Daphne Pyett And The Life Of A Teenager In Subiaco In The Early 1900's.
So what was it like for a young girl living in Subiaco in the early 1900's ? Daphne Pyett was one of many young girls from Subiaco whose daily life and interests were shared with Uncle Tom and Auntie Nell through the children's pages of the Daily News newspaper. Daphne and her family lived at 57 York-street, Subiaco for many years and continued to live there when she got married in 1923.
Daphne was an active member of the Sunshine League for several years founded by "Uncle Tom" of The Daily News newspaper and helped to raise money for the Children's Hospital and other charitable causes by making things to sell, volunteering for bazaars, concerts and volunteering to help at the Christmas parties and other fundraisers as many young children did with the support of her family. Daphne wrote essays on the topics suggested by Auntie Nell and regularly won prizes. Auntie Nell responded regularly to Daphne and Sunshine League members as well as thanked those who volunteered at regular events.
Ancestor records show that Daphne was born on 12 May, 1898 at the Shilo Hospital in Subiaco. Her father was Joseph Pyett and her mother Janet Eveline Pyett. She had three brothers George, William Milton and Wynne. In an essay to the Daily News in 1912, Auntie Nell asked the children to write about their most valued possession.
Daphne responded by writing about her mother. She wrote why she loved her mother "Why I love my mother so is because she is always so kind to me: so patient, so loving and so tender. I always try to do what I know mother would like me to do." Beside sides writing to Auntie Nell, Daphne loved to read a range of books. Her letters provide an inside look at social life of children of her time for example going to the Royal show and what they did on holidays or about school. The family were regular church goers and newspaper records show Daphne scoring high marks in the Sunday school competition. She and family attended the Congregational Church.
The National Archives state that when World War 1 broke out Daphne's father Joseph tried to sign up however, there are no documents. From 1914 to 1918 the WA Postal Directories show him as living 57 York Street Subiaco with his occupation as a tailor. Throughout his life Joseph Pyett wrote regular letters to Western Australian and Australian newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald and The Mercury in Tasmania on a range of subjects including Australian federation in 1901, the white Australia policy, taxation and land values and the future of his profession tailoring and the impact of machinery. These letters can be found on Trove, the National Library of Australia database.
Western Australian Births, deaths and marriages records and the birth notices on Trove show that Daphne married Alexander Arthur Hart in 1923. The Western Australian Postal Directories show that in 1924 they continued to live in Subiaco after they got married at 125 Gloster-Road. They had three children Charles Alexander on 6 September, 1924 and Betty Eveline on 11 November, 1927 and Wynne (birthdate unknown). Daphne died in Subiaco on 28 July, 1981 aged 83.
I have copied some of those letters from Trove the database of the National Library of Australia where she shares some of the daily life of a teenager. The articles have been edited for copyright reasons.
PRIZE LETTER The Daily News, 16 October, 1909.
THE WHITE BEAR The Daily News, 16 October, 1909.
NATURE STUDY
PRIZE ESSAY The Daily News 24 December, 1909.
57 York-street
Dear Uncle,Tom- Very often in spring the birds are kept very busy gathering moss, hay and bits of sticks. It is to build their nests. The outer side of the nest is made of rougher and stronger materials than inside. Very often the inside is of horsehair or soft feathers, so that it will be soft for the young ones. Each bird builds in its own way, and very often you can tell what bird's nest it is. The oriole is called the hanging bird because it has such a queerly shaped nest. It is like a deep pocket or bag. This bird fastens it with bits of string and horsehair up a tree: there on it hangs and swings. The wise little builders gather scrapes of cloth and soft feathers to line the nest. They make it snug for their young ones. It is a very snug little home. Soon the eggs are hatched. Robber birds find it difficult to plunder the nest. There is another strange nest: it belongs to the oven bird. The nest is made of wet clay; the bird gets it from the river. Then the bird mixes it with grass and straw. Then it lets it bake as hard as a rock in the sun. Inside the nest there are two rooms. The mother lays her eggs in one of them, and the other is used by her mate. Some birds are called dome builders, because they build a dome-shaped roof over their house. The magpie is a dome builder, and what a queer nest he makes,mother Cape titmouse in South Africa, weaves a nest of cotton to protect their young ones. - I remain your loving niece
DAPHNE PYETT
MY LETTER BAG The Daily News. 10 September, 1910.
57 York-street, Subiaco
"Dear Auntie Nell, - I am trying to write a short story. I hope you will like it :
"THE PROUD SOVEREIGN" ...."
THIRD CLASS ESSAY
(Over Twelve Years to 16.) The Daily News 22 October, 1910
57 York-street, Subiaco.
Dear Auntie Nell,- The first thing I must do is thank you for the nice present you sent me. It is called "Jake's Birthday Present," and it is such a nice book. I am very fond of reading. I went to my first meeting in the Protestant Hall. I am making some huckabelt belts and other little things. The belts are light blue and dark blue. Ailsa asked me if I wanted to serve in a stall, so I decided to serve in the sweet stall. I see they are having another meeting next Saturday. Will you be there Auntie? I am going to make a bright read rosette to wear at the Bazaar. I am going in the show for writing. I hope you are well, dear Auntie, as it leaves me at present. - I remain your willing niece,
DAPHNE PYETT,
Eleven kisses, all for you.
P.S. A little girl friend gave me 1 d for the orphans. I went to see Amy the other day. - DP
Dear Daphne, - Your welcome little letter I received during the week; also a penny stamp for the orphan's cheer given to you by your little friend. I wish you would ask her to write to me. I should very much like to make her one of my Sunshine-makers. I am glad you were at the meeting in connection with Ailsa's bazaar, and you are going to be a stall holder. Your huckaback belts sound very pretty and I'm sure they will command a ready sale. No, I will not be at the meeting on Saturday; duty only is responsible for my absence. I trust you girls will all work harmoniously together, and always remember unity is strength. I hope you will gain a prize for writing at the show. If I were a judge I should feel inclined to award you one, as I consider your writing very good indeed. I am glad you've been to see Amy; she gets very lonely, and I know is always pleased to see a bright Sunshine-maker. Goodbye dear. Take much love and kisses from - Yours loving Auntie Nell.
P.S. Thank you for the kisses.
MY LETTER BAG
SUNSHINE MAKING ACCOUNTS
AND WELCOME CORRESPONDENCE The Daily News, 11 February, 1911.
57 York-street, Sublaco.
Dear Auntie Nell,— Did you got my letter? I wrote to you a few weeks ago, and I have not seen it In print yet. I hope It did not go astray, in the post. Now, I must tell you about 'Our Sunday School Picnic.' For out picnic we went, to Kelmscott. We caught the half past eight train from Subiaco and proceeded to Perth. At the Perth station we got out, and got in the country train. The ride to the country was lovely, and not a bit like Perth. We arrived there at half-past nine. There was a nice swing put up for the children to swlng on. At 12 o'clock we had dinner. We had watermelons and grapes. Then we had races. I came first and got a doll's dinner service, which was very nice. It has knives, forks, and other things In it. We had tea, and each child got a bag of lollies, and then we came home, tired with the running about on the happy day. I think this is all now, dear, Auntie. I will close now.— I remain your loving niece,
DAPHNE PYETT AGED 12
Dear Daphne,— Yes, I received the letter from you about five weeks ago. It found its way safely Into our children's page. I am sorry you missed it. However, I trust you will be more fortunate this time, and see your letter in print. and my answer to it. I enjoyed reading about the enjoyable day you spent in celebrating the annual Sunday school picnic. I can just imagine the lovely time you would have playing and running about in the lovely country meadows. You must be a good little runner to have been first in your race, and what a lovely prize you won. Just fancy, a doll's dinner service, with knives and forks; apt! all tho ncoopsary accessories to make it complete ! Have you given a doll's dinner party yet? I feel quite overcome with all the kisses, but they very welcome and, it is good of you to spare me so many.—
With much love, your loving Auntie Nell
ESSAYS
27 May, 1911 The Daily News
57 York-street, Subiaco.
My Dear Auntie Nell
I saw by your postscript in to-nights paper that you were offering prizes for the best letters sent to you on "Flowers" so I thought I would compete. Flowers are one of God's gifts. How different is a house that has no flowers to one that has. There are many kinds of flowers, including the rose, the pansy (I think the pansy is my favourite one), and the sweet little violets, all such brilliant colours that make life happier. In the hospitals flowers are always welcome, how the sick ones love the lovely smell of the flowers around them, and seem to feel much better after receiving them. The way in which every little part of the flower is so neatly placed in its calyx. A little time spent in the garden every day makes a wonderful improvement to look at the house. First you put the little seed in, and very often it is no larger than a pins head. Down goes the poor little seed in the cold dark dark earth. But in about three weeks' time up comes the little shoot so young and fresh. Then we water it we must be careful what quantity of water we put on them: if we put too much on them we will drown the poor little things, and we do not want that. What a fine collection of flowers we would have in a few months, if we devoted,a little time everyday to our gardens. Most of the flowers come out in spring, but when summer's searching rays come, the poor little things die. Now is the time to be setting the seeds, then the rain comes it will water them and make them grow. Indeed, we have many beautiful flowers to be grateful for, don't you think so too dear Auntie? I was pleased to hear you had read the "Lamplighter." If anybody spread sunshine in the world, it was Uncle True-I remain your loving niece,
DAPHNE PYETT
MY LETTER BAG The Daily News 6 January, 1912
57 York-street, Subiaco
"Dear Auntie Nell, - I saw my letter in Saturday's "Daily News," and was surprised to see you missed me at the Carnival. I was in the West Australian set. As you asked me to write to you about The Carnival, I am going to do so: On Tuesday last was the annual Carnival of the Sunshine League. "West Australia" was the first to present herself to the audience. This showed W.A. In the beginning. The natives corroboree was very funny: the war dance and throwing of was very like a native's corroboree. Mr. C. Borkwood represented Captain Dampier. There were also early settlers. A march was done by the girls; then the Misses Peters did some nice dancing. The curtin fell amidst loud applause..."Subiaco represented about fifty nigger boys, who talked and enjoyed themselves very much. The Shubiaco National Anthem was sung to the tune of "Swanee River." The grand march was done by the Subiaco girls...wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Happy New Year - I remain, your loving niece,
DAPHNE PYETT
MY LETTER BAG The Daily News, 30 March, 1912.
Dear Auntie Nell,— I am writing to thank you for the lovely prize you sent me. I thought it was a beautiful story - one that teaches you a lesson. l would have written to thank you for it before, but my practice and lessons take up much of my time. I get-up early and practice every morning. We all went to Point Walter last Saturday, and enjoyed ourselves very much. It was a lovely day far a picnic. I enjoyed the trip down the river the best. Coming home, it was very nice also.
I went into the races, and came third. But it was better than nothing, don't you think so? I have just come home from the pictures, they were beautiful. I always like pictures that are educational. I think it teaches one a lot. One picture was named 'Vanity Fair.' It was very nice,' but I could not understand it properly. All the proceeds are to be given to the Children's Hospital. I hope a large sum of money is raised to help the poor little sick children. Next Friday we are going to have a collection at our school for the hospital.
Aren't we having lovely weather? One would never think it was autumn. I send the paper to my cousin in Sydney sometimes, and she is always interested in it. I think I will close now. Hoping you are well, as it leaves me at present. I have had a very bad cold. I am sending you 1s. worth of stamps for the League.
With love and kisses from your loving niece,
DAPHNE PYETT.
Dear Daphne, — I am sorry to hear you have had such a bad cold. I trust you will very soon be better. Many thanks for the shilling's worth of stamps, dear. I have put them towards our Children's Hospital Fund. I too, trust the picture entertainment raised a substantial sum for the Children's Hospital. Lately I have been visiting one of my little Sunshiners, Florle Stubbs, there. I am glad to say she is getting on nicely and will soon be able to return home. You ought to ask your cousin in Sydney to join our League. It would be Interesting receiving a letter from so far away. I am glad you liked your prize; and that it reached you safely.
Much love, dear, from yours lovingly,
Auntie Nell.
MY LETTER BAG The Daily News, 4 May, 1912
57 York-street, Subiaco.
Dear Auntie Nell, - I saw in your answer to my last letter that you would be pleased if my cousin would write to you. I am writing to her this week, asking her to write you, and giving her your address. I hope you spent a happy Easter as I did, although not at home. I see that by this evening's post that you are offering prizes on "My Most Precious Possession ad Why?" Well, I think my mother is my most precious possession. Where would I be without my mother's love? I often feel for the motherless, and think how sad and lonely they must feel. Why I love my mother so is because she is always so kind to me: so patient, so loving and so tender. I always try to do what I know mother would like me to do. Altogether, I think my mother is my precious possession. Dear Auntie, I think I will close now, as I understand you want letters to be brief. If I get a prize, dear Auntie will please send me one of the "Elsie" books ? I have not got any of these beautiful books, and would like to have them. I get them out of our Sunday-school library, and have read some of them thirteen times, and I would like to read them again. Your loving niece,
DAPHNE PYETT
Dear Daphne, - I was so pleased to hear from you once more, and enjoyed very much your letter on my most precious possession. As you are a prize-winner, I will try to remember your partiality for "Elsie" books. I shall be pleased to hear from your cousin. It was sweet of you to ask her to write to me. Good-bye dear. Much love from- Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
THE SUNSHINE LEAGUE MOTTO The Daily News 4 May, 1912
