Gladys Cressey...A Girl And An Opinion (1904).
In 1904 and 1906 the W.A. Record, the Catholic newspaper published two essays written by Gladys Cressey on 'Why all Catholics should support the West Australian Recorder' and the 'Life of St Patrick' in the Children's Competitions section of the newspaper.
The newspaper also printed a photograph that appeared with both contributions by the photographer J. J. Dwyer. There are very few photographs of children who wrote to newspapers and had their letters and creative work published. The photographs provide a wonderful insight into the fashions of the time for children and young people like Gladys. They always inspire further research.
In 1904 Gladys was a student a the Convent School in Kalgoorlie when her essay 'Why all Catholics should support the West Australia Recorder' was published. The photograph provided with the essay states she was 14 years old.
Many children wrote essays and submitted them on a regular basis to the newspaper. The essays submitted had to be the children's own work and validated by the teacher and local priest before entered.
The essay on 'Why all Catholics should support the 'West Australian Record' has been copied below as it provides a wonderful insight into Gladys, in particular her opinions on the value of the Children's Corner and the authors of the articles published in it. "...It also contains a Children's Corner, for, which reason the children should induce our parents to support it, that we may read the letters therein, and thereby know how our cousins, who live in the different parts of the State are, and how they are employed, etc. I fancy that I know each of them already, and am very much interested in their various games and holiday amusements, and anxiously wish to meet them, in order to strengthen our acquaintance." Over one hundred years on Gladys and I share something in common. We both want to get to know the children that lived at that time.
Gladys also makes some interesting comment about the articles that appear in West Australian Recorder and who write them..."Few I think like "The Record" better than I do, and yet I would prefer the words were not so large as I would wish to read the articles straight, off without a stop, and this cannot be so for when I meet a difficult word I have to apply to the dictionary, otherwise I would not understand what I was reading about, which doubtlessly shows that the articles are written by well educated men."
In 1906 Gladys was now attending St. John of God's Convent in Subiaco and again she submitted an essay on 'The Life of St. Patrick'. The W.A. Record, 9 June 1906, wrote about Gladys' essay on the 'Life of St. Patrick' published in the children's corner.
"...Now a word about the essays...The best essay on the 'Life of St. Patrick' was written by Miss Gladys Cressey (aged 15), of the Convent of St, John of God Subiaco. For a girl of her age we, consider her essay a very; creditable production. The writing and phrasing are good, and as our readers may see she has shown a thorough grasp of her subject, giving us a racy and interesting account of the various periods of the Saint's life. With a minuteness of detail which bordered on but never became boresome..."
Little information about Gladys Cressey can be found on Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. She does not seem to have anything else published after 1906.
The article and photograph is from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
W.A. Record, 12 November 1904.
Prize Essays. COMPETITIVE ESSAYS ON 'WHY ALL CATHOLICS SHOULD SUPPORT 'THE WEST AUSTRALIAN RECORD.'
(By Gladys Cressey, Convent School, Kalgoorlie)
It is the duty of Catholics to support their own paper therefore, I think, "The Record" ought to receive substantial, support, being the sole Catholic paper in this State. Not only for the above mentioned reason should Catholics support "The Record," but also because, in such a vast State as this is, where the population is so scattered, and all have not the opportunity that we, in Kalgoorlie, have, of hearing daily Mass or attending to their religious duties some incentive is necessary to bring them into a closer religious union than would be possible were by all "The Record" will do what it not established, and if support is required.
When articles are published through the Press people will form an opinion, and owing to the manner in which statements are represented, the generality of Catholics, probably will form the wrong opinion, and for those "The Record" is particularly necessary, as in it they are certain, to find a true and perfect account of all matters relating to Catholicity. It is useless for a person to say : "I require no paper to explain matters to me, for I never form a wrong opinion, nor am I prejudiced," as all persons are liable to mistakes. Again, a certain amount of reading is done by all and, of course, it could not be done from anything better than from a Catholic paper such as "The Record.' In its present state 'The Record' is highly worthy of support, as it contains not only a plentiful supply of good Catholic reading, but also instructive general news.
It also contains a Children's Corner, for, which reason the children should induce our parents to support it, that we may read the letters therein, and thereby know how our cousins, who live in the different parts of the State are, and how they are employed, etc. I fancy that I know each of them already, and am very much interested in their various games and holiday amusements, and anxiously wish to meet them, in order to strengthen our acquintance.
The much admired poetry, which at present appears in "The Record" is very commendable. How beautifully it illustrates the patriotic, and poetic spirit of the Irish people and as the greater number of us are of Irish descent, we should love very much, to read it, and learn more about our forefathers.
A Catholic book or paper should be available in every household to prevent people from reading useless books and to improve them, for if they read good news, it will strengthen their faith, and increase their knowledge, while they are, in a certain sense only amusing themselves. Excuses always creep in, so some people may say that they have Catholic books, and ask why they should support "The Record" when they have in a supply of Catholic reading.
Well, I think, that most people like fresh reading, and like also to have plenty of it. "The Record" is of ample size and is delivered weekly, therefore, it should please all thoroughly. Add to this the instructive powers of "The Record." Few I think like "The Record" better than I do, and yet I would prefer the words were not so large as I would wish to read the articles straight, off without a stop, and this cannot be so for when I meet a difficult word I have to apply to the dictionary, otherwise I would not understand what I was reading about, which doubtlessly shows that the articles are written by well educated men.
Again ordinary books would, perhaps, remain away unread for some time, but if a paper were delivered weekly as "The Record" is, people would feel bound to read some of it, at least, before placing it down, and if once they looked at "The Record" they would read it, no doubt right through for I think it would interest any person.
I must not omit to mention the artistic headings which have appeared lately on "The Record." I think they are both interesting and amusing. On the whole I think there are many and urgent reasons for which, Catholics should support "The Record," and hope they will do so in a manner that will be a credit to them..."
Gladys Cressey,
Age 14 years. September 29, 1904.
