How Eaglehawk Mothers Coped during the Great Depression.Annette McHugh.eaglehawk, history, women during the depression.

Mrs Margaret Galbraith was born in Beechworth in 1913 on the 5th February. Her parents immigrated to Australia in 1910 from England. Her father was killed after being thrown from a cart in 1912, and her mother eventually purchased the general store in which she worked from the Ladson family. Margaret has some insights into the local area during the Depression from the perspective of a store owner, as well as the presence of 'tramps' in the town, and Chinese immigrants in the community. She speaks a lot about her mother who was a very strong woman. She retired at 80. Margaret married a Ladson in Melbourne and had children. She lived at 47 Finch Street, Beechworth. This oral history recording was part of a project by Jennifer Williams in 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the 20th century. This project involved recording 70 oral history stories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents, which were then published in a book called Listen to What they Say: Voices of 20th Century Beechworth. The cassettes were digitised in 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of Bourke.Mrs Margaret Galbraith's account of her life in Beechworth and the local area during the 20th century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. She details important historical events and hardships in the region's history that had a lasting local, regional and national impact, including Australia during war time, the Great Depression, immmigration, economic struggles, and women's societal roles in a rural area. 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 stored in a clear, flat, plastic, rectangular container. It holds up to 40 minutes of recordings each sideMrs Margaret Galbraithlisten to what they say, ladson, oral history, bourke museum, beechworth, galbraith, margaret galbraith, general store

The sport had its origins during the Depression of the 1930s when teams were formed to keep young women fit and healthy. The sport became more organised during the 1940s with a system of scoring developed to ensure teams could compete against one another. Points were deducted for lack of precisions, dressing, movement and length of pace. At its peak marching competitions drew large crowds of spectators. Teams marched not only in competitions but also frequently appeared in parades and social occasions. Jim Trewin trained Orbost's Marching Girls' team, the Waratahs, and served as vice president of the East Gippsland Marching Girls' zone. His wife, Doris, acted as chaperon Together with a trophy, a chaperone's blazer and photos this uniform forms part of the history of the Orbost Marching Girls group.An Orbost Marching Girls' uniform It has a white pleated skirt, a long-sleeved white blouse and a red velvet vest with 6 gold buttons. There is a badge on the left shoulder. A red ribbon is attached to the blouse as a bow tie. On the vest shoulders are white tabs with gold buttons. The skirt and blouse are made of cotton. A pair of short white gloves are included.On badge- Victorian Girls Marching Associationuniform marching-girls leisure clubs recreation

Painted for the Shire of Eltham Historical Society by Audrey Cahn, a member of our Society for many years and Vice President till 1978. Audrey was the sister of the late Charis Palling, founding president of our Society. She had remained a member for many years although she had moved from her family home at Warrandyte to live with her daughter in New South Wales. Audrey had been blind for some years but maintained a local interest by having our Newsletter read to her. Audrey's associations with Warrandyte started because her father Professor Osbourne had bought 60 acres in 1904. " Gold mining was beginning to die out and Warrandyte was a decaying area. Land was cheap because of the lack of transport and the soil was poor for farming” Audrey said. Audrey first attended school in the city at the Church of England Girls Grammar School and was always a bit rebellious. “If I felt some restrictions were unfair or some judgement unjust, I resented it”. Audrey got into Agricultural Science at Melbourne University and in 1928 was the second women to get such a degree. Audrey married in 1926, and later divorced Leslie Cahn an architect. They had twin daughters whom she left with her parents in Warrandyte while she studied dietetics during the depression. She found employment as a microbiologist at the Kraft/Walker Milk and Cheese Factory in Drouin - she drove home at weekends to see her daughters who were then at boarding school. During the war Audrey was in charge of catering at the Heidelberg Military Hospital – again the appointment of a women caused some unrest. She was in the army for more than 4 years and achieved the rank of General which-made her the most highly-ranked-woman at the hospital. After the war she became a senior lecturer in Dietetics at Melbourne University, again being aware of the limitations her gender brought to promotion possibilities. During her time at the university, she undertook a series of studies in nutritional biochemistry. Of especial note is the analysis of common dietary foods so that the composition and calorific value, the data that was needed for inclusion in Food tables - that professional sports people and weight-watchers so avidly follow today! She was an early proponent of the need to reduce fat intake and to substitute saturated fats with polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the 1950's Audrey and fellow workers established norms for the growth of Australian children to be compared with British and American children. Over 17 years they concluded that Australian children were overweight and inactive - what is new! She bought a cottage in Warrandyte as her home. In 1968 she retired to further develop her other interests as a potter and painter. Audrey was a foundation member of the group of potters that set up Potters Cottage. Audrey died in 2008 aged 102. (Ref:Newsletter No. 185 March 2009)art, artwork, audrey cahn, eltham, old bakery, york street

This mid 1900's ice "bucket" was used during the first major "American" (fashion invasion) of merchandise for the "new " social set. This was a form of release, coming after the tight money restrictions during the "Great Depression" and from World War II.This item is an example of the change of direction in regards to household cutlery and crockery which the Australian rural environment slowly progressed through. This progression was due to a closer alliance with the USA after World War II and and increase push in marketing by USA manufacturers of their Australian partners and the closer alliance between the two nations. The American service men and women on recreational leave during the "South Pacific war" front brought both nations closer together and the requirement of American industries to find new markets resulted in "cheaper" mass produced silverware onto the Australian scene, which at that time were mainly sourced from the UK and Europe. This silver plated "ice bucket" with lid and handle has "pot belly" shape. A smaller circumference top, bulging center and smaller bottom. The lower inside shape of the "bucket" allows for a "grate" to be placed 40mm from the bottom (this grate would separate the "solid" ice cubes from the melted ice water). There is a "U" shaped "swiveled" handle with "art deco" type leaves(grape) reinforcing the cross section. There are two bands of "grape leaf" motifs, one smaller one at the top rim and a larger one on the bottom at the point of furthest bulge.At the outside base is the manufacturers logo "K" and encircled in small print are "KNICKERBOCKER MFG CO. QUADRUPLE PLATE"silver plated ice "bucket", bottle cooler

The Storey Dance Orchestra was formed in the 1920s by Arthur Storey, playing voilin & banjo, sister Rita-saxaphone,Jean and brothers Bob and Ben. Later, their mother, also Jean, an accomplished pianist and supporter of the orchestra, filled the pianist role after Jean left home to further her career. The car in the photograph was paid for with orchestra earnings. Their music involvement enabled a large family to sustain the farm during the 1920s and 1930s. World-War-Two intervened, this saw the Storey Orchestra disperse, Bob joined Jean in Melbourne, where they continued their musical careers. Ben joined the war effort, leaving Arthur on the farm. Con Taylor played on with a local Dance Band.The photograph tells of the important part that music played in the social structure of families and the wider community, and provided another means of income in the depression years of the 1930s.B&W print of the Storey-Dance-Orchestra, 1937/38, Ben Storey-banjo, Jean Storey-piano, Bob Storey-saxaphone-clarinet, Con Taylor-saxaphone, Keith Baker-trumpet, Jack Proctor-drums. The car,a Ford Rego.No Vic 21695 Noneclothing, musical instruments, storey, men women, dance orchestra, 1937 38, motor vehicles

An Oral History of Housewives in the Rochester District During the Depression 1929 - 1939.Peter Gladman.victoria, history, rochester women durinf depression

The newspaper clipping (item F251-2) reads: "Sister Enid of the Methodist Mission in Prahran has won this week's Bouquet for a Lady. And as the bouquet was given to her by the mission's superintendenet, Rev. Frank Hartley, she said, 'This is the biggest surprise I've ever had.' Sister Enid has been a mission sister for 23 years. As Miss Alice Blenkinsop she trained at Melbourne Central Mission, and later worked in the slums of Collingwood and at the Wesley Mission in Hobart. She has also been a court probation officer. On Thursdays Sister Enid runs the Friendship Club for elderly women and pensioners at Prahran. Children have a special place in her heart. 'We used to mother the poor little dears during the depression, take them on holidays and form clubs where they could be together,' she said. She is training a children's choir for the Christmas carol service at the mission."Shows her standing behind a chair with a painting behind her."Sister Enid Wesley Prahran Mission Hobart 1940s, 1950s 1960s. Alice Blenkinsop. Happy birthday to Win, with my love, Alice"blenkinsop, alice, sister enid

The newspaper clipping reads: "Sister Enid of the Methodist Mission in Prahran has won this week's Bouquet for a Lady. And as the bouquet was given to her by the mission's superintendenet, Rev. Frank Hartley, she said, 'This is the biggest surprise I've ever had.' Sister Enid has been a mission sister for 23 years. As Miss Alice Blenkinsop she trained at Melbourne Central Mission, and later worked in the slums of Collingwood and at the Wesley Mission in Hobart. She has also been a court probation officer. On Thursdays Sister Enid runs the Friendship Club for elderly women and pensioners at Prahran. Children have a special place in her heart. 'We used to mother the poor little dears during the depression, take them on holidays and form clubs where they could be together,' she said. She is training a children's choir for the Christmas carol service at the mission."The clipping from Truth in 1962 is headed "Bouquet for Sister Enid".blenkinsop, alice, sister enid

The Valley Worsted Mills were established in 1924 on Swanston Street in South Geelong and quickly grew to become the largest and most modern textile mill in Australia, employing roughly 500 workers at its peak. Built out of distinctive red Geelong brick with iconic Art Deco white trimmings and a sawtooth roofline, the massive 11-acre complex served as a major manufacturing cornerstone during the height of the region's historic wool boom. The mill operated at high production for nearly 50 years before merging with John Foster & Son in December 1973, subsequently closing down entirely in the mid-1970s. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the female workforce at Valley Worsted Mills and other local Geelong textile factories became more vital than ever. Because women were historically paid significantly lower wage rates than men for equivalent labor, local mills increasingly relied on them to keep operating costs low during severe economic strain. These young women, often referred to affectionately as "mill girls," typically started working as young as 14 to 16 years old. They filled specialized, highly skilled roles as menders, warpers, and weavers. For many families in the Geelong region, the steady industrial employment of these women provided a crucial financial lifeline when male breadwinners faced widespread unemployment. Beyond their grueling factory shifts, the mill women maintained a vibrant social culture, even forming organized recreation groups like the Valley Worsted Mills Women’s Basketball team during this era. The donor's father Stan Hoyle, and grandfather Cliff Hoyle, both worked there at the time.Black and white panoramic photograph attached to backing board. Photograph shows a group portrait of female factory workers outdoors.back: [handwritten] Valley / Worsted Mills Geelong / 34 - 40 / Ada? Stan?valley worsted mills, swanston street geelong, geelong, woollen mills, depression, 1930s, working life, panoramic, employees, staff, portrait, textile industry, great depression, female workers, mill girls, social culture, stan hoyle, cliff hoyle

Commercially made quilt, c.1930s. Maker unknown, found in Ballarat. The Country Women's Association of Victoria had been active during the Depression in promoting the use of wool in domestic items and handcrafts in its "Handcrafts and Home Industries Committee". In 1933 during "Wool Week", a train jointly sponsored by the Wool Board, toured the state demonstrating amongst other crafts, the making of wool quilts and mattresses. Commercially made quilts much like this one marketed as 'Kosy Quilts', were used in these demonstrations.Quilt, plain light blue cotton cover with lambs wool filler. Machine sewn. Evidence of a label can be seen at one corner, however it has been removed.quilting history, textile mills, running stitch group, running stitch collection, ballarat, quilting - history

This booklet was a result of the Belonging Again Project. This project reported low levels of mental health and wellbeing in women generally and even more so in Brimbank women, further exacerbated by Covid-19. Brimbank residents reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress. In particular, women experienced the greatest. They were diagnosed with anxiety or depression (39.1%) compared to men (16.4%). Brimbank has a significantly lower proportion of residents who felt that people in their neighbourhood were willing to help each other. During Covid-19 lockdowns (66%) of Brimbank residents reported feeling more stressed from trying to juggle demands of work, children, house duties, remote learning and finances The Belonging Again project was developed to relieve such distress.Belonging Again Bringing diverse women together to connect, share, enjoy and learn self-supporting techniques. A women's support Network Wellbeing Projectwomen, health and wellbeing, brimbank

This flag was used by Esperance Girls School, a private school based in Brighton from 1894-1956. Esperance was established in 1894 at 6 Normanby Street by Misses Emsie, Marion, Gussie and Daisy Beaver. The four sisters came from a formerly-prosperous land-owning family that had suffered badly as a result of the depression of the early 1890s. At a time when few occupations were open to gentlewomen, running a school provided the sisters with a respectable means of supporting themselves. Notable teachers at Esperance during the 1890s included elocution mistress Miss Jeannie Taylor, who would later become better known as the author Mrs Aeneas Gunn. In 1924 the school was sold to Miss Marian Taylor and Miss Christina McMillan, who had previously served as joint principals of Alexandra College in Hamilton between 1909 and 1913. Both women had strong family connections to Brighton: Christina was the granddaughter of early pioneer Archibald McMillan and Marian was a relative of long-serving town clerk J. H. Taylor. The new principals relocated the school to a large two-storey house on the corner of Park Street and Esperance Avenue, where it remained until its closure. They operated the school until 1950, when they sold it to a Miss Bury, who in turn sold it to the local Baptist Church in 1956. Following this final sale, the school continued for another four terms before closing.Navy blue flag, both sides featuring a large yellow-gold crest in centre, containing image of an anchor and surrounded by semicircular scroll with the motto "SPES ANCORA ANIMAE". Background features horizontal green stripe across centre, containing smaller red stripe and bordered on each side by yellow stripes.esperance girls school, flag, school flag

Marjorie Joyce Haeffner informed that she was born at Mosgiel Hospital in Mont Albert Road, Surrey Hills in 1924, soon after it opened. According to electoral rolls, her parents Henry Norman Neil and Mabel Haeffner were living at 22 Wharton Street, Surrey Hills at this time. Henry's parents Henry Thomas Haeffner (1858-1935) and Eliza Jane (ms Chesney - 1868-1940) were farmers in the Tallangatta area. Their farm was called 'Ferndale'. Another farm in the area - 'Spring Creek' - was the address of Marj's parents in 1922 before they moved to Melbourne. Some time after 1926 and by 1931 Marj's parents had moved back to Tallangatta to help out on his parents' farm. This was lost during the Depression. Marj's family moved back to Melbourne; her grandparents stayed in the North Albury area until they died. Electoral roll entries show that there was considerable movement of extended family members between town and country. Marj's parents moved back to Surrey Hills; the electoral roll lists them at 33 Clyde Street in 1936 but Chatham Primary School's list of students records that Marj was there from 1932-1937. She had siblings Jack (enrolled in 1933) and Donald (enrolled in 1934). In 2019 this Edwardian timber home still stands. Marj was an enthusiastic member of a women's cricket club in the 1940s and 1950s. According to Jocelyn Hall's photo register, this photo was taken at the Haeffner home in Clyde Street. After she married Marj did not moved far from her childhood home in Clyde Street. She and her husband Brian Lindsay (known as Lindsay) Higgins bought 31 Langford Street, Surrey Hills, a Californian bungalow on a wide block, and between 1961 and 1970 Marj's children Margaret, Wendy, Deborah, Robyn, Adam and Christopher Higgins were also enrolled at Chatham. Marj's home in Langford Street was sold in April 2019 for $2.08M.A black and white photograph of a lady dressed in white cricket gear standing in front of a house.cricket, women's cricket, (miss) marjorie haeffner, (mrs) marjorie higgins, clyde street

This apron was made by Theresa Dunn (néé Wallis) of Breakaway Creek, Victoria. Born in 1912, Theresa came from a farming family and left school at the age of 14 following the death of her mother to help care for her younger siblings. Well known for her needlework, Theresa and her sister Eileen exhibited widely and later judged work for Victorian and interstate needlework competitions. Sticklers for perfection, they were known to always look at the back of the work first. In 1935 Theresa married Allan Dunn. This apron formed part of her glory box; a collection of items saved in preparation for married life. Never used, it was donated to the Ballarat Apron Festival in 2017 by Theresa’s daughter. Made by Theresa Dunn of Breakaway Creek in the 1930s, this apron reflects early-20th century ideals of thrift and resourcefulness that were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness. Part of Theresa's glory box, this apron is in immaculate condition and is an example of depression era clothing and resourcefulness. Sugar bag apron (circa 1930s) Ballarat Apron Festival collection Until the mid-20th century concepts of thrift and resourcefulness were highly regarded as desirable feminine traits. By making do and adapting waste materials, such as hessian sacks and fabric scraps, into practical clothing, women could demonstrate their sewing expertise and ingenuity; highly prized qualities during times of economic depression or frugalness. Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd. Pure Cane Sugar 70lbs. Melbourne 1A

Jessie Isabel Henderson was President of the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) form 1924 until 1947. She was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for her welfare work. Jessie Isabel Henderson was a leader in all the welfare organizations in which she was involved, including the Melbourne District Nursing Society (MDNS) where she was elected as a Committee member in 1912. She was regarded as being "clear-sighted, level-headed, being able to see the right perspective when troubles arose" and having an exceptional memory. She was a representative on the newly formed Charities Board in 1923 and was elected President of the MDNS in 1924 and continued in this role until 1947. During this time she was involved with the formation of the Society's first Auxiliary; the founding, and later extensions, of the After-Care Home, the Society now being called 'Melbourne District Nursing Society and After-Care Home'. This involved many fund raising efforts for the purchase of property of the Nurses Home at No. 39 Victoria Parade, Collingwood and the building of the After-Care Home at No. 45. During her time as President the After-Care opened an Ante-Natal Clinic and a Women's Welfare Clinic, as well as the Society creating a 'Committee of Almoners' who assisted discharged patients from the After-Care to receive assistance from other organizations if required. The name changed to 'Ward Visitors' when an 'Institute of Almoners' was formed with newly trained Almoners. During the depression 1929-1933 she led the Society in extending its Midwifery and District services, including supplying milk for expectant mothers. Through the depression her philanthropy extended to, with the help of another, in assisting young ladies out of work. She sought sewing machines and material from businesses and set up a factory where the ladies were employed producing salable products. In 1933 Mrs. Henderson suggested the name of the After-Care Home be changed to the 'After-Care Hospital'; she felt using the word 'hospital' would aid with receiving grants and money from the public through appeals - this came into effect in 1934. In 1936 Jessie Isabel Henderson was made Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E) for her welfare work. Mrs. Henderson was unable to carry out her Presidential duties in 1947 due to ill health, and she resigned in 1948. She died on the 11th of January 1951. The After-Care Hospital dedicated wards 4, 5 and 6 in the Jessie Henderson wing in her memory. She is listed on page 180 in ‘Women Shaping the Nation - Victorian Honour Roll of Women, Vol 1, 2001’ Centenary of Federation 1901 - 2001 Black and white photograph of the head and shoulder view of Mrs. G.G. (Jessie Isabel) Henderson who has her wavy dark hair drawn back and is wearing a short necklace and a longer single string of pearls, She is wearing a black frock which has a square neckline.mdns, after-care hospital, melbourne district nursing society, rdns, royal district nursing service, mrs g.g. (jessie isabel) henderson

The Wodonga Historical Society Haeusler Collection provides invaluable insight into life in late nineteenth and early twentieth century north east Victoria. The collection comprises manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family on their farm in Wodonga, and a set of glass negatives which offer a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community. The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s. This teapot is one of the many domestic objects in the Haeusler Collection that represent family and home life in early twentieth century Wodonga. The ingenious repair to the teapot's handle reflects the resourcefulness and thriftiness of the Haeusler family during the economic hardships of the 1930s Great Depression. The teapot was manufactured in England, likely dating from the early twentieth-century. This item has well documented provenance and a known owner. It forms part of a significant and representative historical collection which reflects the local history of Wodonga. It contributes to our understanding of domestic and family life in early twentieth century Wodonga, as well as providing interpretative capacity for themes including local history, social history, and women’s history. A glazed ceramic teapot with a printed design depicting two deer and a hunter in a woodland on one side, and two deer by a stream in a woodland on the other. The broken handle of the teapot has been replaced with wire. The teapot handle was repaired by Alfred Haeusler (b.1922, d.1997) and holds remarkable balance, perfectly retaining its function. Faded, circular makers mark on the base of teapot, illegible/"ENGLAND"teapot, teaware, tableware, ceramic, domestic, social history

Photographer notations on slide: "General View Of Lord Mayor's Dinner At Town Hall Nov 1936 B112" Published: The Age, Tuesday 10 November 1936, page 13 Published title: LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET Published caption: The brilliant scene inside the Melbourne Town Hall last night during the Lord Mayor’s banquet. Trove article identifier: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205939431 Description: 700 guests (all men) are seated around numerous tables in the Melbourne Town Hall for the Lord Mayor's dinner in November 1936. Before the stage is a top table of 35 men, all dressed smartly in black dinner suits, with either a black or white bow tie. Many are wearing their medals. The Lord Mayor has on his Mayoral chains, and to his right is the Governor of Victoria, Lord Huntingfield. The stage is heavily decorated with fresh flowers. Research by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie: This image takes up one quarter of the photographic space on page 13 of The Age on 10 November 1936, reflecting the importance of the event and also the sheer dramatics of the image: 700 guests (all men), a top table of 35, and all dressed smartly in black dinner suits, with either a black or white bow tie. Many are wearing their medals. The Lord Mayor has on his Mayoral chains, and to his right is the Governor of Victoria, Lord Huntingfield. Further to his right is a man with an impressive sash across his chest. It is a very animated, and rather informal, moment. Banks of fresh flowers smother the stage, which is decorated in the manner of a terrace at an English stately home. Tables are laden with food, drink and decorations, and the wait staff (men and women) are also formally dressed, in the manner of Downton Abbey. It is spectacular, dramatic, and luxurious, and perpetuates the proud descriptor of “Marvellous Melbourne” as conferred by London Journalist George Augustus Sala when he visited the city in 1885. During its 1880s boom, Melbourne was the second-largest city in the British Empire, after London, and reputedly the richest city in the world. At times the expression was used with some irony, but "...in Victoria’s centenary year, 1934, with the city mired in another depression, a publisher bravely entitled a book of souvenir photographs Marvellous Melbourne, claiming that the subject ‘still finds apt expression in the happy one-time sobriquet’.” This photo seems to reflect an ongoing pride in Melbourne and a desire for it to live up to its descriptor and celebrate its post-centenary era in style. So it is no surprise to find that on page 11 of The Age on the same day, a second photo is to be found – a cropped view of one table – along with a very detailed description of the night, its purpose, and a surprise announcement. But, who was the Lord Mayor in whose honour the dinner was held? In 1934, the Lord Mayor of Melbourne was Cr. Alexander George Wales, (born Richmond, 11 October 1885, died Elsterwick, 31 May 1962). His father was a contractor and quarry-owner, but was blinded in an industrial accident in 1899. Consequently Alexander, then aged 14, left Brunswick State School to become a railway labourer working at a quarry, and in 1903 joined the Commonwealth public service as a clerk and began studying at night school, determined to improve himself. In 1907 he was appointed secretary of the Albion Quarrying Co. (in which the family had an interest), then its managing director and chairman. As the Australian Dictionary of Biography notes, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s interests, "...becoming director of the Hardware Co. of Australia Pty Ltd, the Twentieth Century Building and Investment Society, the Albion Sand Co. and the Geelong Brick Co.”. His public career began in 1914 when he was elected to the Brunswick council. He was mayor 1917-18, and in 1925 progressed to the Melbourne City Council where he remained for 29 years, being a member of most council committees. He served three successive terms as lord mayor (1934-37), was Chairman of the council’s decorations committee for Melbourne’s centenary, president of the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board (1936), and Chairman of the Public Works Committee (1937-39). In 1936 he was elected to the Legislative Council with United Australia Party support, but later resigned over possible State government contract tender irregularities. Wales received "the customary reward” of a knighthood and was invested at Buckingham Palace by King George VI whose coronation he attended in 1937. He was an early director of what is now Ampol, and helped the development of the petroleum industry in Australia after visiting the USA in 1943 and 1946. He was impressed by that country’s wartime shipbuilding efforts and supported closer ties with the USA. “While president (1947-48) of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, Wales was a vocal critic of the Federal Labor Government, ...a staunch anti-socialist ... and a focus for conservative opposition to the Curtin and Chifley governments...” He is described as “a natural leader in business and civic politics,... a powerful force in the Melbourne City Council... opposing democratic reforms such as the creation of a Greater Melbourne Council and the abolition of plural voting, but advocat[ing] the redevelopment of city-owned property like the Eastern and Western markets...” So, this Lord Mayor’s dinner marks the third successive term in office for Governor Cr. A G Wales. The room is filled with powerful and influential men, and provided a platform for the Premier of Victoria, Albert Dunstan (1882-1950, United Country party) to announce that if the City Council would bear half the cost the State Government would build a bridge at Punt Road “at once”. He announced that the Government proposed to have the bridge built by the Country Roads Board, and allow the City Council to pay its share on convenient terms, and further, it would investigate the shared provision of more Yarra bridges. The proposal for the Punt Road Bridge was met with applause as the Yarra River constituted a serious traffic barrier. On 12 November 1936, two days after the Lord Mayor’s dinner, The Age published an article, “Building without a Plan”. It questions the appropriateness of the next Yarra bridge being the one at Punt Road, and encourages a “proper procedure” to look at the provision of additional Yarra bridges as a whole. But in fact this topic had been canvassed back in August when Melbourne City Council’s public works committee had recommended the replacement of the footbridge at Punt Road with a bridge, and if the Country Roads Board would declare this portion of Punt Road, including the river crossing, a State Highway, this could give the Board authority to construct the bridge and allocate the cost. Hence the reference at the dinner to a shared expense. Still an integral part of traffic management today, the Hoddle Bridge carries Punt Road over the Yarra River between Richmond and South Yarra in Melbourne. It is a five-lane road bridge with narrow footpaths on either side. It is of continuous reinforced concrete T-beam construction with five segmental arched spans, supported on transverse piers, and linked by concrete cross-beams. “The piers terminate in a series of tapered concrete pillars with Art Deco-styled steamlined decoration. Each pillar supports a Victorian-style lamp. The infill railings are geometric-patterned painted metal. Construction began in late 1937, and it was opened by Premier Albert Dunstan on 22 December 1938. It replaced an earlier footbridge, which in turn had replaced a punt service. The bridge (originally referred to as Punt Road Bridge) was named after Robert Hoddle, who planned central Melbourne’s Hoddle Grid, the grid of streets which form Melbourne’s central business district. Hoddle arrived in Australia from the UK in 1823 and went on to carry out surveys in NSW and Queensland before arriving in Melbourne in 1837. He designed layouts for both Melbourne and Williamstown, and later Geelong and other Victorian country areas. He was keen that major streets be at least 30 metres wide. ”With remarkable foresight he provided for wide boulevards from the city to the suburbs, but the subdivisions of early speculators in inner suburbs created the bottle-necks of today. After the separation of the colony in 1851, he became Victoria’s first surveyor-general... and advocated the provision of three-chain (60 m) roads and the widening of all existing main roads from one (20 m) to three chains." However, he was met with constant opposition and in 1853, was eased out of office. As a small and interesting aside: Hoddle was appointed auctioneer for the first sale of crown land in Melbourne on 1 June 1837. His commission was 57 pounds 12s 7d. and he bought two allotments for himself at a cost of 54 pounds. After he died his second wife married Richard Buckhurst Buxton, a member of the family which in 1860s Melbourne established the Australian property dynasty of Buxton Real Estate, Becton, MAB Corporation etc. Returning to the dinner and The Age article of 10 November 1836: Another topic of the after-dinner speeches was a reference to the upcoming Armistice Day. “The Minister of Customs (Mr White) said the proximity of Armistice day reminded us that eighteen years ago we had high hopes of prolonged peace.” The term “Armistice Day” was coined after WWI: “At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms on unconditional surrender. Therefore on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute’s silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. Originally known as Armistice Day, it was renamed Remembrance Day after World War Two to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars. Today it refers to the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts, accompanied by the words, "We will remember them, Lest we forget"." There was comment at the dinner about the need to remain firm in supporting the “democratic government in the British Empire to avoid a “plunge into savagery”. There was a grave responsibility on the British people to keep democracy alive, and that could not be done without adequate defence forces... Many weak governments in non-British countries had been swept aside by strong-fisted dictators, who now were the real threat to peace”. With the benefit of hindsight these were very pertinent comments and tragically prophetic. The Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance had only been dedicated two years earlier, at a ceremony attended by the Duke of Gloucester, son of King George V. Over 300,000 citizens attended: one third of the population of Melbourne. It became the location for the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Originally the march travelled from the Shrine into the city, however, in 1936, this was reversed, and the Shrine became the termination point for Anzac Day Marches. Also significant in 1936, was the installation of a statue in the west forecourt of the Shrine: “The Man with the Donkey” (aka 'Private John Simpson and his Little Donkey'). The work is said to represent the “valour and compassion of the Australian soldier”. Its full citation, according to the City of Melbourne City Collection is: West Side of Base: "The / Man with his Donkey / Gallipoli, April 25 to May 19 / in Commemoration / of the valour and compassion / of the Australian Soldier" AFTER LANDING AT GALLIPOLI, SIMPSON, WITH HIS LITTLE DONKEY, WORKED ALONE, DAY AND NIGHT TAKING WATER TO THE FRONT LINE AND CARRYING THE WOUNDED BACK TO THE DRESSING STATIONS. HE AND HIS DONKEY WERE KILLED BY A SHRAPNEL SHELL ON THE 19TH MAY, 1915. SIMPSON WAS MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES BY SIR IAN HAMILTON, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE MEDITERRANEAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. / Erected by Public Subscription under auspices of the / Red Cross Society. East Side of Base: Private John Simpson." Their summary in background states: "A bronze figure of Simpson and his donkey with a wounded man on the donkey's back on a granite pedestal. Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick’s intrepid and short-lived exploits during the Gallipoli campaign have made him a popular figure of World War One. He has been mythologised to represent the lauded values of the digger, and he symbolises all those who went into battle unarmed. Born in England in 1892, he came to Australia in 1910. He enlisted to make his way back to England, but as a member of the 3rd Field Ambulance AIA was sent to Gallipoli. After just three weeks of bearing wounded soldiers across Shrapnel Gully on the back of his donkey, Simpson was killed by shrapnel fire. Simpson’s story became a powerful propaganda tool for enlistment in Australia, but following the war he was quickly forgotten. With the Shrine of Remembrance nearing completion in 1933, the memory of Simpson was rekindled to commemorate all who gave their lives to help others during the war. One plaque reads: ‘The / Man with his donkey / Gallipoli … / In commemoration / of the valour and compassion / of the Australian soldier’. In 1935, Wallace Anderson’s design for the memorial was selected though a competition organised by the Australian Red Cross. Anderson had served during the war and worked at the Australian War Memorial after his return. His Man with the Donkey was cast in Italy, and after some debate was sited near the shrine. Unveiled 20th June, 1936." The sculptor, Victorian-born William Wallace Anderson (1888-1975), served in France during WWI and afterwards produced a number of bronze war memorials and memorial portraits, predominantly in Victoria. “His most famous work is that of Simpson and his Donkey (1935), which he completed after winning a competition conducted by the Victorian Division of the Australian Red Cross. Anderson’s fee was 350 pounds; the cast, made by the Chiurazzi Foundry, Naples, Italy, cost 40 pounds. The work... has become well known as a symbol of the Anzac tradition.” A debate as to the siting of the statue arose from a strong view expressed by General Sir John Monash that no representation of individual members of the Australian Defence Force be located on the Shrine itself. Hence its location off to the northwest of the forecourt, in a garden of rosemary. And finally we return to the photo of the grand Lord Mayor’s dinner! An article in The Argus of 4 November 1936 refers to “Brilliant Scene at Lord Mayor’s Ball – Hall Becomes a Garden”. So now it becomes clear why the Town Hall, location of the Lord Mayor’s Dinner on 10 November 1934, only 6 days later, is so lavishly decorated. The floral decorations from the Ball are still in place - an early example of “recycling”, which is gratifying to note at a time of Depression. The reporter has captured the scene with enthusiasm: “Hundreds of tiny rose lights, hidden among pink roses, transformed the Melbourne Town Hall into a magical garden last night, when the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress (Councillor A. C. Wales, M.L.C., and Mrs. Wales) entertained about 3,500 guests at a ball. His Excellency the Governor (Lord Huntingfield) and Lady Huntingfield were present, while Rear-Admiral and Mrs. Lane Poole and officers from the visiting squadron were among the special guests. The balconies all round the hall were hidden by a white trellis, covered with pink blossoms and greenery. Rosy flowers were issued up every pillar, and great golden lamps, hanging from the door, were seated in greenery and trails of sweet peas. The organ gallery was converted into a terrace garden with stone steps leading to banks of pink azaleas, pink pelargoniums, masses of calceolarias, and the lovely deep mauve and blue of cinerarias. Slender Japanese maples and poplar trees grew from the higher slopes amid thickets of hostas, while a fascinating illusion was created by the lofty conservatory windows, which formed the background, and which were tinted cerulean blue to simulate the sky seen through glass. Large fern baskets hung from the conservatory roof, and the whole scene was enclosed in trellises of blossom. In the entrance palm green shrubs stood like sentinels round the passed floor, and flowers bloomed in misty golds. The long corridor upstairs leading to the council chamber was lined with an avenue of poplar trees in tubs. In the Lower Town Hall great banks of calceolarias and azaleas decked the upper dais, and each supper table was adorned with a different coloured flower with sprays of roses and Japanese maple laid on the snowy cloths. The adjoining supper-rooms were fragrant with the scent of huge bowls of stock in mauve, purple, and pink, while the white walls were covered with palm leaves and flowers. The roof garden below the clock tower was enclosed as a buffet with rose wreathed walls, and flowers were arranged attractively in the Lady Mayoress's rooms." References: LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET. CENTURY MAKERS AT THE M.C.G. BEFORE THE CHANGE. (1936, November 10). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved September 4, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205939431 'Portrait of Sir George Wales (Lord Mayor 1934-1937)', City Collection, City of Melbourne, https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/portrait-of-sir-george-wales-lord-mayor-1934-37/ Graeme Davison, 'Marvellous Melbourne', eMelbourne, https://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00906b.htm THE LORD MAYOR'S BANQUET. (1936, November 10). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 11. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205939643 BRILLIANT SCENE AT LORD MAYOR'S BALL Hall Becomes a Garden (1936, November 4). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 14. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11932746 'Hoddle Bridge', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoddle_Bridge 'Hoddle Bridge', Victorian Heritage Database Report, Victorian Heritage Council, https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/195689/download-report David Dunstan, 'Wales, Sir Alexander George (1885–1962)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wales-sir-alexander-george-8951/text15737, published first in hardcopy 1990, accessed online 26 September 2024. Marjorie J. Tipping, 'Hoddle, Robert (1794–1881)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hoddle-robert-2190/text2823, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 26 September 2024. BUILDING WITHOUT A PLAN. (1936, November 12). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205949762 NEW BRIDGE AT PUNT ROAD (1936, August 12). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 10. Retrieved September 26, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11902131 'The Shrine of Remembrance', Beaconsfield’s Soldiers: https://beaconsfield.org.au/digitalmemorial/shrine-introduction/ 'Shrine of Remembrance', Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_Remembrance Ken Scarlett, 'Anderson, William Wallace (1888–1975)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/anderson-william-wallace-9362/text16441, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 26 September 2024. 'Man with the Donkey', City Collection, City of Melbourne, https://citycollection.melbourne.vic.gov.au/man-with-the-donkey-aka-private-john-simpson-and-his-little-donkey/ 'Remembrance Day', Australian Army, https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/history-and-research/traditions/remembrance-day Photographer notations on slide: "General View Of Lord Mayor's Dinner At Town Hall Nov 1936 B112".melbourne town hall, mayors, lord mayors, centenaries, bridges, dinners, clothing and dress, festive decorations, dances and balls, eating and drinking, shrine of remembrance, governors, monuments and memorials, 1930-1939, plants

Digitised video (2.65GB) Duration: 60 minutes. Recorded August, 2026 (Video is available for viewing at Ringwood & District Historical Society Archives by appointment)In this presentation, Margaret Anderson reflects on the highs and lows of home building in Victoria, from boarded-up streets in the Great Depression, through the acute shortages of the post-war years, to the peak of home ownership during the 'long boom' of the 1960s and how homes have changed over the years, from the outside laundry and toilet to the ensuite bathroom and more. RHSV Council Website Extract, 2026: "Margaret Anderson - Margaret Anderson joined the Council of the RHSV in 2016. Margaret researches and writes on women’s history, the history and demography of the family and on aspects of public history and museums. She has held senior positions as a public historian in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria, and is currently Director of the Old Treasury Building, Melbourne. She is a Fellow of the Federation of Australian Historical Societies and a member of the Board of the History Council of Victoria."