Rev. Canon Long, M.A., Bishop elect of Bathurst, N.S.W.

[Title from handwritten caption in negative]. Kew (Vic.) : J. E. Barnes, Photo., [ca. September, 1911]. Gelatin silver print photograph, 138 x 86 mm, printed on Kodak Austral postcard stock; left edge a little roughened from where the photo was removed from an album mount, otherwise good condition.

George Merrick Long (1874-1930), CBE, Anglican bishop and educationist, was involved in the foundation of Trinity Grammar School in Kew, Melbourne, and was its headmaster at the time of his appointment as Bishop of Bathurst in September 1911, a post he held until 1928. During the First World War he was a brigadier general in the Australian Imperial Force. From 1928 until his death in London in 1930, Long served as the Bishop of Newcastle, New South Wales.

From the Sydney Morning Herald, 2 September 1911:

‘BISHOP OF BATHURST. CANON LONG ACCEPTS. WIDESPREAD CONGRATULATION. MELBOURNE, Friday. In accordance with the arrangement made at the time of his election, the Rev. Canon Long was to-day officially waited upon by a deputation from the bishopric of Bathurst, consisting of the Vicar-General of the Diocese, Archdeacon Oakes, and Sir Francis Suttor. After further representations had been made and the situation mutually discussed, Canon Long announced his formal acceptance of the vacant bishopric. The announcement has given great satisfaction to the canon’s wide circle of friends, some of whom were a little fearful lest the tenacity of purpose which led him to decline the archdeaconry of Wangaratta at 28 years of age, rather than relinquish the curacy of Holy Trinity Church, Kew, might find similar expression on the present occasion. In accepting the bishopric, Canon Long is making a financial sacrifice to the extent of about one-third of his present salary as headmaster of Trinity Grammar School. The Bathurst Diocese would like their newly elected bishop to enter upon his future duties claim almost immediately, but Canon Long as an understanding with the Grammar School, which obliges him to remain at Kew until the end of the present school year; so that his consecration will not take place till about the end of December.’