The Ballarat Unemployed Association was a collective in the 1930s advocating for the welfare and rights of unemployed persons. The minutes of the social committee constitute part of the history of this group. The minutes include details of subscriptions to various functions that were arranged. See also 0036.1 bound volumeballarat unemployed association, btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, unemployment, minutes, welfare, social clubs

The Ballarat Unemployed Association was a collective in the 1930s advocating for the welfare and rights of unemployed persons. For example, a deputation from BUA approached council in 1931 with a request to waive council rate payments in exchange for volunteer labour.Of significance to matters of employment and social equity in the Ballarat region.Paper, two bound volumes (E97/27/1-2)ballarat unemployed associaton, btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, employment, minutes, welfare

Several unemployed strike actions took place in the thirties to improve relief assistance to unemployed persons. Assistance could be in the form of food rations, money or nothing at all. State governments paid very small amounts of unemployment relief that were funded by state taxes. More information about unemployed strike actions and unemployed unions can be found at Solidarity Online: http://www.solidarity.net.au/highlights/organising-the-unemployed-dole-strikes-and-the-1930s-depression/ Ballarat Sustenance and Relief Workers' Union was a Trades Hall Council-sponsored organisation co-ordinating the self help activities of the Ballarat unemployed during the 1930s depression.Unemployed strikes in the 1930s showed the power of collective action and are a strong part of the history of Ballarat and other Trades Halls. Unemployed strike actions are also part of the history of The Great Depression and the beginning of a state-funded welfare system for unemployed persons.Paper, one bound volume.unemployed strike committee, minutes, btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, the great depression, strikes, susso, dole, unemployment, unemployment benefits, victorian trades hall council, vthc, rationing, rationing, unemployed workers movement, uwm, ballarat sustenance and relief workers' union, ballarat trades hall

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

Ballarat Sustenance and Relief Workers' Union was a Trades Hall Council-sponsored organisation co-ordinating the self help activities of the Ballarat unemployed during the 1930s depression. (1935-1940) Central Unemployed Committee was established in Melbourne by Victorian Trades Hall Council in 1933. The Committee was known to actively lobby against work for the dole schemes.The file forms part of the history of "unemployed unions" during The Great Depression. It also highlights attempts by previous Australian governments to impose "work for the dole" on to unemployed persons in exchange for unemployment benefits. Paper in folder.unemployment, dole, central unemployed committee, victorian trades hall council, btlc, ballarat trades hall, ballarat trades and labour council, work for the dole, ballarat sustenance and relief workers' union, the great depression