Appearances to the contrary, the item is not a weathervane but a finial. It was the gift of Mr John Sanderson (Jottings Easter 1920), from John Sanderson & Co., wool merchants, stock and station agents, commission and shipping agents before he leaves for England to become senior partner in Sanderson Murray & Elder, London, import and export agents. It was designed by Walter & Richard Butler Architects. (sketch published in Building : the magazine for the architect, builder, property owner and merchant vol.33, no 193, 12 Sept. 1923). The finial was already drawn on the sketch of the Central Institute made by Walter Butler. The maker of the finial, was Henry Alfred George Arnold Saw (born June 1881 in Hotham, Victoria was the son of Edward Saw (1854-1926) a tinsmith and Catherine Barton (1863-1907). He worked as a metal artificer for a metal-working business located opposite the Trades Hall in Lygon Street and was given the job of making the copper ship finial. Henry married Florence Charlotte Reeder and they had four children. Also known as Harry Saw according to his grandson Brian, he died on 9th February 1960. Henry and Florence both died within two months of each other in 1960. It is not clear when the ship was actually installed on the roof, the earliest photograph dating from 1927. The windvane fell or moved several times because of gale forces: - In 1995 : After the funds were raised to repair it, it was treated by sculptor David Hope, and reinstalled in the 1998 (Ship to Shore #3 Sept 1998). - In 2017: Carmela Lonetti from the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation (Ship to Shore Autumn 2017) - In 2019: a generous passerby donated the necessary funds for the conservation. It was sent to Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation (Ship to Shore 2019), treated by Evan Tindal (City of Melbourne Magainze Oct. 2020). It was reinstalled over the Summer of 2019-2020 (Ship to Shore Summer 2020). The weathervane was stolen during the night of the 6-7 March 2022. Copper price surge sparks rise in theft in Victoria in 2021-22 so it's likely the vane was stolen to be melted This sculpture is closely associated with the 1917 building and described in clippings and annual reports when the building was first newly opened. It can be seen in some of the earliest photographs of the new building and in the artist/architect Butler's impressions. The galleon is often a decorative design of Mission to Seafarers wind vane (London, Adelaide).Bronze and copper sculpture fashioned as a Wind Vane in the form of a Galleon style sailing ship with 2 pennants flying and two sails rigged atop with lower cross piece with wind directions N S E W . There is a decorative ornamental pierced scrollwork ferrule / finial with reinforcing chrome steel piping armature at base of main support which attaches to the roof or a base support. See also comments below weather vane, wind vane, sculpture, galleon, sailing ship, finial, henry alfred saw, david hope, windvane, weathervane, walter richmond butler (1864–1949), richard butler, john sanderson

This painting, which includes the beautifully crafted wind vane above the historic Mission to Seafarers’ building in Flinders Street, Melbourne, symbolises the safe port for the crew of ships, over the years, that have entered Port Phillip Bay, since the Victorian Mission was established in 1857. The stormy ocean weather for the sailors is contrasted with the calm seas near the Mission.This painting was an entry for the 2017 Maritime Art Prize. Jack's marine art covers a wide spectrum of maritime subjects, but with a focus on paintings of classic yachts that ventured over long distances to remote parts of the world. Maritime art, Marine artDonated by Jack WoodsOil painting on linen covered wooden frame, incorporating several features: from left to right a tanker vessel, a windjammer and the galleon wind vane restored to the roof of the Mission in 2020.safe, jack woods, painting, port, artwork, windjammer, windvane, cargo ship, galleon, weather vane, anl, maritime art prize, artwork-paintings

Restored by Des Tuttle. Originally owned by Ann Thom, retrieved from the property "Pleasantfield" BurramineMulti Vane windmill with a directional vaneWind engine and pump Co, Batavia Illinois

This weather vane adorned the turret of Langhorne's Wool Store, built around 1840 in Aitken Street Willaimstown. Until its demolition in 1960 it was considered the oldest commercial building in Melbourne. Built of bluestone, during its lifetime the building was used as a convict stockade, a brewery and a transport depot. Housing Commission flats were built on the site after its demolition. Large metal weather vane on a wooden pole, showing the four points of the compass and an arrow on the top to show wind direction. brewery, convicts