Historical information

The photograph indicates that in c.1950, dances were held at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria main hall.

Significance

The photograph shows one of the many dances (literally) held at the Missions to Seamen during the 1950s. These events were organised by the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild with many of these members participating in the dances with seafarers. This image is significant as it documents a point in history, in part, the services provided to visiting seafarers in the 1950s.

Physical description

Black and white photograph, with a white border, in the main hall at Missions to Seamen Victoria. The photograph shows a number of couples dancing in the main hall. Two couples are visible in the foreground. The ladies are to the right of the men, with one arm around each other. The couples seem to be doing a 'progressive' dance around the hall in a circle. The lady at the front right of the photograph is looking back at the couple behind, is wearing a light cardigan and has short, light coloured hair. There is in arch in the background that is one of the doorways out to the courtyard. A couple in the background appear to be moving towards the left of the photograph, while the couple visible in the foreground appear to be moving toward the right. This would suggest the dance is moving in an anticlockwise direction.