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non-fiction
In 2000, the Mission to Seamen became the Mission to Seafarers. The Flying Angel flag also evolved and the Bible was removed.
The article on the evolution of the flag salong with the name is historically important.
Magazine
mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, flying angel flag
Charles Emerson Blunt built the motor boat, the Souther Cross for the Mission in 1906 when the workshop was in Geelong.
The Blunt workshop is heritage listed and has Links with the Mission; they visited the Mission in 2019 and depictions of the workshop are often entered at the Maritime Art Prize.
Series of 4 digital photographs depicting the Blunt Boatbuilders workshop in Williamstown, its interior and a portrait of Charles Emerson Blunt.
blunt boatbuilders, williamstown, motor boat, southern cross
On 20 May 2022, Phillip Cornish, Acting CEO of the Mission, was interviewed by 3aw about the theft of the windvane and the reward. A $10,000 reward is on offer for the safe return of a historic weather vane. The 104-year-old weather vane was taken from the top of the Mission to Seafarers building in the Docklands in March. One generous patron is putting up the reward. CEO of Mission to Seafarers, Philip Cornish, is desperate for the weather vane to be returned. “It’s a wonderful piece of Victorian heritage,” he told Ross and Russel. “The person who returns it potentially gets $10,000, no questions asked. “We think its probably someone looking for scrap metal which would be an absolute disgrace if that’s the case.”
mission to seafarers, radio interview, podcast, weathervane, phillip cornish, windvane, theft, 3aw, community radio, reward
The table is used in the St Peter chapel to sign registers.
The table was retorde thanks to a grant from the Furniture History Society in 2022.
Inlayed occasionnal wooden table made of Australian woods. The table has four carved spired legs and one drawer.
inlay, st peter chapel
This chapter consists of in-depth case studies of two location-based games played in Melbourne: Urban Codemakers (2010–11) and Wayfinder Live (2017), both designed by Troy Innocent. These games were directly funded by government bodies in Melbourne to promote the city’s cultural and artistic life to residents and tourists. But its creator was given a broad remit to fulfil these agendas and used them to reflect on the city’s history, architecture, and future development. Through auto-ethnographic observation and interviews with the designer and several players of the games, I reflect on the broader relationship between location-based games, their players, and the institutions and authorities that fund and enable them.
Three of the mosaics were installed on outside walls of the Mission and were a way for the Mission to be put on the map.
6 photographs depicting the Wayfinders mosaics to be scanned though an application on a phone.
wayfinder, ludea, melbourne, on the map, marketing, application, cultural events
The photograph is an early image of the Port Melbourne Mission after the addition of the first storey and the St Nicholas chapel at the back, both designed by Walter Butler.
port melbourne mission, st nicholas chapel, walter richmond butler (1864–1949)
Ruby Forge (April 15th 1881-April 2nd 1969) was the sister of James Leslie Forge. She donated the fund for one of the memorial stained glass window to her brother after his passing in 1917. Ruby was engaged to a young man who was sent to the front during WWI. Unfortunately he died over there, and she never married. She passed away in April 1969. Sue McPhail, her niece, visited the Mission on Thursday 7 September 2023, bringing this photograph.
Small black and white portrait of Ruby Forge wearing a hat.
ruby forge, sue mcphail
Article by Mark Howard published in the Great Circle Journal, Volume 42, No1, in 2020,
great circle, mark howard, sailors' home
In April 2022, the City of Melbourne partnering Storytown, with launched the "Melbourne Podcast Tour". Storytown, an application created by Jarrod Pickford offering audio guides. This self-guided tour takes you along the Yarra River, from Southbank to Docklands, taking around 1.5 hours to complete by bike or 2 hours by foot. From their website: "Told by locals Discover Australia through the voices of its locals! Storytowns collaborates with communities to craft immersive audio guides, offering authentic travel tales from the heart of each neighborhood. Simply grab your headphones, download our app and explore Melbourne’s suburbs with with our fresh-out-the-oven “Railway Stories” audio guides! And if you’re feeling adventurous this weekend, take a road trip through regional Australia and let us jazz up your adventure, where the local folks are the true stars of the story. Sue Dight was interviewed to add to t
The interview was a to way to put the Mission to Seafarers on the map and increase its visitation. Unfortunately the tour is not avalaible anymore (as from 2023).
com, city of melbourne, app, storytown, sue dight, on the map, marketing, audioguide, jarrod pickford, audio guides, self-guides tour, podcast, radio interview
The interview of Sue Dight was recorded in the Mission. Episode Description For our final episode pre-Christmas 2021 we visited the Mission to Seafarers, Melbourne. We chatted to Sue Dight the CEO of the Mission to find out about the amazing and varied ways in which they care for visiting seafarers who come into port. We also found out about Sue's own career journey which is an inspiration. It's a nice time of year to be inspired by the story of an organisation that's looks out for a forgotten group. Enjoy, and have a great Christmas.
This episod was recorded after the pandemic, and Sue Dight gives a lot of details about the work done during this period and the conditions the seafarers were subjected to. The épisode is also about Sue Dight, her career, her love for the Mission's architecture.
Interview of Sue Dight recorded in the Mission to Seafarers
sue dight, podcast, radio interview, the r and j yarn, mission to seafarers, pandemic, covid 19, open house, heritage colection
On Saturday 26 June 2022, Phillip Cornish, Acting CEO of the Mission, was interviewed by Radio Marinara. They talked about the role of the Mission, the life conditions of seafarers and the theft of the windvane.
mission to seafarers, radio marinara, triple rrr, radio interview, podcast, weathervane, phillip cornish, windvane, theft
The furnishing of the St Nicholas the Mariner chapel in the Williamstown's mission was donated to the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. The donor of the photographs added a note to the list of gifts: the chaise and patin were given by Mr and Mrs Percy Taylor in memory of their son Norman. He was 3rd engineering on a ship Testbank which was bombed in Bari Harbor in Italy (2 September 1943) . His family thought he had died but he and another man had managed to jump into the sea, and walked back to England.
2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley:
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, flagstaff hill maritime museum, percy taylor, norman taylor, bari harbor, testbank
Reunion of members of the Harbour Lights Guild in Williamstown on 31 May 1980.
The photograph providis the names of members of the Guild.
2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley:
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, nelson place, hlg, harbour lights guild, edna malon, marjorie duckett nee maclennan, gwen batson, betsy dingle
Reunion of former members of the Harbour Lights Guild in Williamstown in 1980. From left to high: Edna Malon, Marjorie Duckett (McLellan) [sic. McLennan], Evelyn Van Wyngaarden (Green), Gwen Batson, ? , Betsy Dingle, Margaret ? (Dyball)
The photograph providis the names of members of the Guild.
2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley:
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, nelson place, hlg, harbour lights guild, edna malon, gwen batson, betsy dingle, marjorie duckett nee maclennan
Standing: Barbara Hawdon (nee Taylor) Sitting left to right: Marjorie Duckett (nee McLellan) [sic. McLennan], Carol Busteed., (unknown) All were members of the Harbour Lights Guild in Williamstown with the hosts: Gwen and Joan Baston
The photograph provides the names of members of the Guild.
2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley:
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, gwen batson, joan baston, barbara hawdon, marjorie duckett nee maclennan, carol busteed
Nancy Oakley was a member of the Harbour Lights Guild in Williamstown. The photographs she donated depict picnics with sailors between 1952 and 1954.
2 A4 size paper of 13 black and white photographs photocopied of picnics with inscriptions from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: dates, locations and names
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, picnics, mount evelyn park, harbour lights guild, hlg, padre frank leslie oliver
The former ES&A Bank building was purchased to be used as the new premisces in Williamstown in 1943. The St Nicholas chapel usa added at the back. The place was furnished thanks to funds donated by the High Commissioner of Canada.
The Nelson place building and the chapel are still standing and are heritage listed.
3 colour photographs depicting the former mission in the ES&A Bank in Williamstown, the heritage plaque and the street with an inscription from Nancy Oakley
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley:
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, nelson place
Nancy Oakley and Kathleen Trace were both members of the Harbour Lights Guild in Williamstown.
This is a rare photograph taken inside the Williamstown club located in Nelson Place.
Black and white photograph depicting two young women standing on each side of an older man.
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: 1956-57 / Canteen Williamstown Mission / L-R / Nancy Oakley (Dingle) / Mr Craven / Kathleen trace
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, canteen, kathleen trace, mr craven, hlg, harbour lights guild
Colour photocopy on A4 size paper
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: "The Age" 14 June 1958
nancy oakley, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, williamstown, st nicholas the mariner chapel, randall stewart murray, george craven, opportunity shop, claude james eldridge-doyle, maude breaks, reredos, louise (lulu) amy breaks, hlg, j. wallace, mrs v. paterson, mrs w.j. hockin, mrs v. darvill
The Siddely Street Sailors' Home was built in 1904 to replace the former Spencer Street building. The home closed its doors on 31 January 1963. In 1965 the building was sold and it was later demolished and the site redeveloped. Ernst (Ernest) Waldemar Kaiser (1893-1968) was the last and longest serving superintendent of the home (March 1933 - March 1965). He was employed till 31 March 1965 (year of the article) when he finished up after 32 years in the position. He continued to be employed for a year or so after the home closed, probably serving as caretaker till it was sold. (see Mark Howard paper in the Great Circle (Vol.42, No1).)
The plaque photographed on page 25 is to be incorporated in the Seafarers park located next to the new Seafarers residential building and at the back of the Mission.
3 pages (p21 to 26) of the Port Melbourne Quarterly issue July-September 1965 about the Melbourne Sailors Home located on Spencer Street.
Inscription handwritten in black ink in capital letters by Nancy Oakley: Meetings of Melb. Sailors' Home held at office of Mr Theo H. Swanton Managing Dir. of William Crosby & Co., 464 Collins St. Melb.
nancy oakley, sailors' home, mission to seamen, nancy dingle, mrs v. kaiser, chinese dolls, kakariki, ernest kaiser, theo h. swanton, ernest waldemar kaiser
1 page one sided and handwritten in black ink in capital letters on a creamy colour paper: recollection of Nancy Oakley about the Melbourne Sailors Home located on Siddeley Street.
nancy oakley, betsy dingle, williamstown, sailors' home, mission to seamen, marjorie duckett nee maclennan, nancy dingle, theo h. swanton
Images show the Mission in 2004: furniture, furnishing (carpet, lights, curtains), artworks in the chapel, courtyard, kitchen, club, Celia Little room
54 photographs of various locations in the Mission in 2004: club, kitchen, Celia Little Room, courtyard, chapel
carpet, furnishing, lights, furniture
Small black platic calculator Canon ZX 2200 with sticker from The Australian Maritime College with manual.
nautical instrument, navigation instrument, brian mcmahon, ship master
Charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within The Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. These cards illustrate the rules for different type of Members and the suggested Intercession.
These cards hold historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the membership types of the Ladies' Harbour Lights' Guild organization and how each member (according to membership) contributed to charity. The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers as well as attending social events.
Small creamy colour membership card typed in blue ink. Font is for the name of the member and her branch. On the back rules and the suggested Intercession.
missions to seamen institute, williamstown, port melbourne, rules for members, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, school branches, membership
The charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within the Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. The flyer was to recruit new members or for former Members of the charity to renew their subscription. The patroness was always the governor's wife: here the Countess of Stradbroke whose husband, the Earl of Stradbroke was governor of Victoria between 1921 to 1926.
This paper flyer holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild involvement in the Mission to Seafarers.The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers.
Cream colour paper 2 fold-flyer in blue ink that are also subscription forms in order to become Honorary Members/Working/School Members or renewals of previous Membership of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild.
missions to seamen institute, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, lhlg, subscriptions, patroness, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935
The charity organisation, Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild, was formed within the Missions to Seamen Institute to provide a home away from home, for visiting seamen. The flyer was to recruit new members or for former Members of the charity to renew their subscription. The patroness was always the governor's wife: here the Countess of Stradbroke whose husband, the Earl of Stradbroke was governor of Victoria between 1921 to 1926.
This paper flyer holds historical significance at a local level because it illustrates the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild involvement in the Mission to Seafarers.The Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild grew to become a significant charity in Melbourne raising large amounts of money which helped to establish the current MTS building, supporting seafarers.
Cream colour paper 3 fold-flyer in blue ink that are also subscription forms in order to become Honorary Members/Working/School Members or renewals of previous Membership of the Ladies' Harbour Lights Guild. Includes an extract from the Age.
missions to seamen institute, ladies' harbour lights guild, australian wharf, lhlg, subscriptions, countess of stradbroke, patroness, lady irvine, lady creswell, lady madden, the lady mayoress, ethel augusta godfrey 1861-1935, miss b. peebles, alice sibthorpe tracy
The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.
Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynella
anne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. trienza, m.v. triaster, bpc
The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships.
Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynella
anne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, hezzanith, sextant, nautical instrument, navigation, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. trienza, m.v. triaster, m.v. triellis, bpc, ship log, radiogram, phosphate, nauru
The British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC) was a board of Australian, British, and New Zealand representatives who managed extraction of phosphate from Christmas Island, Nauru, and Banaba (Ocean Island) from 1920 until 1981. Captain S.G. Ellams Walter Harbord (Wal or Wally) (b.1923 in Brisbane-d.), master mariner in the Merchant Navy on British Phosphate Commission ships. George Garrett Kitching (1926 - 2005) was second mate on the following ships onboard which he records the events: MV Gorgon : 5-12-46 to16-1-48 SS Titan: 25-1-49 to 16-6-49 MV Orestes: 5-8-49 to 22-9-50 MV Astyanax: 28-4-51 to 7-5-51 (Coasting) MV Trienza: 8-4-53 to 9-10-53
Walter was interviewed by the Australian at War Film Archive in 2003. He served on these ships: SS Corinda SS Macumba SS Mildura SS Nellor SS Ormiston SS Reynella
anne rennie collection, wal harbord, merchant navy, seamen, seafarers, ww2, battle of the atlantic, walter harbord, navigation, m.v. trienza, s.s. titan, captain s.g. ellams, bpc, ship log, captain g.g. kitching, m.v. orestes, m.v gorgon, m.v. astyanax
These items are known as baulk circle templates. The larger one stamped Alcock & Co would have been made before 1888 (this is clear from the address). The middle one is more likely to have been made during the late 19th or early 20 century. The smaller on made of ply would have been made much later in the 20th century. The person maintaining the Billiard Table uses one of these templates to mark out a semi-circle on the table cloth in a particular position determined by the rules of the games of billiard and snooker. The semi-circle is known as the Baulk Circle. Together with a line across the table at the diameter of the semi-circle , known as the baulk line, the baulk circle plays a crucial part in these games. For example, the opening shot of each game is played from the baulk circle; in the game of billiard, if an opponent's ball crosses the baulk line, it may lead to his ball being “protected “during the next shot.
A billiard room was a feature of all the Missions over the world.
Set of 3 large semi circular wooden tools.
pool, snooker, billiard, games, mission to seamen, mission to seafarers, alcocks, baulk line, baulk circle
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.