Historical information
The book was used as a visitors book for the early Mission to Seafarers.
The first date in the book is the 13th of December, 1907, although there are almost six pages of signatures before this. The last signature is dated the 28th of June, 1951.
The book documents some of the most significant moments of the Central Institute:
- the Opening Ceremony of the "new" Mission to Seafarers building in September 1917.
- the signature of HRH Edward, then Prince of Wales, and a newspaper clipping, detailing his visit, during has Australian tour in 1920.
- the visit by the Governors General including HRH the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in 1945.
Also registered: the Australian Chaplains conference attendees of both 1936 and 1949.
Many supporters, ladies from the Guild and seafarers signed the book.
Significance
The book is a significant record of VIP visitors to the Mission to Seafarers 1907 to 1951. It records respective Opening Ceremonies for Mission Buildings of both 1907 and 1917 and attendees. The book also documents a visit from Edward, Prince of Wales in 1920, travelling on the H.M.S "Renown". Significant national and international visitors throughout the first half of the 20th Century range from the royal, Vice regal and political through to international Members of the Mission to Seafarers, participants in diocesan conferences and AGMs.
Keywords
- signatures,
- handwriting,
- 1907-1951,
- h.m.s-renown,
- duke of gloucester,
- chaplain conferences,
- catherine florence aviss nee frampton,
- martin frampton,
- elizabeth frampton,
- herbert aviss,
- prince of wales,
- duchess of gloucester,
- seafarers,
- sailors,
- seamen,
- prince edward,
- opening ceremony,
- edward northcote (1854-1926)
References
- Mission to Seamen Article from the Australasian, Saturday 19 June 1920, page 37describing visit by the Prince of Wales