DVD number 800, stored in disc library. Disc cover has image of New Moon Mine workers, Eaglehawk c1905. Thomas Henry Randall very front 2nd from left. Contents of DVD: Frederick and Ann Randall and 10 children arrived Port Phillip on the 'Whitby' 1949. Parents of most the the family came to Bendigo 1850-60 and settled. Frederick & Ann lived at Sheepshead Reef, Golden Square. Family names include Randall, Mason, Drew, Rowe. Describes mining life in Bendigo and Cornwall. Dr Stewart Cowen of Eaglehawk and his work with miners. Miners' phthisis history and causes. Info on family of Benham in Rowe and Jenefer Thomas. Disc compiled by Brian Kenneth Randall and Robin Anne Randall, 2015.Brian and Robin Randall 2015bendigo, gold mining, randall family history on dvd, economy, working conditions of miners, accidens, deaths, miners' phthisis, new moon mine, sheepshead reef, golden square.

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Relief during the great depression This item includes the following documents: 8672.79a This document is a handwritten letter dated 26 June 1934 from Mr. Jas Peterson of 165 Victoria Street, Bendigo, addressed to Mr. T. Tilner. In the margin, there is a note indicating that it is another example of a Good Samaritan, with Peterson writing on behalf of Walter Legg. Peterson writes to recommend Mr. Walter Legg for a pair of boots being distributed to unemployed people. He explains that Legg lives at 117 Arnold Street, Bendigo, where he rents a room, and states that he has known him for approximately 38 years, dating back to their time working around the Bendigo mines. The letter describes Legg as being unable to work because he is suffering from miners' phthisis (a lung disease associated with mining). Peterson emphasises that Legg is a hardworking and respectable man whose difficult circumstances are not the result of any fault of his own. He notes that Legg had recently applied for assistance but, after attending the local asylum, was told he had little chance of receiving support because of his poor health. Peterson concludes by asking that, if possible, Mr. Tilner arrange for Legg to receive a pair of boots and send him a note at his address. The letter closes with a respectful signature from Peterson, reflecting a personal appeal on behalf of a long-time acquaintance in need.bendigo, michele matthews collection, letters seeking support in bendigo during the great depression 1932 to 1934

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Relief during the great depression This item includes the following documents: 8672.49a The document consists of two handwritten historical records relating to public assistance in Bendigo during the early 1930s. The first page is an official letter from the City of Bendigo, Town Hall, Sustenance Office (Public Buildings) addressed to the Town Clerk. The writer advises that Mrs. Ethel Odgers is eligible for sustenance assistance based on her age. However, rather than recommending ongoing financial aid, the official suggests providing her with a load of firewood. The letter notes that Mrs. Odgers is expected to become eligible for other forms of assistance shortly, and therefore recommends against granting additional relief before she has the opportunity to apply through the appropriate channels. A handwritten annotation indicates that Mrs. Odgers later received one order of wood per week, dated 14 September 1933. The second page is a personal letter, dated 14 September 1933, from a widow living on Delany Street in Long Gully, addressed to Mr. Bennett. She explains that her husband died from miners' phthisis (a lung disease common among miners), leaving her to support her family alone. She describes her severe financial hardship, stating that she has two sons who are unemployed, one of whom has been out of work for two years, while the family survives largely on the small wages earned by her daughter. She appeals for help in finding employment for her sons, stressing that they are willing to undertake any kind of work but have been unable to secure jobs. The writer expresses her distress at the family's struggle to obtain enough food and explains that she has unsuccessfully attempted to meet with Mr. Bennett on two or three occasions. She ends by asking to be informed if any work becomes available for her sons.bendigo, michele matthews collection, letters seeking support in bendigo during the great depression 1932 to 1934

Dr Michele Matthews has been a local and social historian for nearly three decades since she first used correspondence held by the then Bendigo City Council for her Honours thesis. She is an ardent advocate for the use of local history records to tell Victorian and Australian history from a grassroots perspective. Michele’s MA thesis, ‘A forgotten “Father” of Federation: Sir John Quick 1852‑1911’ (2003), and her PhD thesis, ‘Survivors, schemes, Samaritans and shareholders: the impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925‑1935’ (2007), both drew heavily on Bendigo and district records. A copy of her Thesis is held in the Bendigo Historical Society Collection. Michele worked as an historian, undertaking numerous contracts for the former City of Bendigo Council, including researching and writing the Catalogue of Bendigo City Council’s Correspondence 1856‑1899. Since working at the Bendigo Regional Archives Centre (BRAC), she has created an accompanying subject and person index for this catalogue. Michele also worked as the historian for Bendigo Bank, cataloguing their extensive record collection. She has also written articles, book reviews and teachers’ notes for documentaries. A personal highlight was writing the entry for Sir John Quick in the Australian dictionary of biography, vol. 11. Michele was an Archives Officer at BRAC since its commencement in 2008. Many of the records she looked after in her day‑to‑day work are the same ones she first used while researching for her Honours thesis back in 1983. She has spoken at many public functions about the records housed at BRAC, and is particularly proud of the digitised online project, Petitions of the people.This item includes the following five documents: 8672.19a Talk entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District 1925-1935 Four typed sheets This document analyzes the social and economic hardships faced by widowed, deserted, and single women in Bendigo and its district from 1925 to 1935, particularly during the Great Depression. The study centers on women without male breadwinners—widows, deserted wives, and single women—who were not considered "exceptional circumstances" by contemporary legal standards, despite their significant numbers. Many widows resulted from miners' phthisis (tuberculosis), leaving families destitute. Economic support was limited; widows often relied on outdoor relief (ODR) from the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum, typically in the form of food handouts. Employment options were mostly low-paid domestic service jobs (cleaning, laundry, sewing, charwork). Victorian widows did not receive state pensions until 1937, much later than in New South Wales. Desertion often occurred during or shortly after pregnancy, leaving women with young children and little support. Legal recourse for maintenance was costly and rarely effective. Like widows, deserted women depended on ODR and had limited employment opportunities. Financial assistance through "boarding out" (child welfare payments) was available but difficult to access due to strict guidelines and legal hurdles. Single women had more varied job opportunities, especially in factories (knitting, clothing, underclothes) and domestic service, but large-scale employers were few. The Great Depression sharply reduced available jobs for women. Single, unemployed women were ineligible for government sustenance relief, making them particularly vulnerable without family support. In 1933, a significant proportion of women worked in domestic service (e.g., 23.7% in Bendigo, 29.4% in Huntly). From 1925-1929, women made up the majority of new ODR applicants (e.g., 91.7% in 1926). The number of children in ODR families increased dramatically during this period, reflecting growing hardship. Female employment in local industries declined during the Depression, with total female factory workers dropping from 614 in 1929 to 423 in 1931.6. Widows, deserted wives, and single women in Bendigo faced persistent economic insecurity and limited social support before and during the Great Depression. The records of the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum provide detailed evidence of their struggles and the inadequacy of available assistance. These findings highlight the systemic challenges faced by women outside the male breadwinner model in early 20th-century regional Australia. 8672.19b Cue Cards for a talk on Entertainment for Children 1920s and 1930s, 18 hand held cards handwritten prompts (glossy paper). The talk was split into two parts "Local Public Entertainment" and "Family and Home Entertainment" 8672.19c Draft copy of Chapter four fo Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 14 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 to 103 Contact BHS for Details This document analyzes the social and economic impacts of widowhood, illness, and mining-related accidents on families in Bendigo and its district during the early 20th century, especially from 1925. The document concludes that unsupported women—widows, deserted wives, and single women—were marginalized and forced to rely on charity, highlighting the inadequacy of social policy in Australia during this period. 8672.19d Draft copy of Chapter four fo Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 12 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 of 105 Contact BHS for Details 8672.19e Draft copy of Chapter four of Michele's Thesis - Chapter entitled: Not "Exceptional Circumstances"; Women in Bendigo and District, 11 Typewritten A4 pages with hand-written notes and deletions, Pages 92 to 103 Various pages Contact BHS for Detailsbendigo, brac, michele matthews collection