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.
Ivor Forsyth Grant talks about his experience at the Mission.
Part of the permanent exhibition "Early Origins" curated by Georgia Melville.
Interviews of Ivor Forsyth made by Sarah Rood from Way Back When Consulting in the Mission to Seafarers for the Early Origins exhibition in 2016
This interview of Elizabeth Fiddian, 89, a long lasting volunteer and supporter of the Mission was made in 2003.
Matt Blackwood and Csilla Csongway made their documentary, Light Bearers, after reading this article
hlg, flying angel, elizabeth fiddian, volunteers, interview, light bearers, david fiorovanti, robert banks
Victorian Seamen's Mission / Victoria Missions to Seamen / Mission to Seafarers
The motor boat built by Charles Blunt was donated in 1906, and was useful for ships' visit.
Printed photograph published in the Annual Report for 1910 on page 35, depicting Reverend Alfred Gurney Goldsmith on board the mission's motor boat with another man. The image was taken on the Yarra River near the Docklands Gasworks.
alfred gurney goldsmtih, motor boat, motor launch, southern cross, yarra river, gasworks, docklands, flinders street, charles blunt, blunt boatbuilders, geelong
Small sketch in blue ink published in the Jottings in 1916
walter richmond butler (1864–1949)
The Exhibition of Nautical Curios and Fancy Fair was held on the 14th of November 1901 at the Melbourne Athenaeum. It was opened by the Governor, Lord Hopetoun.
Digitally enhanced copy of the flyer pasted in the 1896-1902 scrapbook
nautical curios, fancy fair, melbourne athenaeum
After an attempt of building a Seamen's Hospital in Williamstown, the ship Emily was transformed in a floating chapel to welcome seamen for service. Captain Charles Ferguson (1813-1868) was one of the members of the committee who founded the floating church. The ship Emily may have been a convict ship sailing from England to the Van Diemen's land in 1842 and 1844. Before 1856, it was used as a "water police hulk" then transformed in an accommodation for Reverend Kerr Johnson and his large family and fitted to receive 200 attendees in the chapel.
The article is significant as it describes the ship and its location: "The hulk is moored midway between Sandridge and Williamstown, and is distinguished by a blue flag flying at the mainmast with "Bethel" inscribed on it; and in one corner of the flag is the star of Bethlehem, in another a dove with an olive branch."
1 column article in the Argus
ship emily, floating church, reverend kerr johnston, 1812-1887, hobson's bay, sandridge, captain ferguson, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868), convict ships
Small illustration by Charles George Darvall (1831-1924), cousin of William Henry Charles Darvall.
Born in England in 1831, he arrived in Victoria in 1858. A watercolour artist, he travelled around the goldfields and later taught at the Sandhurst School of Arts and Design.
Small ink seaside landscape found on the 1896-1902 scrapbook
Bottom right corner: C.G.D. 99
charles georges darvall (1831-1924), william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)
W.H.C. Darvall was a solicitor; ha became the Honoray Secretary of the Mission in 1895. Interested in libraires and archives, he kept a scrapbook of the events organised at the Mission during his time. He also wrote an Epitomised History. Hugh Reid ws a member of the Harbour Trust, the Sailors' Home and the Mission.
This letter of recommandation shows that W.H.C. Darvall was highly respected.
Typewritten letter in purple ink onto creamy colour paper with The Victorian Seamen's Mission, Institute & Rests letterhead.
hugh ronald reid, william henry charles darvall (1830-1906)
He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.
Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background
missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, bethel union, mariners' church
He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.
Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background
missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, mariners' church, bethel union
He served as an Anglican curate at St Stephen’s Church, Port Kembla (1941-42), and as an assistant at the Missions to Seamen, Sydney (1942). An honorary curate (1942-46) at St John’s Church, Rockdale, he married Beryl Ruth Knox, daughter of the rector, there on 3 October 1942. On 16 September he had been appointed as a temporary chaplain in the Royal Australian Navy, an event which he described as the determining factor in his future ministry. He served in HMAS Australia (1942-44) and in shore establishments before being demobilised in February 1946. In 1953 Craven-Sands joined the Missions to Seamen, Sydney, as senior chaplain, leading a team who worked for the spiritual and social welfare of seamen.
Large poster with a stylised depiction of Sydney Mission to Seamen on George Street with a large flag of the Mission on a map with streets names and the port and Sydney bridge in the background
missions to seamen, sydney, george street, reverend colin craven-sands (1917-1987), rawson institute, mariners' church, bethel union
Margaret Woodward is a an artist and an an associate professor of design at Charles Sturt University. Artist statement: "The Sea is All Around us is a multi-layered event which creates a memorable experience for those visiting the Dome Gallery and the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands. The event acknowledges and raises awareness of the often difficult and dangerous working lives and journeys of seafarers by making visible their role in transporting commodities, materials and objects to and from Australia’s shores. This installation at the Dome Gallery in the Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne’s Docklands marks the third stage of an ongoing research project which seeks to reveal the ‘social life’ of souvenirs. Beyond their representational role souvenirs also trigger intangible, affective qualities – reminders of journeys and places, new associations with tastes, sounds and people, and thereby becoming objects which focus and hold memories. This installation invites seafarers and visitors to participate in a global project which aims to witness sea journeys and trace the mobile life of seafarers and souvenirs. For a fortnight in May 2015, the Dome Gallery became an architectural large scale compass, with the circular floor marking the intersection of its latitude and longitude (37 º 49'21" S 144º 57'03"E). Over these two weeks the Dome Gallery was inscribed with marks recording journeys made by seafarers, recording destination and departure ports, home lands and waterways, and in doing so making visible a small segment of the global patterns of seafaring. Custom-made souvenirs designed for the installation are given to seafarers as gestures of welcome and a memento of their visit. The souvenirs originating in Poland continue their journey by sea, to destinations beyond the Dome becoming part of the global network of seafaring, with an invitation for seafarers to record their future journeys using QR code scanning technologies. It is hoped that by releasing the 200 limited edition souvenirs accompanying the seafarers the mobile life of souvenirs and seafarers will also become visible. Like messages in bottles they leave our shores, becoming ambassadors, representing the Dome Gallery at the Mission to Seafarers, the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Australia’s red soil and vegetation, and carrying memories of visiting Melbourne."
The Mission has always been open to the community and has a tradition of hosting cultural events: shows, concerts, exhibitions, festivals.
Orange enamel and teal mug created for the art installation by artist Margaret Woodward at the Mission to Seafarers. On one side it is decorated with a compass and a latitude and longitude; on the opposite side, a leaf, a QR code on the bottom takes you to the website.
Written at the bottom of the mug: Please scan to map the journey of this souvenir * www.sensingtheremote.net *2015
cultural events, norla dome, mso, 2015, art installation, margaret woodward
A Williamstown local, Ethel Margaret Musther nee Barber (1872-1956) was the daughter of Captain John Henry Barber (1842-1924), a sea pilot and Janet Lidell (1846-1891) Her grandfather, Captain Lidell, was also a seaman. In 1900, she married Nathan George Musther,(18..-1933) a chemist, and dentist in the Navy. They had two daughters: Rosamund Janet Musther(born 1903) and Nanoya Gwendoline Musther (born 1906). She was the principal of the Ladies' College in Footscray. She was involved in many philantropic associations especially for sailors but also during WWI and WW2. She worked for the Anzac Club, the Red Cross, She formed: 1941: the R.A.N. Friendly Union of Sailor's Wives and Mothers. 1943: the Lightkeepers Auxiliary to help the Mission raised funds. The plaque was a gift of the Lightskeeper Auxiliaire and unveiled on 30 July 1959 at the St Nicholas Chapel, by her eldest daughter, Mrs Jean McDonald. It was originally on stained and polished hardwood mount made by Mrs Murdoch (AR1959, page 24). On the day, a desk service-book was also dedicated in memory of Dr John Thompson at the request of his daughter, Mrs Sparrow.
In early 1943, Ethel Margaret Musther formed the Lightkeepers' Auxiliaire and raised funds for the third building purchased for the Williamstown branch of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, the former E,S & A Bank. Thanks to her philanthropic work, she was rewarded with a Medal of the British Empire in 1953 for all her charitable work.
Folded booklet on creamy colour paper and black ink
ethel margaret musther, st nicholas' mariners' chapel, nelson place, williamstown, lightkeepers' auxiliary, dr john thompson
A Williamstown local, Ethel Margaret Musther nee Barber (1872-1956) was the daughter of Captain John Henry Barber (1842-1924), a sea pilot and Janet Lidell (1846-1891) Her grandfather, Captain Lidell, was also a seaman. In 1900, she married Nathan George Musther,(18..-1933) a chemist, and dentist in the Navy. They had two daughters: Rosamund Janet Musther(born 1903) and Nanoya Gwendoline Musther (born 1906). She was the principal of the Ladies' College in Footscray. She was involved in many philantropic associations especially for sailors but also during WWI and WW2. She worked for the Anzac Club, the Red Cross, She formed: 1941: the R.A.N. Friendly Union of Sailor's Wives and Mothers. 1943: the Lightkeepers Auxiliary to help the Mission raised funds. The plaque was a gift of the Lightskeeper Auxiliaire and unveiled on 30 July 1959 at the St Nicholas Chapel, by her eldest daughter, Mrs Jean McDonald.It was originally on stained and polished hardwood mount made by Mrs Murdoch (AR1959, page 24). On the day, a desk service-book was also dedicated in memory of Dr John Thompson at the request of his daughter, Mrs Sparrow.
In early 1943, Ethel Margaret Musther formed the Lightkeepers' Auxiliaire and raised funds for the third building purchased for the Williamstown branch of the Victorian Seamen's Mission, the former E,S & A Bank. Thanks to her philanthropic work, she was rewarded with a Medal of the British Empire in 1953 for all her charitable work.
Invitation card to the dedication of a brass plaque in memory of Ethel Margaret Musther
ethel margaret musther, st nicholas' mariners' chapel, nelson place, williamstown, lightkeepers' auxiliary
Belaying pins used on the Polly Woodside, former Rona, ship now berthed on the Yarra River.
The Polly Woodside was saved in the 1970s and use as a Maritime Museum until its collection was dispersed. Now one of the National Trust assets. Some Mission's volunteers were also part of the team of volunteers restoring the Polly Woodside in the 1970s.
Painted: 1885 POLLY WOODSIDE 1977
polly woodside, rona, yarra river, national trust, interest group
3rd September
Framed artwork printed on textile
Written in ink on verso: "Rachel / SOLD Y"
merchant navy day, lest we forget, ww2, ww1
These armchairs seem to be dated from the 1960s and are seen in a photograph taken by the Melbourne Harbour Trust around 1963.
3 armchairs
armchairs
The author of the letter the Princess Royal is patron of the Mission to Seafarers in Australia.
The letter marks the centenary in 2007 of the establishment of the Seafarers Service in Australia.
Letter, signed, on Buckingham Palace letterhead mounted and housed in gilt painted frame, glazed . Fitted with single twist hanging wire, and 4 felt stoppers; Core flute backing with Brown paper tape to seal.
Signature bottom right in Black ink "Anne" / Conservation Framer's label initials in black ink : "E LH 22/2/08"
mission to seafarers, commemorations, princess anne, princess royal, letter, 2007, centenary, seafarers service
The photograph was taken on board the English four-masted barque Crocodile which was a a regular visitor of the Port Phillip bay ports, transporting wheat from Australia to the UK.
A rare photograph of seamen's intimate life on board.
Sepia photograph depicting the two seamen eating their dinner on board the ship Crocodile.
Written in pencil at the back: "12"
cook, barque crocodile, liverpool, tureen, goldsmith album, life on board, meals, steward, portholes
Commander Crawford Atchinson Denman Pasco (1818–1898), Royal Navy, was member of the Mission's Committee. He was the son of Rea-Admiral John Pascoe (1774–1853) who served in the Royal Navy between 1784 and 1853. On 7 April 1803 he was assigned to Nelson's flagship HMS Victory and was appointed as signal officer by Nelson on the day of the Battle of Trafalgar. In this role he was to hoist the famous signal "England expects that every man will do his duty".
Sepia tone photograph of man in uniform seating in armchair
crawford atchison denman pasco (1818-1898)
Plan of Williamstown in 1855
The map helps locate the Wesleyan church on Ann Street which was converted in the Sailors' Rest in 1875.
ann street, wesleyan church, sailors' rest, williamstown
Newspaper clipping about Mary Benin working at the Williamstown Mission to Seamen in the 1960s containing two photographs.
williamstown, mission to seamen, mary bennion, the missions to seamen, 1964, port kembla, warden, caretaker, 139 nelson place
Ethel Godfrey was interviewed for this article. She shared the history of the Guild and its role.
Article published in the Weekly Times in 1910 with a portrait of Ethel Godfrey.
ethel augusta godfrey, ethel godfrey, lhlg
Walter Butler was the official architect of the Anglican Diocese. He designed the Flinders Street Mission, the weathervane, and the first storey of the Port Melbourne Mission.
Copy of photograph of Walter Richmond Butler
walter richmond butler (1864–1949)
mission to seamen, ww1, 1917, badge, button day, bulldog, lady hennessy
In 1941, a play in South Yarra was a fundraising opportunity for the Mission during wartime. Daryl Lindsay designed the programme of the evening. He was the Curator of the National Gallery of Victoria at the time. The article describes the design: "Mr. Daryl Lindsay made a special drawing for the front of the programmes, picturing a member of a merchant vessel on the bridge of his ship in a gale." He had previously illustrated the Mission's 1925 calendar.
Shows the association with Melbourne's artworld.
daryl lindsay, artists, fundraising, padre lavender, lady macpherson, reverend c. g. lavender, ngv
dora simpson nee walker, retirement, 1971, hlg, lhlg
"A meeting for the purpose of considering the best means of estabishing an Institution of this kind, at the above place was held at the Ship Inn on Monday evening. Charles Ferguson, Esq, being voted to the Chair, briefly stated the intention of the present meeting, and that all must concur as to the necessity of founding same Institution for the relief of the numerous cases daily occuring in this port, amongst so great a number of ships, large at present but small in comparison to what may be expected in a short time. For the last five months ending May 31st, five hundred and eleven vessels en-tered Hobson's Bay, amounting to a tonnage of ninety-five thousand three hundred and seventy-two tons, which, in tho same proportion for twelve months, would give two hundred thousand tons annually and, calculating four men for each one hundred tons, shows that eight thou-sand sailors arrive at this port in the space of a year, for whom, at present, there is no provision made for either sickness or accidents. A lengthened conversation ensued, in th» course of which several instances were pointed out of he great benefit conferred upon the ship ping interest, by the establishment of an hospital at various ports named, and all agreed that such would be a great boon here. After some further discussion as to the wording of the re solution, the following was proposed by Captain Beaseley, and seconded by Captain Goss, «That this meeting is convinced of the necessity exist ing for a Seaman's Hospital, at Williams Town; and that a committee be appointed to draw up a menorial to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, respectfully praying, that a sum of money be placed on the Estimate for the en suing year, fur this purposoe ; and that the memorial be given to William Westgarth, Esq. M.L.C. in order to its presentation, -and that the committee accompany Mr Westgarth at the presenting of the said memorial. This proposi tion was carried unanimously, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to draw up the memorial: Captain Berzeley (Clifton), Captain Ross (Kashemy), Captain Baker (City of Manchester), Captain Goss (Candahar), Capt Luke (Diana), Captain Nicholson (Calphurnia), Captain Hammach (Cambodia); and for carrying out the above, a meeting is appointed to take place on board the Clifton, this day, at four p.m. A vote of thanks to the Chairman being proposed by Thomas Hunt, Esq, and seconded by A. A. Broadfoot, Esq. the meeting adjourned."
With the increase of commercial and migrant shipping, it was made obvious that seamen needed specific attention. The hospital in Williamstown was the first attempt to provide such service.
argus, seaman's hospital, williamstown, the ship inn, welfare, captain charles ferguson (1813-1868)
Speech made by the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Elaine Gardner, at the Opening of the Maritime Art Prize exhibition on 19 October 2023
governor of victoria, margaret elaine gardner, maritime art prize
255 pages with colour and black and white illustrations; notes, bibliography, index.
non-fiction
Almost hidden within religious buildings, hospitals, school chapels and civic buildings, stained-glass windows tell of Australians at war. Bronwyn Hughes focuses on commemorative stained glass—an overlooked art form—describing its rich artistic and architectural heritage and the artists and firms who created it. Memorial stained glass serves to depict and illuminate the men and women who fought and died for their faith and their country. It has a tragic beauty. The book includes stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel of the Mission to Seafarers.
australian history, ww1, ww2, boer war, vietnam war, stained glass windows, bronwyn hughes
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.
