Who was Nellie Payne?

Prayer desk, St Jame’s Church, Newtown. carved before 1916.

Prayer desk, St Jame’s Church, Newtown. Carved before 1916. DB126 A new church was built in Newtown and a dedication service for the church and everything in it, including a prayer desk carved by Nellie, was held  in September 1916. The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 – 1954), Tuesday 5 September 1916, page 3

Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Carved 1916.

Chest carved for Geoffrey Payne.

Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Carved 1916. Chest for Geoffrey Payne. Inside of lid, chest for Geoffrey Payne. DB85 Geoffrey Payne was Nellie and Dr. Payne’s second child and elder son. He was born in 1890 in Hobart, prior to the family moving to Melbourne and then London. In England he firstly went to a local […]

Address book created 1915 for Queen Mary.

The “Queen Mary Book” – 1915 DB124 The Mercury, Wednesday 1 September 1915, page 4 THE “QUEEN MARY” BOOK. The “Queen Mary” book, which will shortly be forwarded to Her Majesty the Queen by His Excellency the Governor (Sir William Ellison-Macartney), was yesterday on view in the vestíbule at the Town-Hall. The idea originated with […]

Bookcase for Alan Field Payne. Carved 1915-1918.

Bookcase for Alan Field Payne. Carved 1915-1918. DB75 This bookcase is made from walnut timber and was designed and carved for Nellie’s son, Alan Field Payne.  We assume it was carved whilst Alan (and his brother Geoffrey) were away at war. Nellie had something in common with all other mothers of sons serving with the […]

Dower chest for Miss Grace Dangar. Carved 1914.

Dower chest for Miss Grace Dangar. Carved 1914. Dower chest for Grace Dangar, lid open. Dower chest for Grace Dangar from Nellie’s scrapbook. DB97 Grace Gladys Dangar born 29/3/1886 in Singleton, NSW, died 27/7/1964 in Brisbane, Queensland. Father Albert Augustus Dangar, mother Mary Phoebe Dangar (née Rouse). Siblings Rodney R Dangar of Baroona, Norman N […]

Headmaster’s chair, Friends’ school, Hobart. Carved 1914.

Headmaster’s chair, Friends’ school, Hobart. Carved 1914. Headmaster’s chair, Friends’ School, hobart Close up detail, Headmaster’s chair, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart DB59 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson Soon after Alan entered the University, Mrs Payne decided to present a headmaster’s chair to the Friends High School, where Alan had won […]

Rectory mantelpiece, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Carved 1913.

Rectory mantelpiece, Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Carved 1913. Holy Trinity Church rectory – mantlepiece Holy Trinity Church rectory – mantlepiece close up DB18 The Mercury, Friday 29th August, 1913 page 2 (excerpt)“THE NEW RECTORY.Old Trinity Rectory, which was on the Glebe, just above Park street, was sold some time since to the Christs College trustees, […]

Presentation address cover for Governor’s wife Lady Barron. Carved 1913.

Presentation address cover for Governor’s wife Lady Barron. Carved 1913. Image from Nellie Payne’s scrapbook DB171 Daily Post (Hobart, Tas. : 1908 – 1918), Friday 21 February 1913, page 5 NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN – THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE – PRESENTATION TO LADY BARRON The members of the Tasmanian branch of the National Council of Women […]

Casket for Bishop Mercer’s sisters. Carved circa 1913.

Casket for Bishop Mercer’s sisters. Carved circa 1913. No images available. DB123 When Bishop Mercer reached the end of his appointment in Hobart, the Women’s Council for Church Work, through Lady Ellison Macartney, wife of the Governor, made a presentation to the Misses Mercer, the Bishops sisters.  It was an address contained in a casket […]

Dower chest for Madge Payne. Carved 1913.

Dower chest for Madge Payne. Carved 1913. Dower chest for Madge Payne. Close up front dower chest. Close up inscription. DB86 Madge was Nellie and Dr Payne’s only daughter, and the eldest of their children, being born in 1888 in Hobart.  Later the family moved to Melbourne, then London, where Madge went to Blackheath High […]

Small cupboard. Carved circa 1912.

Small cupboard. Carved circa 1912. Small cupboard. DB210 The existence of this lovely cupboard had only been discovered by the Nellie Payne committee just before the exhibition in 2015. Thanks go to Tasmanian Historical Research Association members, Ken and Ann, who “found” this piece with its current owner Collin Campbell. They then kindly transported it […]

Litany desk carved 1912. St. John’s Church, Launceston.

Litany desk carved 1912. St. John’s Church, Launceston. Litany desk, St John’s Church, Launceston. Close up carvings, St John’s Church, Launceston. Detail on side of Litany desk, St John’s Church, Launceston. Close up brass plaque. DB170 Examiner  Saturday 27 April 1912, page 7 A beautifully carved Litany desk, made of Tasmanian oak at the establishment […]

Dower chest for Marie Whitesides. Carved 1912.

Marie’s dower chest. Stringy bark apple design (2nd Niece). Carved 1912 DB103 This is a dower chest which was carved by Nellie for Marie Whitesides. Marie was born in 1890 to Sara Jane (née Field) and Edward J.C. Whitesides; therefore she was Nellie’s niece.  Marie married Charles Davies in 1913, gave birth to a daughter […]

Chair and framed photograph, Felsted School, Essex, England. Carved 1912.

Chair and framed photograph, Felsted School, Essex, England. Carved 1912. Chair, Felsted School, Essex, England. Chair inscription, Felsted School, Essex, England Chair close up shield, Felsted School, Essex, England Framed photograph, Felsted School, Essex, England. DB65, DB66 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson Both of Nellie’s sons attended Felsted in Essex […]

Leather cover address book presented to Canon Shoobridge. Created 1911.

Leather cover address book presented to Canon Shoobridge. Created 1911. No images available. DB122 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson – page 55 “The retirement of Canon Shoobridge from Holy Trinity church after thirty-five years as rector, gave her an opportunity to display once more her skill as a worker in […]

Firescreen carved 1910.

Firescreen carved 1910. Firescreen carved 1910. Firescreen close up date. Firescreen close up kookaburra on leather. Firescreen close up gumnuts. DB169 This firescreen is made of blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) and leather.It was donated to the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston in 2000 by Thomas Field.We acknowledge the assistance of QVMAG and John Leeming for the […]

Dower chest for Ella Field. Carved 1910.

Dower chest for Ella Field. Carved 1910. DB91 Ella Field was the first of Nellie’s nieces to be married, and Nellie carved her first dower chest to mark this occasion. Circular Head Chronicle Wednesday 22 November 1911, page 2 NEWS OF THE WEEK Mr Fred. W. Ratten, of Union Bank, son of the Rev. and […]

Bed carved by Ellen Nora Payne for herself. 1909.

Bed carved in 1909 by Ellen Nora Payne for herself. Nellie’s bed. Close up bed carved date. Close up carvings at head of bed. Close up bed knob. Close up carvings at foot of bed. DB204 It was only a couple of weeks before the exhibition in 2015 that we found out that Nellie had […]

China cupboard carved 1907.

China cupboard carved 1907. China cupboard carved 1907 Close up label back of china cupboard, carved 1907. DB67 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson1975, pg. 47 & 49, Chapter 7 “Safe Bind, Safe Find” Back at her old home, Westfield, again, Mrs Payne soon settled down to her woodcarving, her mind filled […]

Prayer desk, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Carved 1906.

Prayer desk, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Carved 1906. St Andrew’s church, Westbury – prayer desk St Andrew’s church, Westbury – prayer desk detail St Andrew’s church, Westbury – prayer desk detail DB3 Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 – 1954), Monday 8 April 1907, page 4 An Offering.-The wife of Dr. Payne, now in England, but […]

Pulpit, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Erected 1906.

St Andrew's pulpit

Pulpit, St Andrew’s Church, Westbury. Erected 1906. ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail ST Andrew’s Church, Westbury – Carved oak pulpit detail DB1 Extract re pulpit from “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania” by […]

Settle carved 1906 for George. W. Field.

Settle carved 1906 for George. W. Field. DB133 Nellie carved this settle for one of her brothers, George Westfield Field (1862-1935) who married Ethel Archer. They had 8 children. Atkinson says “The design on the back of this settle was unusually elaborate and graceful, and the legend it bore was ‘Home Keeping Hearts are Happiest’”

“The Seasons” four panelled screen. Carved 1906

"the seasons" 4 panelled screen

“The Seasons” four panelled screen – 1906 “The Seasons” four panelled screen. Close up Crocus embroidery. Close up Blackberry embroidery. Close up Briar Rose embroidery. Close up leather detail. DB73 “Ellen Nora Payne: Woodcarver of Tasmania” by  Russell Atkinson, 1975, pg. 51 One piece which all members of the family were proud to point out […]

Settle carved 1903 for Mrs Griffith.

Settle carved 1903 for Mrs Griffith. DB132 Unfortunately we have very little information on this piece of Nellie’s work. The only thing we know is that Nellie carved a settle for Mrs Griffith of Albury, N.S.W. in 1903. The reason we know this is that there is a photograph of it in Nellie’s photo book […]

Settle carved 1903 for Mrs Gibson.

Settle carved 1903 for Mrs Gibson. DB131 This settle has the letters “WG” on the left front of the chest part of the settle which is the monogram of William Gibson of “Scone”. Mrs Gibson was Elvina Beaumont Grubb prior to her marriage to William Gibson. They had a son Ernest William Gibson and 2 […]

Sideboard carved 1898. Probably for Payne family.

Sideboard carved 1898. Probably for Payne family. DB142 Apart from the year it was carved there is no further information. It is supposed that it was carved for the Payne family home. If you have any further information on this piece please get in touch with the Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact […]

Oak settle carved 1897.

Oak settle carved 1897. DB160 There is no information regarding this oak settle except for the above photograph in Nellie Payne’s own scrapbook. The inscription says” East West Home’s best”

Framed needlework stitched 1847 by Elizabeth Field.

Framed needlework stitched 1847 by Elizabeth Field. DB161 This piece of framed needlework was stitched by one of Nellie’s older sisters, Elizabeth (known as Lizzie) who was born in 1853 and died in 1920.  She married Charles Easton and they had no children. It was worked by Lizzie in 1847 when she was just 16 […]

Honour roll, Tasmanian Club, Hobart. Date carved unknown.

Honour roll, Tasmanian Club, Hobart. Date carved unknown. DB31 It is unknown when Nellie carved this piece. The Tasmanian Club is proud of its tradition established from its foundation in 1861. It is proud of its distinguished and diverse membership both past and present and the standing its members have in the community. Membership benefits […]

Chair carved for Lindesay Clark. Date unknown.

Chair carved for Lindesay Clark. Date unknown. Lindesay Clark chair. Close up back chair. Details of carvings. DB192 It is not known exactly which Lindesay Clark this chair was carved for – Lindesay Colvin Clark or his son Gordon Colvin Lindesay Clark (1896-1986).  However family descendants can remember the chair in the family home at […]

Piano stool, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Date carved unknown.

Piano stool, St Michael’s Collegiate, Hobart. Date carved unknown. DB56 Unfortunately we don’t know when Nellie carved this piano stool for the school but it is a beautiful piece with the school motto along one side, badge and passion flower motifs on the other three sides.

Cabinet. Date carved unknown.

Cabinet. Date carved unknown. DB197 Nothing further is known about this cabinet other than that it was carved by Nellie Payne. If you have any other information about this piece please contact the Westbury and Districts Historical Society by using the contact form.

Shelf unit. Date carved – unknown

Shelf. Date unknown. Shelf unit. DB212 This shelf, carved by Nellie Payne,  was lent to the exhibition in 2015. No further information is known. If you have anything further to add please get in touch with the Westbury and District Historical Society through the contact page.

Payne family crest and mirror. Date carved unknown.

Payne family crest and mirror. Date carved unknown. Payne family crest. Payne family mirror. DB79 This is the Payne family crest, carved by Nellie many years ago.The snake represents the medical profession of Dr Payne, and the two lions represent Nellie and Dr Payne’s two sons, Geoffrey and Alan.The words translate as ‘DEEDS NOT WORDS” […]

Bookcase made for Nancy Field. Date carved unknown.

Bookcase made for Nancy Field. Date carved unknown. DB140 This book case was made for Nellie’s neice, Nancy Field (b1900-d1988).  Nancy did not marry and it in unknown when Nellie carved it for Nancy. It was handed down to Nancy’s nephew, Geoffrey, who still treasures this piece of furniture. Geoff remembers going to stay in […]

Mirror carved for Mollie Field (niece). Date unknown.

Mirror carved for Mollie Field (niece). Date unknown. DB141 This beautifully carved mirror is believed to have been carved for Nellie’s niece Mollie Field who married Henry Pedley.  It was handed down to their son Geoff who has handed it down to his daughter Karen and family.

Ethel Field (Nellie’s younger sister)

Ethel Field (Nellie’s younger sister) Altar for St George’s Church, Invermay. Close up carvings on altar. Close up brass plaque on altar. DB202 Ethelwyn Lindsay Field was born in 1869, and was Nellie’s youngest sister. Ethel was only eleven when her father died.  She later became a successful horsewoman and bred several thoroughbred horses. She […]

Dower chest for Robyn Tyson. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Robyn Tyson. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB113 Robyn Tyson was a prefect in 1941 at Collegiate School in Hobart along with Phyllis Payne.  So we assume that Nellie carved this dower chest for her grandaughter’s friend when she married Mr Green, believed to be from the North West Coast. Unfortunately […]

Dower chest for Betty Ellis (Victoria). Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Betty Ellis (Victoria). Date carved unknown. No images available. DB110 This dower chest has not been found – nor have we been able to trace who Betty Ellis was, although as she wasn’t a member of Nellie’s large family, it is assumed that she was a friend, or that Nellie may have […]

Dower chest for Betty Field. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Betty Field. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB106 Betty McKenzie (née Mitchell) married Thomas Field (1897-1990) who was Nellie’s nephew. For both of them this was their second marriages.  Thomas was previously married to Jean Ritchie and they had a daughter, Patricia Field. Thomas and Betty lived at “Westfield” and had  […]

Dower chest for Connie Lilley. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Connie Lilley. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB102 No information was able to be found about Connie Lilley or the dower chest carved for her except for her name in Russell Atkinson’s book “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Tasmania”. If you have any information regarding this item please get in […]

Dower chest for Mrs Walker. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Mrs Walker. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB101 Unfortunately, we have not been able to find this dower chest that was carved for Mrs Walker. If you have any further information on this piece please get in touch with The Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page. It is assumed […]

Dower chest for Gweneth Wisewould. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Gweneth Wisewould. Date carved unknown. No images available. DB96 No image exists of this dower chest as it was burnt in a fire. If you have any information regarding this item please use the contact page to inform The Westbury and Districts Historical Society. Gweneth Wisewould (1884-1972), medical practitioner, was born on 30 August […]

Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Date carved unknown.

Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Date carved unknown. Dower chest for Rosemary Payne. Inside lid of Rosemary Payne dower chest. DB89 Rosemary was Geoffrey and Gladys Payne’s youngest child, and therefore Nellie’s youngest grandchild.  She was born in 1930 and trained in Adelaide as a kindergarten teacher.  Back in Hobart she taught at Lady Gowrie […]

Altar carved as a memorial to the Great War, St Raphael’s, Fern Tree, Hobart.

Altar carved as a memorial to the Great War, St Raphael’s, Fern Tree, Hobart Altar, St Raphael’s Church, Fern Tree. Close up brass plaque on altar. Close up altar. Close up altar, St Raphael’s Church, Fern Tree. Close up carving on Altar. DB207 There is no absolute evidence that this altar was carved by Nellie […]

Exhibitions for Red Cross. World War One and World War Two.

Exhibitions for Red Cross. World War One and World War Two. No images available. DB125 Red Cross Exhibition 1916 “Ellen Nora Payne – Woodcarver of Australia” by Russell Atkinson 1916 The need for funds for the Red Cross Society — a cause which Mrs. Payne, with a husband and two sons in the forces, had […]

Copper door plates. Creation date unknown.

Copper door plates. Creation date unknown. DB162 These copper door plates were worked for the home of Mollie Pedley, Nellie’s niece. They are currently greeting family and friends on the home of Mollie’s son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Peg Pedley. It is known that Nellie worked in copper, but it is not known whether these […]

Fire fender timber and leather. Creation date unknown.

Fire fender timber and leather. Creation date unknown. DB186 At the time of the exhibition in 2015 there was nothing known about this item except for its ownership. If you have any further information to add please get in touch with the Westbury and District Historical Society through the contact page.

Honour roll for Webster Ltd. Date carved unknown.

Honour roll for Webster Ltd. Date carved unknown. DB42 This honour roll is now at RSL Tasmania headquarters. Webster Ltd is a long established Tasmanian rural and agricultural products company and the honour roll lists those of the company who served in World War One. It lists 18 names. Monument characteristics :The polished wood honour […]

Bookends. Date carved unknown.

Bookends. Date carved unknown. DB196 Nothing further is known about these pieces. If you have any information to add please get in touch with the Westbury and Districts Historical Society through the contact page.

Walter family crest. Date of carving unknown.

Walter family crest. Date of carving unknown. DB198 Penelope Hey (née Robertson recollects “My paternal grandmother, Mrs Clarice Robertson (née Walter) was a very close lifelong friend of Madge Payne, hence the (dower) chest (DB118) and Aunt Madge (Payne) being chosen as my godmother. It also explains the carving of the Walter crest.

Picture frame. Date carved – unknown

Picture frame. Date unknown. Picture frame. DB211 This picture frame, carved by Nellie Payne,  was lent to the exhibition in 2015 but no further information is known. If you have anything further to add please get in touch with the Westbury and District Historical Society through the contact page

Carving tools.

Carving tools. DB159 With thanks to Penelope Hey.“Mrs Nellie Payne and Madge lived in Antill Street, South Hobart. Clarice Robertson and her family lived a short distance away on the corner of Davey and Darcy Streets.  They played bridge together, were on the same charitable committees, and visited each other frequently. I can remember going […]

Background to honour boards.

Background to honour boards. Excerpt from “Ellen Nora Payne-Woodcarver of Tasmania” by Russell Atkinson Chapter 11 Honour boards. THE LAST YEARS of the Great War and those which immediately followed were years of intense activity for Mrs. Payne, whose skilful hands were always busy. Her work was in constant demand, and at this time there […]