Devoted to a cause or life's work, you are filled with great love. You feel compelled. You rise to the challenge and make sacrifices beyond duty, unfaltering and constant with grit to live with loyalty and passion. Devotion can inspire others. It can drive a life, be all-consuming. For some, their devotion becomes their life.
Ida Prosser-Fenn and her devotion to nursing and her husband
Sister Ida Elizabeth Muriel Prosser, 1937. Courtesy: Ida Prosser-Fenn's daughters, Elizabeth and Beverly.
1907-2000
I cannot describe our departure from the Aird Hill Mission Station I visualise those dear young people on the wharf crying and singing in English. Now is the hour when we must say goodbye.
With a heavy heart we had the unbelievable ordeal of adjusting to the so-called civilised way of life, longing for the uncritical loyalty of our Papuan friends.
Ida Elizabeth Prosser-Fenn, 1985–86
Ida Elizabeth Prosser-Fenn and her husband Reverend Edward Richard Fenn were missionaries in Papua New Guinea from 1937 until 1952. The Fenns built the first church at the Aird Hill Missionary Station, but together they learnt that being missionaries in Papua involved more than just preaching and teaching.
While the Reverend Fenn assisted with building and maintenance, Ida Prosser-Fenn, a nurse by trade, provided a range of medical assistance, particularly to the women and children of the surrounding villages.
Known as Bohobo Puripuri Upi – white medicine woman – Ida Prosser-Fenn devoted her time in PNG, not only to her husband's work, but to treating injury and disease and assisting women through pregnancy and labour.
On display in Eternity is a grass skirt from Papua New Guinea that belonged to Ida Prosser-Fenn. While visiting Eternity take the opportunity to record your own story of devotion.
Jack Lamont and his devotion to caring for his wife
Born 1922
Daphne, Jack's wife of over 60 years, suffers from advanced dementia. Jack cared for her for six years at home, but now she is in a nearby nursing home. He visits her several times a week, does all her washing and ironing and bakes cakes and muffins for all the residents and staff of the home.
The story focuses on Jack's devotion to both his wife and to raising awareness of the effects of dementia. The object is the cake tin in which he carries the cakes and muffins he bakes to the nursing home.
William Saville-Kent and his devotion to the study of nature
Frontispiece to
William Saville-Kent, the Naturalist in Australia. Unknown photographer. Reprographed: Dragi Markovic.
1845-1908
With a background in museums, biology and aquariums, the English-born marine biologist William Saville-Kent had an enormous impact on the early study and management of Australian fisheries and reef conservation. He came to Australia in 1884 as Superintendent and Inspector of Fisheries in Tasmania, later moving to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, and various islands in North Queensland. His career was characterised by his devotion to marine wildlife, particularly corals and sponges, and a determination to overhaul their management.
His enthusiasm is shown through his vividly illustrated work The Great Barrier Reef of Australia: its products and potentialities (1893), a copy of which is held by the Museum's library. The story focuses on his devotion to marine wildlife, particularly corals and fisheries, and the impact that his tireless efforts have had on Australian attitudes to the Great Barrier Reef.
A plaster cast of a reef fish, the Hobart Trumpeter (Latris hecateria) made by William Saville-Kent in 1887 is on display.
Annette Kellermann and her devotion to health and beauty
Annette Kellermann at around 18 years old by the ocean. Courtesy: Hilton Cordell Productions.
1886-1975
Annette Kellerman was born in Sydney in 1886 and by the early twentieth century became one of the highest paid and most adored Hollywood and vaudeville stars. Her life as a swimmer, vaudeville and film star was the inspiration for the 1950s Esther Williams classic The Million Dollar Mermaid.
Annette was encouraged by her father to swim at an early age as a remedy for rickets, a disease that bowed her legs. She soon found herself breaking records and loving swimming.
She used her fame to promote good health and physical exercise for women by giving lectures, writing books including Physical beauty: How to keep it, and creating comfortable and elegant fashion designs including the one-piece swimsuit.
The Eternity story focuses on Annette's devotion to a healthy lifestyle and features one of her daring one-piece swimsuits.
Sir Littleton Ernest Groom and his devotion to his family
1867-1936
Sir Littleton Ernest Groom is probably best known for his career as a vocal and long-serving non-Labor member, minister and Speaker of the Commonwealth House of Representatives between the 1900s and the 1930s. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, he trained as a barrister and fell into politics, taking over his father's seat in the new Commonwealth House of Representatives in 1901. His parliamentary career was prominent and busy, often taking him away from his Queensland-based family. At the same time, Groom was passionately devoted to his life outside politics, particularly his family and the Anglican Church. The Eternity story focuses on his devotion both to his family, as seen through letters he wrote to his wife, and on his political career.
A silver key, presented to Littleton Groom as he was the inaugural Speaker of the House of Representatives when Parliament House opened on 9 May 1927, is on display.
Stories no longer on display
Benny Zable
Anti-nuclear activist and artist devoted to the peace movement (1980s)
Emma Miller
Trade unionist and women's rights activist devoted to achieving women's voting rights (1900s)
Faith Bandler
Campaigner for Aboriginal citizenship rights (1960s)
Gilbert Dyett
Worked in recruitment during the Second World War and after the war for the organisation that became the Returned and Services League (RSL) (post-Second World War)
Joy Burns
Devotion to the Christian Women's Association (CWA) (1929-today)
Mary Mackillop
Co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph and devotion to helping people in poverty (1860s-1900s)
