Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Sister Esther

— Historic Little Lon —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

1. Sister Esther Marker

Inscription. (Source: Community of the Holy Name)

Sister Esther was the founder of the Community of the Holy Name, formed in 1881. In 1984 she established "The Mission to Streets and Lanes of Melbourne" and their headquarters were established at 261 Spring St in 1988.

The conditions at the Mission House left much to be desired. It was described by Sister Christina, one of the first Sisters, as being "rat-infested" and located opposite "a house of ill fame, where they used to throw kerosene lamps at each other and squeal like sirens all night". Despite these challenges for the Sisters, they played an important role in providing food, shelter and care to the poor women and children of Little Lon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 37° 48.531′ S, 144° 58.272′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is on Casselden Place 0.1 kilometers south of Little Lonsdale Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 21 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

Australasia,

the Pacific Ocean,

South Pacific,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ti Cum Ah Chung, 1903 (here, next to this marker); Bill Proudfoot

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(here, next to this marker); Madame Brussels (here, next to this marker); 17 Casselden Place (a few steps from this marker); Digging through Time (a few steps from this marker); Little Lon People and Professions (a few steps from this marker); Grit, Grime and Noise (within shouting distance of this marker); Little Lon': Mission House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . Emma Caroline Silcock. Wikipedia

Emma Caroline Silcock was born on 26 May 1858 in Stalham, Norfolk, England. She was the eldest child of shopkeeper Thomas Silcock, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth, née Barber.

She entered the Anglican Community of St Mary the Virgin in Wantage in 1884, where she became known as Sister Esther. Following an injury while still a novice, she came to Australia to recuperate. Not long after arriving in Melbourne she became the leader of the Mission to the Streets and Lanes, a Church of England organisation that had been initiated by Bishop James Moorhouse in 1885. Sister Esther moved into the mission's house in Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, and gathered a group of women around her
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, June 3, 2026

2. Sister Esther Marker and Picture
to assist with the work, forming the foundations of a permanent religious community. In 1912 this was formalized when Archbishop Henry Lowther Clarke provided them with a charter as the Community of the Holy Name.

(Submitted on June 8, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.