Tours
The MtSV has operated from the now heritage-listed building at 717 Flinders Street since 1917. The building is iconic to the City of Melbourne and regarded for its perpetual service of responding to the unique circumstances of those who live and work at sea. The historical Mission complex is architecturally significant as being a fine urban example of the Arts and Crafts Style in Melbourne and you are invited to take a tour.
Led by our experienced volunteers you will be able to step inside and discover the original use of the Norla Dome, discover our hidden garden and enjoy morning tea in the courtyard.
The tour will take you through the entire operational areas of Mission to Seafarers site, encouraging visitors to explore the premises; discovering historical gems room-to-room. There are heritage interpretation panels and a number of display cases containing historical artefacts stretching beyond the Mission’s 100 years of operation at it’s now heritage listed building complex at 717 Flinders Street, purpose built for seafarers in 1917.
When: Every second Saturday or the last Thursday of the month or by appointment for groups of 10 or more.
Cost is $20 plus booking fee.
Any questions email: info@missiontoseafarers.com.au
ILLUSIONAIRE – an amazing comedy magic show
Returning in Jan 2019
Contemporary and compelling in their creation of original effects and mind-blowing comedy magic, this show will leave you delightfully flabbergasted. Witness an unique blend of the creative and flawless skills of international award winning “Champion of Comedy Magic” at FISM – the highest accolade achievable by any magician globally – Sam Angelico. Sam works with the inspirational charm and amazing talents of ‘Rosanna’, one of few female magicians in the world. Rosanna has over 21 years experience performing for celebrities and dignitaries around the globe. Together they are a powerful duo that will delight and astound! Experience an evening of remarkable and enchanting magic and witness delightful & breathtaking miracles up close!
This is one show not to be missed as media reviews reveal!…
“Breathtakingly magical!!! … A display of beautifully visual & sophisticated magic” – Weekend Notes
“Absolutely Incredible!!!” – Graham Burke (Village Roadshow)
Cost: Adult $38, Concession $32, Child (12 yo and under) $25, Family (2 adults, 2 children) $110
Food & Drinks: there is a bar on-site for drinks and light snacks, ice creams etc.
Getting there by tram: Mission to seafarers is easily accessible with Yarra Trams. Take routes 35, 70 or 75 and hop off at stop D5
Getting there by Car: There is also a car park just behind the venue at a flat rate of $9 or you can use “Parkopedia” to find other parking closest to the venue.
Book Now: www.illusionairemagic.com
Early Origins Exhibition
Permanent Collection
Opening hours: 10am – 8pm daily.
Discover the Early Origins Exhibition on a self-guided tour of the MtSV.
A wonderful display that was launched in the Centenary year of MtSV, 2017, at its iconic Flinders street address, featuring historical items that represent the early days of the Mission to Seafarers, the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild and the Port of Melbourne. Discovered just over ten years ago beneath the stage of the site’s Flying Angel Club, and painstakingly put together by dedicated historians; Early Origins is a collection of newly-discovered stories of Melbourne’s maritime history.
The exhibition spans the entire operational areas of Mission to Seafarers site, encouraging visitors to explore the premises for themselves; discovering historical gems room-to-room, guided by way-finding signage. Heritage interpretation panels and a number of display cases contain historical artefacts stretching beyond the Mission’s 100 years of operation at its now heritage listed building complex at 717 Flinders Street, purpose built for seafarers in 1917.
Further to its significance of capturing Melbourne’s maritime history, Early Origins represents the largest and most complete collection of material relating to seafarers’ welfare in Australia, as well as largest and most complete collection of material relating to the international organisation The Mission to Seafarers in the country.
“We discovered the items by pure coincidence and when we started cataloguing them. We were captivated by the stories they told about the people who came here. Not just the seamen who were welcomed from across the world, but also the hundreds of volunteers from all walks of life across Victoria”
Early Origins also delves into the foundations, design and construction of the Mission. The heritage-listed complex itself was originally designed in 1913 by esteemed architect Walter Richmond Butler, and is a merging of Arts and Crafts and Spanish Mission Revival architectural styles.
Just been & now gone
Christmas Day, December 25th. 10:30am
Join us at St Peter’s Memorial Chapel to Celebrate Christmas.
Melbourne Music Week: A Nice Warm Bath
November 24th, 5pm.
‘A Nice Warm Bath’ is an immersive audio-visual experience featuring ambient & experimental producers, sound and visual artists exploring light, scent and projection. The Norla Dome at Mission to Seafarers will be a canvas for visuals reacting to atmospheric soundscapes, creating a restorative colour bath for people to slow down and sink into.
Whilst the everyday strips us of energy, ‘A Nice Warm Bath’ will soothe and replenish as sound and light transforms the dome into a healing, meditative space for the final night of Melbourne Music Week.
Come take a dip with: ~ Anatole / SYD, ~ Carla Zimbler, ~ Hymns [DJ]
ANL Maritime Art Prize Exhibition 2018
The 2018 Maritime Art Awards Exhibition was open from 5th – 26th October, 2018.
Visit to see the 80 finalist works and place a vote in the People’s Choice Awards.
Image: 2018 Maritime Art Award Winner, ‘Aye Aye Captain’ by Joni Dennis
Melbourne Writers Festival: ‘a matter of life & death’
We hosted a number of events for the Melbourne Writers Festival this year!
Over two culture filled weekends: August 25 – 26, and September 1 – 2, 2018
Click here for the program at the Mission.
Open House Melbourne @ the Mission
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th July, 2018
The Spanish Mission/Arts and Crafts-style building complex was designed by Walter Butler. It was constructed in 1917, with the addition of the Norla Dome completed in 1919. The funds to build the complex came from fundraising by the Ladies Harbour Lights Guild (established in 1906), and a government grant. The building is significant for operating with its original purpose as a mission to the welfare of seafarers for 100 years. The historical Mission complex is architecturally significant as being a fine urban example of the Arts and Crafts Style in Melbourne. Before coming to Australia, Walter Butler was greatly influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement in his native England. He was a popular society architect in Melbourne, and designed many fine houses in Toorak. Today the complex consists of the St Peter, the Mariner Chapel, an extensive clubroom and administration area, the Chaplain’s house, a small cottage, and the Norla Dome. The Norla Dome was originally built as a gymnasium for visiting seafarers to maintain their fitness whilst onshore, and now serves as a unique and versatile events space.
AGNI
6 – 17 December, 2017
After the sell-out success of their 2016 season Jala, Apollon Studios returned with Agni, the second production in their series of the five Vedic Elements Works; Water, Fire, Wind, Earth and Aether.
Agni (ægni/AG-nee) a celebration of all the aspects of Fire and its power to protect, give life, and destroy.
Agni featured a two week exhibition of paintings and drawings by Adelaide graphic artist Krystal Brock and painter Malcolm Berry, and a dynamic multilayered performance running for FOUR NIGHTS ONLY. This second installment of the five planned events once again brought together a diverse team of artists and creatives and is a swirling dervish of theatre, music, and visual art. Featuring premiere works by award-winning playwright Robert Reid, musician Tim Wild (Taxiride), composer David Balaban and Artistic Director of Apollon Studios, Malcolm Berry, Melbourne art and theater lovers were invited to experience this unique, one off celebration of the power of Fire.
Text written by Robert Reid ~ Directed by Scott Gooding ~ Original Music by David Balaban and Tim Wild ~ Performed by Malcolm Berry, Anna Kennedy, Jack Sheppard, and Krystal Brock ~ Musicians: Ash Galea, Christy Flavell, Kavita Kalyan and Aman Kalyan ~ Featuring work by artists Malcolm Berry and Krystal Brock ~ Curated by Cathy Horsley
Sounding Histories
Works still on display from Catherine Bell and Michael Needham!
A Deakin University and Mission to Seafarers Victoria research initiative and public art event of site responsive artworks and performances. Sounding Histories is one of a number of significant events marking the Mission’s 160th year and the centenary in 2017 of the current Flinders St site.
Painters & Dockers, The Rogue Academy, Maree Clarke, Bishop & Reis
Catherine Bell, Michael Needham, Michael Graeve.
Curated by Anne Scott Wilson & Cameron Bishop
