17 October 2024

Unpacking Carey history: a treasure trove returns home

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Unpacking Carey history: a treasure trove returns home
Unpacking Carey history: a treasure trove returns home
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During the first week of the Term 3 school holidays, the School welcomed an exciting delivery of over 20 cubic metres of Carey artefacts returned from offsite storage. These remarkable items, each rich with history, have now returned home, with several key pieces on display in the Mellor Museum for the community to discover and enjoy.

Among the standout pieces is a wooden travel trunk (pictured above) that belonged to Reverend Hedley Sutton (staff 1923–32). Sutton served as a missionary in India prior to joining Carey, and this well-travelled trunk accompanied him on his journeys. It stands as a tangible connection to Sutton’s work abroad and the global reach of Carey’s early leaders.

Also of special interest is an old metal flour bin from Laycock House, the former boarding house that once stood where the De Young Performing Arts Centre is now located. The flour bin would have played a crucial role in the daily rhythm of the boarding house, with Matron Collinge purchasing flour in bulk to bake fresh bread each day for the boarders.

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A flour bin from the Carey Boarding House, which closed in 1951
A flour bin from the Carey Boarding House, which closed in 1951
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The huge former school bell that rang at Carey until 1955
The huge former school bell that rang at Carey until 1955

Another fascinating addition is a school bell, cast by John Danks & Son in Melbourne, which was presented to the School by the OCGA at the 6th Annual Speech Night in 1928. Weighing 55kg, the bell replaced the original hand bell and was hung from a gantry in the loft of Urangeline’s former stables. It marked the rhythm of school life until 1955, when the stables were demolished to make way for a gymnasium, and an electrical bell system took its place.

Finally, a letterbox crafted from the original doors of Dr Carey’s Baptist Church in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India. Dr William Carey (1761–1834), English missionary, educator and our school’s namesake, founded the church in the early 19th century to advance education and social reform.

The letterbox was presented to our School by ‘Grateful parents’ in 1934 and offers a tangible link to William Carey’s legacy highlighting his lasting influence.

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A letterbox made from the original doors of the Carey Baptist Church in Kolkata
A letterbox made from the original doors of the Carey Baptist Church in Kolkata

These artefacts offer a window into the past, celebrating the people and experiences that have shaped our School’s identity. We encourage students, families and staff to visit the Mellor Museum and discover these treasures, as they remind us of the values and legacy that continue to inspire Carey today.

Helen Wolff
Archivist, Community Engagement

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