The Sunshine League and the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund...Children's Opinions Christmas 1910. Part Three.
This post is a continuation of the two previous posts on the Sunshine League and the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund in 1910, 'A Sunshine Maker's Bazaar In Subiaco...Christmas 1910, Part One' and 'Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fun...Christmas 1910, Part Two'.
As previously stated in blogposts on this blog, The Sunshine League was associated with the Daily News newspaper's children's pages edited by Auntie Nell. Children wrote letters to Auntie Nell and entered competitions including writing essays, donated and raised money for charitable causes including the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund and the Children's Hospital Cot Fund. The members were known as nieces or nephews and Sunshine Makers.
In 1910, Auntie Nell asked the members of Sunshine League children for their opinions on 'what would be the most enjoyable way to entertain the orphans at Christmas time' for the Orphans' Christmas Cheer Fund. Many children responded to Auntie Nell about where they thought the orphans might like to go for a picnic and a good time. Some children were awarded prizes for their efforts. The responses and awarding of prizes were classified according to ages.
It is always interesting to read the children's letters and Auntie Nell's responses to these letters of over a hundred years ago and the children's opinions and thoughts were valued by an adult. Auntie Nell's responses showed she had an intimate knowledge of most of the Sunshine League members and their families.
One of the letters was from Subiaco Sunshine League member Daphne Pyett who lived at 57 York-street, Subiaco in 1910. There is a previous post about Daphne as a member of the Sunshine League. In this letter she made a suggestion on and enjoyable way to entertain the orphans via the Orphan's Christmas Cheer Fund.
The letters copied below are some of the children's responses. The articles are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia. No copyright infringement intended.
The photographs copied below are from the Royal Historical Society of Western Australia photographic collection of sites around Perth in 1910 based on the ideas suggested by the children in the letters. No copyright infringement intended.
Daily News, 8 October 1910.
AUNTIE NELL'S POSTSCRIPT
Prizes will be given for the best essays on 'What I think would be the most enjoyable way to entertain the orphans at Christmas time.' AUNTIE NELL.
Daily News, 15 October 1910.
ESSAYS
PRIZE ESSAY.
Coode-street. South Perth. Dear Aunt Nell, - I think a good idea to entertain tho orphans would do to have a picnic at Como Beach South Perth, it is within easy distance of Perth, and Mr. Sutton would most likely reduce the fares. There Is a good road down to the beach and it is about three-quarters of a mile to the jetty. It is a very nice place for bathing, and there is no danger, oven the very little ones can go and paddle. There are many attractions, such as fishing and crabbing. At the end of the Jetty there are shelter sheds where the meals can be set. - Your loving niece, OLIVE SMITH. P.S. - My sister Is going to Join this week - O.S.
Dear Olive, - I was so pleased to have your letter and essay, also the beautiful fragrant blooms of lavender enclosed in your letter. Thank you. It sounds quite a delightful place for a picnic. I shall bear it in mind. I am so glad you have found me a new sunshine-maker. I am pleased to welcome Ivy as my niece. Do you think you could make something for Ailsa Skene's bazaar in aid of the orphans' cheer? She would be very grateful to you If you could. Are you taking part in the Schools' Demonstration at Claremont on Saturday? Good-bye, dear. Take much love from yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
Daily News, 15 October 1910.
MY LETTER BAG
SUNSHINE MAKING ACCOUNTS, And WELCOME CORRESPONDENCE FIRST CLASS
Suburban-road, South Perth. Dear Auntie Nell, — Will you accept me as one of your nephews. I am six years old, and I am in the first standard at school. I am going to write an essay on, 'Where I think would be the best place to take the orphans for their picnic ' this year. Well, I think that it would be a good thing to take them to King's Park. As there is plenty of room for them to run about, and have races. And there is a lovely view and they could see all the boats on the river. I am enclosing three pence for the Orphan's Cheer. I think that is all, from your would be nephew. ROLAND PUTTICK. P.S.— A little friend is writing this letter for me.- R.P.
Dear Roland,— I am so glad you have written to me and l am delighted to have you for my little nephew. Thank you so much for your, three pennies for our Orphan's Cheer Fund. You were a kind little man thank you for your suggestion for the orphans' picnic; a very good one, but I will not decide until I hear the opinion of a few more of the sunshine makers. Did Thelma help you with your letter? It was very kind of her, wasn't it ? Did you and Thelma catch your ferry on Sunday. I was so pleased to have met you. You must go and see Amy some other Sunday. Good-bye, dear, take much love from yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
Daily News, 15 October 1910.
PRIZE ESSAY.
Mackle-street.- Victoria Park. Dear Aunt Nell,— I am writing an essay on 'What I think would be the most enjoyable way to entertain the orphans at Christmas time.' I think they would enjoy a picnic in the country. There is plenty of room for them to play in. There are also nice shady trees for them to rest under and have their, lunch under. In the country there are many pretty wildflowers to look at and pick. Swings can also be fixed on the boughs of trees for them to swing on. The country is very pretty when all the flowers are out. I think they would enjoy the train ride very much. There is much beautiful scenery to be seen when going along In the train. A day in the country would be very delightful for them. Enclosed you will find, threepence worth of stamps.- I remain, your affectionate niece. SYLVIA WEICKHARDT, aged 10.
Dear Sylvia,— It is a long time since I heard from you. I thought you must have forgotten all about me. Did Freda receive her prize, do you know? I think the little orphans would enjoy a day in the country, especially if the idea you suggest was carried out. Very many thanks for your orphans cheer contribution; it was most welcome. I trust you will like your prize, dear, and gain some more. Give my love to Ella and Freda, and kiss your sweet little baby sister from me. Much love, dear, from - Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
Daily News, 15 October 1910.
PRIZE ESSAY.
Rosalie; Bruce-street, Leedervillle. Dear Auntie Nell.— I think a nice way to entertain the orphan children at Christmas time would be to get some large wagons drawn by nice quiet horses (as trains go too quickly, and the children cannot see all the beautiful things as they pass along), and taken for a long drive Into the country, past farms, so that the children may see the sheep and cattle feeding In the paddocks, and the farmers gathering in the harvest, the vines loaded, with grapes, the orange trees with their golden green foliage, dotted all over with lovely golden oranges, and to a nice green shady part beside a stream, then waited on with refreshments (not forgetting strawberries or peaches and cream), then allowed to wander and pick flowers, listening to the dear little birds singing, or partake of games, swings, or any other amusements; then more cakes and billy tea, and a lovely ride home. I am sure they would be just ready for bed. - I remain your affectionate niece. DOROTHY VINCENT.
Dear Dorothy,— What a charming day we could give the orphans If it was only possible to carry out the scheme you suggest in your letter. It sounds most enjoyable. I have awarded your essay a prize, dear. I trust it will arrive safely, and that you will like it. Hoping you are all well, and that I will hear from you again soon, - Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
PRIZE ESSAY
My Dear Auntie Nell,— I should like to try and write an essay on what I think would do to give tho orphans an outing at Christmas time. In my opinion, the best way to entertain them would be to take them for a lovely picnic to the beach, either at Cottesloe or North Beach, I should like to get some wagons and some horses and drive them gently through the beautiful bush roads, where they could see all the lovely wild flowers growing; then, when they arrived at the beach they could all take off their shoes and stockings and paddle. Run races on the sands, and build beautiful sand castle, then I would have some swings put under the trees, where they could have lovely swings there on. I would have lovely sandwiches and buns and cakes and fruit for them to eat, and should finish up with a lollie scramble. Then, when the sun was beginning to go to have a rest, I should give them all an orange to take home, and get them into the wagons and drive home again, when they would for very pleased to tumble Into their little beds, after a happy day. This is all this time, from your loving niece, WINNIE YOUNG.
Dear Winnie, — I think if the programme you suggest in your essay was carried out, a very happy day would be enjoyed by the orphans. The drive through the country roads, and eventually the paddling and races on the beach, would be really lovely. The lollie scramble, too, they would think was lovely fun. If not just as you suggest, we hope to give the orphans a happy day, and I am very anxious for all the Sunshine-makers to interest themselves in this movement, and work energetically in order to make the thermometer rise. Good-bye, dear. Take much love from - Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
Daily News, 19 November 1910.
57 York-street, Subiaco. Dear Auntie Nell,— I am writing you a few lines to ask you if you are in good health, as it leaves us at present. We are getting a concert hall built at our school just now. Our school concert is coming off soon. I hope Ailsa's bazaar will be a great success, so that the little orphans will be able to have a nice picnic. I think if they went to Point Walter they would have a grand time I am sure. They could have a nice lot of races and prizes in the afternoon. I am 12 years of age. I am going to the Royal Show. I hope I will be able to collect a nice lot of money to help to rise the Thermometer speedily. Good-night, dear Auntie Nell,— I remain, your loving niece DAPHNE PYETT
Dear Daphne,— I was so disappointed at not meeting you- at Thelma and Feda's bazaar on Saturday last. If it had been possible for you to get along I know you would have enjoyed yourself. The stalls looked so pretty, and everyone was so bright and happy. I trust the school concert will be a big success. Are you taking part in it? I, too, trust you will be able to collect some pennies for the orphans. We will require every penny we can possibly collect to give them these lovely picnics we are talking so much about. I hope you enjoyed yourself at the Royal Show. What day were you there? With much love, dear, and thanks for all the sweet kisses.— Yours lovingly, Auntie Nell.
The first two photographs are the views from Cottesloe Beach in 1910. The last two photographs are from Kings Park in 1910.
