A Sunshine Maker's Bazaar In Subiaco... Christmas, 1910. Part 1.
My favourite research and writing topic...the children of Western Australia in their own words. And so the story of the members of the Sunshine League in Subiaco continues. Those adventures of members and in particular, members from Subiaco have been written about in previous blog posts.
In the early 1900s many of the children in Western Australia, Perth and Subiaco, entered competitions and shared aspects of their lives through letters and essays in the 'Children's Pages' run by Uncle Tom and Auntie Nell at the Daily News newspaper.
The children became members of the Sunshine League, a charitable organisation initiated by Uncle Tom, the original editor of the 'Children's Pages' at the newspaper. The object of the Sunshine League was "to train children in sets of kindness and love, believing that such sets bring blessings to themselves and others". The motto was "there is nothing greater or more beautiful thing in all the world than kind deeds and the humblest child can do them." Children wrote to Uncle Tom and Auntie Nell asking to become members who were known as 'nieces' and 'nephews'.
There was no membership fee but those members who wanted to could make a donation or actively raise money for two causes the 'Orphans Christmas Cheer Fund' and the Children's Hospital Cot Fund. Those events were annual features in children's pages. Many children donated money on a regular basis and their names were published in the newspaper.
In 1910, over one hundred and ten years ago two members of the Sunshine League, Thelma M'Callum and Feda Miller organised a bazaar at Thelma's home at 27 York Street. Subiaco. Thelma and Feda wrote a letter to Auntie Nell describing the event and to thank her for coming. While it is difficult to know exactly how old Thelma and Feda were at the time their letters appeared in the Daily News they were in the section of Second Class (Over eight to 12 years) which means they were between eight and 12 years of age. The event was described by Auntie Nell, editor of the 'Children's Pages' of the Daily News at the time. The post is copied below.
The next post post "Orphans Christmas Cheer Fund...Christmas 1910. Part Two contains a description of what the money raised was for and what institutions and orphanages received them including those in Subiaco. Part Three is about raising money for King Edward Memorial Hospital in 1933.
The articles are from Trove, the database at the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
The Daily News, 20 November, 1910.
"...27 York-street, Subiaco. My dear Auntie Nell, - Our bazaar passed off very successfully last Saturday afternoon, and in beautiful weather. We had a splendid attendance of adults and children, every article being disposed of. With the result of our efforts we are able to hand you a grand total of ' £5 8s which will help the thermometer rise for the Orphans' Xmas Cheer.
We were all delighted at having you amongst us, Aunt Nell, and pleased that you came out and took such an interest in us. We wish to thank the following for donations: — Messrs. W. Savage, Darbon, Maitland, E. M. Lukin, Bantock, Kinsella, the matron and staff of the Claremont Hospital for the Insane, and many others who gave us willing help. Good-bye, dear Aunt Nell, accept fond love and kisses from your loving nieces, THELMA M'CALLUM. FEDA MILLER.
My Dear Thelma and Feda,— Your letter will, I know, be read with interest by many members of the Sunshine League, and they all, know join with me in congratulating you both on the great, success of your bazaar. The sum of £5 8s. Is splendid, and I am sure exceeds any sum before raised by two little girls in connection with the Sunshine League. I was pleased to be with you and to meet you all and my only regret that I had to hurry away. Will you both accept very many thanks from me for the kind thought which prompted you to work so energetically and to such purpose for the little orphans Christmas cheer. With much love and a kiss to you both, yours lovingly, Auntie Nell..." (Daily News, 12 November 1910).
Daily News, 12 November 1910
Conducted by - AUNTIE NELL.
My dear Nieces and Nephews,— You will notice that the thermometer, for the Orphans' Cheer has gone up with a big jump during the week. Doubtless many of you are curious to know the cause of this sudden ascent on the part of the thermometer, so I will gratify your curiosity.
Two of my little Subiaco nieces, Thelma M'Callum and Feda Miller, held a very successful bazaar last Saturday, and as a result of their effort the sum of £5 8s has been handed to me for the Orphans Christmas Cheer.
Now don't you all think that simply splendid? It just shows what Sunshine-makers can accomplish if they set to work with a tender, kind thought in their hearts for the welfare and happiness of those less fortunate than themselves, combined with a determination to succeed.
When I arrived at Mrs. M'Callum's home last Saturday afternoon, the lawn at the back of the house presented a very gay appearance. Dozens of happy faced children dressed in pretty white frocks, a large number of them I was glad to notice wearing the bright red rosette — our membership emblem, as well as a large number of adults, were busy purchasing from the dainty stalls laden with all manner of pretty dolls, d'oyles, bags, pincushions, trayclothes and dozens of other pretty articles too numerous to mention.
Mrs M'Callum and Thelma presided over the fancy stall and bran pie, whilst Mrs. Miller and Feda had charge of the refreshment stall, where a brisk trade was experienced. This stall, was prettily arranged with flowers, delicious home-made sweets, cakes and scones; and quite close was a most attractive ice-cream, jelly, and cool drinks stall, which was patronised in strong numbers particularly by the juvenile visitors present.
All the stalls carried out the League's membership emblem by the introduction of crimson drapings and rosettes, artistically arranged, and both Thelma and Freda had donned their pretty crimson rosettes. The whole effect was enhanced by the addition of numbers of colored Chinese lanterns and flags, which swung gaily from, the awning in the afternoon breeze.
Again in the evening business was brisk, and 'perhaps the most' exciting, and merriest-time of all was when Mr. M'Callum assumed the role of auctioneer, and held an auction sale of a few sold goods. Mr. M'Callum is to, be congratulated on the excellent portrayal of the character.
The thanks of the League are greatly due to those who worked so arduously to make the bazaar a success, and I know you all Join with me in thanking most heartily Feda, Thelma, Clyde, Mr. and Mrs. M'Callum, and Mr and Mrs. Miller for, all their kindness and trouble in forwarding the fine, substantial sum of £5 8s., the proceeds of the bazaar, to our League Orphan's Cheer Fund.
You will notice by the advertisements in another column of the Children's Page that two more - bazaars are to eventuate, Ailsa's next Saturday, and that arranged by Etta Holli - a very loyal and useful Sunshine maker at her home at South terrace, South Fremantle, the following; Saturday afternoon. Etta extends a very cordial invitation to all the Perth, nieces and nephews and their friends to be present, and I know that many charming articles are to be displayed. I'm looking forward to seeing Sunshiners from near and far today week, and am very anxious, to meet you all. I want you all to be sure and come and introduce yourselves to me; also I should like you all to wear your red rosettes — then I cannot possibly mistake you.
Quite beautiful and novel wares will be seen at Ailsa's bazaar, and she has been promised the loveliest flowers and pot plants, and the refreshments and icecream stalls are in the hands of Mesdames Mantova and Miller respectively, assisted by a bevy of dainty Sunshine-makers and the magic fairy well promises many surprises and attractions for the small folks. Goodbye, dears, until nest Saturday, with much love to one and all. Yours lovingly AUNTIE NELL.
The Orphans' Xmas Cheer Thermeter from 1910...Thelma and Feda's names have been included. 
