Artists statement

ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL EVENTS
The Ladies of the Harbour Lights Guild played a central role in everyday functions of the Mission to Seafarers. Concerts and social events were held nightly all the year round, as were special events on Cup Day, the King and Queen’s Birthdays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve.
Ladies of the Guild and other friends of the Mission contributed greatly to the organisation of such occasions, which provided great comfort to seafarers so far removed from home and their loved ones. As one seafarer remarked: “Ah miss, it is not so much the concerts and picnics that does us men so good, but that you ladies will come and talk to us”.
This window, titled ‘Hope’, was installed in 1933 in memoriam of one of the founders and long- standing members of the Guild, Miss Alice Tracey, who passed away in 1932. She is remembered as a much- loved leader and key member of LHLG.

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 Alice Sibthorpe Tracy, a photograph of ladies pin the kitchen in the Flinders Street building, and seamen dressed up during a picnic.

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: Volunteers preparing meals for a social event, circa 1950s
BELOW: Seafarers dressed for the "final heat"of the costume race at the 1926 Christmas Day picnic