Sponsored by Alfred M. Nicholas the Deco era Mission building facing Beach street built by Architect Harry Norris opened in 1937. The building was then in WW2 requisitioned with the Mission returning to full use of the complex some years after the War ended. The building in later years was relinquished due to decreasing shipping at Port Melbourne and need to consolidate seafarers services in the Central Mission at 717 Flinders St. The building was used as an art centre just prior to demolition in the 1990s. The Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society was instrumental in ensuring the the old foundation stone was preserved in the sea wall opposite the original site. A single brick from the building is also part of the MtSV Heritage Collection. This stone is one of the few items remaining from this building demolished in 1995.Photograph depicting the foundation stone laid on the 18 May 1937 for the new Mission in Port Melbourne.TO THE GLORY OF GOD/AND THE WELFARE OF ALL SEAFARERS / THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS LAID BY / HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA / THE LORD HUNTINGFIELD K.C.M.G. / MAY 18th 1937 / THIS BRANCH INSTITUTE OF / THE VICTORIA MISSIONS TO SEAMEN / WAS ERECTED THROUGH THE GENEROSITY OF / ALFRED M.NICHOLAS ESQ. / OFFICE OF HARRY A.NORRIS ARCHITECTSfoundation stone, lord huntingfield, port melbourne, beach street, art deco, brick, harry a. norris, alfred m. nicholas, maurice nicholas

This photograph is one of a series taken by Allan while travelling through France in mid-1949. It shows the Saint-Ouen Abbey Church from Rue d'Amiens- Rouen. Rouen, a medieval city was heavily damaged by Allied bombings during the Battle of Normandy. There are several letters relating to this journey.This is a photograph from the Allan Charles Quinn collection which is a collection of letters and photograph depicting aspects of life at sea for a young man in the era immediately following World War II.A black and white photograph taken on the 5th of June, 1949, of Saint-Ouen church built in the 14th century in Rouen, France. The sign to the right of the foreground reads: ROUEN CENTRE / AMIENS PARIS and probably indicates the photograph was taken from Rue d'Amiens (Amiens Street). The photograph shows the level of demolition of the city during World War II.On reverse: PARIS 6-6-49 handwritten in blue ink. below this is a pencil mark, similar to "ItI".allan-quinn, photograph, rouen, france, normandy, ww2, battle of normandy, 1939-1945, saint ouen abbey, amiens, paris

This building facing Marine Parade was the original Glenara guesthouse on the Esplanade, relocated after WW2.Colour photograph showing demolition of building to create carpark at rear of Glenara Motel, Lakes Entrance, Victoria.motels, township, tourism, rsl clubs

The original guesthouse moved from the Esplanade to Marine Parade after WW2.Colour photograph showing the demolition of the original Glenara building in Marine Parade,to make way for the motel car parking. Lakes Entrance, Victoria,motels, township, tourism, rsl clubs

In the post-war era from 1947 to the mid-1980s, the Forests Commission sponsored Australia's only military sawmilling unit, the 91 Forestry Squadron. It was a special reserve unit of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE). Established and commanded by Commission forester and WW2 veteran, Major Ben Benallack, the "Woodpeckers" as they were known comprised a small pool of specialised soldiers capable of rapid mobilisation in the event of need. Several other Victorian departments such as the State Electricity Commission (SEC) did the same thing who supported a construction squadron based at Newborough in the Latrobe Valley. The scheme created a very active and capable part-time military group that completed many worthy projects across the State. In addition to their military training, the Woodpeckers operated bush sawmills, built timber bridges along the Murray River, the Snake Island Jetty, forest roads and performed various demolition tasks.Presentation plaque from the "Woodpeckers" Mounted on polished wooden burl forests commission victoria (fcv)