Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this item contains images and names of deceased persons in photographs
Accession[1976.0013] Consolidated Records of the Strathfieldsaye EstateIdentifierUMA-ITE-1976001300095Extentnot specifiedScope and ContentHand tinted carte de visite, inscribed in ink on verso 'Miss Disher with Bridget Stephen's love'
See also 1976.0013.00096 and 1976.0013.00099.
This portrait of Bridget Stephen was taken by photographer, Frederick Cornell. It is part of the large photomontage "Aboriginal Mission Station at Ramahyuck, Lake Wellington" which Cornell exhibited at the 1875 Victorian Intercolonial Exhibition. It comprises 32 portrait photographs and 1 central view of the mission grounds. Photographic montage held in the State Library of Victoria: H87.16/11 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/290242.
The central image of the mission grounds has been dated by Phillip Pepper as April 1875, see Pepper, Phillip, The Kurnai of Gippsland. Hyland House, 1985. p 157.
Jane Lydon, in describing this montage of portraits, states that 'None are identified, standing simply for their race.' However, the opposite can be said of the portraits. These seven portraits were held in the 'Family Album' alongside those of relatives, friends, beloved pets, noted personalities and royalty.
Bridget Stephens has inscribed a dedication to Miss Disher on the verso. It is this same hand that has inscribed other portraits with the names and often places of origin of the sitters - now residents of Ramahyuck. The photographs are all hand tinted.
Other portraits featured in the photomontage include items: 1976.0013.00097, 1976.0013.00098, 1976.0013.00099, 1976.0013.00100
PLACE NAMES: Ramahyuck (E Vic Gippsland SJ55-11)
PLACE NAMES: Lake Wellington / Ramahyuck (E Vic Gippsland SJ55-11)
KEYWORDS: Koori, Aboriginal, Indigenous
KEYWORD: Religions - Christianity - Missions
This individual photograph (1976.0013.00095) is part of the Family Album (1976.0013 - Unit 81)
2 (Family album 204.205, p29, upper right)
These photographs have been published with the expressed intent of making Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) cultural heritage held at UMA, known and available to families and communities for reclamation. In its role of collecting and caring for cultural heritage, UMA recognises that it has a duty to the persons in the photograph, their descents and to facilitate connections to culture and kin. To date (July 2018) the descriptions of these photographs have based on current published resources, which can sometimes have contradictory information concerning dates, names or places. UMA has attempted to represent these differences, where they occur, rather than determining which is correct. We greatly welcome all feedback and comments about improving the current descriptions, as well as including family and community perspectives. Larger digital images can be requested via our reference services (there is no fee, except if you are seeking a higher resolution copy than we currently have) contact: archives@archives.unimelb.edu.au Original photographs may be requested and viewed via archives@archives.unimelb.edu.auAccess StatusAccess restrictions applyAccess ConditionsAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this item may contain images and names of deceased persons in photographsRequest TypeRequest itemUnitBWP Album 0209Copyright StatusPublic domainConditions of Use and ReproductionThis image is out of copyright. Users are also advised that this work may be subject to terms and conditions imposed by Indigenous communities and/or depositors. It is provided for research purposes and must not be reproduced without acknowledgement of the University of Melbourne Archives. For information about ordering a copy of this image contact the University of Melbourne Archives: archives@archives.unimelb.edu.au.MenuBrowse digitised items | Available online
Disher, Harold Clive, Bridget Stephen sitting, studio portrait (1875), [UMA-ITE-1976001300095]. University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 12/11/2025, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/227887