Memorabilia

Possibly the largest private collection of Chandris Memorabilia ?

A few photos of my display cabinet, that is full of memorabilia, however amongst the piles of souveniers, I do have some prized items, see pics below, of my Chandris lines flag, models, my key to my cabin, crockery and parts of the wreck. Part of my collection was on display at the Sydney Maritime Museum for 10 years – see story below. Not only has my collection been involved with the Sydney Natioanl Maritime Museum but I have had an oral history completed and recently (2021) have been involved with the “walk a mile in my shoes” program. This was a full history of myself including the travel on the Australis which people can listen to. This was through the Maritime Museum in conjunction with the Empathy Museum of UK.

Display cabinet full of Australis Memorabilia including all lives of the liner
The “plaque” is made from part of her teak decking, the brass name plate “Australis” is actually made from a brass fitting taken from the wreck and the piece of wood from the ship. The postcard was taken from the pursers office from the person who gifted me the plaque. Thankyou to Steven Tacey for making and gifting this too me. The 2 brass anchors are chandris memrobillia and are large paperweights with Chandris embossed on the shanks .
In 2002 I received a package from John and Roselyn Clarke from Vic Australia who sent me crockery and other items from when they worked on the ship. Also included was the Chandris Lines pennant which was jokingly stolen from an officer as he was about to raise it. Expecting to chase the culprits down, he merely shrugged his shoulders in disbelief. taken when the ship was in Noumea in 1978. To think, this would have more than likely the flag that I would have looked up at as a 10 year old when we were in the ports, this flag followed me on my journey and 30 years later it was in my hands. The flag was only ever raised in port to dress the ship up
The photo on the left is of the flag flying – taken by Tom Thomas on my trip Feb 76, me holding the flag taken in 78
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This is the key to my cabin, before you say anything – yes this is cabin U29 SS America – Upper deck 29. So what is the story, its amazing here goes. I was contacted years ago by a lady who saw my web site and my request for Memorabilia. She told me she had found a key in an attic and would I like it. Naturally I said yes. It was a few weeks later when it turned up and it sat in my collection for a while until one day out of curiosity i got my America plans out so I could see where this key fit the ship. My jaw dropped, it was my cabin, Cabin 129 upper on the SS Australis was in fact number U29 in the America days.Sent to me by Julie Langevin – (New Jersey USA)
My travel agents model still illuminates 1100 mm long (see pack of cards for scale)
My model I loaned to the Sydney Maritime museum for 10 yrs
A small airfix model created to look like SS Italis / American Star