Over the past couple of weeks I have been searching the National Library Database Trove and other Internet and library sources about the Western Australian journalist Boronia Giles, who with the children of Perth wrote 'The Children's Pages' for the Western Australian newspaper, 'The Daily News' from the 1930's and 1940's under the name of "Auntie Nell" and others.
This journey has lead me and continues to lead me on a fascinating journey about women and children's voices in primarily 'The Daily News' newspaper during the first part of the 20 th century from not only the suburb of Subiaco but Perth and the state of Western Australia to be inclusive in my story telling and writing.
I have found some wonderful articles about the woman before Boronia Giles, Margaret Main in this role. Although I have not found a connection between Margaret Main and Subiaco other than the fact she selected and responded to and published letters from the children who lived, I have wanted to include a post here about her. I think it is really important for these women to speak for themselves, so I have copied their letters here. (I am sure there must be some research some where about these early woman journalists in Western Australia but I have yet to find it).
There are some fascinating articles on the National Library database Trove about Margaret Main about her after 18 years as "Auntie Nell" until she retired from 'The Daily News' and her death in 1938. I will follow this entry with some letters from the children of Subiaco during this time on the next couple of posts.
In the first letter by "Peg Peggotty" explains that their beloved "Auntie Nell" has been ill and is going to retire due to illness. The journalist taking her place attempts to reassure the young readers that she has been actively involved with 'The Children's Pages' for some time as she has been filling in on "Auntie Nell" on her holidays. She introduces herself as "Peg Peggotty " The second letter is from Margaret Main when she retires from the role and some of her highlights including how many of the current Sunshiner's parents wrote to her and how the Sunshiners raised money for local Children's Hospital. The third article is about her death in 1938 from a correspondent.
'Peg's Letter' 26 September 1931 The Daily News.
My Dear Girls and Boys
Although I appear under a new name I am really quite a familiar person to you all, for I have been calling myself "Auntie Nell" for quiet a while now. The real "Auntie Nell" whose face you see on this page (and you have inquired for a photograph often enough you curious little things), is taking a much needed rest after many years of service, and has recently been ill in hospital. Miss Main was a nurse before she came to "The Daily News" and later took on The Children's Page at the request of Mr Lovekin, and she has read your letters and replied to them for 18 years, except when she took holidays.
The first entry in the prize register in her hand writing is for February 2, 1914 (when people were never dreaming of another terrible war) when Lena Morrissey won the book "Adam Bede," for an essay on "William Gladstone." Modern Sunshiners' would probably consider "Adam Bede" as being in the way of a school book, and an essay on Gladstone a rather funny thing to give as a Children's Page competition, and I think most of you would be distinctly amused to receive as a prize for that classic story of a goody-goody boy who fell upon evil days and evil ways, "Eric", or Little by Little that Denis Reagan won the week war was declared.
Among the Sunshiners' names there are some that are well-known nowadays. There are lawyers and business men, actresses, University lecturers and musicians among them, as well as quite a number of parents and teachers of present Sunshiners. As you know some of the mothers still write affectionally to "Dear Auntie Nell".
Miss Main is making satisfactory progress now, and enjoys the Sunshine that has meant so much to her for many years, and soon will be able to enjoy the Spring in her garden. We hope to give you a farewell message from her, which will be published next week.
In the meantime I know you all very well, and have spent Auntie Nell's holidays with you for several years, so please go on writing just the same, although do not address your letters to Auntie Nell, but your loving friend.
PEG PEGGOTTY.
P.S. - Sunshine does not think it very dignified to sign myself like that, but I point out that most aunts nowadays aren't called that at all, but just their Christian names, so why not me? He shakes his head and says, anyhow the Sunshiners won't stand for it. That you must have dignity about it, and they'll probably address the letters "Mrs P. Peggotty" or "P. Peggotty. Esquire." One little girl always addresses her envelope "Mrs. Auntie Nell."
The second article is "The Joyous Journey, Auntie Nell's Farewell" 3 October, 1931 The Daily News.
At last your curiosity as to who the mysterious Auntie Nell to whom you have written has been satisfied, and I suppose you are wondering who Peg Peggotty is but that is a secret. When I wrote to you two or three months ago I did not know it was for the last time, and I am very grateful to my old friend Peg, for giving me the opportunity of saying goodbye. I have been ordered a long rest and so here "I am out to grass" like any other old war-horse.
I can scarcely believe it is eighteen years since I became Auntie Nell, because we have had such a happy journey together, and it was always such a joy to me when new Sunshiners told me their mothers and fathers use to write when they were boys and girls. My only regret is that you would grow up too quickly and I was always having to say goodbye to some 16 year Sunshiner. Do all my faithful Sunshiners, Mrs. Holmes of Queensland, first. Her name was on the roll in the region of the previous Auntie Nell, Miss Jessie Downie. Some girls and boys wrote once or perhaps twice and then do not bother any more. I wish I could give prizes to all that had the competitions right, but after all it is more thrilling to be chosen from a number, isn't it? And the girl or boy who does not persevere does not deserve a prize. It is those that refuse to be beaten that get the best out of life. Peg Peggotty told you that many of our prominent citizens once belonged to the Sunshine League and I am proud to have numbered them among our happy band. Just let me whisper in your ear that perseverance has brought them to the forefront.
I still read our page every Saturday and take just as keen interest in all your doings and I feel sure you will grow to have every bit as much affection for Peg Peggotty and her jolly page as you have always shown me.
As you know our inspiring motto is "There is nothing greater or more beautiful in all the world that kind deeds and the humblest child can do them" and in closing I want to say how well that motto has been carried out since the Sunshine League started. When the Children's Hospital was built the league provided all the linen and endowed a cot known as the Sunshine Cot, to which you contribute your pennies today, and later on we provided the same for the hospital with an X-Ray plant.
From yours affectionately, Auntie Nell.
The third article 'Miss Margaret Main (by a Correspondent)' 16 May 1938. 'The West Australian'.
"Miss Margaret Main whose death occurred a few days after a long and weary illness, leaves behind her beautiful memory. There are very few in this mundane world who so completely effaced herself as did Miss Main. She possessed in an unusual degree those rare qualities who had for beauty of character. To her, service and thought for others were the greatest joys life had.
These characteristics were strikingly demonstrated during here nursing career. She was beloved by patients and today many will remember with gratitude her calm efficiency and gentleness in the sick room.
After relinquishing her nursing career Miss Main joined the journalistic staff of "The Daily News" where for many years she conducted the columns of the children's page. As "Auntie Nell" she endeared herself to hundreds of children throughout the State, and of her most treasured possessions was a beautiful inkstand presented to her by her nieces and nephews, when through ill health she was forced to bid them farewell and seek a less strenuous life in the quiet of her home.
Like the late Mrs. Muriel Chase, she was a foundation member of the Western Writers Association and though in recent months her health precluded her presence at various functions, to the last he retained a deep interest in all that concerned the club.
And so she has "gone home" as so many of the old people in the North of England beautifully describe death. But to those who worked with her and loved her she will ever be an inspiration, and her rare gentleness will abide in our hearts forever."
