Artists statement

THE HARBOUR LIGHTS GUILD
The ‘Ladies Committee’ was formalised in 1906 to assist the chaplain with the social demands of the Mission, and was renamed the ‘Ladies Harbour Lights Guild’ the following year.
According to former members, it operated with all proper decorum and with precise guidelines that restricted women from coming into contact with seafarers outside of Mission activities. With some 1,600 Victorian members during its early years, these volunteers gave their prayers, money, handiwork time and considerable energy in order to assist in providing for the welfare needs of visiting seafarers.
The heritage chapel of St Peter, often referred to as the Mariners’ Chapel, features many examples of stained glass. Commemorating the service of Mercantile mariners, the funds to build the chapel were raised by the ladies of the Harbour Lights Guild.
This window, titled ‘Faith’, was installed in 1933 to commemorate the devoted service of Miss Ethel Godfrey, a founding key member of the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild.

Historical information

Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel.
This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum.
The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip.
This frame is showcasing the memorial window to Ethel Godfrey, and two photographs of ladies from the Harbour Lights Guild.

Physical description

Framed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signage

Inscriptions & markings

on label:
ABOVE: a member of the Harbour Lights Guild dancing with a Tongan man at a social event during the 1960s.
BELOW: A group photo of the ladies of the Harbour Lights Guild in front of the stage at the Mission to Seafarers Victoria