Barry Pope left Melbourne at the intentions of travelling around Australia, met a local girl in Beechworth and decided to stay. He worked firstly in logging operations at the mill in Stanley, had some bartending jobs at Beechworth hotels, then got a job as a kitchen-hand at the Mayday Hill Hospital. Taking up new opportunities to advance his career and earning potential, he trained as a prison officer, working for several months at Pentridge Prison and Fairlea Women's Prison in Melbourne. He then returned to Beechworth to work in the prison system. In his story Mr Pope discusses many aspects of prison life for both prisoners and prison officers, from the food and daily routine, attitudes to discipline and rehabilitation, industries and opportunities available to prisoners and how prisoners were viewed in society after their period in prison was finished. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke.Barry Pope's account of his career is historically and socially significant as it details practices within the prison industry in the Twentieth Century as well as the operations of regional hospitals. This oral history account is socially and historically significant as it is a part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth-century Beechworth.' While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the 20th century, many of which will have now been lost if they had not been preserved.This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white strip and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up 40 minutes of recordings on each side.Barry Pope /beechworth, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, stanley mill, logging, hotel wentworth, oral history, hospital garden, mayday hill hospital, met hospital, social welfare department, loyola, lyolla, pentridge prison, fairlea women's prison, prison officer training, drug crimes, prison daily life, prison farm, prison wood workshop, prison industry, prison escapes, beechworth prison, prison suicides, prison violence, prisoner attitudes to crime, mental health, isolation cells, walking dog scheme, guide dogs, prison concerts, prison plays, george smee, prison food, prison officer accommodation

Most of the photos were pasted on something originally so that now most of the writing is unreadable. Two large photos have stamped in red & blue on rear "Gepruft Stalag XVIII A". These were censored POW post cards. .1)The man standing centre is Walter FORBES VX953, on his right is Doug Gregor VX981. Both were POW's. Refer 1101, 1102, 1106..1) Envelope, fawn colour with B & W copy of original photo showing 3 soldiers set in photo corners on one end. The other end has typed details re the contents. .2)-.47) Forty-six photos inside the envelope, B & W, Sepia, all sizes up to Post card size covering the following subjects. War damage, scenes from N/Africa, prison camp, funerals in Germany, Group photos in Prison camp, working parties & concert parties in P.O.W camps.photography - photographs, documents - envelopes, military history, pow, forbes

A photo of Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. The photo appeared in an article in The Age in 1989. One photo also appeared in the President's Highlights report in 1989. The caption of that photo says, 'Pensive thoughts for ex-prisoner of Changi Prison, Jack Geohegan when, as a guest of Melbourne Legacy, he was reunited with a very special possession kept in Legacy's care. Jack, whose signature is one of many, had not seen the violin since his days at Changi.' Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942. There was more than one concert party in Changi as indicated on the rear of the violin. The details of the Dutch, British and American Concert Parties scratched in to the varnish. There are some well-known names scratched into the violin including: The English author and cartoonist, Ronald Searle; Australian entertainer, Frank Rich; and Australian Author, Russell Braddon. Mr Arnel died in 1982 and the violin was presented to Melbourne Legacy for preservation, safe keeping and display by his widow Mrs Florence Arnel in 1983.A record of a poignant reunion, Jack Geoghegan knew the violin while in Changi Prison and posed for photos on the Shrine to tell the story in The Age. Black and white photo x 3 of the Changi Violin at The Shrinechangi violin, pow, jack geohegan

An article in the Sun about the donation of the Changi violin to Legacy in 1982. It mentions that the violin was thrown over the fence at Changi prison and Mr Roy Arnel played it for the 3 and half years he was in Changi. When the war ended he went around the camp getting concert party members and friends to sign it. He died in January 1982 and his wife Netta contacted Legacy who had it restored by Roger Lewis. He said many of the parts were not original but had been made for it in prison. The notation H35 in red pen shows that it was part of the archive project that was trying to capture the history of Legacy. The text of the letter to President E J Larkin says: Dear Ed, I attach a press cutting which is self explanatory except that the violin has been given to me on behalf of Legacy by one of many widows - Mrs Arnel. I have discussed with 'Kem' Kemsley and others what we should do with this interesting relic. Kem has endorsed my fear that if it is sent to Canberra no-one will ever see it. The prospective War Museum in Victoria will not be ready for some years and could not handle it. I suggest that is be displayed 'pro?' at Legacy House until it could be passed to the Victorian War Museum. Both Mrs Arnel and Kem agree with this suggestion. I should be glad to make a display cabinet if Legacy agrees to the above suggestion. I shall be glad if you will return the cutting to me in due course. Yours sincerely Roger Westerback (?) 581.A record of the donation of the Changi violin to Legacy in 1982.White A4 photocopy of an article about the Changi violin published in the Sun in 1982 and a copy of a two page letter.Handwritten H35 in red pen. history, changi violin

A regular event for the widows was a Christmas concert at the Melbourne Town Hall. The performers were the RAAF Central Band. Held in December each year. These photos were from a proof sheets 911202A and 911202B. The photos from 1991 show President Sullivan presenting flowers to Inez Bruce, Vera Lang and Joan Redmond. Usually the concert was the time the Widows Clubs presented Legacy with funds raised through their fundraising each year - in this case $14,000 - and the president acknowledges with flowers. The article mentions that over 2000 widow attended the 29th Annual Widows' Club Christmas Concert. The concert is a welcome highlight of the year, widows from Melbourne and country Victoria join together to sing carols and enjoy the music of the RAAF Central Band conducted by Squadron Leader Graham Lloyd. Special guest artist included Ivor Jones (a POW in Changi Prison). Proof sheet also shows Legatee Eddie Jowett singing and dancing with an audience member, he was a regular performer at singalong functions.A record of regular events for widows to attend and enjoy together.Black and white photo x 2 of a Christmas concert at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1991, 2 x proof sheet and an article in the Answer.Proof sheet is marked 911202Bwidows, concert, christmas, activities, answer, raaf central band

A regular event for the widows was a Christmas concert at the Melbourne Town Hall. The performers were the RAAF Central Band. Held in December each year. These photos are the same event as black and white photos and a proof sheet 911202A and 011202B (01335). One photo show President Sullivan presenting flowers to Inez Bruce, Vera Lang and Joan Redmond. Usually the concert was the time the Widows Clubs presented Legacy with funds raised through their fundraising each year - in this case $14,000 - and the president acknowledges with flowers. The article mentions that over 2000 widows attended the 29th Annual Widows' Club Christmas Concert. The concert is a welcome highlight of the year, widows from Melbourne and country Victoria join together to sing carols and enjoy the music of the RAAF Central Band conducted by Squadron Leader Graham Lloyd. Special guest artist included Ivor Jones (a POW in Changi Prison). Also Sgt. Mike Hawkins who had performed 19 times for Legacy. One photo includes Legatee Salty Saltmarsh who was the coordinator of events for widows. Another shows Legatee Eddie Jowett dancing with a widow in a white outfit. A record of regular events for widows to attend and enjoy together.Colour photo x 7 of a Christmas concert at the Melbourne Town Hall in 1991 and an article in the Answer.widows, concert, activities, answer, raaf central band

A newspaper article with a photo of veteran Jack Geoghegan holding the violin that is part of Melbourne Legacy's collection (see 00080) at The Shrine. Mr Geoghegan was a Prisoner of War in Changi prison. He remembered playing in the concerts that the violin was used in. His signature is one of many, that had signed the violin. Background: This violin was played by VX30301 Dvr Roy Arnel, as a member of the Australian Imperial Force Concert Party, in the Changi POW camp, Singapore from 1942-1945. It is claimed that the violin, in its case was thrown over the wall by a Chinese civilian. Roy Arnel, a South African by birth enlisted on 7 June 1940 at Royal Park, Melbourne and served with 2 AASC Company as a driver. He was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army at the fall of Singapore in February 1942.A record that the violin was of importance to many people during their internment.Newspaper article about the Changi violin published in The Age 26 July 1989.changi violin, pow

Colour front cover, drawn image of people carrying a pole with a rectangular bucket suspended on the pole, the people wear hats and the sky is an orangey colour. Back cover has some quotes from nurses featured in the book as well as a blurb describing the book. non-fiction"Hunger and humiliation were just some of the privations endured by those members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who were captives of the Japanese during World War II. Of the thirty-two held in Sumatra and on Banka Island, twenty-four survived the severe physical conditions in the prison camps. Another group captured in Rabaul were held in Japan, where the cold was as bitter as their hunger. This is the dramatic account of those Australian nurses, of their struggles and their support for each other through the long years of war and captivity. In includes the horrifying story of Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor of the callous massacre on Banka Island where twenty-three women were ordered into the sea and shot. It records the degradation of the daily 'tenko', the starvation and appalling lack of hygiene, but also tells how the women were at times able to rise above these miseries through their concerts and the soaring harmonies of the voice choir. Catherine Kenny interviewd many of the nurses and collected photographs, diaries and letters from the Australian War Memorial as well as from the women themselves." Blurb on back cover of book.wwii, world war 2, world war two, japan, pow, pows, prisoners of war, prisoner of war, australian army nursing service, mitliary nursing, australian army

The newspaper article gives a basic overview of two groups of POW nurses during World War 2. Twenty two of the nurses trying to escape from the Japanese in Singapore, February 1942, on the Vyner Brooke came ashore on Banka Island. A few days afterwards they were all machine gunned by the Japanese, with only one survivor, Vivian Bullwinkel. She managed to get herself and a wounded British soldier to Muntok, where they both became POWs (prisoners of war). Of the sixty nurses on the Vyner Brooke, twelve had drowned, twenty one had been murdered and thirty two had gone into prison. Those that would survive the war made it through on a terrible diet consisting mostly of rice, attempts of the Japanese to use them for 'entertainment', making their own entertainment in celebrating birthdays and holidays, having music concerts and terrible sicknesses including cerebral malaria. Finally after the Japanese surrendered they were met at an airstrip by the Matron in Chief, A.M. Sage. She was hoping for the full sixty five from the Vyner Brooke. There were twenty four left. Another group of nurses were captured by the Japanese in Rabaul, January 1942, where twenty of their patients were taken, killed and buried in a mass grave. The nurses were put in a prison camp with civilian women where they too were treated terribly. They would be knocked down and kicked if they didn't bow deep enough, or would have their captors trying to urinate on them while laughing. After being moved to Japan they continued to try to survive by eating glue they were using to make envelopes for the Japanese. Large newspaper page with a full page story consisting of five columns of text and a large, bold title beneath a large black and white group photo of forty six people, most in nurses uniforms'NC2' [circled, blue ink, middle left of page]world war 1939-1945, thelma mceachern, 10th australian general hospital, agh, radji beach, sumatra, banka strait, 2/22nd battalion, tootie mcpherson, mavis cullen, naruto maru, dutch, eurasian, iole harper, nesta james, waltzing matilda, margaret dryburgh, marjory jennings, norah chambers, new guinea, yokohama yacht club, yokohama, mount fuji, kay parker, eileen callaghan, banks island, betty jeffrey, flo trotter, blanche hempsted, perth, melbourne, melbourne cup, micky syer