Historical information

The sailors, officers and Reverend Gurney Goldsmith (centre) were picked up from the Siddeley Street mission by two double deck motorbuses. On the buses is written: "Motor Tyre, The place for tyre, 400-3-5 Swanston Street, Melbourne - Red Cross Hospital - The Globe".
The Mission flag and the Union Jack are brought with the men to the St John's College, St Kilda East.
The photograph appears in the Annual Report 1913.

In the Age we could read: "SAILORS' PICNIC.
The seamen from ships in port, were hospitably entertained on Christmas day by friends of the Victoria Missions to Seamen. The day was spent at St. John's College, East St. Kilda, by invitation of the warden and Mrs. Hart. The sailors enjoyed the treat, and entered heartily into the sports held during the afternoon. The evening was spent at the institute on the Australian wharf when every sailor received a Christmas' present from 'the brig."

The photograph was used in the "Jottings fro our log" quarterly publication of the Mission in 1916.

Physical description

Sepia photograph with a thin black frame depicting seamen gathering in front of the Central Institute, Siddeley Street, where buses are waiting for them to take them on an outing.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten at the back in pencil: "168" / Starting for Christmas picnic
Handwritten in blue ink: "8"
Handwritten twice in blue ink: 1914? at the top and 1914 at the bottom.