Historical information

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.

Physical description

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.