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: 8672.39a This document is a handwritten letter, dated 2 February 1932, from a widow in Bendigo addressed to the City Council. In the letter, she appeals for employment opportunities for her sons, explaining that although other families' sons and husbands have been able to obtain work on council projects, her own sons have repeatedly been overlooked despite actively seeking employment. She describes one son as having previously worked on the railway before becoming unemployed and another as willing and capable of manual labour but unable to secure a position. The writer explains the severe financial hardship facing her family. As a widow with two sons and a daughter, she struggles to pay her rates and meet basic living expenses because her sons have been unemployed for an extended period. She stresses that they are eager to work rather than rely on assistance and argues that even if one son is considered small in stature, he is a hardworking and capable worker who deserves the opportunity to prove himself. She criticises the council's employment practices, claiming that work is being distributed unfairly. She argues that jobs should be shared more evenly among unemployed men instead of repeatedly going to the same workers or to those with personal connections. She recounts an incident in which one of her sons was allegedly dismissed by an official who told him he would not receive work, suggesting to her that favouritism influenced hiring decisions. She also expresses frustration at being pursued for overdue rates while her family has no income with which to pay them. The letter broadens into a criticism of government priorities during the Depression. The writer argues that public funds would be better spent creating employment for unemployed Australian men and boys rather than supporting other expenditures. She believes that providing work would allow struggling families to pay their rates and regain their independence, reducing the burden on both households and local government. The letter concludes with a respectful but urgent plea for the council to provide work for her sons on the city's ongoing projects. She states that she is willing to pay her outstanding rates as soon as her sons earn wages, emphasising that employment—not charity—is what her family needs to recover from their financial difficulties. The document offers a vivid firsthand account of the economic hardship, unemployment, and frustrations experienced by working-class families in regional Victoria during the Great Depression. 8672.39b In this handwritten letter, dated 10 June 1932 from Bendigo, the writer apologises for being unable to pay outstanding rates at the present time. She explains that his financial hardship is due to his sons being unable to find work, leaving the family without sufficient income to meet their obligations. The writer states that her sons are actively trying to obtain money by seeking work and, if possible, by finding gold. She emphasises that he is willing to pay the rates as soon as he is financially able, stressing that his inability to pay is temporary rather than a refusal to meet his responsibilities. She expresses frustration that his sons have not been given employment opportunities, believing that if they had been offered work like others, he would have been able to pay what was owed. He also explains that the ongoing lack of work has taken a toll on him personally, leaving him physically exhausted and in poor health. The letter concludes with a renewed assurance that she fully intends to pay the outstanding rates once he has the necessary funds. she reiterates that he currently has no money and asks the recipient for understanding and patience until her financial circumstances improve.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: 8672.40a This document is a letter from the City Engineer to the Finance Committee of the Bendigo Town Council, dated 29 June 1932, outlining how the Unemployment Relief (Amendment) Act 1932 could be implemented locally. The Act required unemployed men receiving government sustenance payments to undertake municipal work in return for their benefits. The engineer explains that a schedule has been prepared setting out the number of hours each recipient must work according to their family size and level of sustenance. Individuals and larger families would work varying numbers of hours, generally spread over two to six days. The intention was to organise the labour into practical working days while ensuring that each man completed enough work to account for approximately three weeks' worth of sustenance. However, the engineer notes that existing regulations only permitted payment for up to two weeks at a time, making the scheme difficult to administer unless the government granted special permission to vary this rule. The letter also details how the scheme would be managed. Each unemployed worker would receive a personal work demand when collecting sustenance, with weekly lists prepared showing how many men were needed for two-, three-, four-, or five-day work periods. The City Engineer would oversee planning, work allocation, supervision, and record-keeping. He points out that the Council would need to purchase tools such as picks, shovels, and mattocks, estimate ongoing maintenance costs, employ foremen and an additional clerk with engineering costing knowledge, and organise time sheets and payments. A significant practical concern was the provision of transport. Much of the proposed work involved excavation and earth removal, requiring numerous drays and horses. Since the legislation made no provision for supplying these, the Council would bear the expense. The engineer estimated that the minimum additional weekly cost to the Council would be around £65, excluding the relatively small cost of materials. The report concludes by identifying a series of public works that could be undertaken by the unemployed workforce. These included widening roads and streets, removing hills and embankments to improve visibility, constructing new roadways, clearing creeks and drainage channels, cleaning road verges and footpaths, removing rock outcrops, extending streets, building crossings, and screening gravel for road and footpath repairs. The engineer emphasises that most of these projects required little material expenditure while providing valuable improvements to local infrastructure, provided that full days of labour could be obtained from those employed under the relief scheme.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: 8672.42a The document is a formal report addressed to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Bendigo, dated 7 July 1932, concerning how the Council should finance the implementation of the Unemployment Relief Act. The report explains that the Act requires municipalities to provide work for unemployed men receiving government sustenance. However, the authors note that there is considerable uncertainty about how the scheme will operate, including how many workers will be employed and how long the programme will be required. Because of these unknowns, they recommend that the Council initially plan for only one year of operation and review the arrangement at the end of that period. The report estimates that the minimum weekly cost to the Council, excluding materials, would be approximately £65, amounting to an annual cost of around £3,380. Under the provisions of the Unemployment Relief Act, municipalities could obtain interest-free advances from the Unemployment Relief Fund, repayable over ten equal annual instalments. The authors therefore recommend applying for an advance of approximately £4,000 to cover the first year's costs, with annual repayments of about £400. Should the scheme continue beyond the first year, they advise seeking additional advances as required rather than borrowing more than initially necessary. The report argues that funding the scheme directly from Council revenue would be less desirable. Because the Act prevented the dismissal of existing municipal employees as a consequence of relief work, normal maintenance spending could not be reduced to offset the new costs. As a result, financing the programme from municipal funds would likely require an increase in local rates of between 3d and 4d in the pound, placing an additional burden on ratepayers. Finally, the report discusses proposed creek works being considered by the City Engineer. As these projects were regarded as permanent public works involving substantial expenditure, the authors recommend financing them through a longer-term loan under the Local Government Act rather than through the unemployment relief scheme. They also note that legislation before the State Parliament might soon allow advances for relief works, and suggest postponing a decision on this aspect until the Bill had been finalised. The report concludes with the signatures of the Town Clerk, City Treasurer, and City Engineer, indicating their joint endorsement of the recommendations.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: 8672.43a The document is a letter dated 22 November 1932 from the Town Clerk to the Secretary of the Public Works Department in Melbourne. It confirms that the Council accepts the conditions of the Victorian Government's Christmas Relief Work Scheme, under which £1,500 had been allocated to the municipality to provide employment for registered unemployed people before Christmas. The Council explains that it will supplement the government grant with an additional £574 of its own funds. The proposed program is intended to employ approximately 200 workers, including labourers, painters, carpenters and concreters, on projects that are described as being of a permanent nature and outside the normal municipal works program. The letter emphasises that these projects will provide meaningful employment while also improving local infrastructure. The schedule of works includes a range of road construction and improvement projects. These include extending Hargreaves Street into Panton Street with a flood crossing and pipe culvert, constructing Murphy Street and repairing a large culvert, cutting down Comet Hill on Holmes Road to improve traffic visibility, constructing Hodgkinson Street, widening the intersection of Howard, Reginald and Harkness Streets, and removing stone outcrops and cutting back the embankment on Mackenzie Street. In addition to road works, the proposal includes municipal maintenance projects such as demolishing the old lock-up and sheds, screening material for top dressing and trimming paths in Rosalind Park, removing grass and vegetation from residential roads, and cleaning and repainting the exterior woodwork of the Town Hall. These works combined infrastructure improvements with general civic maintenance, allowing a wide variety of unemployed workers to be engaged. The accompanying budget allocates separate amounts for materials and labour for each project. The total expenditure is £500 for materials and £1,574 for labour, matching the Council's contribution and demonstrating that the majority of funding would be directed towards wages to maximise employment opportunities. The letter concludes with the Town Clerk's formal endorsement of the proposal.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

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: 8672.45a The document contains a handwritten letter dated 15 March 1933 from Mrs. C. Cowling of Neale & Osborne Street, Bendigo, addressed to the Mayoress, Mrs. Bennett. In the letter, Mrs. Cowling appeals for assistance in obtaining clothing for herself and her children. She explains that her family is living on sustenance payments and that her husband's unemployment has continued into its third year, leaving them unable to afford adequate clothing. She describes their financial hardship, noting that "everything seems to be wearing at once," and asks if any new or second-hand clothing could be provided. Mrs. Cowling states that she has five daughters aged between three and nine years old and a two-year-old son, expressing sincere gratitude for any assistance that could be offered. The second page is a typed reply dated 29 March 1934 from the Town Clerk. The response acknowledges Mrs. Cowling's letter to the Mayoress and directs her to Mr. Betteridge at the Benevolent Asylum, where she is advised to apply for clothing assistance. Rather than providing clothing directly, the Town Clerk refers her to the appropriate charitable organisation for support, indicating the council's role in connecting people experiencing hardship with available welfare services.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: 8672.41a The document contains two related letters dated 23 June 1932 and 2 July 1932. The first is a handwritten request from C. E. Smith to the Town Clerk, and the second is the Town Clerk's typed reply. Summary On 23 June 1932, C. E. Smith, of 200 Booth Street, Golden Square, writes to the Town Clerk asking if any work can be provided so that he can pay his local rates. He explains that he has been a ratepayer for many years, but because he has been unemployed for a considerable period, he has fallen behind on his payments for the first time. Smith expresses that he is unable to pay his rates without employment and respectfully asks if the council can find him any kind of work. He closes the letter by thanking the Town Clerk in anticipation of assistance and signs it "Yours respectfully." In the 2 July 1932 reply, the Town Clerk acknowledges receipt of Smith's letter and confirms that it has been received as an application for work to enable him to pay his rates. The Town Clerk regrets to inform him that there is currently no work available. However, Smith's application will be kept on file for future reference, and if work becomes available through the Government's Unemployment Grant, his request will be considered. The letter ends with the formal closing, "Yours faithfully."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 document: 8672.38a The letter to the Mayor and Councillors of Bendigo is a request for relief from unpaid council rates by residents of the Sutton Ward. The writers explain that: They are ratepayers seeking permission to work off their outstanding rates by undertaking whatever work the council has available. If they cannot clear the entire debt through work, they ask to be allowed to do at least some work to reduce the amount owed. The appeal is based on their financial hardship and unemployment. The document also includes details of individual applicants, including notes such as: W. W. Bennetts – unemployed for over two years, with five dependants. C. G. Smith, of 17 Curnow Street, Golden Square. T. R. Phillips, 44 Webster Street, unemployed for three years. The letter is signed "Yours faithfully, W. W. Bennetts." Overall, the document is a Great Depression-era petition illustrating the severe economic hardship experienced by unemployed residents, who asked the Bendigo Council to let them repay their local taxes through manual labour rather than cashbendigo, michele matthews collection, 1930s depression, 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: 8672.48a The document is a series of four pieces of correspondence from September 1933 concerning an appeal by E. Hughes of Bendigo after his government sustenance (relief payments) had been stopped. The letters document the appeal process, the consideration of his case by the local Public Assistance Committee, and the eventual temporary reinstatement of relief. The first letter is a handwritten appeal from E. Hughes to the Relief Committee in Bendigo. Hughes explains that, after investigating the reasons his sustenance had been cancelled, he believes the decision was based on inaccurate information about his financial circumstances. He argues that he owns no property of significant value, apart from essential household items, and asks the committee to reconsider its decision. Hughes also expresses concern that false or misleading statements may have influenced the authorities and requests a personal interview so he can explain his situation directly. The second letter, dated 8 September 1933, is from the Public Assistance Committee to Hughes. It acknowledges receipt of his appeal and informs him that the committee has considered his request. While a final decision has not yet been made, the committee advises that his case has been forwarded to the Minister for Sustenance with a favourable recommendation for special consideration. The third letter, dated 11 September 1933, is from the Victorian Department of Labour’s Sustenance Branch to the Public Assistance Committee. It confirms that the Minister has reviewed the committee’s recommendation and has approved the temporary restoration of relief payments in Hughes’s case. However, the approval is subject to review after one month, indicating that the assistance is provisional rather than permanent. The final letter, dated 12 September 1933, communicates this decision directly to Hughes. The Public Assistance Committee informs him that temporary relief has been granted, again noting that the arrangement will be reviewed after one month. Hughes is instructed to report to the Sustenance Office at the Law Courts building for re-registration so that his payments can recommence. Overall, the correspondence illustrates the administrative process surrounding public relief in Victoria during the Great Depression. It shows that individuals whose sustenance had been cancelled could appeal decisions through local committees, whose recommendations were then considered by the Minister. In Hughes’s case, the appeal was successful, resulting in the temporary reinstatement of government assistance pending further review. 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: 8672.46a The document is a letter dated 16 March 1933 from the Town Clerk to the Minister for Sustenance in Melbourne. Its subject is "Work in Return for Sustenance" and concerns proposed changes to the administration of work requirements for people receiving government sustenance payments. The Town Clerk explains that the Council has begun requiring men who receive sustenance payments to undertake work in return for this assistance. Under existing regulations, however, if recipients are required to complete work equivalent to more than two weeks of sustenance in advance, the Council must first obtain special permission from the Minister. In Bendigo, approximately 550 men are eligible for this work scheme, with weekly sustenance payments ranging from 6 shillings to 14 shillings. The letter requests permission to require recipients to complete work equivalent to three weeks of sustenance rather than two. The Town Clerk argues that this arrangement would make the scheme much easier to administer. Instead of repeatedly organising workers every two weeks, the Council could schedule work over a period of approximately two and a quarter days, allowing the engineering staff to process the entire group before the first workers again became eligible for payments. Although some individuals might need to work more than 24 hours in a single week, the writer considers this a practical administrative solution. The letter concludes by emphasising that the proposed change is intended solely to simplify local administration rather than alter the principles of the sustenance scheme. It also argues that concentrating the required work into a shorter period would benefit recipients by giving them a longer interval between work obligations, enabling them to accept casual employment opportunities that might arise. The letter closes with the Town Clerk's formal signature and request for the Minister's approval.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. Michele Matthews Collection: PHD Research - Relief during the great depression This item includes the following documents: 8672.47a The document is a letter from the Victorian Government Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch, dated 12 June 1933, addressed to His Worship the Mayor of Bendigo. It responds to a previous letter from the Premier's Secretary (dated 2 June) and clarifies the purpose of a government sustenance scheme. The letter explains that the scheme does not provide grants for relief works. Instead, it extends the existing "work in return for sustenance" system. Under this arrangement, individuals who perform work in exchange for government assistance are entitled to receive a higher level of sustenance each week than those who do not participate in work. The central message is that the program is intended to reward participation in work rather than fund new relief projects. The distinction is emphasised in the letter through underlining, highlighting that workers receive greater weekly support than non-workers. A handwritten annotation in the margin ("do work don't work!") also draws attention to this key point, suggesting it was of particular significance to a later reader.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: 8672.50a This document is a brief letter dated 21 September 1933 addressed to the Station Master, Bendigo. It requests that Mrs. E. J. Fagen, the bearer of the letter, be provided with one adult second-class return railway ticket and one half-fare second-class single ticket for travel from Bendigo to Melbourne. The letter states that His Worship the Mayor (Cr. G. Tonnetts) will accept responsibility for payment of the tickets, authorising the Station Master to issue them without requiring immediate payment from the traveller. This indicates that the travel was being arranged under the authority of the Mayor's office. The correspondence concludes with a formal closing, "Yours faithfully," and is signed on behalf of the Town Clerk, reflecting the official nature of the request.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: 8672.52a The document is a Department of Labour Circular (37/33) dated 27 November 1933, issued by the Sustenance Branch in Melbourne. It is addressed to employing authorities and explains the principles and expectations of the "Work in Return for Sustenance" scheme. The circular argues that the scheme is intended to preserve the dignity of unemployed workers by allowing them to earn their sustenance through work rather than receiving charity. It states that this approach is less demoralising than direct relief and gives workers the opportunity to earn more than the standard sustenance rate through productive labour. The document notes that municipalities have strongly supported the scheme, describing their cooperation as essential to its operation. It also claims that unemployed workers themselves generally approve of the system, citing repeated requests for work from districts where no employment opportunities were available. A key justification for the programme is the need for a work test. The circular argues that some people receiving sustenance were unwilling to work, claiming that in certain districts up to 20% of recipients surrendered their relief cards once work began. It states that some individuals were prosecuted for fraud, using these cases to support stricter enforcement. The circular expresses concern that the success of the programme is being threatened by poor supervision and inadequate worker efficiency. It instructs employing authorities to expect a reasonable level of productivity, stating that, as a general guideline, workers should average 70% efficiency. It further argues that those unwilling to undertake work within their capabilities demonstrate that they are not genuinely in need of assistance. The document concludes by urging employers to address loafing and poor performance promptly, arguing that tolerating inefficiency is unfair to diligent workers and could undermine public support for the entire system. It also singles out travelling workers ("travellers"), stating that those who treat the work as a joke should have their traveller's cards confiscated and be dismissed from the programme.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: 8672.56a 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: 8672.54a The document contains a series of historical letters relating to a woman, Mrs. M. Bruce, who sought financial assistance during a period of hardship. The scanned pages are handwritten and partially faded, making some sections difficult to read, but the overall sequence of events is clear. The first letter is a handwritten appeal from Mrs. Bruce to the Mayor of Bendigo. She explains that she has two young children and is struggling to provide food for them. She states that she receives only a small allowance for the children each week and that the payment is insufficient to meet their needs. Mrs. Bruce also refers to her own poor health, which limits her ability to support the family, and respectfully asks whether the Mayor could provide any form of assistance. The tone of the letter is humble and urgent, emphasising her financial hardship and concern for her children's welfare. The second page is a typed response dated 25 October 1933. The letter acknowledges receipt of Mrs. Bruce's request for assistance and informs her that arrangements have been made for her to receive aid through the Bendigo Benevolent Asylum. She is instructed to attend the Asylum at 10:00 a.m. on a weekday to receive food and clothing and is advised to bring the letter with her as proof of authorisation. The final page is an internal memorandum from Bendigo Town Hall, written by the organiser of the Public Assistance Committee. The note discusses Mrs. Bruce's case and recommends that her application be considered by the committee. It indicates that the committee should review her circumstances and refers to recording the matter in the committee's minutes, demonstrating the administrative process used to assess requests for charitable assistance. Overall, the document provides a brief record of Mrs. Bruce's application for relief, the official response granting temporary charitable assistance, and the accompanying administrative correspondence showing how local authorities managed welfare requests during the early 1930s.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: 8672.53a The letter, dated 5 December 1935, was sent by the Victorian Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch to F. T. Amer, Town Clerk of Bendigo. It acknowledges receipt of the Town Clerk’s earlier correspondence and clarifies the department’s policy on payments to men undertaking sustenance work. The department states that workers must not be paid the higher rate of sustenance unless they are actually performing work. It emphasises that payment at the higher rate is strictly conditional on work being carried out and should not be granted simply because a worker is enrolled in the scheme. The letter further advises that if work is suspended between 23 December 1933 and 2 January 1934, men who are not undertaking work during that period should receive only the lower sustenance rate. This reinforces the department’s position that higher payments are tied directly to active employment rather than periods of inactivity. Finally, the department suggests that municipalities may arrange for workers to complete additional hours before the Christmas and New Year holiday period so that their accumulated work credits will carry their sustenance payments through the shutdown. However, it makes clear that no credit is to be given for the holiday period itself. The letter closes with the signature of the Officer-in-Charge.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: 8672.55a This document is a letter dated 27 November 1933 from the Sustenance Office, Public Buildings to the Town Clerk regarding an application for temporary rent assistance. The writer explains that J. P. Paton of Specimen Hill has applied for assistance with rent. The Town Clerk is asked to arrange for the necessary support if the council decides to approve the application. Rather than paying the applicant directly, the letter recommends that the payment be made through the applicant's agent, who should either collect the funds from the Town Hall or submit an account for reimbursement. The letter sets clear limits on the assistance. It states that the payment should not exceed 8 shillings per week and should be provided for no more than four weeks. As the applicant's rent is 5 shillings per week, the writer suggests that authorising four weeks' rent would be sufficient to meet the immediate needs of the case. The letter concludes by noting that Mr Paton had visited the office on the previous Saturday and was calling at the Town Hall that day. It is signed by Dorothy Bethune, identified as Registrar of Public Assistance. Handwritten annotations in the margins appear to record an administrative note indicating rent assistance payments and confirm the recommendation of 8 shillings per week for four weeks maximum.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: 8672.51a The document is a dated request, 16 September, addressed to Messrs. Myer's Grocery Department. It instructs the grocery department to provide a specified quantity of food items to Mrs. Crowley, with the goods to be delivered directly to the bearer of the note. The cost of these groceries is to be charged to the Mayor's Unemployment Relief Fund, indicating that the supplies were being provided as part of a municipal relief programme for someone in need rather than as a private purchase. The requested provisions include 4 pounds of potatoes, 1 tin of plum jam, 3 pounds of oatmeal, ½ pound of tea, and 2 pounds of sugar. These items represent a basic selection of staple foods intended to support a household. The document concludes with the signature line "Town Clerk," indicating that the order was officially authorised by the local council administration on behalf of the unemployment relief scheme.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: 8672.57a This letter, dated 30 January 1934, was sent by the Bendigo Trades Hall Unemployed Association to the Secretary of the Public Assistance Committee. It was written following a general meeting held on 23 January 1934, where members resolved to advocate on behalf of married unemployed men who were undertaking sustenance work. The Association requests that any man whose allocated work exceeds one full week should be paid each Monday for the work completed up to that point, rather than waiting until the entire period of work is finished. The letter argues that weekly payments would enable workers to better support themselves and their families during the following week instead of facing financial hardship while awaiting payment. The letter explains that many of these men were working between 80 and 90 hours before receiving any wages. Because they had no income during this period, they were often unable to obtain credit from local tradespeople, making it difficult to secure food and other necessities until they completed their work and were paid. The Association emphasises that this payment arrangement placed unnecessary strain on unemployed families. The letter concludes by requesting an early and favourable response from the Public Assistance Committee. It is signed by G. H. Jennings, Honorary Secretary of the Bendigo Trades Hall Unemployed Association, and includes a handwritten note indicating a reply dated 14 February 1934.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: 8672.58a The document is a formal letter dated 26 January 1934 from the Town Clerk, acting on behalf of the Bendigo Sewerage Authority (Bendigo City Council), to the Officer in Charge of the Sustenance Department in Melbourne. The purpose of the letter is to request permission for unemployed men receiving government sustenance to be allowed to undertake work for the Bendigo Sewerage Authority at the Sewerage Farm, Epsom. The letter explains that the Sewerage Farm is located approximately five miles from the Bendigo Post Office. If approval is granted, motor bus transport would be provided to carry the workers between the worksite and the Bendigo Post Office. The City Engineer would also be responsible for making the workers available for the proposed duties. The proposed work focuses on improving and maintaining public infrastructure and the surrounding environment. The men would be employed to clean existing channels and drains, construct new drainage channels where old ones had been abandoned, level mine dumps at former gold workings, grade uneven land, thin timber, and remove rushes and noxious weeds from swamps and creek frontages. These activities were intended to improve drainage, reclaim land, and reduce environmental hazards. The letter also proposes employing men at the Sanitary Depot, Wellsford, where they would grub and clear scrubland and establish firebreaks along boundary fences adjoining State Forests or reserves. The same transport arrangements would apply to this work. The letter concludes with a formal expression of confidence that the City Engineer can organise the workforce and is signed by the Town Clerk on behalf of the Bendigo Sewerage Authority.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: 8672.60a The document is a letter dated 14 February 1934 from the Town Clerk to Mr. G. H. Jennings, Assistant Secretary of the Trades Hall Unemployed Association in Bendigo. It responds to Jennings' earlier letter of 30 January concerning the payment of unemployed men whose working hours exceeded one full week. The Town Clerk proposes a revised payment arrangement for those affected. Instead of unemployed workers receiving one week's sustenance orders at a time, the letter recommends that the Sustenance Officer (Mr. Ryan) issue two weeks' worth of sustenance orders. This change is intended to simplify the payment process for workers who had completed more than one week's work. Under the proposed system, after receiving two weeks of sustenance orders, the workers would then be paid in cash for the balance of the month, with the amount calculated according to the time they had worked for sustenance. The letter closes formally with "Yours faithfully" and is signed by the Town Clerk, indicating that this recommendation represents the official response of the municipal authority.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: 8672.59a This letter, dated 12 February 1934, is from the Town Clerk to the Minister in Charge of the Sustenance Department in Melbourne. It concerns the financial and administrative arrangements for the Bendigo Sustenance Office. The Town Clerk explains that approximately twelve months earlier, the Council assumed responsibility for administering unemployment relief and began paying the salary of the Sustenance Officer in Bendigo. At that time, the Mayor had been assured by the then Minister for Sustenance that, after a suitable period, the Registrar of Public Assistance would be withdrawn and their duties transferred to the Sustenance Officer. This change was intended to relieve the Council of the responsibility for funding the officer's salary. The letter states that a full year has now passed without the promised administrative changes being implemented. The Council therefore requests clarification from the Minister regarding when the proposed arrangement will take effect, expressing concern that the expected transfer of responsibilities and associated financial relief has not yet occurred.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: 8672.64a The document is a circular dated 13 March 1934 from the Public Assistance Office, Melbourne, providing administrative instructions to Registrars and Secretaries of Public Assistance Committees on the management of sustenance recipients, financial procedures, and committee administration. The first section explains arrangements for men employed on relief work during the Easter period. It confirms that the existing practice of allowing men working away from home to return to their families for Easter will continue. Eligible workers who were already receiving sustenance before being assigned to relief work may receive sustenance payments for themselves and their families during the holiday. However, these payments are intended only for those who had previously qualified for assistance, must not duplicate payments already made, and should not result in additional entitlements after they return to work. The circular then emphasises the importance of close cooperation with local police departments. Registrars and Public Assistance Committees are encouraged to exchange information regularly with police officers so that authorities have the most accurate and up-to-date details regarding people receiving public assistance. This cooperation is intended to improve oversight of sustenance recipients. A substantial section addresses goods supplied under sustenance orders. It notes that some shopkeepers have been providing items not permitted under the regulations, particularly tobacco. The circular reminds committees that retailers must not provide cash instead of goods, supply goods before receiving an authorised sustenance order, exceed the authorised value of an order, substitute unauthorised goods, charge prices above approved rates, or require recipients to sign blank or incomplete receipts. Any trader breaching these rules risks losing the right to accept future sustenance orders. The document also clarifies the certification of accounts submitted to the Treasury. It states that claims for goods supplied under sustenance orders must be certified only by the authorised officials. Accounts certified by sub-committees, committee members, or police officers are contrary to the regulations and will not be paid. Where no Registrar has been appointed, only the official secretary of the Public Assistance Committee is authorised to certify these accounts. Another section concerns postage and administrative expenses. Secretaries, particularly in country districts, are instructed to ensure that all correspondence is correctly stamped before posting. The circular also notes complaints about letters being insufficiently prepaid, resulting in unnecessary additional postage charges. It reminds committees that the relevant local authority is responsible for meeting these administrative expenses under the applicable legislation. Finally, the circular provides guidance on the transfer of recipients between districts. When a person receiving sustenance moves to another district, their complete records should accompany the transfer. Committees are reminded that these records belong to the Public Assistance Committee rather than to individual offices, ensuring continuity of administration and preventing delays in assessing ongoing eligibility for assistance. The document concludes with a signed acknowledgement section confirming receipt of the circular by the relevant Public Assistance Office.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: 8672.67a This document is a circular issued by the Victorian Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch, dated 27 March 1934, and addressed to Town Clerks and Shire Secretaries. It outlines the government's policy for administering the "work for sustenance" scheme under the Unemployment Relief (Administration) Act. The circular emphasises that a uniform policy should be applied across all municipalities to ensure consistent administration of relief work. The circular instructs local authorities to take a strict approach toward unemployed men participating in relief work. Men who are considered capable of working but who refuse work or fail to perform satisfactorily are to be dismissed immediately, with arrangements made to cancel their sustenance payments. This reflects the government's intention to link welfare support directly to compliance with work requirements. The document distinguishes between those who are unwilling to work and those who are physically or mentally unable to do so. Individuals deemed unfit for work are not to remain on work-for-sustenance projects. Instead, they are to receive assistance through other public assistance arrangements, with different procedures applying inside and outside metropolitan areas. Those capable only of light work are to be assigned suitable duties where available and paid at the higher sustenance rate; if no light work exists, they may remain on the lower sustenance rate. The circular also establishes clear restrictions on workers' collective activities. It states that any man employed under the work-for-sustenance scheme who participates in Stop Work Meetings will be dismissed and have his sustenance cancelled. In addition, the previous practice of granting leave for delegates to present grievances through their organisations is abolished. Any complaints or representations must instead be made outside working hours, in line with the treatment of industrial disputes. Finally, the Minister calls upon local councils to provide complete cooperation in enforcing these policies so that a reasonable level of efficiency can be maintained among men employed in return for sustenance. The circular concludes by noting that a copy has also been sent to the officer responsible for administering sustenance within each municipality, reinforcing the expectation that the policy be implemented consistently across Victoria.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: 8672.66a The document consists of two letters from the Victorian Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch, dated 23 March 1934, concerning the handling of unemployment grievances in Bendigo and the government's approach to investigating complaints. The first letter is addressed to the Secretary of the Public Assistance Committee in Bendigo. It explains that the Minister has enclosed a copy of correspondence received from the Unemployed Ratepayers' and Citizens' Association. While the government has decided to rely on the Trades Hall in Melbourne to represent workers' grievances, the Minister recognises that Bendigo's circumstances may require separate consideration. Rather than relying solely on reports from Melbourne, the Minister requests firsthand information from local representatives so that any decision regarding Bendigo is based on direct knowledge of local conditions. The second letter is addressed to F. C. Sweeney of Bendigo and acknowledges receipt of his correspondence. It begins by correcting what the Minister describes as a misunderstanding arising from a newspaper report, stating that there was never any intention to allow delegates to present complaints directly before the Central Unemployed Committee. Instead, complaints from workers in metropolitan areas are to be channelled through the Trades Hall Council, which will act as an intermediary rather than as a tribunal or decision-making body. The Council's role is to gather and present the facts to the Department, while the Minister retains responsibility for making the final decision. The letter also explains that, although the Minister intends to recognise a single representative organisation in Melbourne, the question of recognising organisations in provincial and country districts, including Bendigo, has not yet been settled and requires further consideration. It notes that Bendigo's local Trades Hall Council is closely affiliated with the Melbourne body, but emphasises that local arrangements are still under review.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: 8672.62a The document is a Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch circular dated 16 February 1934 (Circular 3/34), addressed to Registrars and Secretaries of Public Assistance Committees. Its purpose is to provide instructions on the registration of unemployed men for light work. The circular explains that, following discussions between the Minister, the Labour Bureau, and departmental officials, any unemployed person who claims they are unable to undertake relief work must have their excuse assessed jointly by the Registrar and the relevant Labour Bureau officer. Their role is to determine whether the reason for exemption is valid before any decision is made. In districts where there is no Labour Bureau officer, the Registrar or Sustenance Officer is to act as the Labour Registration Agent. These officials become responsible for handling work registrations and reporting directly to the Officer-in-Charge of the Labour Bureau, Mr. R. Harris. The circular also establishes a procedure for men who are medically certified as unable to perform heavy work. Such individuals may be exempted from heavy labour and instead registered specifically for light work. While waiting for suitable work to become available, they may continue receiving sustenance payments, including higher rates where appropriate if work is performed in return. However, if they refuse an offer of suitable light work, they are to be immediately removed from the employment register and their sustenance payments cancelled. The document concludes with a signature from the Officer-in-Charge and includes an acknowledgement section for Public Assistance Offices, where Registrars are required to confirm receipt of the circular.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: 8672.65a The document is a letter dated 13 March 1934 from the Department of Labour, Sustenance Branch in Melbourne, titled "Supervision of Work Performed in Return for Sustenance." It addresses concerns about the supervision and efficiency of men employed under government sustenance work schemes. The letter refers to a circular issued on 22 November 1933 by the Assistant Minister in Charge of Sustenance, which stressed that workers receiving sustenance should provide a reasonable return through their labour. It argues that men who do not perform fairly should not continue to be employed and notes that the success of the sustenance work system is being undermined by poor supervision, leading to low levels of efficiency. The document states that recent investigations found little improvement in the productivity of workers in some areas. It attributes this problem not to the workers themselves but to employing bodies failing to provide adequate oversight. According to the letter, simply assigning men to work without ensuring they complete a reasonable day's labour results in taxpayers' money being wasted and is considered an unacceptable state of affairs. The letter concludes with a strong warning from the Minister, urging all employing authorities to implement proper supervision over workers receiving sustenance. It states that if sufficient supervision cannot be demonstrated, the Minister will consider withdrawing the authority of the relevant municipality to employ men under the sustenance work scheme.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: 8672.61a The document is a letter dated 16 February 1934 from the Bendigo Trades Hall Unemployed Association to the Mayor and Councillors of the Bendigo City Council. It raises concerns on behalf of unemployed workers who were engaged in sustenance (relief) work and complains about the poor sanitary conditions provided at these worksites. The Association explains that workers had reported that the sanitary arrangements at sustenance works were inadequate. Although some worksites had lavatories, these facilities were considered unsuitable for the number of workers using them and were believed to be harmful to workers' health. The letter also states that some job sites had no sanitary facilities at all, further increasing concern about hygiene and health. The Association argues that providing proper sanitary facilities is an essential requirement on all sustenance work projects. It urges the City Council to address the issue immediately, emphasising that improving sanitation is necessary to protect the health and wellbeing of the workers. The letter closes by requesting an early and favourable response from the Council. It is signed by S. Jennings, Assistant Secretary of the Bendigo Trades Hall Unemployed Association. A handwritten note at the bottom indicates that a reply was made on 25 February 1934, referring the matter to the City Engineer.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: 8672.63a This letter, dated 19 February 1934, was sent by the Bendigo Trades Hall Council and Literary Institute to the Town Clerk of Bendigo. It requests that the Bendigo City Council receive a deputation made up of representatives from both the Trades Hall Council and the Trades Hall Unemployed Association to discuss concerns relating to unemployment and relief work in the city. The deputation sought to raise three main issues. First, it advocated for men employed on government sustenance (relief) work to be transferred into permanent employment with the City Council wherever possible. Second, it objected to the practice of using sustenance workers in positions that, in the Council's view, should be reserved for permanent employees. Finally, it wished to discuss the broader situation of sustenance work in Bendigo, indicating wider concerns about employment conditions and the administration of relief labour during the Great Depression. The letter concludes by requesting that the deputation be heard by the City Council at its next meeting, scheduled for the following Thursday. The Trades Hall Council expresses its intention to attend and hear the Council's views on these matters before closing with a formal sign-off from the Secretary.bendigo, michele matthews collection, letters seeking support in bendigo during the great depression 1932 to 1934