The life of Julia Farr
Australian-born Julia Farr grew up in a prominent Adelaide family with strong connections to the Anglican Church and to the work of John Coleridge Patteson, bissionary Bishop of Melanesia from 1861 to 1871. In 1878, Patteson’s successor, Bishop John Selwyn stayed with the Farr family and this may have been a catalyst in Julia Farr’s subsequent visit there in 1892 at the invitation of Selwyn’s successor, the Rev. John Palmer.
Julia stayed for a time with Alice Comins, wife of the Rev. Richard Comins. In addition to the wives of missionaries, there was also Mrs. Elizabeth Colenso from New Zealand, who joined the Mission in 1876. Julia returned to Norfolk Island again in 1894 and worked for six years at St Barnabas. Her work there included teaching, sewing for the students who arrived each year aboard the Southern Cross and nursing, which was her main activity. However “her deep interest was in women’s work with women.” Crawford, Janet. “Unpretending labours”: Julia Farr and the Melanesian Mission. 2004.
The Archive includes copies of diaries kept by Julia Farr during her years on Norfolk, letters to her from Mission staff as well as copies of family letters, photographs and prayer books in the Mota language.
It is likely that some of the photographs featured were taken by J.W.Beattie, a prominent photographer of that time.
Want to talk about this blog post?
We'd love to chat! Please email us at library@kinderlibrary.ac.nz
We'll respond as soon as we're able.