Historical information
Donor identifies the following:
Parish priest - Dr W M Collins
Queen - Molly Baker
Attendants - Marg Wise, Lola Sans, Gertie Baker
Flower girls - Madge Wise, Molly Brown, Rita O'Sullivan
Probably taken in Our Holy Redeemer Hall, Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills.
Significance
This is one of only a few photos in our collection which are evidence of Queen Carnivals which originated as fundraising events. They were particularly popular in both Australian and New Zealand during the early 20th century. They were particularly common during and after World War I when they were used to raise funds for returned soldiers.
It is currently the only photo in the collection of a social event connected to Our Holy Redeemer Church and the only one which includes Dr William M Collins who was the parish priest from 1933-1941. Dr Collins was a significant figure in the Catholic Church in Melbourne in the first half of the 20th century.
REF: The Advocate: The first priest-editor by Fiona Power; Kairos Catholic Journal Volume 22, Issue 16. - 2 September 2011": Summary: Born in Kilmore in 1884, William Collins attended South Melbourne College and then the University of Melbourne, where he assisted in the formation of the Newman Society of Victoria. After graduating in arts in 1911, he worked at the Melbourne Public Library and the Education Department. In 1912, at the age of 28, he went to Rome, where he studied for the priesthood at Urban College. He obtained doctorates in philosophy and theology and was ordained on 3 June 1917. He returned to Melbourne and was appointed curate at St Mary’s, West Melbourne, and St Francis’, Lonsdale Street.
In 1918, Dr Collins became editor of The Advocate. He remained in the role for seven years. Dr Collins was parish priest of Dandenong, Daylesford, East Malvern, Surrey Hills and Kew, and administrator at St Francis’. He died in 1959 and a Requiem Mass was held at Sacred Heart, Kew.
Physical description
Black and white photo of the participants in the Queen Carnival arranged on a stage in a tableaux of the coronation of the Queen. To the right are the parish priest and the archbishop and there is a man at the bottom of the stairs centre front of the stage. Guests are seated at a table to the right of the stairs and to the left of the stairs is a table with floral arrangements and other objects.
Inscriptions & markings
"1938" hand-written on the original photo in upper LH corner.
