VPRS 8356 Photographs of Commissioners

Full description

This series comprises sepia and black and white single photographs of the Melbourne Harbour Trust Commissioners, although not every Commissioner is represented. A Port of Melbourne Authority source confirmed that these photographs were once framed and hung chronologically in a "hall of fame" at the Port of Melbourne Authority headquarters. The portraits were removed from the frames by the agency at some stage and were transferred as unframed portraits.

The Commissioners met regularly as the corporate body responsible for the operation of the Port of Melbourne. During the period 1913-72, the Commissioners' numbers altered slightly. Following the reconstitution of the Trust in 1912, the Commissioners became five in number. It remained thus until 1954 when an additional Commissioner was appointed. The Commissioners initially represented the interests of primary producers, importers, exporters and shipowners. Labour interests were served by the additional Commissioner from 1954 onwards.