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 […]

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 […]

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 – […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

Memorial lectern carved 1929. Memorial for Minnie Piesse, Holy Trinity Church, North Hobart.

Memorial lectern carved 1929. Memorial for Minnie Piesse, Holy Trinity Church, North Hobart. Minnie Piesse lectern. Close up Minnie Piesse lectern. DB193 The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Monday 28 October 1929, page 3 HOLY TRINITY CHURCH MINNIE PIESSE MEMORIAL.DEDICATION SERVICE.At Holy Trinity Church last evening the rector (Canon D. B. Blackwood) dedicated […]

Dower chest for Marjorie Field. Carved circa 1929.

Dower chest for Marjorie Field. Carved circa 1929. No images available. DB92 No photographs have been able to be found of this dower chest. If you  have any further information or pictures to add to this please contact Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page. “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by […]

Alan Field Payne memorial bookcase, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1929.

Alan Field Payne memorial bookcase, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1929. Alan Field Payne bookcase Alan Field Payne bookcase details top panel. Alan Field Payne bookcase details left hand panel. Alan Field Payne bookcase details right hand panel. DB47 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson – page 84“It is doubtful if Mrs […]

Dower chest for Dulcie Field. Carved 1928.

Dower chest for Dulcie Field. Carved 1928. Dulcie Fields dower chest Close up carving detail Close up inscription on lid Photo from Nellie’s scrapbook of Dulcie Field dower chest lid open. Photo from Nellie’s scrapbook of Dulcie Field dower chest. DB105 This beautiful dower chest has been donated to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, […]

Leather address cover created 1927 for visit of the Duke of York.

Leather address cover created 1927 for visit of the Duke of York. DB135 This leather address cover was worked for the address of welcome for the Duke of York and Queen Mother. It was made from white leather and seed pearls and mounted on a green leather case laced with gold. It was presented to […]

Alan Field Payne memorial tablet presented in 1926 to The Hutchins School, Hobart.

Alan Field Payne memorial tablet presented in 1926 to The Hutchins School, Hobart. Alan Field Payne memorial tablet. Alan Field Payne memorial tablet as shown in Nellie’s scrapbook. DB163 Presented to The Hutchins School, Hobart for the opening of the War Memorial Library in 1926, it now resides in the Hutchins Museum. Apollo – Hutchins […]

Honour roll, Launceston Church Grammar School. Carved 1926.

Honour roll, Launceston Church Grammar School. Carved 1926. Honour roll, Launceston Church Grammar School. Detail on honour roll, Launceston Church Grammar School. Close up shield on honour roll, Launceston Church Grammar School. DB62 Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – 1954), Monday 14 June 1926, page 4 IN MEMORIAM Service at Grammar School NEW HONOUR ROLL A large […]

Fireplace surrounds & mantlepiece, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1926.

Fireplace surrounds & mantlepiece, Hutchins School, Hobart. Carved 1926. Hutchins School mantlepiece Central panel of Hutchins School mantlepiece Close up relief Hutchins School mantlepiece DB50 The fireplace surrounds and mantelpiece were carved for the Hutchins War Memorial Library in 1926.

Plaque, Memorial Rest Home, Nursing Sisters, Lindisfarne. Carved 1924.

Plaque, Memorial Rest Home, Nursing Sisters, Lindisfarne. Carved 1924. DB127 During the period between the wars, Nellie was called upon to design and carve a number of memorial objects for widely differing purposes.  One of the earliest of these was a plaque for the Memorial Rest Home for Nursing Sisters at Lindisfarne in memory of […]

Girl Guides chair and table, Foxlease, England. Carved 1924-26.

Girl Guides chair and table, Foxlease, England. Carved 1924-26. Table, Foxlease, England. Conserved desk (2022) Close up ER initials Close up Girl Guides motif on table, Foxlease, England. Close up carved date, table, Foxlease, England. Girl Guides chair, Foxlease, England. Close up Girl Guides motif. Close up back chair, Foxlease, England. Close up scroll detail […]

Blackwood Screen exhibited 1924, British Empire Exhibition, London.

Blackwood Screen exhibited 1924, British Empire Exhibition, London. Empire screen front. Empire screen reverse. Empire screen in Nellie’s scrapbook. DB78 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson, 1975, pg. 77 – 78Chapter 12Dower Chests and a MysteryIn 1924, the great British Empire Exhibition was held at Wembley, England, and every part of […]

Field family sports cupboard, Launceston Church Grammar School. Carved 1924.

Field family sports cupboard, Launceston Church Grammar School. Carved 1924. Field family sports cupboard, Launceston Church Grammar School. Detail of names on Field family sports cupboard, Launceston Church Grammar School. DB63 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson“In 1924 seventeen members of the Field family, all old boys of the school, resolved […]

Honour roll, St Luke’s Church, Campbell Town, Tasmania. Carved 1923.

Honour roll, St Luke’s Church, Campbell Town, Tasmania. Carved 1923. Campbell Town Honour roll. Campbell Town honour roll close up St Luke. Campbell Town honour roll close up date. Close up army motif on Campbell Town honour roll. DB184 Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 – 1928), Wednesday 18 April 1923, page 2 ROLL OF […]