Historical information

The image portrays how the Celia Little room (Celia Little plaque on the wall) was used mid 20th C. and date of similar image (see record 0221) The inclusion of the bell from the 'Moreton Bay' vessel dates the image to post 1957 when the bell was presented to the Mission. Used as a sitting room or lounge area at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. The image also shows the style of dress and style of magazine covers of the time.
On the table stands the shield for the annual competition by crew of merchant ships presented by Wally Nancarrow, Sydney. (see item 0608)

Significance

The photograph is significant in that it captures the essence of the Mission to Seafarers mid-20th century. It identifies the main use of the Celia Little room as a reading area. It also helps date and track locations of other objects in the heritage collection.

Physical description

A black and white photograph of two men in the Celia Little room at the Mission to Seafarers Melbourne. The top left of the photograph is a bell fixed to the wall that has a bell pull with a long piece of decorative knot-work attached to the clapper. The room is set up as a lounge area with at table left of the centre against the wall. The table is laden with magazines and papers on top of a tablecloth. A picture frame is sitting on the table and leaning against the wall that has a 'shield' or 'coat of arms' displayed. (see also VC records 221 and 0608) One of the men is standing central in the photograph, in a white jumper holding a magazine and half turned towards the wall.The second man is sitting in a chair in the bottom right side of the photograph and appears to be reading. A few tops of chairs are seen at the very bottom of the photo and on the wall are a plaque to the left, a framed picture to the right of the first man's head and another in the far right top corner. The room appears to be lit from the left.