In 2005 Michele Matthews interviewed current and former residents of Bendigo for her thesis on the 1930s Depression as part of her PhD Research, with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts, History Department. Michele interviewed fifteen members of prominent Bendigonian families. The thesis was titled: "How Depressing?: The impact of the Great Depression on Bendigo and District 1925-1935". The Michele Matthews Collection contains fourteen audio cassette tape recordings and one written transcript. The tapes are each approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes duration. The questions presented to the interviewees explore everyday experiences they would have lived through at the time of the Depression. The questions covered sixteen relevant subjects: • Introduction and housing • Social activities, swimming, cinemas, school and games played with friends • Organizations such as the RSL, Relief Committees etc. and any effect they had on family life • The life of the single woman • Unemployment and Employment • Government Assistance • Charities Aid • Self-help • People Power, e.g. boycotts or protests • Politics • Trouble or crime • Family Health, Medical and Diet • Education • General memories of, and hardships encountered, during the DepressionAudio tape interview with sisters Doreen Domenica Favalora, and Josephine Monica Faveloro; cake and food shop owners. Daughters of Salvatore and Gina Favaloro. Doreen was born in 1915, and Josephine in 1920. Both attended school at St Mary's College, Doreen, c1920-1933, and Josephine, 1925-1938. The tape has been converted to a sound file. The 120 minute interview can be listened to, and the notes viewed, at the Bendigo Historical Society. By appointment only. The sisters lived at 137 Forest Street (not the one in the photo) Generations of the Favaloro family have attended Catherine McAuley College and its predecessor colleges St Mary's and Marist Brothers'. A book has been released documenting the progressive family migration from Salina, Italy to Bendigo. The family went on to run many much-loved businesses in Bendigo including cafes, fruit shops, theatre kiosks and caterers. A book has been written called 'The Favaloro Family of Bendigo: The Early Year 1895-1942' by Robert McWilliam. The photo and article are from the Bendigo Weekly Newspaper Friday April 7th 2006history, bendigo, michele matthews collection, the 1930s depression tapes, doreen and josephine favaloro