstown and Port Melbourne. Rail and base; pair of two. Three varnished wood pillars and cap rail, mounted on a rectangular box-shaped base. A kneeling rail used in religious worship. This is a pair of original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.-flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, rail for kneeling, rail, kneeling rail, religion, religious service, sailors rest, bethel sailors’ church, bethel floating church, ladies harbour light guild, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, st nicholas mission to seamen church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown, church furniture, religious furniture, religious worship, flying angel club, altar rail, kneeler

The Viator, a Victorian ‘couta boat, was built by renowned boat builder J.R. Jones of Williamstown, Melbourne between 1890 and 1920. Its keel was red gum, stern and stern posts were jarrah, and the hull’s planking and ribs were New Zealand Kauri. The son of J.R. Jones (J.B. Jones) was also a ‘couta boat builder. Viator served as a ‘couta fishing boat in the Warrnambool area until the mid-1930’s. Before then it may also have been used for fishing in the Apollo Bay and Queenscliff region. It seems that Viator also sailed the mail run between Port Phillip Bay and Apollo Bay. Viator then served as a mail boat across to Portland, and later as a fishing and recreation boat for local families. For years Viator sat in a paddock in East Warrnambool until purchased in 1975 and donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, where she is the most significant boat in the museum’s fleet. ‘COUTA BOATS The ‘couta design for vessels is believed to have originated at Port Phillip, Victoria, for the purpose of the Barracouta (‘couta) fishing industry, being both fast and seaworthy. J.R. Jones was one of the early builders of craft with this design. The Viator is a rare example of the ‘couta craft from the early days that were sailed by fishermen for many years. It is carvel planked, has an open cockpit, a vertical stem and straight Keel, single mast and a pivoting centreboard. These features are all characteristics of an early Bass Strait ‘couta boat, as confirmed by experienced Victorian couta boat restorer Tim Phillips. OWNERS The Viator was registered Port Fairy in 1940 and owned by G.J. Richards. It was also registered in Port Fairy 1941-1945 and owned by Jens “Peter” Petersen. “Brusher” Richards of Warrnambool and Port Fairy used it for fishing during the 1950’s. Peter Watson and his son also went fishing in Viator. Frank Ferrier, boat builder (and son of William Ferrier, hero for rescue of La Bella shipwreck survivors), also owned the Viator at one stage. Arthur Rogers owned Viator too. He sold it to Terry Pridmore and Wayne Moorefield. John Lindsay had been told that the Viator was stored in a paddock in Fairmont Avenue, Warrnambool, where it was gradually deteriorating. After discussing this with the Manager of Flagstaff Hill, Peter Ronald, John arranged to purchase the vessel at a very reasonable price from Pridmore in 1975. John Lindsay then donated Viator to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. In its very early days it was fondly referred to as “the old mail boat”. RESTORATION Shipwright Erik Mikkelsen soon started restoration on the Viator by after it arrived at Flagstaff Hill in 1975. (A photograph published by The Standard May 29, 1975 shows Erik Mikkelson working on the decking, watched by John Lindsay (Planning Board Chairman), Don Maxwell (Tourism Officer) and Leon Habel (Works Supervisor). Another photograph published by The Standard August 9, 1973, shows Arthur Hoey (Shipping Supervisor) working on a mast mounting. ) Maritime Museums of Australia awarded a grant in 2006 to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village to assist with the restoration and renovation of the Viator. IMAGES Six colour photographs are available showing the Viator the 1970’s; two are of the Viator in Port Fairy in 1971, the other four are of the Viator at the Warrnambool Breakwater in 1972 after preparing her to sail. Other photographs published in The Standard in 1975 and 1976 show the restoration process underway. The Viator received Heritage status with the Australia Maritime Museums Council in 2006 and is listed on the Australian Register of Historical Vessels (ARHV Number: HV000561) The Viator is of Local, State and National significance as one of the oldest remaining Victorian Barracouta boats. It is an early and rare example of this type of craft, one of the last local ‘couta boat. Due to its age, it is the most significant vessel in the fleet at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, according to Julie Winzar, Warrnambool City Council, June 2007. Vessel, the ‘Viator’, an historic Victorian ‘couta boat, handmade by renowned boat builder J.R. Jones of Williamstown, c.1890-1920. Single masted carvel vessel with a wooden hull and a pivoting centreboard and is likely to have had gaff rigging. The keel was constructed from red gum, the stern and stern posts were jarrah, and the planking and ribs were New Zealand Kauri. Viator is listed on the Australian Register of Historical Vessels (ARHV Number: HV000561) Marked "Viator"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, arhv hv000561, arthur rogers, bass strait ‘couta boat, “brusher” richards of warrnambool and port fairy, clinker hull boat, ‘couta crafted boat c 1890-1905, ‘couta fishing boat, erik mikkelsen shipwright, g.j. richards of port fairy, jens “peter” petersen, john lindsay, j.r. jones boat builder, j.r. jones of williamstown, old mail boat, pivoting centerboard boat, peter watson, single-masted ketch, terry prodmore and wayne moorefield, vessel viator, viator a historical vessel, victorian ‘couta boat, victorian barracoota boat, warrnambool ‘couta boat, western victoria fishing boat, western victoria mail boat

One of a collection of over 400 photographs in an album commenced in 1960 and presented to the Phillip Island & Westernport Historical Society by the Shire of Phillip IslandPhotograph of Capt. J. A. Jansson's Ketch "Swan" off Williamstown c. 1900local history, photography, photographs, the ketch "swan", black & white photograph, shipping, ketches, capt j a jansson, john jenner, bryant west

The reports were produced and readily distributed annually to a number of organisational stakeholders and included reports from the Committee, Chaplain, extracts of letters, Ladies auxiliary and a list of subscribers.These reports were produced annually and include a number of smaller reports from the Executive Committee, Chaplain and auxiliary. They sometimes included photographs and a list of subscribers and amounts pledged. These reports provide an organisational overview as well as many stories of the people who populated the Mission to Seafarers.Faded blue booklet with black printed text and ornate printed border on front cover. This is the Forty-Second Annual Report of the Victorian Seamen's Mission incorporating the Port Melbourne Seamen's Institute and Williamstown Sailors' Rest.Handwritten in ink on top right hand corner: "F B Berhaus [indecipherable]" Handwritten in ink on bottom left hand corner: "Melbourne Sailors' Home"annual report, 1899, victorian seamen's mission

The Armstrong Cannons were originally placed at Fort Gellibrand, located at the southernmost tip of the Williamstown peninsula. The Fort was developed during the 1850s as part of a defensive system for the city and port of Melbourne. The importance of the Fort batteries declined from the 1890s, when they were effectively replaced by new facilities at Queenscliff and Point Nepean, but they were still used for gunnery practice. Local residents, through the Williamstown Town Council, complained to the Acting Minister for Defence that the concussion from the guns damaged windows, walls and foundations of buildings. The Armstrong Cannons were moved from Fort Gellibrand to the Gardens in 1906. A primary source of evidence of the cannons being in the Gardens. The cannons are remembered fondly as play equipment for the local children. Many tales have been told of climbing over them and pretending to be shot out of them A collection of seven black and white photographs documenting the removal of the cannons from the Gardens Photo 1 (a) Black and white landscape image. View is looking through the main gates looking at the front of the truck, which has the name Walter Wright across the front bumper, the crane and canon. The gates and fence are painted a light colour, probably white. Photo 2 (b) Black and white landscape image. Back of loader with cannon on it. Man standing on top of the cannon bending over either tying or untying ropes. Trunk of a palm tree is on the left side of the photo with a top of a palm tree in the background. Photo 3 (c) Black and portrait white image. A cannon being loaded by the crane on to trailer. Palm tree is in the background and fronds from a palm tree can be seen in the right top corner. Photo 4 (d) Black and white landscape image. Side on view of a cannon on the truck parked outside the grounds of the Gardens. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. A second cannon can be seen in the background. A bus is in the background on the middle right side of the image. Photo 5 (e) Black and white landscape image. Truck with cannon on the back leaving the ground of the Gardens. Tree on the right side of the image and power pole is behind the truck. The logo of the name of the trucking company is on the door of the truck above the words ‘WALTER H WRIGHT / TRANSPORT PTY LTD / S SCHULZ ST WEST MELB’. ‘WALTER WRIGHT’ is on the front bumper Photo 6 (f) Black and white landscape image. Cannon tied down on the back of the truck as it is being driven across the street. Three houses in the background and two cars, one is a Volkswagen Photo 7 (g) Black and white landscape image. Cannon on the back of the truck which is parked over the street from the Gardens. Three houses are in the background. Two trees bare of leaves. The front of a car in in the foreground – it has a sun visor and the steering wheel is a light colour.armstrong cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, 1970, walter h wright / transport pty ltd

This author P. Kalaitzis was founder and director of the magazine by the name "Σύγγραμμα - Επετηρίς" at the time of publication. He describes here the education situation on the island of Imbros from the 17th Century till the mid-1900s. The book is in the Greek language. It has no illustrations and its 18 pages long. - It was printed by printers D. Giannopoulos - 3 Kororoit Creek Rd., North WilliamstownHistorical significance of the activity of Greeks in Victoria during the periodBook in the Greek language, written by Panayotis Kalaitzis. ΚΕΝΤΡΟΝ Ιμβριακών και Τενεδιακών Σπουδών - Περιοδικόν Συγγραμα - Επετηρίς, Ιδρυτής Διευθυντής Παναγιώτης Δ. Καλαϊτζής. Έκδοσις Β'. (Issue B), Melbourne 1972. Blue soft covergreek, letters, book, imbros, education, βιβλίο

These set of three cheers, often called sanctuary chairs, thrones or bishop's chairs, were part of the original furnishings of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown, Victoria. The church was operated by the Missions to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (brief history) The Missions to Seamen is an Anglican (Church of England) charity that has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It adopted a Flying Angel as its symbol, inspired by a verse from the Bible in Revelation 14. Today over 200 ports in the world have Missions to Seamen centres and chaplains. A Missions to Seamen’s club offers a warm welcome to sailors of all colours, creeds and races and provides a wide range of facilities. The organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operates its Flying Angel Club locally in Victoria’s cities of Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings (current at year 2000). In Williamstown in 1857 Bishop Perry opened the first Sailors’ Church there, known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’, on an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. Not long afterwards it became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In 1906, the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in Australia to support and raise funds for the Missions to Seamen organisation in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy, who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920. The Guild continued its important work until the 1960s. In 1943 the former ES&A Bank building at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, was purchased to become the new Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church, after St Nicholas, fourth century bishop and patron saint of sailors. Services were held on Wednesdays and Sundays. The church was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. The Williamstown Mission to Seamen’s Church operated until 1966. Around that time, in the formative years of Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, the Advisory Board decided to include a Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room in its village, as the Missions organisation was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the period that the Village represents. The Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission for the entire furnishings of the then closed Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The donation was approved on 21st May 1979 and the St Nicholas Seamen’s Church has been set up to closely resemble the Williamstown chapel. This set of chairs is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The set of chairs is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this item to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Chair, set of three. Chars are also called Sanctuary chairs, Thrones or Bishop's Chairs. Large wooden with simple straight wooden legs and armrests. Back support features a peak design and three decorative cutaway holes. This set is one of the original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, church furniture, throne, bishop's chair, mission to seamen, williamstown, st nicholas seamen's church, religious furniture, sanctuary chair, church service, religious worship, ladies lightkeepers' auxiliary

In 1944 the Williamstown Mission moved to the former English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A Bank) building.large b & w photograph street view of the Williamstown Missionwilliamstown, es&a bank

In 1944 the Williamstown Mission moved to the former English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A Bank) building.large b & w photograph street view of the Williamstown Missionwilliamstown, es&a bank

From the Missions to Seamen, Williamstown, Melbourne.Title "Hymns, Ancient and Modern Standard Edition", Dark cloth-covered cover featuring floral inlay decoration and gold leaf lettering. Stamped inside "From the Missions to Seamen, Williamstown, Melbourne." Publisher William Clowes and Sons Ltd London. This is one of the original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’.Stamped inside "From the Missions to Seamen, Williamstown, Melbourne."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, hymns, ancient and modern standard edition, book, st nicholas seamen's church williamstown collection

The Williamstown Lightkeepers' was largely formed by the wives of local seafarers and came to an end in 1966 after 23 years.Lightkeepers was another affiliated category of membership associated with the LHLG which post WW2 became known as Harbour Lights Guild. Williamstown was one of the earliest sites where a Mission to seamen was available in the form of a seamen's rest which relocated within the township several times.Small rectangular brass plaque mounted on a wooden board.The standard lights in this sanctuary were given by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary to commemorate 23 years of devoted work for seafarers in the Williamstown Mission 1966.williamstown, lightkeepers, auxiliary, mission, plaque, memorial

The original postcards in this series (2013.002 to 2013.018) were generously loaned to Williamstown Botanic Gardens by a private collector for copying. The postcards are evidence of the interest the gardens held as a subject for postcard publishers. The text and images provide a snapshot into fashions, social interests and concerns of the time. The professionally produced images provide a pictorial history of Gardens including changing planting styles, various structures and features of the Gardens eg the aviary, cannons, the fountain, the second Curator’s Lodge and gates. The images offer an opportunity to compare garden vistas with the present day. This postcard shows the main east-west axial path with a typical Victorian/Edwardian mown grass strip which in turn borders formal shrub beds with herbaceous plantings. The Cordylines which line and avenue in this image were replaced by Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) planted in 1915. They were replaced with the same species in 1987. Black and white postcard of Gardens main path, looking towards a white statue on a plinth. The statue is of Williamstown MLA, A T Clark. There are for people walking towards the camera – two women, a small girl and two men. The women and child are on the right of the path and the men on the left. One woman is pushing a pram. The path is edged with grass and the beds are full of flowers. There are no palms lining the path as there are today in 2013. On front of postcard ‘IN THE GARDENS, WILLIAMSTOWN’.postcard, garden-beds, post-card, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay-city-council, pram, clark

This pew is one of a set of seventeen church pews originally used in St. Nicholas Seamen’s Church, 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, during religious services there. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The pews were donated to the St Nicholas Seamen’s Church by the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, founded by Ethel Margaret Musther, M.B.E. * for more detailed history please see our Registration Number 611, Set of Pews The set of pews is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The set of pews id historically significant for their connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of these pews to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Church pew, one of a set of seventeen varnished wooden church pews. The pews have a shelf fitted behind the backrest. This is one of a set of original items in our ‘St Nicholas Seamen's Church Williamstown Collection’. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, lightkeepers’ auxiliary, mrs musther, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, flying angel’s club, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, st nicholas mission to seamen church williamstown, mission to seamen williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown, church furniture, church seats, church pew, religious furniture, religious worship, anglican church, set of pews