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: 8672.56a The document consists of a handwritten appeal from Mrs. M. O’Brien to the Mayor of Bendigo, together with official correspondence showing how her request was handled by the Town Clerk and the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum. Mrs. O’Brien writes to the Mayor asking for assistance during a period of severe financial hardship. She explains that she has five young children and is unable to work because she must care for her elderly mother, who is diabetic and unfit to look after the children. She states that she receives only a small government allowance, which is insufficient to support the family. As winter approaches, she is especially concerned that her children have neither suitable clothing nor shoes to attend school. She notes that previous assistance from the Mayoress had provided clothing, but that the children still lack footwear. In her letter, Mrs. O’Brien also describes the family’s difficult circumstances. She explains that her husband had left around five years earlier and that she has had no contact with him since. She also mentions that her eldest child suffers from rheumatism, adding to the family’s hardships. She lists the ages of her five children and makes a heartfelt plea for any assistance that could be provided. The official response, dated 5 November 1934, acknowledges receipt of Mrs. O’Brien’s letter. Rather than providing direct assistance, the Town Clerk advises her to contact Mr. Betteridge at the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum, who was responsible for distributing aid from the Mayor’s Relief Fund and would assess her needs and provide help, particularly with shoes for the children. The final page contains internal correspondence between the Town Clerk and Mr. Betteridge. The Town Clerk forwards Mrs. O’Brien’s application and requests details about her case so that appropriate assistance can be arranged. Handwritten notes record information about the family, including the number and ages of the children and the items of clothing or footwear required. The document illustrates the process by which charitable relief requests were investigated and referred to local welfare organisations during the Great Depression.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: 8672.44a The document contains a handwritten letter from Mrs. C. Long of 14 William Street, Long Gully, together with two official replies from the Town Clerk regarding her requests for assistance during the Great Depression. The file consists of three pages. Mrs. Long's handwritten letter, dated 20 March 1934, is addressed to the Mayor, Sir Bennett. She respectfully asks whether she could receive a pair of lace-up boots for her 13-year-old son. She explains that, because of sickness and unemployment, she is unable to afford them. After paying her rent, she has no money left for boots or clothing, and she fears eviction if the rent is not paid, noting that the rent agent has little sympathy for her situation. She ends the letter by asking for an early reply if possible. The second page contains the Town Clerk's reply, dated 29 March 1934. The letter acknowledges Mrs. Long's request to the Mayor and directs her to Mr. Betteridge at the Benevolent Asylum, where she may be able to obtain a pair of boots for her son. This response indicates that the council referred applicants seeking material assistance to charitable organisations rather than providing aid directly. The third page is an earlier letter, dated 28 September 1933, showing that Mrs. Long had previously applied for assistance. In response, the Town Clerk instructed her to visit Miss Bethune, Registrar of Social Services, at the Public Buildings, or alternatively attend the Sustenance Office at the Law Courts Building. The handwritten note "2x Requests" suggests that this was one of multiple appeals for help made by Mrs. Long. Overall, the document illustrates the financial hardship experienced by Mrs. Long during the Depression. Her correspondence reveals the difficulties faced by unemployed families in providing basic necessities such as footwear for children and demonstrates how local authorities commonly referred those in need to welfare agencies and charitable institutions for assistance.bendigo, michele matthews collection, letters seeking support in bendigo during the great depression 1932 to 1934