Pauline Riley : An Oral History From Barker Road Subiaco.

Pauline Riley : An Oral History From Barker Road Subiaco.

One of the interesting things about reading the Postal Directories held at the State Library of Western Australia and researching particular streets in Subiaco was how many single women and single married women who's husbands had died lived there. One of those women was Catherine (Pauline) Riley, the daughter of the Bishop of Perth who took up his position in 1895. He was then promoted to Archbishop just before World War 1.

There are many biographies online about Archbishop Riley and the various roles he played in the life of Perth before his death in 1929. Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia contains articles about the Archbishop, his work, death and funeral in 1929.

Catherine Riley who was also known as Pauline was born on 7 May 1887 and lived with her sisters in Subiaco at Barker Road for many years. She did an oral history interview in 1983 when she was 96 years old about her early life in England and later in Western Australia and Subiaco. Pauline and her three brothers (Charles, Frank and Eric) and sister (Margaret) came out by ship to Fremantle in 1894 after their father was promoted to the Bishop of Perth. Another sister Gwendoline was born in Western Australia.

Pauline returned to England with her younger brother and completed a degree at Cambridge University before coming back to Perth where she gained various relief positions teaching religious instruction and other subjects. During this time she helped out her mother in the family home. She never got married or had children.

Paragraphs from Pauline Riley's oral history 'Pauline Riley Transcription of Oral History October and November 1983' at age 96. Copied below are some paragraphs about the life of women in the early 1900's about her thoughts on marriage, going to Cambridge University and a visit by Mrs Pankhurst. 

DM Did you ever think about getting married ?

RILEY No. I never worried about it. I had boyfriends that I met at dances and I had three brothers. And when I went to England at the time I had cousins but I had no boy relations out there. You see I was always meeting younger men in a way because there were a lot of the clergy were youngish men, naturally. But I knew a lot of them not terribly well. It never worried them I wasn't married. That's what all of them here can't understand....As I say men never worried me in that way. I liked men's society. I like talking to them. But it never worried me that I never got married. I don't know why I had sometimes I had small children to look after. I was quite useful when one of my nieces or sister was having a baby. I was called in to come and help....(Moore, 1983, p.38-39)

DM When you were at Cambridge ?

RILEY Cambridge I had a...I was in what they called the...I was in Newman College in what they called the old hall. There were only two women's colleges then, Newman and Gertie. Gertie was out of Cambridge and the girls use to come in by bus in those days. We could ride bicycles...Girls took all sorts of subjects but I was only reading history. Most of the lectures I went to were in the men's colleges or in the colleges which were university ones only. But we went to them and that's how I went to the ones in my brother's college and I think sometimes at King's College - various ones. We went to lectures mainly, or I did, in the morning and you'd get back in time for midday meal. Then after lunch we'd play games hockey or tennis and five's things like that....(Moore, 1983, p.39).

RILEY...Yes well I remember Mrs Pankhurst coming up to talk to us at Newman one night. Of course I'd already imagined her to be a very belligerent sort of woman and that sort of thing but she came very neatly dressed in a plain black frock and talked sensibly. I don't remember what it was all about but I remember being surprised because I always thought that you know women at that time were making a great fuss about getting votes. What did they call it ?

DM Emancipation.

RILEY Emancipation and that sort of thing. But as I say it didn't worry me much because I knew that when I got back here I would have a vote myself and I didn't think anything about it...(Moore, 1983, p.42)


After Pauline's father died in 1929 a collection was taken and they bought a house in Barker Road, Subiaco. She remained there until the deaths of her mother and sisters and then was allocated a flat next to Forest House.

The family donated their collection of toys to the Western Australian Museum. The Riley Riley Collection is subset of the ECU Museum of Early Childhood Collection. There is a photograph of Pauline and three of her brothers and a sister at their house. The collection provides an interesting look of children's toys and play at the turn of the 20 th Century.


References

Moore, Donna,1983, 'Pauline Riley. Transcription of Oral History October and November 1983'. The State Library of Western Australia. 

Western Australia Museum, (date unknown). Riley Family Collection (subset of the ECU Museum of Childhood Collection) - Riley family photograph. at 
http://museum.wa.gov.au/research/collections/social-history/history-department-collection/riley-family-collection-subset-ec-0





"....This photograph shows the Riley family children, sons and daughters of Perth’s first Anglican Archbishop, C O Riley in the grounds of Bishop’s House Perth, 1896. L-R Margaret, Charles, Frank (‘Basil’), Catherine (‘Pauline’) and Eric. A sixth child, Gwendoline was born a year after this photo was taken..." (Western Australia Museum)

A Government Industrial School in Subiaco In The 1900's.

A Government Industrial School in Subiaco In The 1900's.

As previously stated in the previous post 'Children and Institutional Care...The Year 1904' I wrote about St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage a Catholic Church institution run by the Sisters of Mercy. Not all children in the early part of the 19th century were fortunate enough to be part of a family living in a street in the newly created suburb of Subiaco. Many children found themselves in State or church run organisations that provided for their basic needs. However, there was also a government run institution, the Government Industrial School.

The Government Industrial School which was established at Claisebrook in 1893 and moved to Subiaco in 1897 and was located on the corner of Railway Parade and Barker Road, Subiaco. The 'Find and Connect' government webpage has history and information about Australian orphanages, children's homes and other institutions and photos including the Government Industrial School (1893 - 1907) and the Industrial Schools Act 1874 that defined the circumstances in which children could be placed there or incarcerated in goal.

The School was also known via alternative names such as the Government Industrial School and Receiving Depot, the Government Industrial School for Boys and Girls and the Government Industrial School and Receiving Depot for Boys and Girls. It was originally set up to cater for girls and then older children including boys requiring placement within the wider community.

So what was it like for these children living at this state run home ? The homes both state and church run were inspected and reported on to the public through the various newspapers at the time such as The Daily News.

By the year 1905 the year after the report provided by Mr James Longmore, the Inspector of Industrial School and Charities on the previous post there was growing concern in Perth and Western Australia about the care of some children. In 1874 under the Industrial Schools Act defined the circumstances in which they could be placed there or incarcerated in jail. Nine institutions for the care of children were established during this time. These circumstances are described from the legislation in the article below.

In 1905 a reporter from The Daily News accompanied by Mr Longmore visited the Government Industrial School in Subiaco and made these observations that were published in the paper. The article is available on Trove the database at the National Library of Australia.

WITHOUT PARENTAL LOVE

STATE CHILDREN AT SUBIACO 11 January 1905 The Daily News

"...In 1874 the Government came to the rescue of those neglected mitos - many of who had developed into criminal Fagans in miniature - and under the Industrial Schools Act 1874, provided machinery by means of which no fewer than nine homes for children have been established..."

"...On Monday afternoon a representative of "The Daily News" accompanied Mr. James Longmore, the Inspector of Industrial School and Charities to the State industrial and receiving Department for boys and girls at Subiaco. This home was established in 1804, and ably conducted by Mr. and Mrs J. M. Shipton, who act as master and matron respectively. There were nearly 70 children there, and their ages range from 18 months to 15 years.

SCOPE OF THE HOME

Mr. Longmore stated that 452 children were taken into the various institutions during the year ended December 31, 1904. Roman Catholic institutions 205, Church of England institutions 137, Salvation Army 53, and the Receiving Depot, Subiaco 57. The several denominations were subsidised by the State....

The State Depot at Subiaco cost 1877/13/1 pounds during the same period, and the expenditure for the last year was approximately the same.

Mr Shipton escorted Mr. Longmore and the reporter over the whole institution. The aim of the management was to train the children during their limited stay to learn various essential domestic arts in the case of the girls, and callings in the case of the boys bootmaking and carpentering being the chief occupations taught the later. Girls,were,seen at wash-tubs under an experienced char-wow man, who of course performed the heavy part of the task. In the garden and embryonic orchard a number of boys were delving the loose sandy soil, preparing for future crops, under direction of the gardener.

There is a school house attached to the home, and here a score or two of little boys were at study. They seemed to be taking an interest in their lessons, As Mr. Longmore and the reporter entered the room, without any bidding from the teacher, the boys in the class rose to their feet and saluted. That was clear evidence that their instruction in discipline had not been neglected.

In the playhouse on the girls' side a score of tiny children were amusing themselves and each other. They rose to their feet as the visitors entered. There were fat girls, and thin girls and thin, happy and depressed, dark and fish, pretty and plain, but minus maternal or parental love and care. Only a small majority were orphans. There is comfort in the thought that in most cases the little kiddies are better looked after in the matter of food and clothing and sleeping apartments than they would be in the "houses" whenee they came, but, notwithstanding that everything in their present home is on a satisfactory basis, it is saddening to reflect that the helpless ones must live without a fond mother's care, or a father's caross, and the love of both.

CHILDHOOD IS CLOUDED

Their only consolation is in the fact they're better off they would be left to the "tender mercies" of those who are responsible for the entry on to the stage of life.

The Subiaco institution was largely a receiving depot, that is the boys and girls are sent there temporarily, and when all the necessary information about them is available, they are drafted out to one of the other institutions.

WHERE NEGLECTED CHILDREN COME FROM

Mr Longmore provided the reporter with information which proved that the metropolitan area yields up a considerable proportion of neglected kiddies. He added that a boy or girl under the age of 16 years is deemed to be neglected child within the meaning of the Act, and a child is deemed to be neglected who answers to any of the following descriptions -

(1) Found begging or receiving alms or being in any street for the purpose of begging or receiving alms.

(2) Found wondering about or frequenting any street, thoroughfare, public house, or place of public transport, or sleeping in the open air, and who shall not have any house or settled place of abode or any visible means of subsistence.

(3) Who shall reside in any brothel, or associate or dwell with any person known or reputed to be a thief, prostitute, or drunkard, or with any person convicted of vagrancy under any Act how or hereafter to be in force.

(4) Who, having committed an offence punishable with imprisonment, or some loss punishment, ought, nevertheless, in the opinion of the Justices
regard being had to age of such child and the circumstances of the case - to be sent to Industrial School

(5) Whose parent represents that he wishes such child to be sent to an Industrial School, and gives security, to the satisfaction of the Justices before whom such child may be brought, of the maintenance of such child in such school.

(6) Under 14 years of age certified in writing by the Chairman of a District Board of Education to be habitually absent from school and beyond the control of his parents.

At the Subiaco depot the children are given an insight in bee culture and poultry farming, and their musical talents are not neglected, for a drum and life band, which has established a prize-winning reputation is in existence. Mr and Mrs Shipton must be heartily congratulated on the epic and span appearance of the home and its direct surroundings..."

The Government Industrial School in 1907 from The Find and Connection webpage.

https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/wa/image_viewer.htm?objects/images/WD0000653%20Government%20Industrial%20School%201906.jpg,WD0000653

Children's Perspectives On Subiaco In The Early 1900's...Miss Edna Joass Aged 8 Years in 1917.

Children's Perspectives On Subiaco In The Early 1900's...Miss Edna Joass Aged 8 Years in 1917.

In 1917 Edna Joass, aged 8 wrote to the national Catholic newspaper The Catholic Press that provides a wonderful perspective from a child at Rosalie Convent which was part of Subiaco on what was important in her life including her religious life. As The Catholic Press is a national newspaper Edna provides an interesting description of Subiaco at the time. The Children's Column is coordinated by someone called Playmate.

The Western Australian Directories at the State Library of Western Australia state that In 1917 there was a Mrs R. Joass who lived at 29 Hensman Road, Subiaco. There was no record of a Edna and Beryle Joass being born in Western Australia who may have been interstate.


From The Catholic Press... "The Children's Column...For Boys and Girls Who Read the "Catholic Press". Edited by Playmate.

The Catholic Press 7 December 1916

My Post Bag

Perthville. W.A.

Dear Playmate, - This is my first letter to the "Catholic Press." Aunt Mary sends us the "Press" from Sydney every week. Mother likes it very much, and we enjoy the Children's Column. I go to the Rosalie Convent, Subiaco. I have one little sister Beryl : she comes with me. I love the Sisters. I am preparing for my first Confession. Perth is a very nice place, and has the loveliest climate in the world. Now dear Playmate, I must conclude. The next letter I write will tell you all about our pretty western town on the Swan River. I remain, your new playmate.

EDNA JOASS

(Aged 8 years)

(How fortunate you and your little sister are , Edna in being able to attend such a nice school. Many of our playmates are so back in the country with no school to attend. I am glad you love your Sisters. You made me curious about your pretty town, so I am looking forward to that description you promise to send me.)

My Post Bag Perth Subiaco 15 Feb 1917

Dear Playmate

I was delighted to see my letter published in the "Catholic Press" we are all pleased to see the postman bringing it to the door. Mother likes reading the Gems of Thought. Now I shall tell you something about Perth. Subiaco is the largest suburb of Perth - just four miles from the G.P.O. We have have some good buildings round the river banks and a lovely Cathederal of the Immaculate Conception. Part of it was built in the early days but it has been enlarged since and is a beautiful church. We went to Mass on Christmas Day there and saw the Crib and Infant Jesus. I hope to make my first Communion soon. I have a nice little altar in my bedroom, and a statue of Our Lady. My Aunty sent me from Sydney a lovely handmade altar cloth. Everybody admires it. My little sister Beryl and I pick fresh flowers and do our altar every Saturday. Now I will tell you about my pets. I have a magpie : I call him Happy : and a little parrot - I call him Joey : but I am sorry he got away on Christmas morning, and I have not seen him since. Now dear Playmate, I must conclude. Hoping my letter is not too long, and wishing a happy New Year to you. I remain your fond playmate

EDNA JOASS

(Aged 8 years)

(I was very pleased to hear from you again Edna, and I found your letter full of interest. How proud of your little altar and the Blessed Virgin, and wasn't it good of your Auntie to sent you a hand made altar cloth.)

Children Of The West...Miss Lillian M. Burns.

Children Of The West...Miss Lillian M. Burns.  

Following my post on St Joseph's Girls Orphanage I have continued to wonder what children thought about and what was important to me at the turn of the 1900's. I have been exploring these through some of the newspapers of the time. More thoughts about what was important to children in their daily lives was published in Catholic newspaper, The W.A. Recorder in Western Australia in the early 1900's.

Early in 1904, Aunt Nora, the coordinator of 'Children of the West Corner' announced that the owners were offering prizes for essays on Australian History. The competition was open to all children attending Catholic schools and Catholic children attending state schools where Catholic schools were not available. (There was a clear distinction in the eyes of The Recorder about Catholic children receiving a Catholic education and those practising Catholics in State schools.)

Three prizes (1st, 2nd, 3rd) were awarded in two divisions. The senior division was 12 years and upwards; the junior division was under twelve. The prizes were books of various values. Each essay had to be written in ink, have the name of the student and school to which each student belonged. The essay had to be endorsed by the priest of the district and the teacher that the essay is the bona-fide unaided production of the student. If there was no priest then just the teacher would be accepted.

The essays were referred to a competent and impartial committee whose decisions in fixing the awards were final. The three winning essays in each division to which the prizes were awarded were published with photographs of the winners.

The winner of second prize in the senior division was Miss Lillian M. Burns from St Joseph's Convent in Subiaco. As promised the essay was published along with a photograph of the prize winner.

Lillian M. Burns provides interesting and insightful comments on Indigenous Australians and their relationship with the colonialists for a young person at the turn of the 1900's.

Of particular interest were Lillian's comments concerning legendary Australian explorers Burke and Wills and Indigenous Australians..."Had the brave explorers Burke and Wills known of such roots, in all probability they would have lived until the relief party had arrived." Noticeably absent were any comments about the role of women in the Australian history but with the role of women clearly home front it is understandable.

It is hard to imagine a student essay today without them writing something about the conflicts that Australia had been involved in including Gallipoli. But in 1904 Gallipoli was just over 10 years away. Lillian concludes with an interesting comment about Australia becoming a great country..."Australia is yet a very young country, but it has so many sources of wealth that as time advances it will probably become one of the great countries in the world." Of course it has.

Lillian M. Burns wrote a wonderful letter which was published in November, 1904 thanking The Recorder for her prize of a book called the Life of Pope Leo XIII. She went on to explain she had been studying hard for her examinations and the results were not yet known and had not to read it. The Recorder also has letters from the children at St. Joseph's Convent over the years.

This essay is copied from Trove The National Library database. 

Miss Lillian M. Burns, Covent School, Subiaco

Our children of the west their own corner in the record

Australian History

Second prize The WA Record 3 September 1904

By Lillian M. Burns, Convent School, Subiaco

Australia was first discovered by an English sailor named Captain Cook, who landed in Botany Bay in the year 1170, just 134 years ago. Nine years after his discovery he was killed by the wild natives in Hawaii. England made use of the new country to transport prisoners for the use of the new settlers, and for many years New South Wales was a penal colony. However, the discovery of gold in Australia attracted a different class of people thither.

When the early European navigators coasted along the Australian shores, the blacks were very numerous. They are now rapidly disappearing before the advance of the white man. The Australian Aborigines are not naturally the thieving and treacherous vagabonds that many people have represented them to be. Many of the convicts and early colonists thought no more of shooting a blackfellow they would of shooting a dog. It is no wonder that the black should at times steal a stray sheep from squatters' flocks. The natives show great affection for their male children giving them their choicest food, carrying them when weary and lamenting their death for months even years. In his wild state the black is most observant . He distinguishes himself as a tracker of persons and animals which may have become lost in the bush. The blacks eat nearly every living thin, including snakes, and in many parts of the interior plants and roots, such as yams and narrow are largely used as articles of food. Had the brave explorers Burke and Wills known of such roots, in all probability they would have lived until the relief party had arrived.

Gold was first discovered in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1852, and shorty afterwards in New South Wales and Queensland; then it was that the live interest in Australia began. Men flocked from all parts of the known world to its shores. Ships were deserted in the bays, the captains could not get sailors to man them to go back to England and other ports.

Rich gold was struck at Castlemaine and Bendigo. The forests of those days soon changed into large towns and cities. Homesteads were deserted, offices given up, all with the desire of making a fortune on the new diggings. The rush for wealth began in earnest. A whisper of a new find, with nuggets as big as emu eggs, flashed through the wild bush. The warning came that provisions were scarce, and that water sold as wine, and that men already died of thirst. But it made no matter ; thousands flocked thither by land and sea. The warning was unheeded, and the population increased. Wealth beyond the dreams of avarice aroused the ambition of rich and poor alike. The cost, though, was never reckoned. Hopes were blighted, hearts were broken, prospects ruined, strong men that stood wrecks of their former selves. Many men made large fortunes in a few weeks; others not so lucky continued to make a living by puddling and sluicing. But in this West Australian goldfields the diggers dryblow the gold bearing dirt.

The bones of many who perished in the Australian wilderness are silent witnesses to the tragedy of the poor runners in life's race. The mounds of forgotten dead hard by very great goldfield hold secrets that make us wish the rush for gold had never been. Australia is yet a very young country, but it has so many sources of wealth that as time advances it will probably become one of the great countries in the world.

Children And Institutional Care In Subiaco... The year 1904

Children and Institutional Care in Subiaco... The Year 1904.

I have been thinking about and researching the lives of children who were not part of a family, lived in a house in a street in Subiaco and went to the newly opened State School in the early years of the colony and Subiaco. In the early 1900's there were both State and church run institutions established in Subiaco to take care of children.

One of those institutions was St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage (1901 - 1971) run by the Catholic Church and the Sisters or Mercy for girls up to the age of 16. The children were admitted by government authorities or private admissions who were orphans or whose families could not take care of them.

A comprehensive history can be found at the 'Find and Connect' Government run webpage, which provides history and information about Australian orphanages, children's homes and other institutions, photos plus information about gaining access to records for those interested.

There are some interesting newspaper articles on Trove, the database from the National Library of Australia that provide an insight into these State and church run institutions during the late 1800's and early 1900's. The annual reports of the institutions were regularly inspected not just by a government appointed official but also journalists from newspapers, and the results published in the local newspapers often with some photographs for anyone interested.

The reports identify how many children were in each institution, their ages and whether or not the children had parents dead or alive. They discuss the health, conduct and discipline, physical activity, education, improvements to the buildings and some comments about how the children who had been discharged were doing. The report also stated how much funding each institution received.

Of particular interest in the article copied below was the education of the girls. The girls were taught domestic work Including cooking, baking, laundry work, plain needlework, crochet and dressmaking and were destined for domestic work or homemaker. However, in the report copied below also states that during the state examinations some of the girls had performed well in arithmetic or mathematics and other academic subjects.

Noticeably absent in the reports is the participation of the children in concerts and outings which were reported in the local papers. Also of interest was the use of rewards in particular money for good behaviour and I gather although not mentioned a range of punishments.

The reports do not contain any knowledge of what was important to the children at the time. The Inspector makes an interesting comment about the wants and needs of the children. "From my experience of this school nothing is wanting on the part of the Sisters to render life of the inmates as happy as possible to be."

These thoughts, though limited can be found on the children's page of the Catholic newspaper, the W.A. Recorder coordinated by Aunt Nora. The Find and Connect webpage provides a detailed history and photographs of St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage (1868 - 1901) and how those interested can access records.

Although not part of the scope of this post are some of the negative experiences of the children who were residents there in the later years. "In evidence to the Inquiry into Children in Institutional Care, latter known as the 'Forgotten Australians' a woman described deprivations at St. Joseph's that left a deep impression on her. 'We were never allowed to keep the presents as the nuns would use to take them off us when we got back to the orphanage and would sell them at fetes'. (Find and Connect webpage). A newspaper article titled 'Sisters of Mercy child abuse victims continue the fight for redress' by Claire Moodie published in 2019 on the ABC news also described some of the abuse suffered by residents of the orphanage in later years and their fight for acknowledgment and compensation.



Our Catholic Orphanages And Industrial Schools

Interesting Report by Mr Longmore Inspector of Public Charities 21 May 1904

St. Joseph's Girls' Orphanage.

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Girls' Orphanage Industrial School, Subiaco (Established 1868). - Manager : - The Right Reverend Bishop Gibney, D.D. Superintendent: Sister M. Benedict. Admission and discharged : Number of girls on roll December 31, 1902, 76 ; admitted during 1903, 30; total 106. Left during 1903 to situations, 2 ; to friends, 7; transferred to private list, 7 ; remaining parents dead, 13 ; father alive, 20 ; mother alive, 29 ; both parents alive, 28; total 90.

Ages : Under 6, 6 ; 6 to 9, 18 ; 9 to 12, 40 ; 14 to 24, 24 ; above 14, 2 ; total 90.

Health : Very good throughout the year : a few cases of sore eyes, but nothing serious.

Conduct and discipline : The conduct at the school is, and has always been, very satisfactory indeed. Two girls at all times are very anxious to please. The mark system is strictly adhered to. Although it does not carry a regular monetary allowance it's grants marks to gain certain privileges, and in various specially, deserving cases small amounts of money.

Recreation : The children had numerous outings, including picnics and visits to Perth. From my experience of this school nothing is wanting on the part of the Sisters to render life of the inmates as happy as possible to be.

Physical drill is carefully taught. Improvements and additions to the buildings : the buildings are kept in first-class order throughout. There have been no actual additions to the buildings, although various minor improvements have been carried out. A bookcase and additional books have been provided. Industrial work : This Institution continues, as it has always done, to take a leading position among other schools as regards the industrial training provided for it's inmates. The children are taught cooking, baking, laundry work, plain needlework, crochet and dressmaking. They also manufacture olive oil.

Educational State: The education of the children is receding very careful attention. The examination of the school is conducted by the Chief Inspector (Mr Walton), who reports that the results of the examination were excessively credible, and that this was specially so in the subject of arithmetic in which two standards obtained "Excellent," and "Very Good," three "Very Fair" and one "Fair". The discipline and order throughout the school was very satisfactory. As regards sewing, the report of Miss Nesbit the examiner of needlework, states:- "The specimens are beautifully sewn. Twelve garments were examined, but six of theses were woollen, and would not be considered a test of sewing. The others are exquisitely worked."

General remarks : The Superintendent reports that out of 51 inmates discharged during the past three years, 43 are known to be doing well, even fairly and one badly. This is a very satisfactory record, and must be gratifying to the devoted Mother Superior and her band of sisters. The institution is a home in the best sense of the word, while work and play are combined intelligently for the girl's good. The Right Rev. Bishop Gibney takes a special interest in this school, and at the annual presentation of prizes, when each child receives a special gift. I had the pleasure of being present and hearing the kind and cheering words as each child received her gift at his hands.

Staff : The Superintendent is Sister M. Benedict. The resident official in charge is Sister M. Ursula, assisted by Sister Teresa and six assistant. The head teacher is Sister M. Augustine and three assistants. There is also a teamster and two general men. Maintenance : - Government allowance for 1903 1,734 pounds and 5 shillings.

The article contained a photograph of St. Joseph's Orphanage in 1904 (no copyright infringement intended).

Daisy Bates And A Corroboree In Subiaco.

Daisy Bates And A Corroboree In Subiaco. 

The 'Aboriginal Histories in the City of Subiaco' (2008) included in its report accounts of local Aboriginal language and culture including dance and performance in the early years of the colony taken mostly from written sources. Some of those dance and performances were recorded in the local newspapers including one arranged by Daisy Bates in the Subiaco Municipal Gardens (Jebb and Stella, 2008, p.53).

A copy of the article about the event is copied here and available from the National Library of Australia database Trove.


'An Aboriginal Corroboree', 8 January, 1910 Western Mail.

"In connection with the carnival consisting of a show of animated pictures, a band concert and a corroboree was given in the Subiaco Municipal Gardens on Wednesday. Under electric lights the gardens, with their well-kept lawns and many flower beds, looked particularly inviting, and at the time appointed for the commencement of the entertainment it was estimated that 4000 to 5000 people were present. In all 30 natives took part in the corroboree, one from the vicinity of Roebourne and the other from the south-west being represented. They were escorted to the gardens by Mrs Daisy Bates, and on their arrival took possession of the band-stand, where some of their number amused the spectators by performing various dances. All of them were naked to the waist, those from the north-west having their chests ornamented with a series of white lines, while the chests of the representatives were liberally decorated with white and blue colouring. The painting which was done by natives themselves, was in some cases decidedly of an artistic nature.

The corroboree took place from behind the bowling green parvilion on the western side of the gardens but owing to some of the 'ertancity of some of the spectators, and in some degree to the inadequacy of the arrangements only a comparative few had the privilege of obtaining a fair view of the proceedings. No sooner did the aborigines make a move to appointed spot than it was surrounded by a dense spot. The result was that the aborigines became separated from each other, and it took considerable time before they could be collected together again. Eventually this was accomplished, and by dint of hard work on the part of Mrs Bates, and other members of the committee and several constables a fair sized circle was formed around the fire which had been lit on a sheet of iron for the purpose.

The Roebourne natives then went through what is termed the meedar dance. While two of their number beat time with their kailees and chanted a song, the others sometimes in pairs and sometimes one behind the others danced to and fro with their movements with the flickering fire-light playing on their naked bodies appearing both novel and grotesque. The southwest natives then performed their "turn". This consisted of the mamma dance, which was largely composed of shaking and quivering of muscles of the upper parts of the body to the accompaniment of "music" from the kailees, and a confined whooping on the part of the performers. Both tribes entered heartily into their respective dances and were loudly applauded.

The pictures, were shown on a screen affixed to the bowling club's parvillion, were of a high order of merit and were exhibited to advantage. The crowding in upon the screen on the part of a number of those present, however again prevented them clearly from being seen except by a limited number. Prior to the correboree and at intervals during the evening the Subiaco Fire Brigade Band played a number of select tunes and these were greatly appreciated.

Credit is due to Mrs Daisy Bates, to who influence the presence of aborigines was due, to the Mayor of Subiaco (Mr Shirley White) and to the secretary (Mr Barrett) and other members of the committee, who worked hard to make the entertainment a success..."

References

Jebb, M. A. & Stella, L. 2008. Aboriginal Histories in the City of Subiaco. City of Subiaco : Subiaco W.A. 

A photograph of the Subiaco Municipal Council Gardens taken around 1910. The photograph is from the collection of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society. No copyright infringement intended.

Indigenous Names For Subiaco.

Indigenous Names for Subiaco.

The 'Aboriginal Histories in the City Subiaco' (2008) is a report that was commissioned by the City of Subiaco to document the Aboriginal histories within the area of Subiaco that would form the basis of future inclusive plans and programs. The area of Subiaco is part of the country of Aboriginal people of the southwest known collectively as Nyungars. 

This report is mainly written from early materials compiled by settlers and explorers such as Lyon, Moore, Armstrong, Grey and Symmons during the early 1800's. These materials can be found in the State Library of Western Australia, Subiaco Library and the University of Western Australian.

The report also acknowledges the importance of conducting oral histories with Aboriginal people that "will help fill gaps that emerge in written records and allow for a review of Aboriginal peoples' association with Subiaco taking account of the importance of oral traditions for Nyungar and Aboriginal people... Despite radical changes to the landscape, Nyungar connections to Subiaco are kept alive by an oral tradition..." (Jebb and Stella, 2008, p.4).

The Aboriginal Histories in the City of Subiaco' (2008) report states about the relationship between the local Nyungar people country boundaries and those of the City of Subiaco...

"...The information from these documents does not provide a neat match between the local government boundaries of contemporary Subiaco and the boundaries Nyungar people might have used to name it. They refer, however to local Aboriginal peoples' social organisation and land relationships, individual names, events and experiences in the areas of the Swan River, Mount Eliza, Monger's Lake, Butler's Bay, Crawley Bay and Perth areas that either include Subiaco area, abut or surround it " (Jebb and Stella, 2008, p.8)...

"...Yellagonga's Country... A map created in 1832 by Robert Menli Lyon translated from Yagan while he was captive on Carnac Island, places Subiaco in Mooro, labeled as 'Yellowgonga's territory', stretching from the sea to the north bank of the Swan River. Including Mount Eliza and Perth to Ellen's Brook. This territory of the Swan and Canning rivers collectively called the 'Whadjug Tribe'. It also suggests that the Lakes Ngoogemboro (Herdsman Lake) and Galup (Monger's Lake) were important locations in the wider territory..."

Those who are not familiar with the work of Daisy Bates, The Aboriginal Histories of the City of Subiaco (2008) writes about Daisy Bates... "Daisy Bates was employed by the Aborigines Department in the early 19 th century to 'find out how many Aboriginal people there might be in Western Australia, who they were and to record some of their language and culture. Daisy Bates recorded information that fills in some of the gaps of the written historical record as worked with Perth Aboriginal people who were alive after 1900." (Jebb and Stella, 2008, p.6).

"...Daisy Bates wrote some of the stories behind some of the Nyungar names for places in Claremont, Subiaco, and Perth in 1909. While it is difficult to say how accurate she was in her rendition, the country is clearly storied by Nyungar people..."Wandaraguttagurrup was the high sounding title of part only of the present Subiaco. Nyeergardup was Peppermint Grove, Man'ing'yup, Butler's Swamp, Beeereeup, Point Walter, and Karbomunup the hill at Claremont where the Osborne Hotel was after built (1895)...

The paragraph about Wandaraguttagurrup, by Daisy Bates appeared in her article 'Oldest Perth: The days before the white man won' in the Western Mail 1909, December 25. The article includes the following statements relevant to the identification of Subiaco..." (Jebb and Stella, 2008, p.21-24).

References

Jebb, M. A. & Stella, L. 2008. Aboriginal Histories in the City of Subiaco. City of Subiaco : Subiaco W.A. 

Thoughts And Stories From The Children Of Subiaco To Auntie Nell (Margaret Main)

Thoughts and strories from the children of Subiaco to Auntie Nell (Margaret Main)

I have been wondering what the children of Subiaco (and the other children in Perth and around the State of Western Australia) thought about and wrote to The Daily News journalist Margaret Main, during her 18 years as Auntie Nell. Her role as Auntie Nell began in February, 1914 until she retired in September, 1931 when Boronia Giles took over. 

While it is difficult to know how much the letters of the children were edited and spoke for themselves they still kept writing, sharing events in their daily lives on what was happening at school. These letters provide an interesting look at what was happening at the Subiaco State School in 1929. Many wrote trying to win a prize by sending in solutions to puzzles. More importantly they continued to raise money for the local hospital by sending in stamps. 

The children's letters can be found on the National Library of Australia's database Trove. I have copied some from Subiaco here....

Peggy Bolster 229 Park-Street Subiaco 28 December 1929 The Daily News.

"I am sending in the solution to the Jumbled Christmas Presents Competition for Saturday, December 21, hoping it is correct, as I would very much like to win a prize for Christmas. I have been very busy at school lately, as we have a parent's night every year before the holidays. We have to get all the work we have done during the year - drawings, paintings, compositions, show writing and sewing - together and fix them on the wall. I only put up my sewing up, as my drawings ect were not very good, as I have not been there very long. My sewing consisted on seven doyleys (most of which I made when I was sick), a dolls pinafore, petticoat, and skirt, and little lavender bag. I think our room looked the best decorated in the school. It was decorated with ferns and different kinds of flowers. I am now closing with best love. My age is 13 on February 20."

Mona Conan 23 Hensman-Road Subiaco 28 December, 1929 The Daily News.

"It is a very long time since I have written to you, I haven't forgotten you and your Sunshiners. We have just completed our yearly examination a week or two ago, but we haven't found out our results yet: I hope I have passed. I was 13 on October 28, and I am at the fifth standard at the Subiaco State School. Hoping you and your Sunshiners will have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I will close hoping to write a longer letter next time." 

Florence Williams 92 Nicholson-Road Subiaco 28 December, 1929. The Daily News.

"Examinations are over and I think I have passed. I hope to go into 5a next year. We break up on Wednesday and then we have six delightful weeks of holidays. My sister Dorothy wrote to you and sent in the solution for the rhyme in code. She forgot to write her name and I suppose you thought it were I. Dorothy and I went for a swim this afternoon and enjoyed ourselves very much. Well Auntie my news bag is empty now, so I will close with best wishes to you and your Sunshiners. "

Betty Johnson 97 Knightley-Road Subiaco 28 December, 1929. The Daily News.

"I hope you will forgive me for not writing sooner as I have been in the mist of examinations like a number your other Sunshiners. We have finished them now and I received 82 marks out of 100, being beaten by one mark for top and coming a draw with Mary M'Namara who is also one of your Sunshiners. I have taken two of my sisters Marie and Ruth to see Father Christmas twice and they have enjoyed themselves immensely. We went to see the 'Wedding of the Painted Doll' and liked it very much. A lot of the children taking part in it were from our school. Our concert and party were held last Friday and a,one other things we had lemon drinks, cakes, scones, ice cream and lollies. The concert also proved a success. I was in a song, dance and a play, and we did them very well. We have now broken up for seven weeks' holiday to which I am looking forward. What terrible weather we've been having lately Auntie! I am entering the jumbled Christmas presents and hope to win a prize, as I have not won one for the competition yet.  I will also enclose two stamps for the Cot Fund. As that is all my news I will conclude Auntie, hoping you will forgive me for not writing and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with bundles of love you and your Sunshiners."

Evelyn Parker (First Woman Mayor in Western Australia and Mayor of the City of Subiaco).

Evelyn Parker (First Woman Mayor in Western Australia and Mayor of the City of Subiaco).

Evelyn Helena Parker was born on 12 October 1907 in Hangkow, China to missionaries from Belfast. When Evelyn was 13 she moved to England with her mother and brothers. After the death of her father in 1920, the family migrated to Australia, first living in Sydney and then to Perth where she went to school at Perth College. After leaving school Evelyn obtained a position as a school monitor at Brookton.

In 1928/1929 Evelyn completed a one year teaching diploma at Claremont Teacher's Training College. Between 1930 and 1951 she taught at various Western Australian primary schools including Strathern, Jacketup, Marradong, Byford, Carlisle and Cottesloe.

Between 1951 and 1967 she was employed as a teacher and then appointed 'first mistress' in charge of all female students at Subiaco Primary School (Spillman, 2006, p.21).

In 1954 Evelyn was elected as a Councillor for the Central Ward on the Subiaco Council and then elected in 1975 as the first woman Mayor in Western Australia for the Subiaco Council where she remained before resigning until 1975.

From Spillman's book on Subiaco 'Tales of a singular city, Subiaco since the 1970's' and the chapter on Evelyn Parker 'The public life of Miss Parker'.

"...For most of the 20th century, the careers of women in Western Australia were seriously hindered by institutionalised discrimination on the basis of gender - and Parker encountered and registered her objection to this on numerous occasions...

In 1954... Evelyn Parker was Subiaco's third woman Councillor and, like her predecessors Rose Fuhrmann and Eileen Kerman took a special interest in community services. Kerman was the prime mover on the 1951 establishment of the Subiaco Children's Free Library, while Fuhrmann worked hard to improve infant health services and was a strong advocate of building senior citizens facilities. Parker took up the seniors' cause, was foundation secretary of the manage,England committee when the Subiaco Senior Citizens' Centre opened in 1967, and continued her association with the centre for a further ten years...

In 1974, Parker was one of Subiaco's longest serving councillors...Parker was asked by several fellow councillors to stand as mayor in the by-election of January 1975...Her timing was impeccable: she took office at the beginning of International Women's Year 1975 as Western Australia's first woman mayor...

Beyond this achievement and her long Council service, Parker was involved in the Red Cross and supporter of volunteer and fundraising activities for hospitals and Sister Kate's Home...she retired as Subiaco's mayor when she turned seventy in 1977..."

Other achievements include in 1975 being named Western Australian Citizen of the Year, in 1977 receiving an Officer of the British Empire and 1986 was named Freeman of the City of Subiaco. In 1990 the Evelyn H Parker Library in Subiaco named after her in her honour. She died at the age of 86 in 1993.

As part of the '200 Voices from the Oral History Rescue Group Project', Evelyn Parker talked about her time as a councillor and mayor on the City of Subiaco Council and some of her successes during that time. Downloads are available on the Australian Women's Register and a transcript is available at the Battye Library and Evelyn H. Parker library in Subiaco.

References

The Australian Women's Register

The Encyclopaedia of Women's Leadership in Twentieth - Century

Hunt, Lynn, Trotman, Jann & Edith Cowan University, 2002, 'Claremont Cameos: Women Teachers and the Building of Social Capital in Australia.' Edith Cowan University, W.A.

Spillman, K. 2006, 'Tales of a singular city : Subiaco since the 1970's.' City of Subiaco : Subiaco.

Women's Museum of Australia Links to an oral history interview with Evelyn Helena Parker, Mayor of Subiaco / by Gail O' Hanlon www.moa.com.au at the State Library of Western Australia.