Ethel Rose Paterson Joyner (Mrs A. E. Joyner) was a prominent West Australian woman who dedicated her life to working in the community, in particular with women and children. Ethel Rose Joyner was involved in an extensive list of community organisations and established the Little Citizen’s League in 1924 and children’s libraries in Perth in 1939.
There are many articles published in Western Australian newspapers about the community work she did with the assistance of children and their families and community members throughout Perth and Western Australia. The Little Citizens League had a close relationship with Thomas Street and Subiaco.
In 1925 the Call newspaper reported on a talk Mrs Joyner gave to the Women’s Guild about the aims of the Little Citizens League. “...The alms of the League are to form Youth Schools of Citizenship, to educate "little citizens to build "their citizenship on the solid foundation of thought for others, recognising that citizenship is life : to give the following universal message by means of thoughts, words, actions: "Go forth Into the busy world and love it, interest yourself in its life. Mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows. Try what you can do, for men rather than what you can make them "do for you, and, you will know, what it is to have men yours, better than if you were their King or Master."...”
The Little Citizens League were involved in a number of activities around Thomas Street, Subiaco. In April 1927 the Little Citizen’s League were involved with King’s Park and helping children and their families to establish a relationship with the natural environment. In August 1930, Mrs Joyner and the children of the Thomas Street branch presented the Lord Mayor of Perth with rubbish bins to help keep the city clean. In 1932 the children from the Little Citizens League were instrumental in keeping an unfenced garden at the corner of Thomas Street and Hay Street clean. In August 1935 the children of Thomas Street State School were working with Mrs Joyner and the Little Citizens League to foster civic pride in children at the school. Those newspaper articles and some photographs are copied below from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
The Little Citizen’s League and Mrs Joyner worked to established the first children’s libraries in Perth in 1939. Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia contains many articles about this work.
Mrs Joyner died in 1952. The obituary in The West Australian provides an extensive overview of her community work and significant contribution to Western Australia. The article identifies her close association with Thomas Street.
These articles are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
Call, 3 July 1925.
Little Citizens' League.
Its Aims and Purposes
Expounded by Mrs. A. E. Joyner.
On Friday afternoon last, at the Women's Service Guild rooms Mrs. A. E. Joyner gave an address to a big assemblage of members of the Guild on the aims" and purposes of the Little Citizen's League. Mrs. Joyner began by telling her audience that the League was founded in memory of her own little daughter, who radiated joy and happiness during her short stay on earth; and made her realise more fully than before that what is better than "God is Love" is that "Love is God" — these two facts are taken as the motto of the League.
THE LEAGUE'S AIMS
The alms of the League are to form Youth Schools of Citizenship, to educate "little citizens to build "their citizenship on the solid foundation of thought for others, recognising that citizenship is life : to give the follow-insr universal message by means of thoughts, words, actions: "Go forth Into the busy world and love it, interest yourself in its life. Mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows. Try what you can do, for men rather than what you can make them "do for you, and, you will know, what it is to have men yours, better than if you were their King or Master." There are seven branches of the League from which mad radiate sub-branches to do good. The various branches are to welcome, the stranger within the gates and extend the hand of friendship to him or her; to linkup with the radio relationship of love and goodwill with other children; to do all possible to make the City beautiful "by not scattering rubbish by protection of plant and animal life — in short to be clean inside and outside, to use heart, hands and head so as to give joy to others through personal work; to send out a thought of love, joy and fellowship to all the little citizens of the world each day; and finally to use earnestly the mott: "Service Not Self."
THE CONSTITUTION
Mrs. Joyner outlined the Constitution of the League, and stated that at the request of. the members - the little citizens themselves - a payment of sixpence is to be made to entitle members to cards which constitute membership of the League. Mrs. Joyner, who is a fluent speaker, outlined the story of many little citizens of the past, and of those who came forth to redeem them from the Slough of Despond in which they lived.
Mrs. Joyner mentioned Dickens as one through his immortal works on the evils attending child-life; Robert Raikes who in 1780 founded the first Sunday School; John Howard, Elizabeth Fry and prison work (incidentally Mrs Joyner "mentioned that a descendant of Elizabeth Fry is living in Perth): the building of Reformatories, in order to keep children apart from prison life: and the Ragged Schools, Industrial Schools, etc., with which she associated the names of Georfie Mueller and Mary Carpenter. We have gone far since those Early Victorian days, in caring for the children, and Mrs. Joyner is doing a great work by means, of the little Citizens League with Its high ideals and clearly cutaims and objects.
Western Mail, 14 April 1927.
LITTLE CITIZENS' LEAGUE.
A Fine Organisation.
Despite rather unpropitious weather one Saturday aftenoon recently, a party of Little Citizens spent a few happy hours in King's Park amidst ideal surroundings.
This Little Citizens' League which was formed in 1924 has the highest aims and ideals. Its policy is international, and, by the radio-relationships existing among its members, love, joy, beauty and fellowship of service is broadcast to various parts of the world.
On that Saturday afternoon there were representatives of the league from the severaí city and suburban groups and also from Drakesbrook, where a very live centre bas sprung into being.
The large kiosk was the spot chosen for the alfresco function, at which Mr. W. Clubb addressed the children. The work of the pioneers and those who had done such useful service in the past, and the work and service ahead of the girls and boys of to-day, was Mr. Clubb's theme, and in sympathetic, encouraging, words he urged them on to make life generally move beautiful and better by their individuals and combined efforts.
This League of Little Citizens should prove a power important and influential in the child life of the community, for it inculcates the love of all things beautiful and servicè to others, in the widest sense of the words.
Clean and tidy streets is one of their interests, which is to be commended. At the request of the league, the Council supplied wire baskets at the intersection of Thomas and Hay streets, for rubbish and the members of the league at Thomas-street School now see to it that round about there is neat and tidy.
A Great Feature.
Each member has a special comrade at the Fairbridge Farm School, a group settlement or somewhere in the country with whom they correspond on each other's birthday and at Christmas, and as often as they like to write.
This is a great means of linking up the children, the new comers, and the Australian born children, and has been the means of much joy and pleasure to very many of the children.
They work all the year round. Last year they visited the Silver Chain Cottage Homes, and presented to them a fully equipped writing table, purchased by their own endeavours, and which must in future prove a great boon to the inhabitants of the Homes and to those in authority there.
Another effort was helping to entertain, children at the Zoo. attending the summer school held by the Parents and Citi-zens' Association, and also helping to entertain groups of girls and boys from the Fairbridge Farm.
In the Park.
After listening to Mr. Clubb in the park, the children played all kinds of games, the older people joining in with them as joyously as the children.
Tea, too, was part of the party, and it was very happy sight watching the children enjoy whole afternoon.
They were a jolly, healthy, happy lot and it was clearly seen in the faces and actions of some of the party the influence the league and its idea's were having upon them. Character building is one of thc results of the ideas inculcated among the members. Courtesy and thoughtfulness are others, and watching the members on Saturday, gave an outsider the impression that excellent work was being carded on with already pleasing results evidenced, all unconsciously, by some of the children.
Mrs. A. E. Joyner and Mrs. Robertson appear to be the main springs of the league, and they, with a few enthusiastic helpers, arranged the party in the park, and saw to it that it was enjoyed by all.
Mrs Joyner also supplied a report, of the past year's activities a most gratifying report to all concerned. Letters too of appreciation from members were seen, which made one realise how wide the influence of this league can be and how it is possible for it to extend very far afield. Already, in Victoria and New South Wales people are interested and beginning to work on the same lines as here.
Daily News, 10 May 1932.
LITTLE CITIZENS
League's Efforts to Keep City Clean
The president, Mrs. A. E. Joyner, and secretary, Mrs. A. R. Robertson, of the 'Little Citizens' League' today expressed their appreciation of the sentiments expressed in the article 'Why Do We Fence in Our Beauty Spots,' which appeared in the issue of 'The Daily News' of last Wednesday. It was very desirable, they' said, that the picturesque places of Perth, instead of being hidden from the public gaze by unsightly fences, should be open to view.
At the corner of Thomas-street and Hay-street, in Subiaco, there was a garden which, through the efforts of the Little Citizens' League, had been left unfenced. Contrary to the voiced opinions of some the area had in no way been damaged. In fact, the children policed it with enthusiasm.
Other reforms which the league advocated were the increase in the number of rubbish bins throughout the city and the installation of boxes on trams for used tickets. The present habit of throwing the chits on the ground was untidy and not tolerated in such places as London, Paris and New York.
Daily News, 10 August 1935.
School children learn to be good citizens.
CIVIC PRIDE FOSTERED AT THOMAS STREET SCHOOL
‘Please keep our city clean' is the inscription on a waste paper bin presented by the Little Citizens' League of the Thomas-street school to the Children's Hospital on Thursday, and it is a slogan which the Little Citizens of the school live up to. There are now 14 such bins around the city.
Newcomers to Thomas-street State School, the central branch of the Little Citizens' League, soon got out of the habit of throwing paper about the playground, when the league was started, said Mrs. A. Robertson (secretary of the league and a teacher at the school ).
The Little Citizens' League was founded in 1924 by Mrs. A. E. Joyner, with the object of linking together all the children of the nation. The idea was to teach them to help others, keep their cities clean, and their parks beautiful. It has members in Sydney, New York, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, England and even Tristan da Cunha, a small island west oi South Africa, which it takes two years to reach by letter.
Members' Promises
The oldest member of the league is Mr. J. K. Blogg, of Melbourne, who is 86 years of age, and who does the exquisite wood carving which is photographed for the cover of the annual calendar of the league. Any child may become a life member on the payment of sixpence, and there are a number of simple promises which they are required to make.
These include a promise to write to some boy or girl at least twice a year, on birthdays and at Christmas: to be kind to animals and birds: to protect trees and plants: not to throw rubbish about in the streets or playground, and to take as the motto, 'Service, Not Self.'
One of the first acts of the Little Citizens' League in Perth was to present a number of rubbish bins to the city. These were placed on posts about the streets, and helped to keep the city clean.
The Fairbridge Farm School has been a particular charge of the league. Members entertain children from the farm during school holidays, and present books to the library. They help with country fairs, and travelled down to the Farm School to assist with the centenary celebrations. They also went down to be present at the first wedding in the Fairbridge Farm School.
Each branch of the league takes over some work. Miss H. Beattie, at the Thomas-street School, has charge of the girls working under the Children's Hospital women's auxiliary. These children have saved the hospital pounds by collecting medicine bottles and jars for use in the hospital, and they supply flowers to the wards, and visit the children. The calendar of the league, which is printed each year, has a thought of fellowship and good feeling for every month of the year.
MRS. A. E. JOYNER, who is wellknown in public life in Perth, founded the Little Citizens' League as a memorial to her small daughter, Barbara.
Dawn, 20 December 1939.
A Children's Library for Perth
A DREAM COME TRUE.
Dreams do come true, and one was realised in Perth last month when the Little Citizens' League, of which the founder is our well-known member, Mrs. A. E. Joyner, J.P., opened the first children's library in W.A. Mrs. Joyner's great love of children and the fine work she has done in their interest through many avenues, is well known, and the establishment of what might become a real culture centre for children has been for her an ambition for many years. Now a shabby old cottage, which was in danger of being condemned, and made available by the Perth City Council, has been traisformed into what cannot fail to be a place of delight for any children fortunate enough to enjoy it. Hundreds of children's books have been gathered together by Mrs. Joyner and her helpers, and these are housed with the needs of their young readers in mind. The cottage comprises some four rooms with spacious verandahs, and has been charmingly arranged and decorated. Out-houses will provide facilities for craft work, and there is ample space for a further dream—a children's theatre.
Members of the Little Citizens' League have bound books and magazine and assisted with various other jobs. They are being trained as "guides," and in due course will help to introduce other children to the library.
The library was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Perth (Councillor Harper), on November 4. The local paper recently devoted a charming article to Mrs. A. E. Joyner as "the Woman of the Month," and we do indeed join in expressing appreciation of all that Mrs. Joyner has done in many fields of social service in W.A., and in the congratulations, and every good wish for the success of the Children's Library.
West Australian, 5 March, 1952
WELL-KNOWN SOCIAL WORKER DIES
Mrs. Ethel Rose Paterson Joyner, a noted social worker and an outstanding personality, died at her home in West Perth on Sunday.
Mrs. Joyner was a member of the well known Paterson family of Pinjarra. Her maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicholls Paterson, of Creaton, Pinjarra, where she was born.
Her girlhood was spent in Adelaide, and she was known as one of the beauties of that city.
After her marriage to the late Mr. A. E. Joyner, she began to take a keen interest in social and welfare activities. These included work for the young as well as for the aged. Mrs. Joyner founded the Little Citizens' League in 1924 in memory of her daughter, Barbara, who died while still young.
Many pupils of the Thomas-street State School, over many years, have interested themselves in this organisation.
For Youth
As part of the league's work, Mrs. Joyner, in association with Senator Agnes Robertson and Miss H. Beattie, founded a children's library in Fitzgerald-street, North Perth.
This was opened in 1939, and has been continued ever since with only one short break.
Always keenly interested in activities for young people, Mrs. Joyner was a foundation member of the Children's Pro-tection Society, the Girl Guides' Association, and the Fairbridge Farm School Committee.
The Australian Federation of Women Voters, the Town Planning Association, Victoria League, University Women's College Fund Committee, National Council of Women and the Women's League of Health were other bodies in which she took an active interest.
A former State president of the Women's Service Guild, Mrs. Joyner was a delegate to the Rome conference of the International Women's Suffrage Alliance in the 1920's. Silver Chain
The president of the Silver Chain District and Bush Nursing Association (Mr. Henry Greig) said yesterday that the Silver Chain mourned the pass-ing of its senior vice-president and one of its founders.
With Mrs. Muriel Chase, Senator Agnes Robertson and the late Mr. Alfred Carson, Mrs. Joyner worked mightily in the development of the Silver Chain District Nursing Scheme from its initial stages with the one nurse to its present position with 14 nurses covering the whole of the metropolitan area, Mr. Greig said.
In later years she devoted herself almost exclusively to the development of the cottage homes in Highgate Hill.
She had a flair for making the best use of space and materials available and of creating the happy family atmosphere so characteristic of the homes.
“Truly, the epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren in St. Paul's Cathedral 'Si Monumentum requiris, circumspice' ('If you seek his monument look around you') might apply equally to her," Mr. Greig said.
Reference
Gregg, A. 1993, ‘The hope of the future: The Kindergarten Union and the campaign for children’s libraries in Western Australia. Issues In Educational Research 3(1), 1993, 17 - 33.
Call, 3 July 1925.
Little Citizens' League.
Its Aims and Purposes
Expounded by Mrs. A. E. Joyner.
On Friday afternoon last, at the Women's Service Guild rooms Mrs. A. E. Joyner gave an address to a big assemblage of members of the Guild on the aims" and purposes of the Little Citizen's League. Mrs. Joyner began by telling her audience that the League was founded in memory of her own little daughter, who radiated joy and happiness during her short stay on earth; and made her realise more fully than before that what is better than "God is Love" is that "Love is God" — these two facts are taken as the motto of the League.
THE LEAGUE'S AIMS
The alms of the League are to form Youth Schools of Citizenship, to educate "little citizens to build "their citizenship on the solid foundation of thought for others, recognising that citizenship is life : to give the follow-insr universal message by means of thoughts, words, actions: "Go forth Into the busy world and love it, interest yourself in its life. Mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows. Try what you can do, for men rather than what you can make them "do for you, and, you will know, what it is to have men yours, better than if you were their King or Master." There are seven branches of the League from which mad radiate sub-branches to do good. The various branches are to welcome, the stranger within the gates and extend the hand of friendship to him or her; to linkup with the radio relationship of love and goodwill with other children; to do all possible to make the City beautiful "by not scattering rubbish by protection of plant and animal life — in short to be clean inside and outside, to use heart, hands and head so as to give joy to others through personal work; to send out a thought of love, joy and fellowship to all the little citizens of the world each day; and finally to use earnestly the mott: "Service Not Self."
THE CONSTITUTION
Mrs. Joyner outlined the Constitution of the League, and stated that at the request of. the members - the little citizens themselves - a payment of sixpence is to be made to entitle members to cards which constitute membership of the League. Mrs. Joyner, who is a fluent speaker, outlined the story of many little citizens of the past, and of those who came forth to redeem them from the Slough of Despond in which they lived.
Mrs. Joyner mentioned Dickens as one through his immortal works on the evils attending child-life; Robert Raikes who in 1780 founded the first Sunday School; John Howard, Elizabeth Fry and prison work (incidentally Mrs Joyner "mentioned that a descendant of Elizabeth Fry is living in Perth): the building of Reformatories, in order to keep children apart from prison life: and the Ragged Schools, Industrial Schools, etc., with which she associated the names of Georfie Mueller and Mary Carpenter. We have gone far since those Early Victorian days, in caring for the children, and Mrs. Joyner is doing a great work by means, of the little Citizens League with Its high ideals and clearly cutaims and objects.
Western Mail, 14 April 1927.
LITTLE CITIZENS' LEAGUE.
A Fine Organisation.
Despite rather unpropitious weather one Saturday aftenoon recently, a party of Little Citizens spent a few happy hours in King's Park amidst ideal surroundings.
This Little Citizens' League which was formed in 1924 has the highest aims and ideals. Its policy is international, and, by the radio-relationships existing among its members, love, joy, beauty and fellowship of service is broadcast to various parts of the world.
On that Saturday afternoon there were representatives of the league from the severaí city and suburban groups and also from Drakesbrook, where a very live centre bas sprung into being.
The large kiosk was the spot chosen for the alfresco function, at which Mr. W. Clubb addressed the children. The work of the pioneers and those who had done such useful service in the past, and the work and service ahead of the girls and boys of to-day, was Mr. Clubb's theme, and in sympathetic, encouraging, words he urged them on to make life generally move beautiful and better by their individuals and combined efforts.
This League of Little Citizens should prove a power important and influential in the child life of the community, for it inculcates the love of all things beautiful and servicè to others, in the widest sense of the words.
Clean and tidy streets is one of their interests, which is to be commended. At the request of the league, the Council supplied wire baskets at the intersection of Thomas and Hay streets, for rubbish and the members of the league at Thomas-street School now see to it that round about there is neat and tidy.
A Great Feature.
Each member has a special comrade at the Fairbridge Farm School, a group settlement or somewhere in the country with whom they correspond on each other's birthday and at Christmas, and as often as they like to write.
This is a great means of linking up the children, the new comers, and the Australian born children, and has been the means of much joy and pleasure to very many of the children.
They work all the year round. Last year they visited the Silver Chain Cottage Homes, and presented to them a fully equipped writing table, purchased by their own endeavours, and which must in future prove a great boon to the inhabitants of the Homes and to those in authority there.
Another effort was helping to entertain, children at the Zoo. attending the summer school held by the Parents and Citi-zens' Association, and also helping to entertain groups of girls and boys from the Fairbridge Farm.
In the Park.
After listening to Mr. Clubb in the park, the children played all kinds of games, the older people joining in with them as joyously as the children.
Tea, too, was part of the party, and it was very happy sight watching the children enjoy whole afternoon.
They were a jolly, healthy, happy lot and it was clearly seen in the faces and actions of some of the party the influence the league and its idea's were having upon them. Character building is one of thc results of the ideas inculcated among the members. Courtesy and thoughtfulness are others, and watching the members on Saturday, gave an outsider the impression that excellent work was being carded on with already pleasing results evidenced, all unconsciously, by some of the children.
Mrs. A. E. Joyner and Mrs. Robertson appear to be the main springs of the league, and they, with a few enthusiastic helpers, arranged the party in the park, and saw to it that it was enjoyed by all.
Mrs Joyner also supplied a report, of the past year's activities a most gratifying report to all concerned. Letters too of appreciation from members were seen, which made one realise how wide the influence of this league can be and how it is possible for it to extend very far afield. Already, in Victoria and New South Wales people are interested and beginning to work on the same lines as here.
Daily News, 10 May 1932.
LITTLE CITIZENS
League's Efforts to Keep City Clean
The president, Mrs. A. E. Joyner, and secretary, Mrs. A. R. Robertson, of the 'Little Citizens' League' today expressed their appreciation of the sentiments expressed in the article 'Why Do We Fence in Our Beauty Spots,' which appeared in the issue of 'The Daily News' of last Wednesday. It was very desirable, they' said, that the picturesque places of Perth, instead of being hidden from the public gaze by unsightly fences, should be open to view.
At the corner of Thomas-street and Hay-street, in Subiaco, there was a garden which, through the efforts of the Little Citizens' League, had been left unfenced. Contrary to the voiced opinions of some the area had in no way been damaged. In fact, the children policed it with enthusiasm.
Other reforms which the league advocated were the increase in the number of rubbish bins throughout the city and the installation of boxes on trams for used tickets. The present habit of throwing the chits on the ground was untidy and not tolerated in such places as London, Paris and New York.
Daily News, 10 August 1935.
School children learn to be good citizens.
CIVIC PRIDE FOSTERED AT THOMAS STREET SCHOOL
‘Please keep our city clean' is the inscription on a waste paper bin presented by the Little Citizens' League of the Thomas-street school to the Children's Hospital on Thursday, and it is a slogan which the Little Citizens of the school live up to. There are now 14 such bins around the city.
Newcomers to Thomas-street State School, the central branch of the Little Citizens' League, soon got out of the habit of throwing paper about the playground, when the league was started, said Mrs. A. Robertson (secretary of the league and a teacher at the school ).
The Little Citizens' League was founded in 1924 by Mrs. A. E. Joyner, with the object of linking together all the children of the nation. The idea was to teach them to help others, keep their cities clean, and their parks beautiful. It has members in Sydney, New York, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, England and even Tristan da Cunha, a small island west oi South Africa, which it takes two years to reach by letter.
Members' Promises
The oldest member of the league is Mr. J. K. Blogg, of Melbourne, who is 86 years of age, and who does the exquisite wood carving which is photographed for the cover of the annual calendar of the league. Any child may become a life member on the payment of sixpence, and there are a number of simple promises which they are required to make.
These include a promise to write to some boy or girl at least twice a year, on birthdays and at Christmas: to be kind to animals and birds: to protect trees and plants: not to throw rubbish about in the streets or playground, and to take as the motto, 'Service, Not Self.'
One of the first acts of the Little Citizens' League in Perth was to present a number of rubbish bins to the city. These were placed on posts about the streets, and helped to keep the city clean.
The Fairbridge Farm School has been a particular charge of the league. Members entertain children from the farm during school holidays, and present books to the library. They help with country fairs, and travelled down to the Farm School to assist with the centenary celebrations. They also went down to be present at the first wedding in the Fairbridge Farm School.
Each branch of the league takes over some work. Miss H. Beattie, at the Thomas-street School, has charge of the girls working under the Children's Hospital women's auxiliary. These children have saved the hospital pounds by collecting medicine bottles and jars for use in the hospital, and they supply flowers to the wards, and visit the children. The calendar of the league, which is printed each year, has a thought of fellowship and good feeling for every month of the year.
MRS. A. E. JOYNER, who is wellknown in public life in Perth, founded the Little Citizens' League as a memorial to her small daughter, Barbara.
Dawn, 20 December 1939.
A Children's Library for Perth
A DREAM COME TRUE.
Dreams do come true, and one was realised in Perth last month when the Little Citizens' League, of which the founder is our well-known member, Mrs. A. E. Joyner, J.P., opened the first children's library in W.A. Mrs. Joyner's great love of children and the fine work she has done in their interest through many avenues, is well known, and the establishment of what might become a real culture centre for children has been for her an ambition for many years. Now a shabby old cottage, which was in danger of being condemned, and made available by the Perth City Council, has been traisformed into what cannot fail to be a place of delight for any children fortunate enough to enjoy it. Hundreds of children's books have been gathered together by Mrs. Joyner and her helpers, and these are housed with the needs of their young readers in mind. The cottage comprises some four rooms with spacious verandahs, and has been charmingly arranged and decorated. Out-houses will provide facilities for craft work, and there is ample space for a further dream—a children's theatre.
Members of the Little Citizens' League have bound books and magazine and assisted with various other jobs. They are being trained as "guides," and in due course will help to introduce other children to the library.
The library was officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Perth (Councillor Harper), on November 4. The local paper recently devoted a charming article to Mrs. A. E. Joyner as "the Woman of the Month," and we do indeed join in expressing appreciation of all that Mrs. Joyner has done in many fields of social service in W.A., and in the congratulations, and every good wish for the success of the Children's Library.
West Australian, 5 March, 1952
WELL-KNOWN SOCIAL WORKER DIES
Mrs. Ethel Rose Paterson Joyner, a noted social worker and an outstanding personality, died at her home in West Perth on Sunday.
Mrs. Joyner was a member of the well known Paterson family of Pinjarra. Her maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicholls Paterson, of Creaton, Pinjarra, where she was born.
Her girlhood was spent in Adelaide, and she was known as one of the beauties of that city.
After her marriage to the late Mr. A. E. Joyner, she began to take a keen interest in social and welfare activities. These included work for the young as well as for the aged. Mrs. Joyner founded the Little Citizens' League in 1924 in memory of her daughter, Barbara, who died while still young.
Many pupils of the Thomas-street State School, over many years, have interested themselves in this organisation.
For Youth
As part of the league's work, Mrs. Joyner, in association with Senator Agnes Robertson and Miss H. Beattie, founded a children's library in Fitzgerald-street, North Perth.
This was opened in 1939, and has been continued ever since with only one short break.
Always keenly interested in activities for young people, Mrs. Joyner was a foundation member of the Children's Pro-tection Society, the Girl Guides' Association, and the Fairbridge Farm School Committee.
The Australian Federation of Women Voters, the Town Planning Association, Victoria League, University Women's College Fund Committee, National Council of Women and the Women's League of Health were other bodies in which she took an active interest.
A former State president of the Women's Service Guild, Mrs. Joyner was a delegate to the Rome conference of the International Women's Suffrage Alliance in the 1920's. Silver Chain
The president of the Silver Chain District and Bush Nursing Association (Mr. Henry Greig) said yesterday that the Silver Chain mourned the pass-ing of its senior vice-president and one of its founders.
With Mrs. Muriel Chase, Senator Agnes Robertson and the late Mr. Alfred Carson, Mrs. Joyner worked mightily in the development of the Silver Chain District Nursing Scheme from its initial stages with the one nurse to its present position with 14 nurses covering the whole of the metropolitan area, Mr. Greig said.
In later years she devoted herself almost exclusively to the development of the cottage homes in Highgate Hill.
She had a flair for making the best use of space and materials available and of creating the happy family atmosphere so characteristic of the homes.
“Truly, the epitaph of Sir Christopher Wren in St. Paul's Cathedral 'Si Monumentum requiris, circumspice' ('If you seek his monument look around you') might apply equally to her," Mr. Greig said.
Reference
Gregg, A. 1993, ‘The hope of the future: The Kindergarten Union and the campaign for children’s libraries in Western Australia. Issues In Educational Research 3(1), 1993, 17 - 33.
