Who was Nellie Payne?

Brooch created 2011 for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor exhibition by Michelle Taylor.

Brooch created 2011 for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor exhibition by Michelle Taylor. DB199 The exhibition Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor celebrated the 2011 centenary of International Women’s Day. It explored feminist achievement in Australia through the medium of contemporary jewellery. The exhibition featured 100 stories of great Australian women who broke the barriers in arts, sciences, […]

Nellie’s passing. 31st January 1962.

Nellie’s passing. 31st January 1962. DB164 Nellie’s last few years were spent quietly at Antill Street, lovingly cared for by daughter Madge, and enjoying always the company of old friends who called upon her from time to time.  And when the weather was warm she would go for short walks on the arm of a […]

Glamorgan Municipality, Tasmania. Honour roll unveiled 1954.

Glamorgan Municipality, Tasmania. Honour roll unveiled 1954. DB190 This World War 2 honour roll looks like it was carved by the same person as the WW1 honour roll, it is therefore assumed that Nellie has carved it, as it is recorded that she carved the WW1 roll. The other possibility is that someone else has […]

Plaque, All Hallows by the Tower, London. Carved 1953.

Plaque, All Hallows by the Tower, London. Carved 1953. Plaque. All Hallows by the Tower, London All Hallows plaque close up All Hallows plaque close up Possum All Hallows plaque close up Platypus DB27 Nellie carved this piece aged 88 or 89 and is believed to be one of the last major carvings that she […]

Coat of Arms for Davson. Carved 1952.

Coat of Arms for Davson. Carved 1952. Davson coat of arms. Davson coat of arms provenance. Coat of Arms from Nellie’s scrapbook. DB188 This coat of arms carved by Nellie Payne is now in Switzerland.

President’s chair (carved 1952) and Presidents’ board (carved after WW1), Naval, Military, and Airforce Club, Hobart.

President’s chair (carved 1952) and Presidents’ board (carved after WW1), Naval, Military, and Airforce Club, Hobart. Presidents’ chair, Naval, Military and Airforce Club, Hobart. Close up detail Presidents’ chair. Close up shield, Presidents’ chair, Naval, Military and Airforce Club, Hobart. Presidents board, Naval, Military and Airforce Club, Hobart. DB72, DB178 Nellies scrapbook says that the […]

Jewellery box made by Charles Payne pre 1951. Initials carved by Nellie Payne

Jewellery box made by Charles Payne pre 1951. Initials carved by Nellie Payne. DB154 Josephine married Charles Payne (b 1926) – Nellie’s third grandchild and only grandson in 1951. Charles made a jewellery box and a powder box for his engagement to Jo.  Nellie carved Jo’s initials “JKA” into the top of each box.

Shield for Head of the River, Scotch College, Melbourne. Carved 1951.

John Field

Shield for Head of the River, Scotch College, Melbourne. Carved 1951. DB119 “Cattle King of Van Diemen’s Land” by Claudia Dean “J. Charles Field attended Hagley School, (Tasmania) as a boarder, the school then being held in the church.  He also attended Campbell Town Grammar school.  It is said that he was to be sent […]

Dower chest carved 1951 for Josephine K Anderson

Dower chest carved 1951 for Josephine K Anderson. Dower chest for Josephine Anderson Inside lid of Josephine Anderson’s dower chest. Embossed leather book cover. DB90 DB203 Josephine (Jo) married Charles Payne (b 1926, d 2021) – Nellie’s third grandchild and only grandson -in 1951. Nellie carved this  dower chest for their engagement, having faith that […]

Bookends for Marion Brookes. Carved 1950.

Bookends for Marion Brookes. Carved 1950. DB191 Margaret Brooks of Victoria now has the bookends that were carved by Nellie for her mother, Marion. Marion Brooks is the youngest daughter of Gordon Lindsay Clark and Barbara Jane Walch. (Nellie also carved a chair for Lindsay Clark – DB192) The extended Walch family included Marian’s Aunt […]

Reredos, St David’s Cathedral, Hobart. Carved 1949.

Reredos, St David’s Cathedral, Hobart. Carved 1949. St David’s Cathedral, Hobart – rerederos with stained glass window St David’s Cathedral, Hobart – rerederos close up DB15 The Mercury: Saturday 5th November 1949, page 10 FROM PULPIT AND PEW The Bishop of Tasmania (the Rt.Rev. G. F. Cranswick) will dedicate,a memorial window to Sir John andLady McCall […]

Bookends carved 1949 for Gussie Wright’s 100th birthday.

Bookends carved 1949 for Gussie Wright’s 100th birthday. DB139 AUGUSTA SOPHIA (GUSSIE) GREENHILL (1849 -1953) Gussie Wright, daughter of Christopher Henry and Laura Paulina Wright lived at “Brookville”, Westbury  with her family until she married George Greenhill and moved to “Egmont”. As was the fashion of the times ladies visited each other for afternoon tea […]

Chest for Karl von Stieglitz. Carved circa 1949.

Chest for Karl von Stieglitz. Carved circa 1949. DB117 “Courtesy of Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston” Karl Rawdon von Stieglitz was born on 19 August 1893 at “Andora”, Evandale, the son of John Charles and Lillian Brooke Vere (née Stead) von Stieglitz. After his father’s death in 1916, he took possession of “Andora”. […]

Dower chest for Gillian Youl. Carved 1949.

Dower chest for Gillian Youl. Carved 1949. DB116 Gill Youl married Richard (Dick) Thomas who was Nellie’s great nephew (grandson of Richard Charles Field). This dower chest was carved by Nellie for their engagement in 1949. They were married in 1950. It has been handed down to Gill’s daughter, Wendy. Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – […]

Altar, reredos, and hymn board, St Mary’s Church, Gretna. Carved 1948.

Altar, reredos, and hymn board, St Mary’s Church, Gretna. Carved 1948. St Mary’s, Gretna, – hymn board St Mary’s, Gretna – reredos St Mary’s, Gretna, – altar DB23, DB24, DB25 According to Russell Atkinson’s book “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” These three items were carved for St Mary’s Church in Gretna, Tasmania. Mercury, […]

Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Carved 1948.

Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Carved 1948. Dower chest for Katharine Lord. Close up inscription inside lid of Katharine Lord’s dower chest. Close up of carving of Katharine Lord’s dower chest. DB118 Whilst Atkinson did an outstanding job writing the Ellen Nora Payne book, there is one mistake that has been found whilst undertaking research […]

Dower chest for Ardyn Smith. Carved 1947.

Dower chest for Ardyn Smith. Carved 1947. Ardyn Smith dower chest Ardyn Smith dower chest detail. Ardyn Smith dower chest provenance. Note from Ardyn Smith. Ardyn Smith as flower girl. DB114 The wedding photograph above was taken on the occasion of Geoffrey Payne’s wedding. Geoffrey was Nellie Payne’s son. Ardyn Smith is the flower girl. […]

Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Carved 1947.

Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Carved 1947. Dower chest for Nora and Tulloch Field. Close up inside lid Nora and Tulloch Field dower chest. Close up date on Nora and Tulloch Filed’s dower chest. Secret drawer in Noar and Tulloch Field’s dower chest. DB107 This chest is unusual in two ways –firstly the […]

Headmasters’ Roll of honour, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1946.

Headmasters’ Roll of honour, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1946. DB51 “A handsome Headmasters’ Roll of Honour carved by Ellen Nora Payne was presented at a special ceremony in December 1946”  It has been noted that there is an omission on this honour roll – that of G. A. Gurney.[1][1] Apollo – Hutchins Magazine – page […]

Chair carved 1945 for Victoria League in memory of Alice Shepherd White.

Chair carved 1945 for Victoria League in memory of Alice Shepherd White. Carved 1945 for Victory League. Close up date DB179 Close up back insert detail DB179 Close up carved arm detail DB179 DB179 This piece is one of Nellie’s later pieces.She carved this chair for the Victoria League in memory of Alice Shepherd White.This […]

Chest for Ted (Edward) Pedley. Carved 1945.

Chest for Ted (Edward) Pedley. Carved 1945. DB94 Ted is the eldest son of Mollie (née Field) and Henry Pedley.  Mollie was one of Nellie’s elder sisters, hence Ted was Nellie’s nephew. Ted was born in 1924 and grew up on the family farm “Craythorne”. He joined the air force for the Second World War, […]

Dower chest for Phyllis (Margaret) Hawker née Payne. Carved 1945.

Dower chest for Phyllis (Margaret) Hawker née Payne. Carved 1945. Dower chest for Phyllis Payne. Fairy Wrens inside lid. Phyllis Payne’s dower chest. Provenance of Phyllis Payne dower chest. DB88 Phyllis was Nellie and Dr Payne’s second grandchild – the second daughter of Geoffrey and Gladys Payne. Phyllis was born in 1924 and trained as […]

Font cover, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Presented 1945.

Font cover, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Presented 1945. DB57 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Friday 25 May 1945, page 7Woodcarver’s Art Not Dead An octagonal font cover in the Collegiate School chapel carved by Mrs E. N. Payne. The cross in the centre is surrounded by cherubs connected with tracery. In church and […]

Dower chest for Elizabeth (Nancy) Payne. Carved 1943.

Dower chest for Elizabeth (Nancy) Payne. Carved 1943. Elizabeth Payne dower chest lid open. Close up front Elizabeth Payne dower chest. Dower chest for Elizabeth Payne. Close up inscription inside lid, Elizabeth Payne dower chest. DB87 Elizabeth was Nellie and Dr Payne’s eldest grandchild – the eldest daughter of Geoffrey and Gladys Payne.  Liz was […]

John Soundy memorial platform table, The Friends’ School, Hobart. Carved 1943.

John Soundy memorial platform table, The Friends’ School, Hobart. Carved 1943. John Soundy memorial table, The Friends School, Hobart Close up wording, John Soundy memorial table, The Friends’ School, Hobart Close up detail John Soundy table, The Friends’ School, Hobart DB60 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 26 August 1946, page 5 […]

Endowment memorial roll, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1941.

Endowment memorial roll, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1941. Endowment roll, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury endowment roll close up DB7 Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – 1954), Thursday 6 March 1941, page 5WESTBURY DEDICATION,An impressive service was held at St. Andrew’s Church of England, Westbury, on Sunday afternoon at the dedication of the memorial endowment roll. The service […]

Prefects’ platform desk, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Carved 1941.

Prefects' platform desk, Collegiate School, Hobart

Prefects’ platform desk, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Carved 1941. Prefects’ platform desk, Collegiate School, Hobart Prefects’ table brass plaque, Collegiate School, Hobart DB55 This was presented to the school by the Prefects of 1941 of which Phyllis Payne – Nellie’s granddaughter was one.

Endowment board unveiled 1939. Mothercraft Home, Tasmania.

Endowment board unveiled 1939. Mothercraft Home, Tasmania. DB138 Obviously Nellie was a very charitable person, donating many carvings  to various organisations over many years.   Her daughter, Madge, also worked at the Mothercraft Home and our assumption is that this Home was run in conjunction with the Home of Mercy and Babies Home, and also Clarendon […]

Coat of Arms, Tasmanian House of Assembly. Carved 1939.

Coat of Arms, Tasmanian House of Assembly. Carved 1939. DB68 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson, page 98“For many years the Tasmanian Parliament House in Hobart had felt the lack of a suitable representation of a Royal coat of arms to signify Parliament’s allegiance to the Throne, and in 1939 Mrs […]

‘Seven Sisters’ Chancel Screen, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1938.

‘Seven Sisters’ Chancel Screen, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1938. St Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Chancel screen St Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Chancel screen detail DB2 Extract from “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell AtkinsonEver since the death of Miss Ethel Field in 1931, Mrs. Payne had become increasingly aware of how […]

Honour Roll, Sassafras Methodist Church. Dedicated 1938.

Honour Roll, Sassafras Methodist Church. Dedicated 1938. DB37 Permission to photograph this piece was not given at the time of the exhibition in 2015. From Monuments Australia The Methodist Church Honour Roll is a wooden honour roll which has carved in it, a rising sun badge, and angel with a wreath in its right hand, […]

Dower chest for Wanda Piesse. Carved 1937.

Dower chest for Wanda Piesse. Carved 1937. DB108 (Josephine) Wanda Piesse was a good friend of Nellie’s. The Piesse family were in the shipping and freight business at 70 Elizabeth Street, Hobart (currently  the Tourist Information Office).  Wanda’s sister Jean Seager also owned the original Wainwright painting “The cutmear twins” which was later purchased by […]

Dower chest for Viti Allardyce. Carved 1937.

Dower chest for Viti Allardyce. Carved 1937. DB99 Constance Viti Molesworth Allardyce was the daughter of Governor William Lamond Allardyce and Lady Constance Angel Allardyce (née Green). He was the Governor of the Falkland Island, Bahamas, Tasmania from 1920-1922 then Newfoundland. Viti was born in in 1896 in Suva, Fiji, hence her name. She came […]

Honour roll, Christ Church, Longford. Carved 1937.

Honour roll, Christ Church, Longford. Carved 1937. Christ Church Longford honour roll Close up centre Longford honour board Longford honour roll inscription DB39 Nellie had always wished to visit the Eastern countries, so in 1935 Nellie(now aged 70) and her daughter Madge embarked on a P and O liner which took them to Manila, Hong […]

Reredos, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1936.

reredos

Reredos, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Dedicated 1936. Reredos St Andrew’s, Westbury close up reredos close up relief carving reredos DB6 Examiner  Launceston Saturday 20th June 1936, page 4s CHURCH CENTENARY AT WESTBURY St. Andrew’s Rich in Beauty and Sacred Tradition St. Andrew’s Church of England, Westbury, celebrates its centenary today (Saturday) by the holding of […]

Font cover, St Andrew’s church, Westbury. Dedicated 1936.

carved font cover

Font cover, St Andrew’s church, Westbury. Dedicated 1936. DB4 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Tuesday 23 June 1936, page 2 “CHURCH CENTENARY Celebrated by Westbury Anglicans St. Andrew’s Church of England, Westbury,  celebrated its centenary by holding a fair in the Parish Hall, which, the Bishop of Tasmania (Rt Rev. Dr. K. S. Hoy) attended. […]

Organ screen carved 1936. Memorial to Fanny Shoobridge, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart.

Organ screen carved 1936. Memorial to Fanny Shoobridge, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Organ screen, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Close up detail on Organ screen. Close up brass plaque on organ screen. DB177 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 7 December 1936, page 3 MEMORIAL SCREEN Holy Trinity Dedication The blackwood organ screen […]

Clergy stall, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Carved 1935.

Clergy stall, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Carved 1935. Holy Trinity, Hobart – clergy stall Close up detail – Holy Trinity, Hobart – clergy stall Close up rail, clergy stall – Holy Trinity, Hobart DB17 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 1 April 1935, page 3 “HOLY TRINITY MEMORIAL TO MISS I. E. PIESSE. […]

Jewellery box. Date carved 1934.

Jewellery box. Date carved 1934. DB206 All that is known about this item is that it was carved in 1934 according to the date carved into the top, If you have any further information please get in touch with the Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page.

Gymnasium panelling, The Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1934.

Gymnasium panelling, The Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1934. The Hutchins School gymnasium panelling close up. The Hutchins School Gymnasium panelling. The Hutchins School gymnasium circa 1934. DB166 This was carved by Nellie for the Macquarie Street gymnasium in 1934. Apollo – Hutchins Magazine – page 300 “Significantly damaged by the depredations of generations of enthusiastic […]

Shrine of Remembrance medal 1934.

Shrine of Remembrance medal 1934. DB157  “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson pg 90/91 In 1934 there came a proud day – to be followed by a still prouder one. By post there came an invitation from the Shrine Trustees to attend the ceremony of dedication of the Shrine of Remembrance […]

Centenary shield, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1933.

Centenary shield, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1933. DB48 The Centenary Shield was carved by Nellie and first presented by the Parents’ Association in 1933 for the champion house in football.  It became the permanent trophy of School Houses (as the House with the most wins by the School’s Centenary year of 1946, and is now […]

Headmaster’s chair, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1932.

Headmaster’s chair, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1932. Hutchins headmaster chair Hutchins headmaster chair close up back panel Hutchins headmasters chair clos eup brass plaque DB44 “Still with the sacrifices of the Great War in her mind, Mrs. Payne felt a desire to do something for the whole (Hutchins) school –something of her own which would, […]

Prayer stall carved in 1930 for Mrs S. Ayton, Holy Trinity Church, North Hobart.

Prayer stall carved in 1930 for Mrs S. Ayton, Holy Trinity Church, North Hobart. Susan Ayton prayer stall. Close up inscription on Susan Ayton prayer stall. DB194 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 31 March 1930, page 3 DEDICATION OF RECTOR’S STALLMEMORIAL TO LATE MRS. S. AYTONYesterday morning at Holy Trinity a […]

Reredos carved 1930 in memory of Miss Whitington, All Saint’s Church, South Hobart.

Reredos carved 1930 in memory of Miss Whitington, All Saint’s Church, South Hobart. Reredos, All Saints Church, South Hobart. All Saints Church, South Hobart. DB182 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 3 November 1930, page 3 ……. ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH PATRONAL FESTIVAL.The services of the 72nd patronal festival of All Saints’ Church began […]

Coat of Arms carved 1930, Royal Society of Tasmania.

Coat of Arms carved 1930, Royal Society of Tasmania. Credit: Pru Mitchell. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en DB180At the time of the Nellie Payne exhibition in 2015 we were unable to take a photograph of this Coat of Arms. However since then an image has become available. The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 – 1946), Saturday 27 September 1930, […]