We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land. We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Untitled image
Can you reuse this media without permission? No (with exceptions, see below)
All rights reserved
This media item is licensed under "All rights reserved". You cannot share (i.e. copy, distribute, transmit) or rework (i.e. alter, transform, build upon) this item, or use it for commercial purposes without the permission of the copyright owner. However, an exception can be made if your intended use meets the "fair dealing" criteria. Uses that meet this criteria include research or study; criticism or review; parody or satire; reporting news; enabling a person with a disability to access material; or professional advice by a lawyer, patent attorney, or trademark attorney.
Please acknowledge the item’s source, creator and title (where known)
Have a question? Contact Uniting Church Archives - Synod of Victoria
Born in England in 1864. Commenced ministry in 1890. Died 1928 in Burwood, Victoria.
Black and white photograph of Rev. Robert Bayles, taken when President of V+T Conference, aged 1963/64, dressed in clerical garb.
"Rev. Robert Bayles."
Presented to Rev Hewiston on his departure from Brunswick Presbyterian Church to the John Knox Church Dunedin New Zealand. Rev W Hewiston BA 1890 ordained Brunswick, assistant to A MacVean (McVean); 1895 Dunedin New Zealand, Knox Church
Brown leather cover with heavily decorative gilt embossed border and text. The inside left has a richly illuminated border round the text which is addressed to the Rev & Mrs Hewiston. It is decorated with a variety of colourful flowers and an image of the Brunswick Presbyterian Church. The right side is a continuation of the testamonial from the Brunswick Presbyterian Church congregation. It is signed by the Acting Session Clerk Evander McIver; Treasurer Daniel Tough and Secretary Daniel McDougall.
brunswick presbyterian church, daniel tough, rev w hewiston, rev allan macvean, john knox church dunedin new zealand, daniel mcdougall
Brown and gilt leather bound illuminated testimonial. The inside cover bears an image of Mr Elijah Stranger together with a testimonial commemorating 40 years as his role of Superintendent of the Brunswick Wesleyan Sunday School. The following six pages contain signatures with the last page bearing a water colour image of the Sunday School.
mr elijah stranger superintendent brunswick street wesleyan sunday school
Presented to Daniel Tough for 38 years as Superintendent of the Brunswick Sabbath School. October 1902.
Red leather cover with decorative gilt embossed border and text. Inside there is a photograph of the recipient, Daniel Tough, together with the image of two Presbyterian churches in Brunswick. The second page has the signatures of officials and students of the Brunswick Presbyterian Sabbath School.
brunswick presbyterian church, brunswick presbyterian sabbath school, daniel tough, daniel tough superintendent brunswick presbyterian sabbath school
Rev Allan McVean was instrumental in building a Church in Geelong shortly after he arrived in Australia in 1852. In 1854 he moved to Brunswick and Coburg where he worked for 40 years. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1880-1. He was also Convenor of the Board of Examination. He died in 1896. [Source: Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria 1895-97]
Illuminated testimonial with blue, green, red and gold decorative borders. It is signed by Members of Session and the Committee of Management of the Brunswick Presbyterian Church.
rev allan mcvean, brunswick presbyterian church, rev alan macvean
Rev Allan McVean was instrumental in building a Church in Geelong shortly after he arrived in Australia in 1852. In 1854 he moved to Brunswick and Coburg where he worked for 40 years. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1880-1. He was also Convenor of the Board of Examination. He died in 1896. [Source: Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria 1895-97]
Mounted on card. Signed by the Chairman of Managers and the Secretary, Kilmore 20th May 1866.
rev allan mcvean, brunswick presbyterian church, rev alan macvean
Rev. James Harcourt (1866-1938) was the son of Rev John Harcourt. He was the first student of Queen's College to graduate at the University of Melbourne. He was a chaplain of Wesley College and a tutor at Queens College for six years. In 1909 he became Minister of Glendearg Grove Church in Malvern.
Brown leather and gilt the inside is lined with watered silk on the left and a richly illuminated text on the right. The top has images of two churches and the borders are decorated with blue, yellow and red flowers. It is signed on behalf of the Malvern Circuit - Glendearg Grove and East Malvern.
rev james richmond harcourt 1866 - 1938, malvern circuit - glendearg grove and east malvern
This is a token of appreciation to Rev William Charles J. Peart who was leaving the Wodonga-Bethanga Methodist Circuit to serve King and country. He was minister of the Wodonga-Bethanga circuit in 1914 from where he enlisted in the Light Horse. He afterwards became a gunner in the Field Artillery and was severely gassed, from which he never really recovered. He spent time in hospital and on his return to Australia his circuits were Drouin, Footscray and Merbein. He then had to request leave of absence for six months owing to war disabilities. He was able to return to the ministry. Before enlisting he married Doris Quick who came out of the Daylesford Circuit. The war left a legacy of suffering and limitation with Mr Peart, but he showed a brave face and a steady heart.
Paper testimonial mounted on card. The text is gold and there is an image of a draped Australian flag in the top right corner. The testimonial is signed on behalf of the Wodonga-Bethanga Methodist Circuit by 12 people.
wodonga-bethanga methodist circuit, rev william charles j. peart 1881-1949, world war 1914 - 1918
James Bickford (1816-1895), Wesleyan clergyman, was born on 6 May 1816 in Modbury, Devon, England, fifth child of John Bickford, tenant farmer, and his wife Anne, née Whiteway. He received an elementary education and then worked for a commercial house at near-by Kingsbridge in 1830. Although raised in the Church of England, Bickford joined the Wesleyan society at Kingsbridge and was appointed a local preacher in 1835. He decided to become a missionary, and after a short informal training by the Wesleyan Missionary Society was ordained on 29 October 1838. Rev James Bickford became superintendent of the Yarra Street, Geelong, circuit in 1866. He was elected president of the Australasian Conference in 1868. Increased involvement in public affairs followed his appointment to Wesley Church, Melbourne, in 1870 and he was associated with the Society for Promoting Morality and the Sabbath Defence Association. Despite his previous advocacy of a 'mixed system' of education he supported the Victorian Education Act of 1872 as the only solution to sectarianism. [Source: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bickford-james-2993]
Brown leather with gilt embossing and illuminated borders. The Testimonial contains the signatures of the Circuit Stewards.
rev james bickford 1816-1895, wesleyan church geelong circuit
Black fabric stole with gold embroidered cross and wyvern. Gold and black fringing at each end and twisted gold cord along the long edges.
methodist church of australasia, methodist minister
The Stole is a Methodist Minister's stole or perhaps the President's stole.
Black fabric sole with gold fringing at each end. The edges are decorated with gold brocade style ribbon. The stole has symbols at each end and a small cross at the middle. The stole is made of synthetic materials.
"METHODIST CHURCH OF AUSTRALASIA THE BEST OF ALL IN GOD WITH US"
methodist church of australasia, regalia
The Methodist Girls' Comradeship was formed in 1918 with the first Branch being in Bondi, NSW. There were three sections: Junior Rays, 8 - 11 years; Senior Rays, 11 - 15 years and Comrades, 15 years and over. The aims of the MGC was to "challenge young people with the saving power of Jesus Christ and provide avenues of christian service" and "to provide for the spiritual, social, physical and educational welfare of the members". The MGC's motto was "The Utmost for the Highest". A gavel was part of the MGC Branch equipment.
Small wooden handmade gavel.
methodist girls' comardeship
MGC066.1 Handwritten letter to Mrs J Pryor from Joan M James written on Methodist Girls' Comradeship letterhead. The letter includes a diagram of the positioning of the badge on the uniform. The letter contained Rays Social badges for four named girls. MG066.2 Blue felt square backing for Rays Social badge. MGC066.2 Yellow satin ribbon with blue embroidered letter "S".
wesley rays ballarat, methodist girls' comradeship rays' section
Pale blue square cotton tablecloth with Methodist Youth Fellowship Junior blue and gold embroidered emblem in one corner.
"MYF JUNIOR"
methodist youth fellowship juniors
Handmade patchwork banner with mid-blue cotton backing and edging. The patches ae from churches within the Presbytery of Yarra Valley.
yarra valley presbytery
Handmade appliqued square patchwork presbytery cloth with an unbleached calico backing.
loddon-campaspe presbytery
Rectangular cloth with avocado green binding and hand embroidered names of members of the Kew Missionary Band.
In the centre: "K.M.B."
kew missionary band
120 pages with lithographic illustrations. Mid blue hardcover linen book with dark red and gold text and decoration on the cover and spine. Dedication inside.
non-fiction
baringhup sunday school, lily barkla, sunday school prizes
Blue hardcover line book with gilt and black text and decoration on the cover and the spine. Dedication inside. 132 pages.
non-fiction
ernest sprott, e. sprott, prizes
Soft covered black leather book leather book with gilt embossing on the cover and spine edges. 243 pages. Inscription on the title page.
non-fiction
e. sprott, methodist sabbath school sydney road brunswick
Pink silk banner with scalloped lower edge, gold metal fringe on the lower edge. Pink cotton backing with text printed in blue ink. Hand-painted decorations of flowers and a scene of boats on water on the lower left hand corner.
VICTORIAN AND TASMANIA WESLEYAN METHODIST Sunday School Union SCHOLARS' EXAMINATION DISTRICT TROPHY Geelong and Ballarat District Schools between 100 and 200 Average Attendance. Won by BROWN HILL, MAY, 1899. ". "The cost of this Award was kindly donated by MR J.J.BROKENSHIRE" "SPECTATOR CO."
ballarat and district wesleyan methodist sunday schools, brown hill wesleyan methodist sunday school, j.j.brokenshire
Pink silk banner with text printed in blue ink. Hand painted picture in the lower left corner showing a moonlit seascape with three boats, life bouy and anchor. Gold metallic fringe on zigzag lower edge. Pink cotton backing.
"VICTORIA AND TASMANIA WESLEYAN METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION Scholars' Examination District Trophy Ballarat & Geelong District. SCHOOLS UNDER 200 AVERAGE ATTENDANCE. Won by BROWN HILL, MAY, 1896, BROWN HILL, OCTOBER, 1896, BROWN HILL, MAY, 1897, BROWN HILL, OCT., 1897. Superintendent: MR. EDWIN HAYWOOD 1896 -1897."
brown hill wesleyan methodist sunday school, edwin haywood sunday school superintendent
Pale blue silk banner with linen interfacing and cream cotton backing. Cream fabric appliqued letters and gold cord edging. Scalloped edge on the base with silk fringing. The banner has a wooden pole at the top.
"BY LOVE SERVE"
Leather bound bible with gilt text on the spine and gilt edged pages. The dedication page has a small newspaper cutting stuck at the bottom of the page.
rev t s b woodfull
Tooled brown leather pulpit bible with gilt text on the spine and gilt edged pages. There is a dedication pasted inside the front.
rev david boyd, scots church heidelberg
Black leather bound book with handwritten notes inside covers.
ebenezer wesleyan church new street brighton, new street methodist church
Mrs Emily Lord gifted £1500 to the building construction which had a total cost of £2000.
Soft black dimpled leather covered bible with gilt page edges. There is a calligraphic inscription in coloured ink inside the front cover.
"To My Friend Emily Lord in happy remembrance of Laying Of Foundation Stone Barkers Road Kew Sunday School by "Mother" November 9th 1935"
barkers rd methodist church, barkers road kew sunday school, emily lord
Tooled leather bound pulpit bible with gilt edged pages and an inscription inside the front cover.
"Presented to my worthy friend Mr Michael O'Flarelle [?] for the use of the Wesleyan Chapel C....... [?} from H H Baylis [?} Geelong. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers" Leb 13.2" In different ink and hand: "William Brinsmead Leopold 1 14 6"
wesleyan chapel geelong, leopold uniting church
Brought to Australia in the 1830s.
Hand bound leather bible written in Gaelic. 279 p.
"Mr Dond McAskil Holy Bible 1859"
gaelic bible, donald mcaskil bible collection
Brought to Australia in 1830s.
Leather bound bible written in Gaelic with psalms at the back.
On back endpapers: "Mrs Donald McAskil Burwood Melbourne 1872"
gaelic bible, donald mcaskil bible collection
Brought to Australia in the 1830s.
Leather bound bible written in Gaelic.
Inside: "May McDonald Braonachair owns this Bible March 21 1831"
gaelic bible, donald mcaskil bible collection, mary mcdonald braonachair
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
